Stiff as a board; New shoes; The Power of Pez and Life

Running

This morning I was up for a very early 10km.  I knew it would be slow but it felt (and was!) ridiculously slow.  My legs are feeling a little better since this morning's run and some stretching so I hope to be back into regular running by Saturday.

I also used this morning's run to break in my beautiful Fuscia Brooks Transcend.  I've been running in Gel Kayanos for many years.  About 7 years ago I thought I'd try Nikes.  I lost the toenail off my big toe and vowed never to be unfaithful again.  But the beauty of the Fuscia Brooks overpowered me.  For the first couple of kms I doubted my decision, but by the time I turned for home I was in love :-)!

Today was my husband's day off, but it also clashed with eldest cross country zone carnival.  So we decided to check out the newest Italian eatery on the block - Mercato and Gucina.  I'd been craving chocolate croissants (I know - they're French) for some time now so I ordered that and a pot of tea (real tea leaves - tick!) while my husband had a lemon tart which I could tell he really enjoyed.

This place is huge - has a restaurant, deli, bakery, pizzeria and plenty of seating

Delicious!

I think I'll aim to try each one this year

Chocolate croissant

Lemon Meringue

Extra points for the marshmallow and heart

….and tea leaves

Then it was off to watch eldest run his cross country, where he performed valiantly and ran really well.  Unfortunately, although when eldest was born he was 7 days overdue he just missed out on being a New Year baby.  I was wondering why my sports mad husband and brother-in-law starting showing an interest in the due date as each day passed.  Apparently being born at the end of the year means you are competing with kids much older.  If he'd held off a few more days he would be down an age category - so think about that when you're thinking about conceiving your future sports stars! :-)

Autism

the power of Pez

T2 isn't that into soccer, but things are changing.  People have said to me maybe he'd be more into this or that.  Well frankly,  unless he's taught, he isn't into anything (except lying on the lounge, eating and watching Thomas on TV).  But he loves Pez at the moment so I discreetly put 2 packets into my pocket and followed a continuous positive reinforcement schedule. Every kick of the ball in training= a Pez, immediately delivered.  It worked like a dream.  He was amazing!  I'm going to keep it up and gradually fade and hopefully he will get more into it.  I'll keep you posted.

Life
Placement is over (for now) and they've offered me casual work (yeah!).  After my exams I'll be working.

I just handed my draft essay in.  Getting 100% in the first assignment was awesome but I'm feeling like the only way is down (hopefully not too far down).  I hope she doesn't return it with lots of changes to make.  This essay has felt interminably long in the making and is making life miserable.

I think I need a holiday - away - so tired!

Parkrun and Playdates

Parkrun - 5km

I wasn't keen.  It was my first Parkrun since I rolled my ankle.  Last Parkrun I got jostled a little (I'm such a sook) so I was scared I might fall. But, I just sucked it up and did it.  Not a PB but only 20 seconds off it - happy with that!  Unfortunately my ankle aches after I run.  I've never had an ankle injury so its all new to me.  I iced it and now have strapped it.  I've also trawled youtube for exercises - no, I can't afford any physio (it all goes on ABA!).  My mother-in-law broke her ankle a couple of years ago and she has given me her stretch bands and has shown me the exercises and stretches her physio made her do.  Fingers crossed!

My new best friend - the resistance band (sorry about the terrible photo!)

Playdates
Kids with autism don't like people/ don't feel emotions/ have no friends - have you heard crap like that??  Stereotypes make me ANGRY.  Most kids with autism just lack the skills to develop meaningful friendships - play skills, language skills, turn-taking - the list goes on.

The sad truth is that if we don't help our kids make friends and teach them these skills the 'no friends' stereotype may became a reality.

As T1 has mostly 'recovered' from autism, his program supervisor has mandated playdates, playdates and more playdates.  I, on the other hand have responded with fear, avoidance and excuses - until now.

Now T2 isn't going so well with the playdates - he got pretty upset when we had some other kids over.  Luckily T1 covered for him but T2 needs to practise.  And that's what we're going to do this term.  I'm going to recruit eldest and T1 and have 'playdates' for half an hour of good play every arvo.  Then when other kids come to play I know he can at least play for the first 30 minutes.

Here are some links that I really found helpful regarding playdates for kids with autism.  I'm sure there are more (feel free to share any you have)

http://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2013/08/23/how-can-we-help-our-child-have-successful-play-date

https://www.facebook.com/autismdiscussionpage/posts/410621212350718

The following link is a bit technical but I love how it is scientific, ABA-based and they recommend data-taking for playdates - awesome!
http://www.asatonline.org/resources/clinician/guidedplaydates

Do you have any tips for successful playdates? 

Have you ever sprained your ankle?  Any recovery tips?

