Disney done differently, (BOG dining updates pages 202 and 203)

[momabaarjo]

YAY for the little step forward for Anakin! I love how that he used prayer to get him throught the situation (even if the prayer was yelling at God sometimes, we all do that)...along with a very calm and loving mom (who has more patience than anyone I know).

I love the photo of the bunny and the castle...just the castle is beautiful, but the bunny makes it priceless!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Anakin had a huge breakthrough on Friday. One of the characteristics of his ASD is that once he gets an idea in his head, he just can shake it.

He couldn't find his special pencil. BUT he couldn't remember what it looked like. The only clue he could give me was that it had the letter "o" on it. I think I know exactly the pencil he was looking for. I think it was a Christmas pencil that had Christmas trees and said Happy Holidays...hence the "o" on it.

He tried to remain calm, but worry, frustration, then anger quickly escalated. He would go through deep hearted, gut wrenching tears about missing this pencil. Then he woud stop and pray for comfort so he could get calm and think straight one minute, then shouting at God in anger the next.

I hugged him for that deep pressure he so needed, I prayed with him, I reminded him that in order to think straight he needed to get calm, and I empathized with him about how hard it is when you lose something you really like.

I searched high and low for this pencil for a good hour. He had the whole day of school ahead of him, and at this point it didn't look like anything was going to get done. Dh and Grumpy were running an errand, so I asked them to check the car. This bought me some time as Anakin stopped crying and sat by the phone waiting to hear from them.

Out of the blue he said, "It's more important that I do my school work. I know the pencil will be found some time. I need to stay calm to get my school work done and I need to stay calm to think. If I stay calm I will find my pencil sooner."

At that point, I looked at one of the legos he had been working on that was on a green lego platform. Right beside that platform I saw a pencil blending in. It wasn't the exact pencil he was looking for. This one did have an "o" on it, but it had Christmas balls not trees on it.

He got all his work done after that, his focus was uninterrupted and he didn't take any attention breaks except to stop and eat!! (He used the pencil with the "o" on it and all was good.)

way to go Anakin you must be so proud of him Tink! know I am! how wonderful he is learning to work through his frustrations! you are so patient with him and know his #1 supporter!

for you both!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

That's too funny. I don't know if you have ever read Pollyanna? Or seen the movie? That is her type of statement.

Love that movie! I have always loved Hailey Mills and my all time fav movie is the original Parent Trap... Hmmm... Maybe I can talk the girls into watching it with me before our trip???

Aww, that's so sweet! My little guy will not touch the clothes on his little bears because that's the way they are suppose to be. You know rules! However, the bear he got that came without clothing, he will occasionally ask me to change his outfit. Right now he's still sporting the Christmas outfit.




Thanks! I'm sure we will.

I think I remember you mentioning that before, and that NOBODY else is allowed to call you that but Pete!



Michele, Judy is the poster child for Pollyanna! Her rose colored glasses are contageous! Her children have amazing dispositions! If you haven't read her PRT, you really should check out her TR!

I agree, if anyone is the poster child for Pollyanna - it's Judy and her family - even though I have not (yet) met them IRL - it just shows through and through in her PTR/TR.

Anakin had a huge breakthrough on Friday. One of the characteristics of his ASD is that once he gets an idea in his head, he just can shake it.

He couldn't find his special pencil. BUT he couldn't remember what it looked like. The only clue he could give me was that it had the letter "o" on it. I think I know exactly the pencil he was looking for. I think it was a Christmas pencil that had Christmas trees and said Happy Holidays...hence the "o" on it.

He tried to remain calm, but worry, frustration, then anger quickly escalated. He would go through deep hearted, gut wrenching tears about missing this pencil. Then he woud stop and pray for comfort so he could get calm and think straight one minute, then shouting at God in anger the next.

I hugged him for that deep pressure he so needed, I prayed with him, I reminded him that in order to think straight he needed to get calm, and I empathized with him about how hard it is when you lose something you really like.

