I So Scary.

It all started with a shriek and a cry coming from the staircase tonight.  I ran to see what what happening with Calico, who was supposed to be going upstairs with Giggles for a bath.  Big sis could only say, "I don't know what happened, she just seemed afraid and wouldn't go up there."

Calico reached for me, saying, "I want Mommy."  I asked my sweet, tear-stained baby to tell me all about it.  "I  so scary," she confided.

She seemed to do just fine during her bath, but when Daddy came in to say hi she whispered, "I so scary with the Cookie Monster."

What?!

This kiddo has never even seen an episode of Sesame Street, as far as I know.  When Daddy took her down the hall to get pajamas on she pointed fearfully to the attic access and mumbled about the Cookie Monster.  Then her sister opened her bedroom door as she was walking past and she screamed.  Poor girl.

Before being completely ready for bed Calico talked with me about dinosaurs and ghosts.  She pointed to the ceiling again with the dinosaurs.  I've never had a child this young so verbal about her fears.  She just barely turned two!

I tucked her in tonight between her two best stuffed friends, "Flop" the penguin and "Puppy" the dog.  We prayed together and asked God to give her peace.  I pray my little girl will have sweet dreams tonight.

Easter Egg-Stravaganza!

When I told Ethan we were invited to an egg hunt for children with autism and their families, he replied, "That is going to be the worst egg hunt ever!"  After laughing and agreeing, I did wonder what it would look like.  It was pretty fun, though.  The organizers had some great ideas.  For one, they included sensory bins with eggs in them.  For children who may not understand the idea of a hunt, they could sit at a table and rifle through Easter grass.  Bubba tried it out and found probably every chocolate in the bin in like seven seconds.  They also had a couple of bunnies the kids could pet and a whole bunch of people blowing bubbles for the kids to play in. 

The most heart-warming part of the event for me was watching the brothers and sisters helping their autistic siblings.  For our kids it has burden but a much greater blessing to help Bubba.  His big sisters remind him to put his clothes on, flush the toilet, clear the table, shut the door, etc, etc, etc.  They cheer him on when he finishes a puzzle or colors a picture.   And someday his baby sister will probably do the same for him. 

Something I hadn't counted on; while watching the kids playing on the slides I talked with another mom for a bit.  We were pointing out our kids and as I motioned to Bubba, who was squealing and  wearing this doll beanie he occasionally likes to shove on his head, I felt as if I was seeing my son for the first time as an autistic child.  Not as my baby boy, but as a child with autism.  It was almost like an out-of-body experience.  I think that probably happens to all parents of special needs kids at some point.  I just stared at him for a minute and saw how joyful he was.  He didn't look anything like a "typical" kiddo, but he was clearly having the time of his life!

So Saturday did NOT end up being "the worst egg hunt ever".  It was, instead, enlightening.

I Am Extremely Magical

Or at least my kids think so.  Want to know why?  You may want to sit down.  I moved the outdoor slide into the living room!

Oh my.  You would have thought we'd announced we were going to Disneyland.  I'm talking about at least two hours of giggling and joyful shouts.  It was great.

Grandma also got points this week for finding a fun and unusual toy for them:  PigJax.  Yes, a game of jacks with little pigs.  Weird, but fun.  Giggles has enjoyed them so much I suggested maybe we re-decorate her room in pigs, just to tease her.  She was not in support.

It's the little things in life.

April Fools

After being inspired by Pinterest I set out to make an April Fools dinner my kids wouldn't forget.  We started with cupcakes.  They were SO excited!  Giggles stared at them for a minute and said, "That's not frosting, is it?"  I just let her try it.  She and Spunky figured out pretty quickly that it was really meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  Little Calico dug right in with no comment, so I guess two years old is too young to know what food is supposed to look like.  Bubba had the best reaction of all.  He had the biggest smile on his face until he took his first bite.  Poor kid.  It took him forever to get around to eating it, but once he did he seemed to like it pretty well.  I've always made pizza-flavored meatloaf because my kids prefer it.

After eating cupcakes it was time for our dessert: grilled cheese sandwiches!  The kids were on to me by this point.  They loved the toasted pound cake with yellow frosting.  It really looked convincing. 

We've never had any April Fool's Day traditions before this, but I think this one is going to stick.  It's just too much fun!