eSpecially Ben

About a week ago, Ben’s occupational therapist taught Ben how to take his shirt off. Immediately after the session with the OT still present, Ben crawled into the kitchen and proceeded to show me how he can take off his own shirt. Very impressive! Last night, right before bedtime, Ben did his shirt trick again with a pajama top. Just took the darn thing off without any help. Needless to say he went to bed shirtless. This time Ryan got to appreciate our little Houdini. And then this morning, I shared the story with Logan, who appreciates when Ben learns a new skill, and he started chanting: Take It Off, Take It Off.  Well, at least Logan was showing support.

It appears that the school officials are determined to displace the current students in Ben's school for an alternative program. The PTA is fighting hard with petitions, letters, emails and calls. We are all attending a community forum tonight. Ben will be in attendance with me. These are the words I plan to read if called on to speak: Hi. My name is Ben. I am 7 years old. I am a 2nd grader at Oakhurst. I am in a SAC class, special academic curriculum. Please help  me save our school. I am learning there. I am surrounded by people who really care about me and have created an environment where I am welcomed and loved. My mom knows I am safe at Oakhurst. She also knows I enjoy it there. I smile when I get on the bus and I've been known to hug my teacher very tightly when I see her. Please save my school for me and for the other children like me at Oakhurst. Thanks.

Our neighborhood fire station turned 75 years old this weekend. They celebrated by throwing a big party - food, drinks and of course, firetruck visits. Ben made several trips to the firetruck.

We've made the decision to get real beds for all the boys. All three are in toddler type beds now. Sean's bed is pictured here, and it was the crib that all three boys slept in from birth. It brings tears to my eyes to move on, but it means they are growing and becoming independent. Incidently, this picture came about because Ben climbed up and then I asked the other two to jump in with him for a photo opp. And as luck would have it, we found out that day that a very close family member is having a baby so we know the crib will stay in the family. I can at least visit it.

 Logan made these pieces of jewelry on his own.  Check out other works of art at 5 Minutes for Special Needs .

I started writing this post before race results were up, and I am trying to remain calm as I write this... I placed 3rd in my age group Okay, back to being calm. Running a race a month this year has been challenging - it takes time and money - resources scarce in our household. Ryan has been supportive from the very beginning, traveling 2 hours  to another city and even walking in the first race on New Year's Day morning with three kids in tow. My October race was in South Carolina, specifically, running over the Isle of Palms Connector near Charleston. Ryan agreed to run it with me, and we made it a vacation present for my 40th birthday. So we left the boys at home with an army of caretakers and stayed away for three nights. The race course was definitely the most beautiful I have seen. The views from the bridge were amazing. The rest of our vacation - watching a polo match in Hyde Park, hiking the wetlands, gazing at the stars on Sullivan's Island, eating prali

Ryan and I had a long weekend in Charleston, SC by ourselves. To say it was magical would be an understatement. This is taken from Shem Creek with the Ravenel Bridge (a.k.a. Cooper River Bridge) in the distance.