Thursday Organizing- I've learned my lesson

When I start to organize something I have to stop myself from putting things where "they ought to be" and put them where I naturally tend to stash them. I've lived in this house 6 years now and finally embraced the idea of putting my shoes on the floor of my closet rather than the cute little shelf at eye level. Why? Because I always kick my shoes off on the floor after a week of trying to remember to put them on the stupid shelf. Now that shelf holds some scrapbooking stuff and gift bags. No shoes. Shoes belong on the floor. I've learned my lesson.

Wednesday: Allergy Free Recipe: Oatmeal Cookie Bars

I love recipes that have simple ingredients that I usually have on hand. This recipe called for raisins and walnuts originally, but first- yuck- why ruin a perfectly good cookie with raisins and second- no nuts here. If you are not allergic to nuts I think they would be good with this bar. It's actually not too bad for you either. I added the raspberries on a whim and it turned out really well. Enjoy!

Egg Free Oatmeal Cookie bars

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup applesauce- I like the cinnamon flavored applesauce
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries or other berry

Direction

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C ). Grease a baking pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together the brown sugar, white sugar, and applesauce. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the applesauce mixture. Add the rolled oats, top with raspberries.

Spread into a pan and bake for about 20 minutes.

Cell phones only

We have moved to only cell phones. Just wanted to let everyone know. We've finally embraced 10 year old technology and got a smart phone for Thomas. He's had fun playing with it.

For my Tuesday post- Effective Advocating...

It's always interesting to go back in time and think about Spencer at younger ages. I've had an opportunity to do just that recently while corresponding with an acquaintance over email. One thing I remember- if I expected little I got very little from him. It's easy to have an "I give up" mentality as a parent with a non verbal child. It's important with any parenting to have your mind made up that your kid can do it and have the faith in him/her necessary for them to succeed.

A few of my favorite quotes about autism:

"Just because I don't say anything, doesn't mean I don't have anything to say" is one of my favorite quotes about autism from autism speaks. Every behavior is a way of communication. I once heard Temple Grandin say "I can look at you or I can listen to you. You pick."

Wednesday: Allergy free recipes- a great midnight snack

This is my "go to" evening snack when I crave something chocolate. It's egg/peanut free, but not milk free.

Chocolate Fluff

1/2 cup cool whip

1 tbsp cocoa powder

a little sugar to taste (if you like dark chocolate just use a bit)

whip together the cocoa and cool whip with a spoon or a mini whisk. Stir in sugar. Dip in strawberries, raspberries, pretzels,marshmallows- whatever you fancy. It's great plain as well. I just freeze it for a bit and sometimes eat it like ice cream.

Tuesday: Effective Advocating

A list at the store was the ticket today for Spencer to succeed. We needed to go to the grocery store to get some things for Laura and the kids coming tomorrow. I made a list with Spencer and he was my helper on the little trip. It's still like herding sheep with 3 of them, but he stuck to the list and made good choices. Something as simple as a list can be all of the accommodation a kiddo needs to behave in a socially appropriate way. We did have one incident where a man bumped into me and apologized and Spencer went up to him and said "Hey, that's OK Man." in a very loud voice. The guy didn't really know what to think of Spencer, but we just moved on. :)

lack of sleep

I've been dealing with restless nights and it's frustrating because no one is causing them but me. No kids up and about, no dog barking outside, just can't sleep. At least Spencer doesn't have to be up early this week- we've slept in until 9:30 both today and yesterday. Picture day didn't get taken yesterday, but we'll catch up next week with Gizmo's photos from his b-day.

Saturday: Update

I didn't get to the gym much this week with a sick kiddo and I don't think I'll make it much next week because Spencer's home and I don't take him to the gym child care. I think that may be why the kids keep getting sick anyway so I'm taking a break.

I'm going to set a few goals that will fit in fitness next week in non traditional way. We'll see how that works out. I like my gym. I will miss my gym. Not enough to get up at 5:00 am. I will sacrifice to get back down to a size 10, but not that much. :)