7km & Monkey Mania Top Ryde

Running

First, a little catchup of the last couple of days.  Tuesday night my eldest, myself and my husband were at the movies watching Captain America.  I was feeling a bit headachy but that wasn't stopping me scoffing my movie chocolates.  About an hour in I thought, these choccies aren't going down as well as they usually do.  I started to think about the nearest exit.  About 3/4 of the way through the movie I looked at my eldest who was whispering to my husband.  He was clutching his stomach.  Screw the movie (although it was really good), we got out of there.  It must have been quite a sight - myself and my son staggering to the exit clutching our stomachs.

The next morning my eldest bounded out of bed like only the young can do.  I, on the other hand was just happy to loll on the couch the whole day.  So today I was ready for a good run.  I ran 7km and although I was really happy to complete it, my ankle has been aching slightly for the rest of the day.  I'm going to be researching ankle recovery this arvo (and maybe studying blood vessels).

ABA
After that I did an ABA therapy session with T2 and he was really compliant and it went really well.

Monkey Mania Top Ryde
My kids all love indoor play centres.  I think they're ok.  Most autism parents know that its not optional to be a helicopter parent and I spend the whole time walking around the centre stalking my kids, making sure they are safe and happy, behaving themselves and not being assaulted by any other kids or vice versa.  Occasionally I let myself feel jealous of the parents with their nose in a book/magazine/ipad - but its fleeting.  I know that I wouldn't be able to help myself and love to play!  Thankfully all the kids at Monkey Mania were really well behaved and my 3 lasted almost 2 hours.  One tip - always end an outing when things are going well.  Don't stay until things turn pear shaped and then leave.

What I loved about Monkey Mania

• Compared to any other indoor centre I've been too this one is the place where its easiest to see your child.  Its possible to properly supervise your kids from your table .
• There was an employee on the play floor who was doing a really good job of reminding the kids of the rules and just being a 'presence'. I like that!
• Sorry, I don't drink coffee so I can't comment on that.   My kids enjoyed their hot chocolate though.
• There's a jumping castle
• There's a separate area for the under 5s (though I don't have any :-)
• Kids get to choose a balloon on the way out
• There are ball 'guns' which are really fun
• There's is a cage where balls are collected which dumps balls on the kids when its full - my kids loved this.

There's a triple slide and many climbing structures - but getting photos minus kids was near impossible!

Lots of room to explore

It sucks up balls and spits them out the top

My Eldest was into the ball gun

Who doesn't love a jumping castle? 

Off they go!

Kids get to choose a ballon when they leave - cool

What I wasn't such a fan of

• There are dodgem cars, which do look really fun and look well-run.  But its an extra $2 a ride so when my kids asked I just said I didn't have any more money (which, by the way, wasn't far off the truth!).  Maybe on a special occasion, but I wasn't in the mood for forking out for extras.
• I didn't buy any food off the menu, but it didn't look particularly healthy ( though the pizzas and chips were tempting)

We'll definitely return here as it was a great outing.

Dyeing Easter Eggs

(No running today as my ankle is still healing)

When I saw the gorgeous dyed eggs that were on The Autism Helper 's website, I knew we had to try it.  I'm not exactly crafty, and I was a bit worried about the whole thing (make sure you do this outside).  But it was a great success.  I have learnt a few things for next year though (like do the blowing the day before).

The finished product!

Step one is to buy a dozen non-caged eggs (we got the Aldi ones)

non-caged eggs

Step two is to get a pin and puncture each end of the egg.  Wiggle the pin around to break the yolk and then blow really hard.  My eldest, T1 and myself did this.  T2 would have ended up with egg all over him and shattered egg.  It was pretty hard work but the boys were into it.  Then we washed them with the hose and blew the water out and let them dry in the sun.

put a fairly large hole in each end of the egg

Blow really hard - this part was pretty gross but the kids were into it.

Then rinse out well

Next I got jars and put 1 teaspoon of vinegar and about 1/2 cup of very hot water in them.  Then it was time to put drops of food colouring in each.  The instructions I had said 10 drops in each jar - but we ended up putting about 30 drops in each jar.

A teaspoon of vinegar in each jar

these yoghurt jars worked really well

We used a LOT of food colouring

all the pretty colours

Next step was immersing the eggs.  This wasn't as easy as it appears as they kept bobbing to the top.  We ended up holding them down with 2 teaspoons for about 5-10 minutes.

We kept a very close eye on T2 but he joined in really well

Eggs drying in extra jars

Almost dry - I love the bright colours

Then we got them out with teaspoons and dried them in spare jars until they were dry.

All the kids pitched in at one point or another in the process, but my eldest was really into it and clearly enjoyed it.

Oh and if you don't like coloured fingers you should really wear gloves :-)

This will definitely become an Easter tradition in our house

Autism
Later today I did an ABA therapy session with T2 and he did really well.  Besides being therapy its really great quality one on one time with my son.  And don't worry, plenty of play is a big part of a session.

