Yesterday. :(

So I volunteer in my sons class about once a week for reading groups.  Today I entered his classroom during recess and there was a little girl in there.  She is one of my sons good friend in the class and she started  to tell me a story of the day.  Each word that she said made my heart break.   She began by telling me how frustrated my son had been that morning and how he had started yelling and then begun to throw chairs and shove desks around the room.  I listened as she continued, " we decided to try a new thing today.  It was cool.  The whole class got to go outside for and extra recess and run around."  When we got back he( my son) was not frustrated anymore, she said. Then she smiled and turned away.

I love the innocence of little kids. This little girl even though she was tattling  and telling me how bad my son acted, understood and that lifted my spirit.  She wasn't scared or mean about how my son reacted she understood that he was frustrated and that he was doing the best he could in that moment.  I wanted to hug her and thank her for understanding how hard it can be for him.  I didn't but I thanked her for being his friend and for understanding that he gets frustrated sometimes.

I believe that the Assistant Principal came and deescalated my son and was able to help him process his frustrations. My son had a great rest of the day.  I am so grateful for each of the staff at his school that work so hard to help him.  We made it another day. Yea!

Underwear

Over the last school year my son had difficulty with playing with himself at school and showing his penis to others (not on purpose) but never the less we where struggling.  As embarrassing as this is for me to talk about, I found a way to completely stop him from doing this so I thought I would share!! I made him a onesie by sewing an undershirt to a pair of underwear. It was been a life saver for us and I thought someone out there might benefit from it too.  

School Struggles

Second Grade!  Yikes. I would have never imagined that this year would be such a challenge.  Last year was so amazing and we breezed through without to many issues.  We had a little bullying issue that was fairly easy to resolve and academically my guy was near perfect.  This year has been the complete opposite.  I have been getting 2-4 calls a week to come to the school to help calm, motivate,  redirect, and bring changes of clothes ( he has started having potty accidents).  I have been very overwhelmed and unsure how to assist.  I started by just waiting to be asked for help.  And Things  kept escalating, so I  took a different approach.  He teacher this year doesn't seem to respond well to my suggestions so I called and emailed the principal and asked for a change in his IEP ( individual education plan).  Working with the schools special education teacher really helped too.  We formulated a plan to assist his sensory needs and give him support when and where he needs it,
1. he is wearing a pressure vest
2. using weighted blanket as needed
3. taking 3 scheduled breaks in special education classroom
    (where he can jump on trampoline)
     get extra one on one help with difficult tasks
     see a schedule of the day to ease surprises
4. he sits in front close to teacher
5. has a desk away to do work if needed.
6. has his own tools to use so he gets desired color and type of crayons/ glue/ scissors/ etc

We have been not having him ride the bus, and getting him to school right as the bell rings to minimize unstructured free time. Which has seemed to help.  Also I make him swing for 10-15 minutes downstairs before school to help get him ready to start the day!  All these things are helping and I am hopeful as we go back to school from Christmas break thing will go better!!  I love my little guy so much!  I pray it goes well for him!

A New Year

Oh how the year flies by.  I am going to try and commit to posting again.  This year my boy started 2nd grade.  How is he that old.  We have had a wonderful summer full of swimming, camping, and playing with cousins.  It is amazing how a lack of routine and cause trouble for my guy!  He thrives when we are busy but the lack of routine has caused us and increase of stimming behaviors.

My sons behaviors include; pacing, bouncing, spinning and these in combination.  He can get stuck doing these for hours.  It makes me a little sad at times to be honest, but digress.  We have once again started school and the stimming  behaviors have minimized. (which is good)  We had such a great year last year that I knew I was in for it this year.  We started the second grade off with a bang.  Bus problems, bullies, and tantrums during class.  This teacher has her work cut out for her.  So does this mom.  :)

The bus:  I got a phone call from the school asking me to call because there has been a problem with my son on the bus.  We were told that he was breaking the Rules and would be kicked off the bus if he continued to do so.  I was a little taken aback.  I had not heard of a problem before that moment.  I call the bus supervisor and we found out we have a very strict/mean bus driver.  I started asking around and the other kids all think she is mean and so even said the felt like she was  "picking on" my son.  I was furious.  I called everyone one involved. Principal, her supervisor, the bus driver, the school phsycologist.  Say hello to Momma bear!  Long story short, the phsycologist is talking to the bus driver about her behavior and how it is causing my son to react poorly.  I love that they let adults who hate kids to work with them.  What a nightmare.

