Stupid Day?

Some days, I tell ya!
Reading a children's book called "Brainy Baby's Animals" to my kids today. Apparently:
- a coyote is actually called a "fox"
-a black bear, cougar and bobcat live in a swamp with alligators and beavers
- every type of colourful fish is called an "angel fish"
- a gnu is actually called an "antelope"

Next I went to the washroom. Haning up next to the door is a poster lovingly supplied by my school board entitled "How to cope with stress"
# 6 Get up earlier.
#27 Get to work earlier.

I freaking kid you not.

Mirror, mirror...

I got to see myself reflected in a tiny little mirror yesterday afternoon, so great! During free play 2 of my little guys wandered into circle corner and started pulling things out of my "off limits, teacher only" box I use for circle. I followed them and asked them what they were looking for. They both were looking for our rhythm sticks, wanting to sing our "This is the way we tap our sticks" song (that I sneakily use to teach up, down, left & right).

So I sat on the floor, let my little J & S share the teacher's spot. It was amazing! J started taking us through the ENTIRE circle routine. Every word I say/sing, every move I make, every idiosynracy of mine...it was the funniest, cutest thing I think I've ever seen! I was seriously in tears it was so funny.

He even imitated me not being able to find something I needed (sadly that happens pretty much every day). I haven't had that much fun at school in weeks.

I couldn't believe J had actually memorized every word and move I make. If you ever think they're not watching, you couldn't be more mistaken! They take in WAY more than we think!

Oh right, THAT'S why!

If you have ever known a child with Autism, you know that many times they just don't connect emotionally with others. Many children with Autism will show very little emotion towards family members, friends or caregivers.

We've got a few little guys like that in my class. One of them is very affectionate towards his parents, but does not like other people much at all. He honestly spent the first 6 weeks of school laying beside the door to my room, sobbing. Trust me when I say we tried EVERYTHING to get him engaged or at least distracted. Nothing worked. It was heartbreaking for me and my staff to see him like this but there was nothing we could do.

Over the next few months he slowly improved. He would cry for half the day, then only the first 1/2 hour, then only the first few minutes. Now he is generally a content little man with very few tears. Huge progress! Well today was another huge progress that almost had me in tears.

I went to another room to pick him for a session. He didn't notice me when I came in, so I crouched down beside him, put my hand on his shoulder and called his name. He slowly turned his head, focused on my face for several seconds, made eye contact and SMILED! The hugest, sweetest most beautiful smile you ever saw! He held my gaze for several seconds and smiled away at me. (getting choked up as I type this)

Thank you sweetie, for my making my whole week worthwhile!

Arr Matey!

My fav little guy was pretending to be a pirate on Tuesday. He ran up to me, squinting one eye closed, saying, "Hi ho, pirate Mrs. R!"

Love it!

My Prince

This is how blessed I am. My amazing husband woke up at 7:30 after working the closing shift and came to surprise me at my school to volunteer in my morning class.

*sniff*

Is there a sweeter man in the entire universe. I'll post pics soon of the AWESOME block castle he built with two of my kids!

Bad or Good?

Asked one of my little guys with Autism how he was today. Response as follows:

Him: "I bad."

Me: "Oh dear, why are you bad?"

Him: "Oh, okay. (exasperated sigh) I good!"