Where the heck did that come from?

Sometimes, things are hilarious just because they're so unexpected from your kids. We had one of those moments last night. The kids and Ted were horsing around and getting pretty silly. Emmalee had just eaten a piece of toast loaded with jelly. She walked up and planted a very sticky kiss on Ted's cheek. He said "Hey, what are you doing?" She said "I have sticky lips." To tease her, he said "You have stinky lips?" She said 'NO. STICKY lips!" It then progressed to stinky nicknames for the whole family - In order: Ted, Carolyn, John, Emmalee, Lexi and Snowflake became Stinky Breath, Stinky Feet, Stinky Toots, Stinky Lips, Dogbreath and Scratchy. But the thing that about killed us was when Emmalee stood up on Ted's lap and proclaimed loudly into his face " FEAR ME, for I am STINK!"

We about fell over. Where on earth did she hear that? Some cartoon, maybe. Gotta love those moments of hilarity. They get us through chaotic times.

Motorcycle Expo

Emmalee poses by her favorite chopper from the Expo. Note her "Orange County Choppers" T-Shirt.
This charming fellow took the kids photos on the dirtbike track.

First Dirtbike Ride

John and Emmalee got to ride dirtbikes at the motorcycle expo's dirt bike test track.





Emmalee geared up and ready to ride.

Emmalee laps another kid on the outside lane.

John gets some last minute instructions and gets psyched up for his ride.

Though the helmet hides his expression from this vantage point, whenever we caught a glimpse of his face through the mask he was grinning ear to ear.

Detailing Dad's Bike

Emmalee wanted to help me detail my bike. There was still road salt on the bike from being trailered from Detroit during a snowstorm when I bought the bike a week prior. My kids bought me a can of Honda Motorcycle Polish for Valentine's Day. Emmalee was thrilled to be able to use it with her Daddy.

John's Birthday Party

Guinea Pig for Christmas

A Christmas treasure hunt. 

 

 

1

A very sweet girl

deserves a sweet friend

Follow the clues to find

your gift at the end

 

2

Look up on the door

for your very first clue

once you get there

you'll see what to do

 

3

Better than toys

from a toy store like Meijer

to get your next clue

find the washer and dryer

 

4

Loved more than princesses

or Barbie's, by far

if you want the next clue

just go out by the car

 

5

She's fuzzy and sweet

but nothing like Flower

To find your new friend

go see where we shower

 

This piggy can't oink

or hold coins like your bank

but if you give her your love

She'll squeak lots of thanks

 

 

 

 

 

Combating Autism Bill passed

Woohoo!

A little more of the story can be found here.

Thanks, guys!
-Carolyn

Berkshire Sunset

Nights In White Satin playing on the car stereo.
Sunset in the Berkshires en route to the airport.

Bedtime Routine

Who, Me? I'm completely innocent!

Rock Tavern, NY

Driving to Massachusetts, listening to the radio as I travel I-84 east in Pennsylvania.

Suddenly I hear a local radio commercial promoting Orange County Choppers.

My wife is a huge fan.

Cross the state line into New York. Big old sign says, Welcome to New York. Orange County. How far away can the OCC shops be? I had no idea I'd be passing through their namesake county.

I'm driving alone. I call her up, 800 miles away, to say, "Guess where I am?"

"Scranton?" She asked.

"No. Orange County New York!"

She shrieked with excitement, and helped me plan a side trip to OCC. Only two miles off the interstate, and I had to stop for gas anyway.

Very cool. I was in a dreadful hurry and would've liked to stay more. But I knew how much my wife would want to come, so I know we'll make the journey again, and stay longer when it's the two of us.

Pennsylvania

Advice: "Don't take the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It's longer and it costs more -- it's a toll road/"

A man will often have at least two reasons for his actions. One, a perfectly sound, logical explanation. And the other, the real reason.

The logical explanation: The northern routes all had winter advisories. (This is true. Illinois, Michigan, Northern Ohio and Western NY were all under advisories.)

The real reason: I traveled to Harrisburg, PA in 2004 and I wanted to relive the trip. Plus tack another 360 miles upon it.

"You can tell him about the winter advisory; my family wanted me to be safe so I took the southern route. But in reality, I'm a stubborn cuss and I'm going to do what I want."

Scope delayed

We're running into some problems with our Dec 7 scope and it looks like it will have to be rescheduled to sometime in January. When I find out what the new date will be, I'll let you know. At least we don't have to deal with a hospital visit in the middle of the Christmas season now!

