eSpecially Ben

With almost 50% of the votes, our Amazing Race Team Name will be.... drum roll please eSpecially Ben Elizabeth Edwards, Ben's former teacher from 3 and 4 year old preschool, is the winner for having suggested this team name. She is the grand prize winner of a gift card to our local French Bakery, Amelie's .  Thank you to everyone for contributing names and voting.  We raised $180 for the Amazing Race. All proceeds will go to the summer camp scholarship through Therapeutic Recreation. Thank you to everyone who has supported our team.

Last week, in response to being annoyed with each other, Logan and Sean used choking, hitting and pushing to settle their differences. My challenge was not to yell until I lost my voice, so I calmly (calm for me) gave out time outs with privileges revoked. They each lost their prized activities - Sean lost TV time and Logan lost playtime. In addition to having to sit in our bedroom after school until bedtime, I asked Logan to draw a picture of brothers getting along and then write a story to accompany it. This is what I got: Notice the check marks on the top drawing and the X's on the bottom drawing. They depict what is good behavior and bad behavior. Logan's words: If you do not push somebody it will be fun for everybody. If somebody pushes you you do not push back. And I am shamelessly promoting my recent nomination as a finalist to the About.com Readers' Choice Awards. Please take a moment to vote at vote.

Jealousy reared its ugly head this morning. It is a natural emotion, but ugly all the same. As I have said before, Logan has a list of jobs in the morning before school. They range from making his bed and straightening his room to putting away the silverware each morning. Sean has a list too, but he is not yet three and less is expected of him. Ben does not have any jobs to do. When jobs are complete, they may play. Logan is the middle child. In his 5 year old mind, he is stuck in that place in between two brothers who definitely have it better than him. His comment this morning was, "I wish I were Ben." Of course, I asked why because sometimes his answers are an insight into his psyche. Logan's answer, "Because Ben does not have a list" did indeed open up the doors to his way of thinking. I am surprised that anger was not my first emotion. Instead, I wanted to cry. I responded with, "Logan, what you said makes me sad. Please think about what you just s

Ben brought this gift home from school.  A Tootsie Pop for the center. The lollipop stick serves as the stem.  Tape a green leaf made from construction paper to the stem. Pink flower with message is cut in shape of a flower.  Add glitter or other decorations. Thank you Ben for my Valentine! Here's a site for Tootsie Pop Art. Check out more works of art at 5 Minutes for Special Needs eSpecially Ben is one of five finalists for About.com Readers' Choice Awards for Favorite Special-Needs Parenting Blog. Please take a moment to vote.

Happy Almost Valentine's Day!  I am shamelessly promoting my recent nomination as a finalist to the About.com Readers' Choice Awards. Please take a moment to vote.

Ben is blessed to have many people who love him dearly. One person who sticks out in my mind is his paternal great grandmother, Essie, also known as Ma Ma to her grandchildren and Nanny to her great grandchildren. She was one of Ben's greatest supporters. She found a way to reach Ben and make him laugh and smile. She passed away a few years ago and I often think about the special bond she had with him. Happy Early Valentine's Day! I am shamelessly promoting my recent nomination as a finalist to the About.com Readers' Choice Awards. Please take a moment to vote.

Thank you for your support in helping to get eSpecially Ben nominated for the About.com Readers' Choice Awards for "Favorite Special-Needs Parenting Blog"! eSpecially Ben is a finalist - please take a moment to vote. The poll is up now at  Vote Here . Please take a look at the poll and vote once a day, every day through March 8. Winners will be announced on March 15.