Bullies:  On a positive note my son only seems to have one this year, as apposed to 3 or 4 like in years past.  I was asked by his Occupational Therapist to video tape my son while he is lining up for school in the morning. ( this has been a problem time for him) I was there one morning to record his interactions between his peers when a girl in his grade walked up behind him, grabbed his the top of his backpack and started dragging him across the play ground.  He was yelling at her to stop.  She drug him to the ground where he scraped up both of his elbows.  I was watching the whole thing.  I was running towards him but couldn't get there fast enough.  It was so painful to watch.  I could help but yell at her.  Then I took my boy to the office to report it.  ( He wanted to stay outside and play) :(
It is so hard to send your kids into the world knowing that they are going to be bullied.

Tantrums in Class: As you get older the work get harder and it is easy to see that this trail will be an ongoing battle.   My son is a great reader, good in math but the quantity of the work overwhelms him.  You set a worksheet in front of him and he starts " Its to hard, I cant do this, I hate school, this is stupid, I wish school didn't exist, I hate homework, etc, etc."  We have not yet figured out how to solve this problem.  It is a daily battle.  I love him so much I will fight it and continue to fight it as long as I have too.

I love my boy and all that comes with him!!

Cafe Rio Pulled Pork

CAFÉ RIO PULLED PORK

3 ½ lb pork roast

8 oz bottle of La Vitoria Mild Taco Sauce (its GF)

1 Tbsp cumin

1 c brown sugar

1 can coke

Cook pork all day on low ( I put 2 cups water in with it) shred meat and then top with sauce cook for at least an hour in the sauce.

Lime rice

1 yellow onion

 2 cloves garlic

1 can green chilies

1 Tbsp lime juice

2 tsp cumin

3 cups rice

6 cups water

Cook rice as you normally would

Serve with black beans and salad.  Make as you desire.  Leave out tortilla for GF folks. 

Yummy Stew

STEW

2 lbs beef cubed

4-5 potatoes cubed

4-5 carrots sliced

3 ribs of celery sliced

1 medium onion chopped

1 TBSP sugar

2 tsp salt

½-1 tsp black pepper

2 Tbsp instant tapioca

3 cups V-8 juice

Brown meat and then add all to crock pot cook on Low 8-10 hours.

Sausage Spinach Potato Soup

Sausage Spinach Potato Soup –

2 TBSP olive oil

1 small onion diced

2 cloves garlic diced

Sauté onion and garlic

1 lb Italian sausage GF

4 cups chicken broth GF      ( they sell it at Smith’s I believe or health food store for                                                                   

4 cups beef broth GF                   bouillon cubes)

6 potatoes sliced

2 tsp dried basil

1 tsp oregano

½-1 tsp  black pepper

¼ tsp salt

Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are soft

Add 2 cups baby spinach

Top with parmesan cheese if not dairy free

NAET

Allen Chiropractic Inc
11576 S State Street Set 1101
Draper,  Utah 84020

Phone-  801-307-0544
Website- www.drallenonline.com

Dr. Allen has helped us so much.  There have been times where we see him once or twice a week.  He is caring and listens to our concerns.  He helps us find the solution to the issues at hand.  We have seen improvement in our son with Aspergers as well as my other son as a newborn with terrible reflux!! He has saved us a lot of head aches and we believe, helped our children be healthier individuals!!

READING

My son loves to read!!! Each morning I find him in a corner of the house with a pile of books reading and exploring a mountains of books!!! I find such joy in this part of his personality!!  Love you buddy!

I have had many requests for some of my best GF, dairy free, egg free recipes!!!  Here they are!  I hope you enjoy them as we do.

GF Chocolate chip cookies

1 ½ dairy free butter

1 ¼ cup sugar

1 ¼ cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

6 Tbsp applesauce

4 cups GF flour

2 tsp baking soda

½ salt

Dairy free chocolate chips

Bake 350 10-13 min

 I half this recipe!!!! IT Makes a lot

Zucchini Bread

3 cups GF flour

½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2  tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

 2 cups grated zucchini

*4 ½ Tbsp water, 4 ½ Tbsp veggie oil , 1 Tbsp baking powder = egg replacement

1 cup veggie oil ( ¾ cup pureed white beans, ¼ cup oil)

1 Tbsp vanilla

2 cups sugar

Topping 2 Tbsp sugar + 1 tsp ground nutmeg
Sprinkle over top before placing in oven

Bake 350

Combine wet ingredients

Combine dry ingredients

Mix well

Bake for 1 hour for Loaves

30-40 min for muffins

Banana Bread:

½ cup dairy free butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

6 Tbsp applesauce

2-3 bananas mashed

2 cups GF flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Makes 4 mini loaves

Bake at 350° F for 35-40 minutes

Pumpkin Muffins

Combine  dry:

3 ½ Cups GF flour

½ tsp xanthan gum

2 ½ cups sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp nutmeg

1 ½ tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

Combine wet:

¾ cup white beans pureed

¼ cup veggie oil

2/3 cup water

1 can pumpkin puree 15 oz.

