Did I mention summer's coming?

Getting in some sandbox action on a warm spring day. They always love playing in the sandbox because of it's shady location under the playset.

Sibling rivalry can be a good thing

And now Zach rides a bike without training wheels :)

World Autism Awareness Day

Today (April 2) is designated by the UN as World Autism Awarenss Day. Most people know that Autism has been on the rise over the last 10 years. It is now diagnosed in 1 in 150 children and 1 in 96 boys...one of them is ours.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe (Autism Speaks).

We're lucky. Brandon's symptoms are on the milder end of the spectrum and our other boys show no signs of autism. Currently, there are no effective means to prevent autism, no fully effective treatments, and no cure. Nobody really knows what causes autism. It will probably end up being like cancer, where there are many causes and many types. If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism. They all have different symptoms and different treatments are effective for each one.

We're so proud of Brandon and how hard he works everyday...especially having to put up with a Mom for whom patience has never been a strength :) Ellen Notbohm wrote a book called, "Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew". I like a quote from the end, "I didn't choose to have autism. Remember it's happening to me, not you. Without your support, my chances of successful, self-reliant adulthood are slim. With your support and guidance, the possiblities are broader than you might think. I promise you, I'm worth it". Thank you to everyone in our lives who gives our son that love and support everyday!

Finally...no training wheels

We have joked for the last year or so that Brandon (and Zach too) will go on missions with training wheels on their bikes. In their defense, we really haven't taken the time to teach them. We took the training wheels off for a week last summer and they didn't get it, so we put them back on so they could ride. Well, I came across an article on the web about teaching kids to ride. Here' s the gist: You take off the pedals and lower the seat so the kid is sitting with their feet flat on the ground. They use their feet to push and coast along. Once they are coasting with their feet up for 20 feet or so you put the pedals back on and they take off. It claimed you could have your kids riding in an hour, because they'd be teaching themselves. I figured what the heck...and it worked! Brandon is a now a bike rider. He and Jerry went on a ride tonight...it's amazing how much faster they go without training wheels. They can actually ride together. Great Job, Brandon!

Unfortuately, Zach is not quite tall enough to sit on the seat with his feet flat on the ground (he's on his tiptoes) so the method didn't work quite so good for him. So we'll either have to find a 12-inch bike to use or go back to the old "hold onto the seat and run behind" method. I'm sure he'll get it soon enough.

Summer's Coming!

Nate felt like such a big boy to be sitting with his brothers!

Play Ball!

Saturday was opening day for Woodcreek Little League and the T-Ball Sidewinders! Brandon played Pitcher for the first game and had 2 Sportscenter plays! Of course, only in T-Ball does the pitcher get to field grounders...but he had 2 that were hit pretty hard on the ground and he made great stops and the throw to first to get the outs...the 1st baseman even caught the throws :) It looks to be a great season. We are just amazed at the difference a year makes. The T-Ball division is for 5-6 year olds and Brandon's fielding skills are SO much improved over last year. Jerry is coaching his team again and having a lot of fun. Zach is so looking forward to playing next year. It's really tough to be 4 sometimes, especially when some of your school friends can play since their birthdays are a little earlier in the year. Oh and Nate is so much more of a pain at the games than he was last year. It was so nice when he just sat in the stroller. Now he throws pacifiers and keys in the garbage can and climbs on the bleachers trying to get hurt.

Blue and Gold Banquet

We went to Pack 507's Blue and Gold Banquet last week. The kids had fun looking at all the cool cakes people made for the cake auction. We ended up winning a chocolate cake that was super rich...Jerry and the kids all loved it. Brandon and the other boys in his den all earned their Tiger advancement. Here he is in line getting ready to get it. Another kid walked in front of me when he was actually getting it...so much for that picture. Great Job Brandon!