I searched high and low for this pencil for a good hour. He had the whole day of school ahead of him, and at this point it didn't look like anything was going to get done. Dh and Grumpy were running an errand, so I asked them to check the car. This bought me some time as Anakin stopped crying and sat by the phone waiting to hear from them.

Out of the blue he said, "It's more important that I do my school work. I know the pencil will be found some time. I need to stay calm to get my school work done and I need to stay calm to think. If I stay calm I will find my pencil sooner."

At that point, I looked at one of the legos he had been working on that was on a green lego platform. Right beside that platform I saw a pencil blending in. It wasn't the exact pencil he was looking for. This one did have an "o" on it, but it had Christmas balls not trees on it.

He got all his work done after that, his focus was uninterrupted and he didn't take any attention breaks except to stop and eat!! (He used the pencil with the "o" on it and all was good.)

Tink - this is so awesome!!! How amazing that Anikin was able to focus and calm himself.

D~

 

[lovethattink]

so great that he realized he needed to focus and remain calm and prioritize!!! How amazing for him!! Even I struggle with that. GOOD JOB ANAKIN!

YAY for the little step forward for Anakin! I love how that he used prayer to get him throught the situation (even if the prayer was yelling at God sometimes, we all do that)...along with a very calm and loving mom (who has more patience than anyone I know).

I love the photo of the bunny and the castle...just the castle is beautiful, but the bunny makes it priceless!

way to go Anakin you must be so proud of him Tink! know I am! how wonderful he is learning to work through his frustrations! you are so patient with him and know his #1 supporter!

for you both!!!

Tink - this is so awesome!!! How amazing that Anikin was able to focus and calm himself.

D~

It was a shocker for me. I was so proud of him. Told him that was very wise reasoning and I was proud of him.

It takes ALOT to get my blood boiling. It did cause stress through, I got a kink in my neck and a headache from the tension. While he was watching tv, I laid on the couch and put a baseball at the spot giving me grief. By the time his backetball practice came around the pain was gone!

 

[petals]

Anakin had a huge breakthrough on Friday. One of the characteristics of his ASD is that once he gets an idea in his head, he just can shake it.

He couldn't find his special pencil. BUT he couldn't remember what it looked like. The only clue he could give me was that it had the letter "o" on it. I think I know exactly the pencil he was looking for. I think it was a Christmas pencil that had Christmas trees and said Happy Holidays...hence the "o" on it.

He tried to remain calm, but worry, frustration, then anger quickly escalated. He would go through deep hearted, gut wrenching tears about missing this pencil. Then he woud stop and pray for comfort so he could get calm and think straight one minute, then shouting at God in anger the next.

I hugged him for that deep pressure he so needed, I prayed with him, I reminded him that in order to think straight he needed to get calm, and I empathized with him about how hard it is when you lose something you really like.

I searched high and low for this pencil for a good hour. He had the whole day of school ahead of him, and at this point it didn't look like anything was going to get done. Dh and Grumpy were running an errand, so I asked them to check the car. This bought me some time as Anakin stopped crying and sat by the phone waiting to hear from them.

Out of the blue he said, "It's more important that I do my school work. I know the pencil will be found some time. I need to stay calm to get my school work done and I need to stay calm to think. If I stay calm I will find my pencil sooner."

At that point, I looked at one of the legos he had been working on that was on a green lego platform. Right beside that platform I saw a pencil blending in. It wasn't the exact pencil he was looking for. This one did have an "o" on it, but it had Christmas balls not trees on it.

He got all his work done after that, his focus was uninterrupted and he didn't take any attention breaks except to stop and eat!! (He used the pencil with the "o" on it and all was good.)

Way to go Anakin

 

[kaoden39]

Love, what a big step for Anakin.


D, I recently reread the book. What a great story it is. And I love the movie with Haley Mills. She was so cute in it. I hope the girls watch it with you.

 

[bouncycat]

Awww!!! Sounds like Anakin is doing good!! Always love to hear that!!!

 

[lovethattink]

Way to go Anakin

Love, what a big step for Anakin.




