Creatively Me

Creative Gift For Daddy

So I’m backtracking tonight to tell you about a creation I made over the holidays I've been meaning to share with you.  As all of you know, times are very hard for so many of us, and that can make it difficult when it comes to the holidays especially.  I’m always one that didn’t look at the size of the gift, but the thought and love that was put into choosing a gift for someone.  When you’re strapped financially, sometimes you have to become a little creative.  As I’ve mentioned before, I lost my job almost three years ago and have since assumed the full time role of Mommy.  That can be plenty of work, and even more so when you have angels on the spectrum!  So after being on unemployment for two years, filling out tons of applications, and going to any career fairs that came to town, Daddy ended up taking a job in retail management to help hold the fort.  He was actually the Stay at home dad until I was laid off, so now the roles are reversed.  Anyhow, thanks to Daddy’s overtime the kids ended up having a nice Christmas, and I even got surprised with a Butterfly necklace and earrings too!  But what could I do for daddy?  I didn’t have a cent to my name, and wanted to do something for him…and then the idea hit me one night!

I follow a lot of creative and crafty bloggers and happened across one called Fireflies and Jellybeans that had created a case for the Kindle.  Lucky me, because Daddy is a total bookworm who has a serious Kindle addiction  and carries his kindle everywhere he goes.  So I remembered he had previously lost his last kindle case and was in desperate need of one (he was using the original box it came in to carry it places).  Being the creative little butterfly that I am, most of what I needed to make it was on hand except a book.  Now of course I couldn’t cut up one of his books to make it (I’d be in trouble for sure) so I picked out a book at my local thrift shop that was the perfect size and in almost new condition…and it only cost me fifty cents from the change jar we have, lol!  Here’s a list of the supplies I used

An old book

Modge Podge

Paint brush

Velcro straps

Utility Knife

Pencil

 So I started off with adhering the Velcro straps (my own idea to hold the book closed when not in use) between the covers and the first and last pages with the help of Modge Podge.

Once that was dry, I chose what page I wanted the book to open to and made my pencil outlines of the kindle (and a small book light too!).

I liberally applied Modge podge to the outside of the pages on all three sides and again waited for it to dry completely.

Next I started cutting out the area for the kindle.  NOTE: I made some extra spaces around the power button and where the charging cord plugs in.  Be sure to make your cut out area deep enough and wide enough, but not so much that the kindle has too much free movement. 

Once you have a perfect fit you’re happy with, apply a thin layer of Modge Podge to the inside cut areas to seal them from fraying.  Then just give it a day to completely be dry before using it for your kindle.  Needless to say the Daddy was happy to finally have a Kindle cover again!

{THE END }

Yours Truly,

Heather Joy

Autistic Angel Adventures

Best Surprises Even Come In Small Packages

Well 2013 just seems to have kicked off to a chaotic and disorganized start, but then again I can’t remember the last time anything was close to being organized for this butterfly.  Let’s face it, life with two autistic angels can get downright crazy.  They need constant structure and a regular schedule to count on, but there’s always a surprise curve ball that comes out of nowhere!  But despite the up’s, downs, and everything in between, my boys never cease to amaze me with new accomplishments.  Sure, they might be much later than for most kids, but when it comes to autism every little thing is a huge success for these kiddos!

My little Green Eyes has been working on his addition and subtraction with a lot of help from not just myself but his therapists and teacher.  Not always an easy job when he has a difficult time focusing on tasks.  It’s no joke when I say he is a major wiggle worm when it comes to sitting still for homework.  But apparently all the extra time spent with flash cards and drills beyond regular homework assignments has paid off.  He started joining the regular math class this week!  This is huge for him because he has been in the autistic support math for two years now.  Sure being on a new med this year has helped to decrease some of his hyperactivity and increase his focus compared to last year, but he still had to work hard.  I know it won’t be easy for him, but he will still have his 1:1 with him and momma to help in anyway I can.  I’m just so thrilled for him because not only did he progress in his math, but he’ll be able to work on some of his social skills too.  Of course we had to start working on multiplication now, but I’m not complaining, so far neither is he. 

 Two days into it and we’re both having fun with the times table!