6 Tbsp applesauce

Mix separately and then together.  Add dairy free chocolate chips. Bake in muffin tins at 350 °F  for 35-40 minutes.

Pancakes

2 cups flour (sifted)

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 heaping tsp cinnamon

6 Tbsp applesauce

2 packages baby food squash(optional)

2 cups rice milk

 Mix with whisk

Add dairy free chocolate chips if desired 

Use a fork to flatten pancakes into desired shape!

GF bread for sandwhiches:

Dry:

2 ¼ cups gf flour (Grandpa’s Kitchen Flour Blend)

3 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp xanthan gum( not needed with grandpas blend)

½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 tsp sugar

Wet:

12 oz soy yogurt

6 Tbsp applesauce

¼ cup veggie oil

In bread maker

1: Wet

2: Dry

3: 2 ¼ tsp yeast (sprinkle evenly)

Press Menu until Rapid Bread had a red light then press start! I try to watch to make sure it all get mixed up 100% then let it cook! Let cool and then eat.

After 2 days make sure it gets put in the fridge or it will mold!

DON'T tell me...every thing will be okay!

We have had a bad stretch this last little while.  My son has always needed to be on a schedule and for potty training a schedule has been essential for his survival!  We spent a couple weeks at my mom's this summer and as I was expecting he had some accidents the first week,  nothing terrible we went home on the weekend and I got him back on schedule for the next week.  However the second week was so horrific.  I was reduced to tears a couple times.  The last 3 days my 6 year old had 6 accidents in his underwear each day!  SIX!  Then I had multiple people tell me "oh, everything will be okay."  At that point I really lost it.  I can understand how they were trying to help but I have decided that I will never say those words to anyone ever again!!  I know that things get better, but really does anyone really think that it is OKAY for a SIX year old to poop in their underwear  SIX times, three days in a row.  IT IS NOT OKAY.  He starts 1st grade in one month!  How can I send him to school, be with friends, go to church, ever be out of my sight really?  Oh thats right I can't I have to figure this out and fast.  I can't believe how hard and overwhelming being a mom is sometimes!!  I LOVE my son more than anything and feel that it is my job to protect and care for him. Needless to say I am very concern about this next school year and how things are going to go.  I pray daily for strength and help in raising this child~!!

Thinking Back

This last month I have been really thinking about the beginning of our journey.  How far we have come.   All the challenges we still face daily.  I am in a good place right now.  My son is struggling with school and with the increase social demands he has placed on him.  I worry constantly but I also have peace.  We have people in our lives that love us in spite of our challenges.  We have a good team at my son's school that really care if he does well, and understand him enough to help him reach his goals.   I have pushed from day one to have him in a regular class setting.  I am grateful to his teacher who is really try to help him.   We have a great Occupational therapist that we love.  Our Gymnastic program instructors are uneducated but so willing to do whatever I ask them to do.  We are creating a very good working environment for him.  As summer approaches I look forward to having more time with my boy and being able to guide him better.  In the beginning I could have never imagined that we would be doing "normal" after school programs.  I was so caught up in his tantrums and unable to see the big picture.  I am so grateful!!! I love being his mom!  and I love learning with him!

1st White Slip

Well this year has brought a lot of challenges/ headaches/tears.  Mostly for me!  Funny huh!  Well last week I got a call from my sons teacher stating that he had hit a classmate and would be bring home a White Slip!  I was unsure of what that was so I asked.  They said if he got 3 he would be suspended.  Well I guess that is pretty serious.  So I anxiously awaited him coming home from school.  I took him to a quiet place to talk and guess what he said, " Mom, Steven took my Legos and so I kicked him.  He is so mean"  I didn't know what to say.  1st my son didn't hit anyone. 2nd good for him this Steven kid has been picking on him all year! So what was I to do?  Well, I told him it is important not to kick people because someone could get hurt, and it is better to use our words.  Deep down I was so proud he stuck up for himself! :)

Recipes

“Soy” Sauce 1


4 tbsp. beef bouillon

4 tsp. balsamic vinegar

2 tsp. dark molasses

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1 pinch white pepper

1 pinch garlic powder

1 1/2 cups water



In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the beef bouillon, balsamic vinegar, molasses, ginger, white pepper, garlic powder and water. Boil gently until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup, about 15 minutes.







“Soy” Sauce 2

240ml/8fl.oz Molasses

90ml/3fl.oz. Balsamic Vinegar

Sugar to taste



Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until well blended.







Worcestershire Sauce*

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp. “soy” sauce

2 tbsp. water

1 tbsp. molasses

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. pepper



Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir thoroughly. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Simmer 1 minute. Let cool. Store in the refrigerator. Makes about 3/4 cup. Shake well before using.



*Be careful when purchasing Worcestershire Sauce as some brands are made with malted vinegar which are usually not gluten free.





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