Sleepy and weepy

John seems lethargic about an hour after taking a dose of his new meds. And he seems prone to crying.

Tonight he cried because he was bored. He wanted a TV in his room so he could be normal.

"Do mommy and daddy have a TV in their room?"

"No"

"Does Gramma Karen?"

"No"

"Does Gramma D?"

"No"

"Lots of people don't have TV's in their bedroom."


Hard to know if its the meds, or lack of sleep, or what.

We'll keep an eye on it.

God please help us help our boy.

A Blog By John

John likes to collect interesting things. These things -- even pieces of trash and broken bits of toys -- are emotionally significant to him. Parting with them is very traumatic.
I suggested that instead of keeping every little interesting artifact, we create a blog and take pictures of these interesting things.

He liked that idea. I'm excited about it because hopefully it will take the place of his packratting, and will allow him to throw things away.

We'll always have pictures. And memories.

John's blog is: aBlogByJohn.blogspot.com

Denise's Car

1999 Saturn Wagon
John said, "I like it way better than your car, Dad"
Emmalee said, "Can we keep it?"
John said, "It's the awesomest car we've ever had."

MSNBC Article: What Happens When They Grow Up

This is a long article, but there's some stuff in the first couple of pages about what's happening with that Combating Autism bill. Thought you might like to hear the latest.

Thanks,
-Carolyn


Subject: Newsweek.com on MSNBC Article: What Happens When They Grow Up

What Happens When They Grow Up
Teenagers and young adults are the emerging face of autism as the disorder continues to challenge science and unite determined families.

Combating Autism

ASA Update on Combating Autism Act
Posted by: "margueritecolston" mcolston@autism-society.org
margueritecolston
Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:50 PM (PST)

As you know, the Autism Society of America (ASA) has been working closely with congressional leaders to pass the Combating Autism Act this year. The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate in August Of 2006, but House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) would like to make additional changes to the bill before Sending it to the President's desk.

Chairman Barton's version of the bill makes several significant changes to the legislation. It changes provisions related to the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) "Centers of Excellence" Program, specifically, requirements that the NIH create separate Centers of Excellence in Environmental Health and Autism. Chairman
Barton's compromise does allow for the study of environmental Factors and autism (including studies into the causes of autism), But does not mandate that these particular types of Centers be Funded.

ASA supports efforts to bolster research into environmental factors And autism, and supported the initial proposal to create Centers of Excellence. The legislative process, however, is one that requires Negotiation and compromise. Chairman Barton's current draft allows For research into this critical area, and he has also suggested that He would be providing additional, supporting documentation to the NIH to ensure that research in this area is expanded.

ASA is working with Chairman Barton and the autism community to Ensure that his statement (which provides guidance to NIH on the Congress's intent for this legislation) clearly reflects his desire To provide for additional research into environmental factors and Autism. We will continue to work with his office, and other Congressional leaders, to see that NIH is held accountable for the Research it does, and that research efforts reflect the needs of Individuals with autism and their families.

While some autism groups are suggesting that the community abandon This bill with the hopes that we can pass a stronger bill in the 110th Congress, ASA believes that we cannot wait another second for The Combating Autism Act. The compromise that Chairman Barton has Offered would provide almost $1 billion for autism related research At NIH. It would provide for research into a range of important areas, from neurobiology to genetics to toxicology.

While the Combating Autism Act is not perfect, it is a step in the Right direction == one that will get us closer to finding better Treatments, diagnostics, and interventions for autism. As an Organization representing individuals with autism, their friends, Families, and supporters, ASA supports this legislation and will do all we can to ensure its passage.

New Med

John had another appointment with the autism clinic on Friday. I had meant to attend, but had an acute lack of planning, and ended up not being able to leave work to attend. I attended by conference call. Carolyn took John. Grandma Karen stayed with Emmalee.

The doctor listened to our description of John's behavior, and his reaction to Strattera, and how his behavior improved when we discontinued the straterra. John's behavior improved on Tenex, but he had adverse side-effects of shortness of breath and sinus drainage (throat clearing).

This lead us to another drug similar to Tenex. Clonodine. It is mildly sedating. We launched John on this drug yesterday.

Best Friends

Emmalee and Arantza

Emmalee's birthday card from Arantza said:

Dear Emmalee, You are my best friend and I love you. Arantza.

5 and 40

Emmalee and Daddy