As for Blue eyes, every little inch is a mile to me anymore because he’s lower functioning.  Well when it comes to birthday candles for example, he has always needed someone to blow them out for him.  Shortly after the new year began I noticed his fascination with any candles that were lit in the house.  It started off with him trying to blow at a candle from 2-3 feet away, which I admit made me giggle to myself.  But I let him continue at his own pace without pushing him to try harder, but encouraged his effort for trying.  Unfortunately, if I push too hard with him he usually stops trying out of frustration.  But after watching this child for almost two weeks I noticed he has a better determination to accomplish things than last year, and also asks for help when he needs it (PECS and Sign Language of course since he’s non-verbal).  So with enough trials he eventually got close enough and gave it enough gust, if you may, to blow the candle out!  Of course now I can never keep a candle lit for long because he blows them all out!  This momma can’t wait till his 11^th birthday rolls around…I just might be crying tears of joy that day.  Top that one off with a very excited teacher and 1:1 telling me how he independently engaged in a game with a fellow classmate today. 

 If anyone is looking for me, I can be found on cloud nine tonight!

Truly yours,

Heather Joy

Autistic Angel Adventures

Haircut Havoc

So many parents know that all too familiar trip for the kiddos haircut….the child may be nervous at first, but then they eventually get comfortable with the barber/hairdresser, take a few spins around in the chair, allow the cape to be put on and snip go the scissors.  After all is said and done they get a lollipop as they skip out the door happily.   But what if the child is autistic?    Just the sensory issues alone are enough to cause a simple haircut to turn into quite a challenge.

Some angels on the spectrum may be fearful of the scissors, some perhaps can’t handle the sound or feel of the clippers, while others may have a complete meltdown at the mere site of the barber chair alone!  I’m sure many parents try to put off the whole ordeal until they absolutely have to, but eventually the child will reach the point where they have to pull the hair into a ponytail (may  work for a girl but not always for a boy)because their bangs are so long that they can longer see.  No matter what, eventually they need a haircut or even a trim at the very least.  So how do we as parents handle this event?  Perhaps you could explain it to the child a few hours or even days prior, but this may not work for some.  It may take some angels a few haircuts before they become comfortable and even some will never reach a comfort level at all.  There are salons in some areas that are more of a kid friendly atmosphere: toys in the waiting area, special horse or racecar chairs and even a tv/dvd player where your child can watch his or her favorite movie.  But even with all these comforts there are still some angels that just can’t come to terms with getting their haircut….my Blue Eyes just happens to be one of those few.

Trust me, I’ve gone through the times where I say how cute he looks with long wavy hair, I even commented how much he looked like a little surfer dude.  But eventually the hair would hang in his eyes and he would actually be bothered by it.  So I endure whatever it takes to help him through the process.  Unfortunately he is non-verbal and although he understands quite a bit, I don’t find that explaining the process helps him (even with picture books).  I take him to a kid friendly salon where they cater to special needs children too: He gets to have a lollipop before and after the cut, chooses a movie to watch from almost 100 titles ranging between Pixar to Nick Jr to classic Disney favorites, and many a unique chair to choose from.  The staff are so wonderful and accommodating every time we go, that as difficult as some of the visits are, I would never consider going elsewhere.   Being a mom of two autistic children, this butterfly knows to never go on any adventure without a backpack with anything we might need.  The contents consist of such things as favorite toys, wipes, change of clothes, snacks, juice, pecs book, and even extra lollipops.  But even with all the preparation and provisions alas I still have havoc with my Blue Eyes.

This past Monday I had to take him for his haircut again and compared to the last few times this trip was a doozy!  I never go it alone and since the Daddy was at work that day one of the TSS staff accompanied me.  He did not want to even go near a single chair they had, so if you can picture sitting on the floor playing monkey-in-the-middle, that was us.  We tried every possible way to calm him while keeping him from scratching the hairdresser as she danced around us feverishly to cut his hair.  God bless her cause she’s fast and she’s good!   (she’s also known him for 8 of his 10 years!)  The end result?  His haircut looks great, he was a happy kid once it was over, but this Butterfly ended up with some battle wounds.  Now I’ve been through a lot of aggressive times with him to know how to avoid a head-butt to my face or his painful pinches.  This time Momma got bit…not once, but twice!  The first wasn’t too bad when he bit my wrist bone, but when he caught me with a clamp down on my forearm I won’t deny the fact that I cried. I never take it personally, I know he loves me as much as I love him. The biting isn’t him trying to hurt me but merely one way he communicates his fear and anger.  I continue to work on his appropriate communication whenever possible.  So despite my bruised arm, I won’t give up  …if there’s anything he’s taught me over the years, it’s to never give up! And he knows he can count on me for that.

Yours Truly,

Heather Joy