Another option

Did you ever know a child that loves music more?  The other day, I found string instrument instruction books in his backpack.  Apparently, he was allowed to borrow them from the band hall.  Then more books came, then internet searches began.  He's always seemed to have interest in the double bass, and really most of the strings. 

We had to make a stop at Music & Arts to get his next piano books.  I'm busy looking through books, thinking he is looking at some other books on an alternate wall.  But when I turn around to find him in another part of the store, he says, "take my picture."  Not worried about getting into trouble, or that he is touching a $2300 instrument, or that he might not know what to do.  He does.  He's in his element, and happy.

He makes me smile.

An element of his own.

Beta Club

Beta Club is a service organization at our school for Jr. High and High School students.  I feel strongly about serving, as does John.  We normally participate in the church mission work, and I have Zachary come too.  I think he needs to know how much he has and maybe realize how fortunate he is.

Somehow I got roped into being the sponsor for the Jr and Sr. High Beta Clubs at our school.  It's been a pretty easy job scheduling trips for the students and helping with meetings.  The best part is I get to serve right along side the students, and that includes Zachary.

So far, we've been to the the Houston Food Bank, a home for Alzheimer residents to sing Christmas Carols and serve treats, Hope Village to play games and make V-day cards with special needs residents, and TLC resale shop to organize, distribute, and clean up the shop.  We are hoping to maybe do some work with Special Olympics and a pet shelter for our last trips.

Jr. Beta Club Induction

Sr. Beta Club Induction

Jr. Beta Club

Singing at a retirement home

 

Making boxes with a buddy

Jr. Beta Club

The one funny thing about all of this.  I wasn't sure how Zachary would feel about having to go volunteer on a Saturday.  Working is not always his first choice of activities.  One of the club rules is that if you get more than 2 detentions, you are dismissed from Beta Club for the year.  That seems to have him scared straight, and he doesn't want to miss a meeting or trip.  So far, so good! 

Our Annual Winter Trip

We started out at Granmommy's on Wednesday evening.  She had Zack's birthday gift.  She also had Uncle Steve's clarinet, and sadly, once he saw that, he wasn't too interested in the Ganmommy's version of Lupe's nachos (one of Zachary's favs) or the gifts.

You had me at 'Hello.'

In the morning, we had our teeth cleaned and headed for lunch with my cousin Amy.  Short, but sweet, and certainly glad to see her when I could.  We missed Lauren, and I'm sure she was a little jealous.

Next stop:  Travis and Cassie's new casa.  Wow, it was beautiful!!!  I think Cassie mentioned something about decorating, but I was so impressed with all she's had going on.  Her kiddos were super fun, and Zachary and Alex played light sabers for at least 2 ours on Thursday and 2 hours on Friday. 

Three boys, various ages, all having fun.

It's story time with Zachary.

Age didn't matter...to them, the force was real!

Aunt Ruth and Aunt Kathy were ready for lunch when we arrived.  Aunt Ruth had found a super cool Star Wars puzzle as a surprise for Zachary.  And anyone who knows Aunt Kathy, knows she is a puzzle fanatic.  She was hooked when Zachary was ready to piece it together and changed her plans at least 2x while we were working on completing the puzzle.  Ruth is always a wonderful hostess!

Can't resist a puzzle!

Last stop, was to see Traci.  She was ready when we got there with a cookie cake for Zachary's birthday and his gift.  We gave Elise her gift a little early.  We played tether ball, jumped on the trampoline, knitted, watched dirt bike riding, and went to Lupe's.  All that in a span of about 8 waking hours.

Determined to be an Aggie!

Cookie cake cut pizza style

chocolate icing flavored lip gloss

Jack on his bike

4 days, 5 stops, and 14 people.  Not too bad of trip, and we had a great time!!!

Valentine's Day

Zack has decided he has a girlfriend.  She doesn't know, at least not yet.  He picked a card and some heart-shaped Recess's cups.  "But only a few so she won't get cavities," he said.  The card was Hoops and Yoyo, which he thinks is hilarious.  He wanted to sign, "Love your boyfriend, Zack".  It tried to explain that she might be scared off by that, and to just be kind and helpful. 

I guess it went OK today.  He told me that she thanked him.  I hope the girls didn't snicker.  I thought he was cute for trying.

