Anticipating Fall

It is already the second week of school and we are only a few days away from September. Can anyone smell FALL yet??  I am in desperate need of cool nights. Last Night, I had forgotten to turn the air back to normal (my husband could live in Alaska), but instead of turning the thermostat back up, I put on a sweatshirt...lol.  I love it.  FALL IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE SEASON!

 leaves  apple cider  hayrides scarecrows hoodies  pumpkins     lounge pants  chilli  candy corn  jack-o-lanterns  family camping  
huber's farm trick-or-treat
bonfires costumes   relax  turkey  caramel popcorn  candied apples 

I think fall is such a wonderful transition from the illusion of summer rest.  Yes, school begins again, but I think that ends up being more comforting to most kids and teachers, than a burden. I am so excited to use my love for fall to teach my children some valuable lessons. I was once given beautiful illustration of the leaves changing color.

  Mini-Science Lesson
Leaves have three pigments, Chlorophyll,(green) Carotenoids(green), and Anthocyanins(red, orange, yellow). Because the chlorophyll is so prevalent in the spring and summer, the bright colors from the anthocyanins are completely hidden.  As the nights lengthen, the chlorophyl slowly dies. Without the chlorophyll's presence, the anthocyanins are no longer hidden, bringing us some of the most beautiful scenery.  Sometimes, the death of something that we carry with us on a daily basis, must occur, so that we can see the hidden color and beauty of God's creation.  

What things do you need to let go of, in order to find God's hidden beauty?  
Personally, I need to let go of my need for approval. Seeking to please my family, painting a perfect picture of my abilities, having it all together, is not something I have really struggled with in a very long time.  However, without having a job right now, I find myself becoming very reliant on pleasing others.  

Galations 1:10 Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God?  Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.  

 The feeling of achievement I used to receive in teaching children, I am now struggling to find. My homemaker skills are very unpolished to say the least. But instead of resting in God's grace, and trusting in His plan for the future, I am feeling inadequate and insecure. And we all know who is prowling around waiting to pounce on our inadequacies. 

1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

Dear God, 
   Please help me to trust in your Power.  Allow me to rest in the knowledge of your plan and that you do not make mistakes.



James 4:7 Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will FLEE from you.


  

Wild Monkeys and Cornbread Mexican Casserole

So, school has started, let the chaos begin. How do you reign in your crew once the doors open to homework, spelling tests, and friendship friction?  Hannah just started school this week, so we are only dealing with a few issues so far.

#1 Wild Monkeys When Hannah gets home from school, my kids go bonkers!!  I guess they think they need to make up for the seven hours spent apart.  They run up and down the hall way, do gymnastics on the couch, and squeal non-stop.  I love that they love each other, but this is my Dinner Prep and Afternoon Tidy time.  Squealing Monkeys can really affect the tastiness of my food.  I don't want to punish them or even separate them, even though that may calm my nerves.  Please, give me wisdom.
How can I support brother/sister time without losing my mind?

#2 Unfortunate Uniforms  My daughter's school requires uniforms.  No, problem right.  Well, I have spent the last three weeks scouring Louisville to find clothes for my sweet five year old, who has the physique and height of a seven year old.  After dragging her to 5 different stores, yesterday we had 2 skirts, 3 shirts(all white), and a pair of pants.  So, today I ventured out again, while she was at school.  I finally found a store with plenty of sizes, colors, styles etc.  Only problem being that Hannah wasn't there to try them on.  lol. I bought six items, three of which I will have to return/exchange.  Oh the challenges of kindergarten...=). What was school clothes shopping like for you?

#3 Dinner Planning  I try to plan dinner for the next week on Thursdays.  I write down all the ingredients I need, plus other foods, or household items.  But Almost, Always, I forget at least one ingredient from each dinner.  For example, My favorite recipe this week featured below is Cornbread Mexican Casserole.  I purchased all the ingredients except...cornbread mix! Maybe, I will try shopping while Hannah is at school next week.  Hopefully chasing only one child will help me focus half of my brain on grocery shopping. How is Dinner at your house?

