4 Little Monkeys

Menu Planning Monday

2013-01-07T14:37:00.000-05:00

It's a new year and I'm refreshed! I am going to try to blog again.

Sunday: We had French onion soup and the boys had chicken noodle soup

Monday: ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn

Tuesday: pizza (I have a free pizza thanks to Papa John's and their rewards system)

Wednesday: breakfast for supper; pancakes, ham/sausage

Thursday: pork chops, cheddar mashed potatoes, veggies

Friday: leftovers

I promised George a quiche and scalloped potatoes for lunches this week.

PYHO: The blog that pulled me out of "bloggy retirement"

2012-10-10T18:26:00.000-04:00

I've not had much time for things lately hence not writing here. I would rather focus my energy on my boys rather than here at times. It is important to remember that I am "Mom:" first and "blogger" second.

There is a blogger in my home town; she write for other places which is why I "know" of her. Anyways, I saw this blog post she had written basically saying that kids with autism shouldn't be included in mainstream. You can read it here. I had to respond and as of now I see my comment hasn't been approved. I believe mine is a message that is important and needs to get out. I will publish here what that comment was so others can see the response.

"There's this little law out there called IDEA that entitles my children to something called the Least Restrictive Environment. IDEA was authorized in 1972 if I remember correctly. So, for 40 years children with special needs have had thee rights to go to a public school and not be turned away.

I am quite thankful for this law. You see, as a resident of the same town in which you live in, I happen to have 3 kids who are on the spectrum. I take what you say very much to heart. You, as the mom of a typical kid, get to worry about things like "what outfit is he/she wearing today" or "what lunch am I packing for them today". I have to worry about people's perceptions of my children. My beautiful boys...my boys that people are afraid of simply for one word...autism. I have to worry about the kid on the bus calling my kid "diarrhea breathe", hitting him, stealing his hat, etc. I have to worry about my child not being able to read, reading programs, math programs, etc. I have to worry about my 5 year old not being able to communicate what he wants and crying for his "mama" in school. I have to worry about the alphabet soup called IEP, LRE, IDEA, 504, etc.

I have to worry about my 1st graders and people going into their classrooms, not knowing that my boys don't know they are "different" and someone pointing it out to them. We have talked in our house about autism and what it means. To us, autism is just a part of who my boys are just like their eye colors and hair colors.

I implore you to contact me. I know you have seen me; I have run for school board, am co-president of the HPAC in our town and work hard to help make the "stigma" of special needs go away. To us normal is a setting on our dryer, not a character trait. I would love to help you understand there's no need to attach a stigma to any special need."

Wordless Wednesday

2012-08-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

Menu Monday

2012-07-09T09:51:00.000-04:00

I'm hoping this will be a trend. If I start blogging today perhaps I can continue for the rest of the week. With summer vacation happening and George working 2nd shift we decided to do lunch as our bigger meal so we could sit and eat as a family.

Monday: lunch: turkey breast, potatoes, green beans
supper: soup and sandwiches

Tuesday: lunch: butter milk marinated oven fried chicken, rice, and broccoli
supper: leftovers

Wednesday: lunch: breakfast for lunch; pancakes and bacon
supper: salad

Thursday: lunch: pizza
supper: beef and broccoli

Friday: lunch: left overs
supper: shrimp scampi

I didn't chose winners for the ipad app give away yet. I will extend the give away to this Friday. Please sign up so you have the chance to win an awesome app!

How to make this mama cry

2012-07-05T15:54:00.000-04:00

Monday we had an appointment in NYC for the twins. Chris' geneticist believes that the boys have something genetic as all 3 have PDD_NOS, apraxia, etc. While we were there Chris left his beloved "Kitty". He got "Kitty" last summer at the boardwalk when George's dad took the kids. Chris started crying so George went around the block and parked in the loading area of the hospital to run in and get "Kitty". The parking attendant asked me to drive around the block and move the car. Yup, I cried! I can drive in Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC but NOT NYC! No way! Not at all! She took pitty on me and let me just move up a bit in the parking area.