D, I recently reread the book. What a great story it is. And I love the movie with Haley Mills. She was so cute in it. I hope the girls watch it with you.

I've never seen the whole movie. D, I hope you get a chance to watch it with the girls. Those old movies are such a breath of fresh air sometimes!

Awww!!! Sounds like Anakin is doing good!! Always love to hear that!!!

He has his moments, but thankfully they are not near as frequent and don't last as long as they did a year ago at this time!

How is your son doing with the transitioning to moving across the coast?

 

[exwdwcm]

Anakin had a huge breakthrough on Friday. One of the characteristics of his ASD is that once he gets an idea in his head, he just can shake it.

He couldn't find his special pencil. BUT he couldn't remember what it looked like. The only clue he could give me was that it had the letter "o" on it. I think I know exactly the pencil he was looking for. I think it was a Christmas pencil that had Christmas trees and said Happy Holidays...hence the "o" on it.

He tried to remain calm, but worry, frustration, then anger quickly escalated. He would go through deep hearted, gut wrenching tears about missing this pencil. Then he woud stop and pray for comfort so he could get calm and think straight one minute, then shouting at God in anger the next.

I hugged him for that deep pressure he so needed, I prayed with him, I reminded him that in order to think straight he needed to get calm, and I empathized with him about how hard it is when you lose something you really like.

I searched high and low for this pencil for a good hour. He had the whole day of school ahead of him, and at this point it didn't look like anything was going to get done. Dh and Grumpy were running an errand, so I asked them to check the car. This bought me some time as Anakin stopped crying and sat by the phone waiting to hear from them.

Out of the blue he said, "It's more important that I do my school work. I know the pencil will be found some time. I need to stay calm to get my school work done and I need to stay calm to think. If I stay calm I will find my pencil sooner."

At that point, I looked at one of the legos he had been working on that was on a green lego platform. Right beside that platform I saw a pencil blending in. It wasn't the exact pencil he was looking for. This one did have an "o" on it, but it had Christmas balls not trees on it.

He got all his work done after that, his focus was uninterrupted and he didn't take any attention breaks except to stop and eat!! (He used the pencil with the "o" on it and all was good.)

WOW- what a total win for you guys!!!! A huge step. Heck, some of us adults don't have clear mind enough for that. I hope it is the first of many more moments like that.

 

[lovethattink]

WOW- what a total win for you guys!!!! A huge step. Heck, some of us adults don't have clear mind enough for that. I hope it is the first of many more moments like that.

I hope so too!!

Yesterday he finished two days of school work so that we could go to Disney today. When he was finished he wanted to watch tv. He turned on cartoon network and it was blank. He began to worry that he'd never be able to watch power rangers, Ninjago, or Clone Wars ever again. He cried and whined for quite a bit (maybe 30 minutes). Said, "I guess I will never be able to watch those shows again. I'm not ever watching tv! Will you read more science to me?" I read more to him and when we finished he tried the tv again and that channel worked! He was happy it worked, but turned it off and played Legos because he was still angry at the tv.

 

[mommy2mrb]

I hope so too!!

Yesterday he finished two days of school work so that we could go to Disney today. When he was finished he wanted to watch tv. He turned on cartoon network and it was blank. He began to worry that he'd never be able to watch power rangers, Ninjago, or Clone Wars ever again. He cried and whined for quite a bit (maybe 30 minutes). Said, "I guess I will never be able to watch those shows again. I'm not ever watching tv! Will you read more science to me?" I read more to him and when we finished he tried the tv again and that channel worked! He was happy it worked, but turned it off and played Legos because he was still angry at the tv.

well at least he got some reading and creating in sorry he got upset though! great that he worked through another issue

 

[lovethattink]

My photobucket account is still maxed out. Looks like I have to wait until March 10th to post pics again, because I haven't been able to get tinypics to work.

well at least he got some reading and creating in sorry he got upset though! great that he worked through another issue

He's been working through more issues. Though there are some that have really taken a toll on him and us. He just gets so fixated on something and won't stop until it's resolved.