My Favorite Dinner this week: Cornbread Mexican Casserole

You need 2 packs Taco Seasoning, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of black beans, 3/4 taco sauce, 1 can corn, Shredded Cheese, 2 boxes of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

Mix corn, black beans, tomatoes, shredded cheese and taco sauce in bowl. 

My husband likes an extra kick, so I make him an individual casserole with green chiles.

Brown Ground Beef, Add Taco Seasoning (follow directions on packets) Add Beef to Corn Mixture.

Pour into 13X9 pan,  

Follow directions for cornbread. Pour on top of meat mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

This is a delicious, hearty meal.  Hannah and I love it.  Isaiah is a little pickier.  I wish I could say he was a meat and potatoes boy, but he doesn't even like potatoes.  This is the only way I have gotten him to eat any kind of beans and corn.  

I hope you enjoy this meal as much as we do.

School Is Here

A little over five years ago, I was just beginning to get the hang of holding my baby girl. Wondering who she would grow up to be, what kind of personality she would have, and what talents she would be blessed with. (As you can tell, I am pretty sure she is already thinking, Mom, do you really know what you are talking about?)


Yesterday, my hand opened letting her grasp turn to independence. Walking into her kindergarten class with confidence, she was ready to take on anything. As I watched her sit down in her seat, I wondered how we got here so fast.


How in such a short time my daughter has blossomed into an outgoing, gifted child with a little extra sass, who loves to sing and dance. Praise the Lord for his blessings.

So how did her first day go? She loved school. With the move I have been afraid she would really be missing her friends. But God has already blessed her with new friends. In fact, she told me today that her and her friend decided they hated going home! 'What why would you say that?' I asked. 'Cause we like school, Mom!'

I hope that feeling lasts for a long time.

Dear God,

Please bring joy to the teachers, staff, and principals that work with our kids.

Bless our children with teachers who LOVE KIDS, love teaching, and believe that they can make a difference. Allow my family to shone your light greatly. Help me to use my time wisely while my children are still young.

Therapy Thursday: Sensory Made Simple

Let's Make It Simple...One of my best skills is to make things more difficult than they are.  The truth is Sensory Strategies really are EASY!  But first let me answer some questions.

1. Who do sensory strategies benefit?
Everyone!!!  Why? because we all have senses and we all have times where our senses are under-worked or over-worked. I use sensory exercises with my children, my special ed students, and the general ed students during collaboration.  The fact is, school is getting much more demanding everyday.  With all the additional content standards to master, physical movement is cut down to 15-30 minutes a day.  That's not enough for any kid, nonetheless, a student with sensory needs.  So, whether you are a parent, general ed. teacher or a special ed teacher, incorporate movement into your everday activities.  They are also a great resource for kids with sensory issues.

2. Why do they work?
Sensory Integration Activities provide fun and easy avenues of sensory input. Whether they calm and organize the nervous system, help develop normal understanding of different textures/smells/tastes, or increase and decrease energy levels; they are necessary part of development for ANY child.


3. When do I use sensory strategies?
I categorize sensory strategies into 2 groups: preventative and reactive.
Preventative: I definitely recommend building activities into your daily routine for all kids.  If you know that your child has a sensory integration disorder, then a sensory diet, or activities designed to provide the specific input needed for your child should be offered at the same times each day.  
Remember, that many of these activities can provide calming and focus. Try to notice when your child is seeking that input and provide it in an appropriate way.

My favorite Sensory Input is...Heavy Work!  WHAT? No, I don't lift cinder blocks over my head for fun. Heavy work is also known as deep pressure.  
As a child I was known for two things: 1) I love kids, I always wanted to help in the nursery, be around babies, even change diapers. 2) Completely Clumsy- I broke both my ankles, my wrist, collarbone, nose, split open my head, and my chin.  All at different times of course.  NO, my parents did NOT beat me! My parents were caring and loving and very accommodating to my 'clumsy' nature.  