I had to take this picture!

This was the restaurant we ate at. It was YUMMY!

Don't forget to enter my give away. There are no entries as of now and tomorrow is the last date to enter!

Who wants a free ipad app?

2012-06-29T09:49:00.000-04:00

I've reviewed Shake-a-phrase and am starting to use it in my tutoring. I work with a 14 year old boy who has Down Syndrome and he enjoys the game. He enjoys playing this engaging game. It has recently gone through a few changes and will offer a bit more for our kids. I have the pleasure of being able to give 5 codes away for this app. Shake-a-phrase will get your kids laughing, wanting to play along, and not realizing they are learning!

To enter this give away, you need to

1. Follow my blog and leave a message in the comments section that you did.

for additional entries you can

2. Follow Artgig Apps on facebook. They are the makers of this amazing app. They also have made a few others that my boys enjoy as well. Please leave a comment to let me know you did this.

3. Follow Artgig Apps on twitter and leave me a comment to let me know you did.

4. Search my blog to see what other apps Artgig Studio has created and let me know what you have found by a comment.

I'll end this give away a week from today.

Marble Math

2012-06-22T10:28:00.001-04:00

My boys have been playing our ipad a lot lately. We bought the pad to help with Chris' communication skills but added tons of educational apps on for them. The boys love Alien Buddies by Artgig Apps so naturally I jumped at the chance to add Marble Math Junior for them. Marble Math Junior is for grades K through 2 but I have to admit that my 4 year old was playing along with the level 1 with minimal support!

I played this with the boys and was able to use this for my tutoring as well. Not only did MY boys love this game but the one kid I tutor in math loved it as well. This game convinced his mother to buy him an ipad!

Marble Math Junior uses math concepts from identifying shapes, counting, to indentifying money, time, addition, and subtraction. Chris was able to do the shapes and counting on his own. Jon and Matthew have been able to do all of level 1 with no support! With today being the first day of summer break for them, we will be using this game often to reinforce skills that they learned in kindergarten and maintain what they have.

The boy I tutor was able to do the harder level on Marble Math Junior with ease. Every time he had an correct answer he would jump up and cheer!

Marble Math Junior is able to make learning fun. My kids didn't realize they were learning ; they simply thought they were having fun. While playing the game, the boys were so eager to have their turn they were actually fighting over the game!

For today only Marble Math Junior will be free as a kick off to summer. Hop on over to Artgig Apps to get more details!

PYHO: Broken

2012-06-20T10:13:00.000-04:00

I thought I was going to die on Monday. I really did. I have something called Wolff-Parkinson-White which has lead to another condition called SVT where my heart rate will go up to 150 beats per minute or so and stay there. It started being this way for 5-10 minutes. Monday it lasted 45 minutes. Monday, while my children played I passed out. My husband found me on our bed as I lay with my cell phone in my hand texting him telling him I needed him home.

I need to have a procedure called a cardiac ablation. I am scared something will go wrong. What will my babies do without their mama? I live for my babies! I can't leave them now. They are too young! I am afraid to have this done but more afraid to NOT have this done. If left untreated it CAN kill me. I have much more to do here and am not ready to go yet.

I need more time with my boys! I know some may wish their time away *and I do at times too* but cherish every second with them. I want more times like these

I want more sweet little boy hugs, more sweet little boys saying "I lub you mama to the moon and back and to infinity and beyond!", more snuggles, more kisses, more play time, just more....more of everything....

I need these boys as much as they need me and I can't let them down.

Sharing pictures

2012-06-19T10:24:00.001-04:00

Please help

2012-06-04T16:57:00.000-04:00

"Shithead", "Have a shitty day", 'Your breath smells like diarrhea", "Have a bad day", "YOU'RE STUPID!"

Did that make you a big uncomfortable? It should. Now imagine all of that being said to a little boy. This boy.

This is MY son. This amazing, beautiful, smart, caring, mellow boy has heard the likes of another boy telling him he's a "shithead" all year.

My amazing boy, my loving child has become such a different kid! He now cries at the drop of a hat, is moody, and is fearful of going to kindergarten.