There have been more lost pencils and Legos recently. In fact, he almost missed a Disney day because he was so bent on finding another pencil he lost. We were ready to head out the door and head to Disney. I grabbed some school work to do in the car and told him to grab a pencil. He couldn't find the one he was looking for. He said he put it somewhere safe and didn't remember where. We spent over an hour looking for it. He tired out from crying almost an hour. He gave up on the search and was ready to go to the car. When he opened his math speed drills book, there was the pencil!! He hugged it and starting crying again because he missed it so much.

He started playing baseball on a special needs team. Tomorrow is the first game. He is very excited! It's so wonderful watching the kid practice. There is such determination and focus. The coach told me that they try to follow baseball rules except that every inning, every child gets to bat. So if there could be more than 3 outs in an inning.

 

[kaoden39]

I didn't realize that photobucket had a limit. Hmm I hope I don't reach it before the end of my trip report.


How wonderful that Anakin is working things through. But, I am sorry that it can be so hard at times. You are an amazing woman and your sons are lucky to have such a wonderful mom.

 

[mommy2mrb]

I didn't realize that photobucket had a limit. Hmm I hope I don't reach it before the end of my trip report.


How wonderful that Anakin is working things through. But, I am sorry that it can be so hard at times. You are an amazing woman and your sons are lucky to have such a wonderful mom.

I agree totally with Michele, your boys are very lucky!


happy he is enjoying baseball! and is continuing to work through his issues, even with tears along the way, he is doing it

 

[Moodyzblu]

I finally made it through your TR to the end !!

It was so much fun reading about and seeing the pics from all your little trips !
Anakin is such a character and special guy. He ranks as a super hero in my book.

Thanks for helping me pass the time waiting for our trip !

 

[annmarieda]

I have been so busy lately, my dis time has suffered. I was sooo behind. I am all caught up now though.

I love all your pictures. They are so much fun to see.

And for the breakthrough!!! You must be proud of Anakin!

The card game looks fun. I wonder if dd would be into it or do you think it is more of a boy thing?

 

[DMGeurts]

D, I recently reread the book. What a great story it is. And I love the movie with Haley Mills. She was so cute in it. I hope the girls watch it with you.

Totally... I used to make them watch it with me all the time... Now, I haven't had them watch it in a couple of years... Hmmmm.... D~'s thinkin' it's about that time again. We should do a back-to-back Hailey Mills movie marathon today... The original Parent Trap and Pollyanna.

I've never seen the whole movie. D, I hope you get a chance to watch it with the girls. Those old movies are such a breath of fresh air sometimes!

You should watch it sometime Tink... Both Pollyanna and the original Parent Trap are just great Disney family movies that just really embody the spirit of a true Walt film.

Tink - I am hoping we can meet up - it sounds like you will be in WDW this week... I will text you my #, and if you find yourself there, please let me know. We don't have park hoppers, so we are really confined to the park we are in for the day - but if we can work it out, I would love to try.

D~

 

[mommy2mrb]

Totally... I used to make them watch it with me all the time... Now, I haven't had them watch it in a couple of years... Hmmmm.... D~'s thinkin' it's about that time again. We should do a back-to-back Hailey Mills movie marathon today... The original Parent Trap and Pollyanna.



You should watch it sometime Tink... Both Pollyanna and the original Parent Trap are just great Disney family movies that just really embody the spirit of a true Walt film.

Tink - I am hoping we can meet up - it sounds like you will be in WDW this week... I will text you my #, and if you find yourself there, please let me know. We don't have park hoppers, so we are really confined to the park we are in for the day - but if we can work it out, I would love to try.

D~

I love those movies too! should get them so Megan can see them!

Hope you and Tink can meet up! they are such a great family and Anakin a little sweetie! he loves to pin trade and knows everything about Star wars and legos if you do get to see them please give them a hug from us!!!

 

[lovethattink]

I didn't realize that photobucket had a limit. Hmm I hope I don't reach it before the end of my trip report.