The truth was I wasn't just CLUMSY, I wasn't able to process propioceptive input.  My brain wasn't getting the information about where my body was compared to things around me. And on top of that my brain wasn't picking up on the sense of typical touch.  
I bumped into walls, cabinets, tripped over carpet, bags, even my own feet; most of the time I didn't even notice.  Why?  My brain was not recognizing normal, typical touch stimuli. I needed extra input.

Sensory Activities for Heavy Work or Deep Pressure

Over the next few weeks, I want to offer simple activities for sensory integration.

There so many different types of activities so I will start with my favorite...Heavy Work. As I explained before, as a child and still presently, my brain does not process touch well, so I need extra input...deep pressure or heavy work.  This is so calming to me. It helps me regain focus and concentration. 
Again, these activities can benefit all children.  Because all children are different, some activities may calm them, while others may 'energize' them, so carefully observe how each activity affects them.  An Occupational Therapist would be the best to help you decide which activities, how many times as day, how intense the activities.  Definitely, use trial and error.  Our goal is to expose our kids to different sensory inputs in a fun, safe, and stimulating way.

Warning: This list is not even a tenth of the activities possible for heavy work in Gross Motor or big movements.  These are just the ones that are most used or my favorites.

Heavy Work- Gross Motor/Big Movement

Rough Play- I know you love to play with your babies, now we just have to make that play even more meaningful...

• army crawl across the floor
• steam roll across the floor
• lizard crawl across the floor
• Make the crawl and roll even more fun by turning it into a game, Have your child start at one end of the room. while you are turned around(no cheating). Toss a small throw pillow behind you trying to tag your child. If he/she makes it across the floor, he/she wins
• Bear Hugs, Super Hero Hugs
• Use any of the Mother-May-I steps when walking short distances(from the house to the car): scissor steps, giant steps, dinosaur stomps, tornado twisties, etc.

• Make your child a pizza, no, no, don't go put a pizza in the oven, Make YOUR CHILD the PIZZA. 

• knead out the dough-massage belly, arms, legs, etc.
• spread out the sauce-gently rub belly, arms, legs, face
• sprinkle the cheese-use spirit fingers, similar to lightly tickling

• Use large bed pillows or throw pillows to make "a sandwich" out of your child.  The pillows are the bread, your kid is the meat, your can use blankets for the cheese, spread on the mustard/mayo
• Make a hot dog! Use a thick bath towel to snugly wrap around your child, don't forget the toppings. 

Swimming

Swinging

Riding a tricycle/bicycle

• Jumping in the pool, Jumping on the ground, Jumping on the trampoline, 
• Playing hopscotch,
• Pillow Pile Up-On laundry/sheet day gather all the pillows in your house.  Start piling them on top of your child.  Then let them break free.
• Theraputty, Play-doh, Stress Relief Balls,

Imaginative Play- You are more brilliant than any strategy I can give you.  You know what your kids like. Use your imagination.

• Construction Equipment-Let's pick up all toys like we are backhoes, or dump trucks, or excavators. etc.
• On a rainy day, one pretends to be a small seed on the  ground, the other is the weather: sprinkle each other with rain, wind, sunshine, snow, etc. if you are the seed you will start to stretch out and grow upwards.
• Bakery-stir the batter>fast/slow, knead the batter, press down the cookie cutter, scoop onto the pan, push into the oven, sprinkle sprinkles.

Have a blast playing with your kids, they won't even know they are 'working!'

Tuesday Teachable Moments Indeed: Inspired by Children, Challenged by the Word

When is your child ready for scripture?

As you may remember in a previous post, my five year old learned a memory verse from VBS and is using that verse(Isaiah 41:10) on a daily basis to overcome some of her fears. As proud as I was of Hannah's ability to memorize and find strength on that memory verse, I also was shocked.  I remember the beginning of the night when her teacher handed me the memory verse, and I thought to myself "Well, I will read it to her, but she is barely five.  I'm not sure if she is ready for memory verses." I am not sure why I underestimated her.  I know how smart she is.  But maybe it wasn't really about her, and more about how much I miss seeing God's word around me and relying on scripture on a daily basis.  How often do I look to God's word for answers, even memorize helpful scriptures, only to leave them in the back of my brain getting dusty. I am not sure if you have been here, but  I think we can easily miss how eager our children our to soak up God's wisdom and guidance.      