I got Zachary the normal card and candy.  He doesn't seem to notice that it is a holiday and since everyone else is getting something cool, maybe he should too.  That worked out since John was out of town until around 6 pm.  When we finally gave him his gift he was so excited!  He's been asking for a Wax Vac for months.  So what the heck, $10, and a little entertainment for all of us.  He tried it out, but I guess he wasn't convinced.  So, he proceeded to try to vacuum up water from the counter top in the kitchen. 

"Now, there will be peace in our home."  Who knew Wax Vac could bring peace?!

Sleep over

I finally decided to brave a sleep over birthday party.  I made it, and didn't have to stay up much past 1:00 am.  John even stayed up as moral support. 

We were planning on swimming at my in-laws, but the pool heater was broken, which we found out the day of the party.  There was concern in John's voice, but I had already had a movie approved and some other things in store. 

When they arrived Zachary had been watching Cars 2, so they all joined in.

They made their own pizzas and played basketball outside.  First time the hoop has ever been used!

 

And why not teach them how to gamble?!?  We had change to dive for in the pool, so we decided to play CLR instead.  They had a blast, and were willing to put the money they won back in to play more.

What's that on the cake you say?  Why an oboe, of course!

Blooooowwww!

The birthday boy and his lunch buddies.

Most left early as we all headed off to church. The boys had great manners and all showed appreciation for being invited.  I'm willing to give it a second go-around.

"Today's my birthday!"

 It was the first and sweetest thing he could have said.  I hear children come in to the library at school, saying, "today is my birthday!"  They have every right to be excited, but Zachary has never said that to me, let alone another person.  But today was different.

This is what he came in with as he announced his birthday! 

We started off with little gifts, and gave him 1 item every hour he was home.  Thank goodness for presents mailed and dropped off (we used those too).  The first thing he said was, "I got a homework pass in English because today is my birthday."  He was very proud, and admitted having shared with other teachers it was his birthday. 

We skipped swim team (another gift) so we could have dinner out for his birthday.  To my surprise, he wanted my nachos at home.  I think this was so he could have more time on the computer.  Anyway, he loves the nachos at Lupe's so we just copied those at home.  An easy dinner to make a little boy very happy.  We ran to grab yogurt by the ounce and planned a sleep over in the coming weeks with a few boys. 

He did a couple of funny things.  He's saving for an English Horn, and so a few sent money in cards.  I figured that is what it was, but he wasn't too interested in opening those.  I'm sure he figured they were just cards, and he still doesn't see the point in cards.  I snickered at that.  Secondly, he squeezed one bag that had a warm-up suit to go over his swim suit after practice.  When he squeezed, he said, "feels like clothes" and passed it over.  More signs of a typical child developing out of autism. 

I'm 12 now.  I'll be a teen next year!

Atlantis

We badly needed a vacation; John has had several stressful work projects, Lauren has been working on her basics for nursing school and finished in December, and Zachary and I have been facing some new tween behaviors that finally seem to be changing for the positive.  So on Dec 31st, we set off for a 5 day adventure to the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

 We laid by the pool reading and napping, swam with the dolphins, ate good food, and went on the available water rides.  The coolest ride was a tube ride that ended with the slide encased in clear plastic and sharks swimming around you on the outside.  The best food we ate was at Chop Sticks.  We had smelled it the night before and the food did not disappoint!  We went exploring around the resort and walked on the beach.  There were various pools around the facility that had sea turtles, sharks, sting rays, and hammer heads that were fun to watch as the trainers fed them.  Lauren had never had a massage, so we figured we would try that out too.  And honestly, it was the best massage I've ever had.  And thank goodness for digital cameras because Zachary took almost 100 pictures at the aquariums.

We could have stayed longer because the resort had so much to offer.  While it was wonderful, and I guess I would go back, it would not be my first choice since the pricing was more than I expected.

On New Year Eve, off the back of a docked boat.   Welcome 2013!

From our room, which was prettier when it wasn't overcast!

Crazy, bright curtains!

At the pool silliness!

Beautiful tiger sting ray

Some other breed of sting ray that was HUGE!!!

Surprise!  He took to the music.

Crazy hats for island entertainment.

While Lauren shopped, we entertained ourselves.

Bridge over shark infested waters!

Little shopping and trying on handmade leave hats.

This was as relaxed as he got, and a smile, to boot!

Back to the real world, and already one week of school done and Zachary's 12th birthday passed.  That will be next week's post.  Until then...