Ankle Update
My ankle is SO much better today.  When T2 wanted to be chased I tested it out a little and it held up really well.  Fingers crossed I'll be back running on Tuesday.

Have you ever dyed Easter eggs - any tips for me?

Parkrun PB & twins' soccer debut!

Running

This morning I headed down to my local Parkrun for a tough 5km.  I could feel my legs were stiff from the strength exercises I did yesterday so I thought I'd do a slower time.  I pushed pretty hard though and came out with a PB!  Very happy with that.  It looks like most of the boys' soccer games are late enough that I can keep doing my Parkruns on a Saturday.  I'm pretty happy about that.  There's nothing like racing for a good, hard session.

Soccer

Today was the day!  All 3 of my boys were playing their first club soccer game.  First off was the twins.  Well- miracles really do happen.  Because T2 actually RAN (not walked) after the ball and even managed to kick it a few times.  This boy couldn't talk a couple of years ago, or understand the simplest of instructions and engaged in some pretty serious behaviours - like banging his own head.  In fact, today no-one really noticed he was 'different' at all.  And he looked like he was having fun and getting some much needed exercise.  Go T2!!! And T1 scored THREE - yes THREE goals and their team won 10-3 (not that they record the scores at this level).

Life
Just as remarkable was the fact the whole family were able to sit on the sidelines and watch my eldest play a full one hour soccer game.  The twins played on the sideline, ate snacks and amused themselves. I wasn't stressing they would run onto the field or away from us-which is exactly what they would have done a couple of years ago.

One T2's therapists was away so this afternoon I did a session with T2 and he was fantastic - really switched on and we covered so much.  I think the more he is busy doing something 'functional' like soccer this morning, the better he is.  We had a great time together - they are the sessions I love!

After that I locked myself in a room and crammed for an anatomy and physiology test for awhile and then....

...we finished off our Saturday with watching Star Trek- Into The Darkness.  I invented a new dessert, chopped up home-made rocky road and sprinkles on vanilla ice-cream.  It was delicious!

Why didn't I think of this combo before??

We're half way through - so far so good!

What is your favourite at-home movie snack?

A HUGE day!

Shall I just list everything I did today?  I'm half exhausted and half exhilarated because of the sheer enormity of it.

Lets start at just before dawn shall we?  It is Sunday, mind you!

• 15km long run
• Got home in time to literally have a 60 second shower, grab the twins and head down to
• the twin's trial soccer game

T1 running in for one of several goals

Its 4 a side so a great way for T1 to make new friends and sharpen his social skills

T2 was off the pace but he survived and managed to kick the ball a few times

• stopped off at the shops to buy a present for a party my eldest was going to
• got home in time to sit down for 5 minutes and wash my hair
• dropped eldest at party
• took the twins to McDonald's ( I know, I know its evil stuff but its T2's big reinforcer for kicking the ball during soccer - believe me, he needs the big guns to play soccer with kids his own age).
• Came home and went for a swim with the twins (I don't know why I bothered washing my hair!)
• Made mini-quiches for the boys' school lunches
• Did a 21/2 hour therapy session with T2 - one of his therapists has shingles so I'm getting back into it
• Then my husband and I took the twins to the park.  I literally shuffled and wasn't my usual energetic self - I sought out the swing as soon as we arrived - just to sit down (my poor aching feet!)

T2 training at the park :-)

Then we went for a stroll by the river

• After dinner and clean up my mother and I made a batch of choc-chip cookies
• I wrote up T2's therapy folder
• Helped get the boys ready for bed.
• Am now catching up with blogs/email

And I still have to study the skeletal system and joints and do an assignment on palliative care (nothing like an assignment on dying to finish off the day!).  But in all seriousness, I'm finding the topic extremely interesting.  I decided to bring up advance care planning with my husband and discuss care preferences for end-of-life care...- his response? 'do we have to talk about this now?' (bless him!)  My list of requirements was quite long and he said - you don't much do you!  Haha!

5km, visual schedules and Frozen Sing-a-long

Running

Today I went for a practice run of a fundraising fun run I'll be doing soon.  I was armed with a printed map but still managed to get lost.  It was great to do a new course, despite gettling a little lost.  The run felt much shorter than 5km and I think it was the novelty of a new course.  My Garmin was taking ages finding a satellite so I started without using it.  After my run I drove home and realised I had locked the key to the house inside.  My lovely husband drove from his work to deliver his key (I know I did something right marrying this guy)!

I got offered a job!

The benefits of being a mature aged uni student and therefore being a complete nerd and getting high marks is that you can become an official university tutor!  I feel really happy about the offer, but the thought of revisiting some of those subjects does make me feel slightly nauseous and I think it may impact on my already overloaded study plate.  I'm going to think about it over the weekend though.