I went to church and learned memory verses.  I always had high points on Memory Verses at Church Camp.  But I don't think as a child I realized why is I was memorizing it.  For me, it was just a church thing, I didn't use them at home or even talk about the bible at all. Of course, I want it to be different with my children.  I want them to be drawn to word for wisdom.  I want them to see me drawn to the word, as well. Work in Progress.

  

So, what now?  Time to get challenged.  At least, for me anyways.  I definitely try to teach my children about God every day.  I look for teachable moments, I let the kids help me examine how our actions line up with God's desires for us.  But I think it's time, I start to put more responsibility in their court.  No more underestimating their abilities.  As a special education teacher, one of my pet peeves is not giving students high expectations, with the needed support of course.  I am still not sure what this whole challenge will look like, but I have a few ideas.  

Scriptures through the Alphabet:Good Place to Start?
 http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011/10/abc-printable-scripture-cards/

 If you don't know me well, you will soon figure out I am a very visual learner.  I love challenges, but I need a starting point and a visual plan.  Thankfully, we are surrounded by Godly mothers and fathers who are also trying to impress scripture onto the hearts of their children.  My favorite, so far, is http://impressyourkids.org/ 

The Mommy Blogger: Amanda, previously in children's ministry, now is a stay at home mom of two.  Her goal is that  God's word just BE part of their everyday life.  She has some wonderful ideas.  

Dear God,

         Help me to make your word a part of our daily lives. Continue to amaze me with how malleable and thirsty my babies hearts are.  Help me to expect Great Things from my children, while providing the support needed to achieve them. Cast off the doubt and insecurities the devil sends my way.  Challenge me, with how much they soak up.  Let your word flow through our hearts and out our mouths.

I pray that just like the rain comes down and always waters the earth, God’s Word will fall into my children’s lives and it will produce results! (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Another fabulous Mother raising her children in the word is Becky Crenshaw.  Very Inspiring, Check her out. http://beckycrenshaw.com/



I think our next verse should transition us from Not Being Afraid to Having Peace.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.

 2 Timothy 1:7

How do you approach the word with your children?  Was scripture taught to you as a child?  Were you taught to use your verses to fight the devil's lies? Do your children amaze you in God's word?

Thursday's Therapy Tricks

Sensory Problems

 

  We live in a world of SOUNDS, LIGHTS, SMELLS, TEXTURES, TASTES that are processed through our senses. 

According to Wikipedia:
Sensory integration is the neurological process that organizes sensation from one’s own body and the environment, thus making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment. 
Sensory integration is necessary for almost every activity that we perform because the combination of multiple sensory inputs is essential for us to comprehend our surroundings. 


Understanding Sensory Problems

Some people, kids and adults alike, have trouble processing the input around them. Many children and adults with autism experience sensory processing issues.  However, some otherewise 'typical' people also experience these problems.  When the brain struggles to Encode the sensory information this is called Sensory Integration Dysfunction, (SID). 

There are three main types of SID. Some children/adults have an increased or decreased response to sensory stimulation.  This causes them to seek out sensory stimulation in non-typical ways.  I was working with a child once and we accidentally head butted.  I was stunned and a little out of it.  It took me a few seconds to realize he was laughing. Then he grabbed my head and leaned forward to do it again!  Agggh, no thank you. He had no idea that head butting was not a good feeling for me.  All he knew was 1)it felt good to him, 2)he wanted more, and 3)it must have felt good to me too.
Children with this type of SID will run into walls, furniture, and people. They may . 

Other children/adults with sensory processing disorder exhibit a sensory based motor disorder. Their brains do not process movement normally, including visual perceptions, lack of understanding of where their body is in space, distance of objects, recognition of their movement speed, etc.  These kids maybe labeled 'clumsy,' physically awkward, or the opposite of graceful.