How wonderful that Anakin is working things through. But, I am sorry that it can be so hard at times. You are an amazing woman and your sons are lucky to have such a wonderful mom.

Apparently there is a monthly limit and in the first week of Feb I had exceeded my monthly limit. Yikes!! It offered for me to purchase photopro to upgrade to unlimited and no advertisements. I'm passing on that for now.

You are so sweet. There are days where I get stressed to the max. I am on blood pressure medication for the first time in my life because the constant meltdowns have my heart racing at times.

I agree totally with Michele, your boys are very lucky!


happy he is enjoying baseball! and is continuing to work through his issues, even with tears along the way, he is doing it

Aww, thanks.

I posted several pictures from baseball on my facebook. He had a blast! It was over quick though. They played 3 innings. An inning was over after each player on a team batted. He was the last batter, so he had to run all the bases. He was very exhausted by the end of the 3rd inning. He had to leave the little team meeting after the game and sit down on my chair. They give the kids refreshments after and he couldn't walk there, had to use the medical stroller. Now that he is cooled off, his strength is back and he is doing great. That hot sun just really takes a toll on him.

I finally made it through your TR to the end !!

It was so much fun reading about and seeing the pics from all your little trips !
Anakin is such a character and special guy. He ranks as a super hero in my book.

Thanks for helping me pass the time waiting for our trip !

Thanks for taking the time to read it!!

We really need to get back to Universal. We haven't been there since March and we are paying monthly on our passes.

If you haven't already checked it out. Tammie's TR(Mamabarjo ?spelling) from December has great insights on Universal. Especially the HP stuff.

He is quite a character. There is never a dull moment and he never leaves anywhere a stranger.

I have been so busy lately, my dis time has suffered. I was sooo behind. I am all caught up now though.

I love all your pictures. They are so much fun to see.

And for the breakthrough!!! You must be proud of Anakin!

The card game looks fun. I wonder if dd would be into it or do you think it is more of a boy thing?

I've missed you!

I think Zoe would really love it! Even Alex might like it. It's a great game for the whole family!

Totally... I used to make them watch it with me all the time... Now, I haven't had them watch it in a couple of years... Hmmmm.... D~'s thinkin' it's about that time again. We should do a back-to-back Hailey Mills movie marathon today... The original Parent Trap and Pollyanna.



You should watch it sometime Tink... Both Pollyanna and the original Parent Trap are just great Disney family movies that just really embody the spirit of a true Walt film.

Tink - I am hoping we can meet up - it sounds like you will be in WDW this week... I will text you my #, and if you find yourself there, please let me know. We don't have park hoppers, so we are really confined to the park we are in for the day - but if we can work it out, I would love to try.

D~

D, I got your pm and added your number to my phone. Today, Monday and Thursday we will be somewhere on property. It would be awesome to meet up with you along the way!

We often have Parent Trap movie nights, watching both the old and the newer versions.

I love those movies too! should get them so Megan can see them!

Hope you and Tink can meet up! they are such a great family and Anakin a little sweetie! he loves to pin trade and knows everything about Star wars and legos if you do get to see them please give them a hug from us!!!

The Sorcerer's game has taken #1 park priority with him. Definately a new area of hyperfocus. He's done a few pin trades, but not like he use to. Now he's trying to trade cards to get the cards he's missing.

 

[sl_underwood]

Caught up with your TR again. It seems if I am gone for even a few days, I miss out on so much. Looks like you have been having a ton of Disney fun. Love that Anakin was able to calm himself. We are working on that with Luke and sometimes its easier than others. What a great accomplishment for you guys! I know what you mean about getting fixated. Luke has the same prob. Sometimes he just gets so hung up on something that he cant do anything else. I can relate to the tv issue. The other day Disney XD was not working and Luke saw that the Phineas and Ferb movie was on it and wanted to watch it. Thankfully, Netflix has the movie, otherwise it would have been meltdown central at my house. Glad to see that Anakin is working through this. Are you using the Explosive child techniques to help him with this or something else?