Overheard Conversation on the way to Scouts

Brevin: Mom, why is Kristi so interested in me? (Our ABA behaviorist who keeps tabs on him 3 hours a month, but who is now on maternity leave so her boss Kelli came to observe him at Scouts today).

Mom: Because you're a pretty interesting kid!

Brevin: Is it because I used to have autism?

Mom: What do you think?

Brevin: Probably.

Andrew: (Brevin's best buddy) What's autism?

Brevin: Oh, it's something I was born with that my parents learned about when I was about 3. It's a disability, but I grew out of it. Well, I still have it a little.

Andrew: But what is autism like for you?

Brevin: It helps me concentrate. Actually, did you know that everyone in the whole world has to have a little bit of autism or they wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything! (I like that explanation!)

Andrew: Cool! That means I have austim too because I can concentrate on a lot of things all at the same time!

Brevin: Who's your favorite Pokemon character? (Boys will be boys).

Sometimes it is a double edged sword having a son who is so high functioning--enough to know the difference and yet able to communicate how he feels about it all. He is very concerned about our baby having autism (probably overheard me talking to my mom) and has had nightmares about it. I keep reminding him that if our baby has autism, we will know what to do and we will give him the help he needs just like we did for Brevin. "I hope he doesn't have any disabilities because I really want to play basketball with him when he gets older." You still can, buddy boy.

ACE is the Place

Lindie and Brevin transferred to a new school a week ago. It's a co-op school with about 100 students. The name of the school is ACE--Alternative Co-op Education. Each class is a combination class. Lindie is in a K-1-2 combo class and Brevin is in a 3-4 combo class. The teachers are amazing and my kids have transitioned so well! I think having music playing as the kids line up in the morning helps--how can you not be happy when "Lollipop, Lollipop" is playing in the background as you start your day? The music changes everyday. I love it!

What I love the most about this school is the homework. No worksheets! Each week of the month is designated towards reading, writing, math or project week. Lindie just finished her project week. She got to choose whatever she wanted to do and she chose to make sugar cookies! She wrote out the recipe, made the grocery list, went grocery shopping, made the cookies and I photographed each step of the way. She made a book out of the pictures and presented it to her class--complete with the cookies! She came home BEAMING! I can't think of a better way to teach kids self-esteem. Brevin just finished his reading week and he had to write down everything he read that week. Quite a varied list. And now we are beginning our Fall Break of no school!!! Yippee!!

We close escrow on our house on October 14th. The owners move out October 25th and in exchange are leaving behind their 5 barstools to go around the kitchen counter and their beautiful area rug for the family room. Looks like we get to come up with real furniture--non-gifted couches!! Wow. I really feel grown up now. We move in on Halloween!

The great thing is our new house is only 5 minutes from ACE. It really is the PLACE.