Type 3 sensory integration dysfunction occurs when the patient has a sensory discrimination disorder, which is characterized by postural control problems, lack of attentiveness, and disorganization. 



I am pretty sure my child has Sensory Processing Disorder, Now What?

    1.  Create a Sensory Diet

• Find out what sensory input your child is seeking.
• If you have an Occupational Therapist, request a Sensory Integration Evaluation.  If you do not, use a checklist found in books on Sensory Disorders(listed below).
• Schedule sensory breaks or exercises into your daily routine. 

Your Occupational Therapist can help you determine then needed sensory input and provide you with activities to meet those needs.  If you do not have an OT, then The Out of Sync Child is an excellent Resource that I have used in my classroom.  I have also heard good things about Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with SensoryProcessing Issues by Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske.

• Create a Sensory Tub for your child.  Help your child recognize when he/she is becoming over/understimulated.  Offer the tub for simple, independent activities.

     2. Build Movement into EVERY Part of Your Day!!

• While reading books or telling stories, help your child act out the stories adding as much deep pressure, stretching, and squeezing as possible.

• While walking out to get the mail stomp, 'Let's pretend we are dinosaurs.' 
• Secret Mission: Army Crawl to the Bedroom without being seen.

• Heavy Work (I do not mean to give your kid a cinder block or a sledge hammer!) 

• Make a special weighted backpack for your child to wear when transitioning activities. Take a handful of books and put in the backpack.  You only need enough wait to apply even pressure.  Do not put college text books in a preschooler's backpack. If you are going to the grocery store, but your child often gets overstimulated, have him/her wear the backpack.
• Take a milk crate or small tote and fill with toys.  Every other day or so, have your child take the toy tote from the living room to the bed room and switch out totes.  

    3. Gain Understanding for you and your child.  

      Explain that their bodies need extra help focusing their brains. 
The following books are all written in first person from the perspective of a child with Autism, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, or Sensory Processing Disorder.

Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing with …

› Jennifer Veenendall

4.9 out of 5 stars (9)

Paperback

$14.25

Squirmy Wormy: How I Learned to Help Myself

› Lynda Farrington Wilson

4.5 out of 5 stars (12)

Paperback

$10.17

Arnie and His School Tools: Simple Sensory …

Jennifer Veenendall - Arn…

4.4 out of 5 stars (20)

Paperback

$15.61

I am going to stop here for now.  But know, that this is a passion of mine.  So please ask questions, share success stories, or sensory blunders.  And I promise, this will be a returning topic.

Catching Up: Busy, Crazy, Busy

UPDATE

Did you miss me?  I know it's bad when my husband, (who I am always begging to read my blog for feedback) is getting on to me about not blogging.

The past week and a half has been full of medical procedures in my family, blessings of His presence and comfort, a game of Hot Potato Head Cold, and a decision of change for the future.  Translation:  My family is doing well, still waiting on some results and one more test this Friday. God was with each and every one of us from the OR to the waiting room.  My kids and I are passing around a fabulous head cold, days before Hannah begins Kindergarten.

BIG CHANGE AHEAD

After much prayer and thought, I will not be returning to my teaching job in West Virginia this year.   I have been blessed to work with excellent administrators, brilliant teachers, Para-educators, and fabulous students. However, My husband and I feel like Louisville is where we need to be.  Honestly, if I wasn't able to be here the past two weeks, I probably would have gone insane.  I understand that I do not have a medical degree or even a nursing background.  But my heart is with my family, and I want to be with them too.  So, we are staying in Louisville with my mom, temporarily.  I hope to hear about a teaching job soon.

 On my own, I am extremely bad at change of any kind, but specifically change that doesn't come with   a map, step by step directions, and a clear DESTINATION!!  Obviously, this is one of those times.  Job Security is nice, Paychecks are wonderful,  But trusting in the Lord for what is to come...That's where I am and I am sure I will have bumps, but I'm just holding on tight.