Autism

I went to a workshop on using visual schedules at an early intervention centre called Aspire.  I had never heard of them before.  It was quite interesting.  It was good to be reminded of the basics and I feel like I am already on the right track.  What I felt really happy about was the fact she was talking about teaching kids really basic skills about following schedules with the ultimate aim of following just a written schedule - and I was thinking tick!tick!tick!  My boys are all over all of that!  Sometimes its good to remember what my kids CAN do rather than always looking at what they are not doing.

Here are some key points from last night's seminar

• Always reinforce at the end of a schedule and weigh the reinforcement.  If the tasks are demanding make sure the reinforcement is a big ticket item.  Conversely, if its an enjoyable schedule then verbal praise may be the only thing required.
• Use minimal prompting necessary - i.e. don't nag and don't hover unnecessarily over your child while they are completing the schedule.
• Use a timer whenever appropriate.  A timer shifts the focus off you nagging your child to remain with a task.  The schedule has the power, so you don't have to engage in a power struggle with your child.
• The presenter said that only mastered skills should be included in a schedule. But I disagree, especially for higher functioning kids.  I'm going to check with my BCBA.
• Change the schedule order around so that your child doesn't become rigid with always having activities in a certain order.

Some more scheduling apps to investigate

Overall the presentation was very worthwhile, but I was disappointed that she didn't talk more about scheduling apps.  She said she doesn't use them much and gave reasons why she didn't.  I had to speak up in defence of technology.  My boys loves using Choiceworks and I love the way its so easy to use and I can take photos with it and customise their schedules.  And it has an inbuilt timer.

Choiceworks-if I can use it anyone can!

Frozen Sing-a-long and other activities that were once impossible....

Fun...now I have to find a Sound of Music singalong to attend

This afternoon I picked up the twins slightly early and we did three things that would have been impossible 18 months ago...

• I took them both for a haircut. No dramas.  I know I write in wonder every time I take them to the hairdressers but if you'd known the trauma I've been through you would make allowances.

This, my friends, is a miracle!

• Afternoon tea at donut king - T2 had one accidental spill but in the recent past he would easily have deliberately tipped a full drink everywhere - to my utmost public shame and humiliation.  But not today!

as is this untipped hot chocolate...

T1 checking out the skaters

• We went to see Frozen (again) but this time a sing-a-long at the cinema.  Since it was a Friday arvo the cinema was pretty empty but I've always wanted go to a singalong film.  I sang but I didn't really hear anyone else singing.  I think T2 sang more the first time we saw it!!  Let it go, Let it go and I'll rise like the break of dawn.... So many fabulous songs in this movie.

Have you ever been to a sing-a-long movie?  What was it?

5km & 1 Sleep 'til big school!!

I went for a really enjoyable 5km run to finish Week 5 of the LazyRunner 10km program.  I usually lean towards morning running but it was just beautiful this evening.  It wasn't too hot and it was just a beautiful Summer evening.  I followed it up with a relaxing dip in the pool and straight into my pjs.  Tomorrow and Friday I won't be doing any morning running as the twins will be starting school.  I might try and do another evening run tomorrow as it was really great.

The uniforms are pressed, everything's labelled, the shadows are ready.  If you're wondering what a shadow is, its kind of like a teacher's aide.  My BCBA has recommended T2 have an ABA trained shadow full-time for at least the first 6 months. T2 knows the shadows who will be with him so it makes me feel so much better.  This morning all the Kindy kids and parents met at the park.  I was feeling anxious, actually nauseous.  Would the boys behave?  Would T2 cope or start doing really weird behaviours?  Would the mum's be welcoming?  When I first got their I felt so awkward.  The boys took off on the equipment.  And I took off to man the flying fox for all the kids.  It was a good strategy.  I got talking to a couple of parents while having something to do (dragging the flying fox up the wire many times!).  Then I found a couple of parents I'd previously met and it was all good and everyone was really nice.  I didn't stay long as T2 doesn't last much longer than 11/4 hours at the park and it was pretty hot. So we headed home on  a good note.

A metallic 'Sharpie' marker is fantastic for naming dark things

A permanent thin black marker

I bought this ages ago when my eldest was in preschool.
 You can buy iron on refills and sticky fillers.  Its been VERY handy.

Then I discovered I had to get new anaphylaxis and asthma plans done for school tomorrow, so made a last minute trip to the medical centre, boys in tow.  Whenever I go to the medical centre I take every electronic device we own.  Today it was a Leappad, an iPad, a mini iPad, my Iphone and a 3DDS (I kid you not!).  It makes the hour at the medical centre bearable...just.  But we did it and we are all ready for the big day tomorrow.

It took five devices for us to get through a double dr's appointment at the medical centre!

What is your favourite time of day to run?