All year I have asked the school to not only stop the bully from attacking my sweet boy but to get help for the child doing the bullying.

Instead I was told that the bully violated a code of conduct policy. According to the Hillsborough's 6 Pillars of Conduct “As a student of Hillsborough Elementary, I will display the six pillars of character.

I will show TRUSTWORTHINESS by:

• being where I am supposed to be, when I am supposed to be there.

• telling the truth.

• keeping my word and doing the things I say that I will do.

I will show RESPECT by:

• using good manners when speaking.

• listening to teachers, staff members, and other students.

• accepting others for who they are and what they believe.

• taking proper care of school property and the property of other people.

I will show RESPONSIBILITY by:

• working to the best of my ability within my classroom.

• completing both schoolwork and homework.

• keeping track of and assuring the proper care of my personal belongings.

I will show FAIRNESS by:

• sharing with others.

• following the same rules that everyone else is required to follow.

• waiting my turn.

I will show CARING by:

• making sure that I include others in the things I am doing.

• using kind words when speaking to others.

• helping others when they need help.

I will show CITIZENSHIP by:

• following the laws of society and the rules of the school.

• helping to make school a safe place.

• doing what I can to help the community and those around me.”

And the Bully Policy states:

a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or damage to his property;
has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or
creates a hostile educational environment for the student;
by interfering with a student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.

This is also defined in the NJ state law for bullying.

Call me wild and crazy but being the target of multiple "shithead" etc during the year, my child is a victim of bullying. What makes it worse is that the principal is now acting as if I am doing something wrong!

What I am asking is that anyone who cares about stopping bullying join me in sending a message to Hillsborough Elementary School saying bullying isn't ok!

Change.org|How to Start a Petition

He thanks you.

Tuesday Menu Planning?

2012-05-29T17:01:00.001-04:00

I am overwhelmed! I am writing for a magazine, i.d.e.a.l Magazine and am reading tons of books right now to write articles for them. I also have had 2 IEP's for the boys, and an IEP that I am helping to work on for a friend. I also am the co-president for our district's CPAC organization and am Vice President of New Jersey Parent Advocates.

I need to get back in the groove of things on here! Anyway, I'll post my menu for the week in hopes to get back into writing on here.

Sunday was garlic ranch turkey burgers and chips
Monday we went to my brother-in-laws for a bbq
Tuesday we are having roast chicken (done in my crock pot) with lemon and herbs picked from my garden, mashed potatoes with gravy, and corn
Wednesday we're having chicken quesadillas
Thursday will be pineapple and cinnamon pancakes
Friday will be Beef and Broccoli and chicken nuggets
Saturday will be steak, french fries, and salad

To make the pancakes just follow the recipe for plain pancakes from Bisquick and add to it pureed pineapple and a dash of cinnamon.

PYHO: 3rd times the charm

2012-05-09T09:29:00.002-04:00

We've suspected Matthew had autism for a while. We were told he was typical. Turns out we were right. In a most shitty of ways, we found out he in fact does have PDD_NOS.

I had called asking for a case manager through our insurance company. The case manager was looking through the paperwork and discovered one of the doctors we saw put in his paperwork that Matthew has autism. The doctor failed to mention it to us.

That means that all 3 of the smaller boys are on the spectrum. All three have PDD_NOS. Each kid looks completely different with the way they present with it.

I have to keep reminding myself that the label doesn't change who he is. He defines who he is! He is in charge of his own path NOT some group of letters. It doesn't make things easier right now though. I feel like I need to be strong for everyone but inside I'm crumbling. Right now I can't because I have these boys to think about.

Menu Planning Monday

2012-04-23T00:21:00.001-04:00

I can't find my camera. I'm feeling lost since I usually take pictures every day. I'm going to have to start sharing old pictures because I don't know what else to do.

We have an IEP tomorrow for Chris. It's round 2 and I'm hoping we can get all the kinks worked out of the draft IEP. I don't mean to be difficult but this is my baby here and I'll do whatever I need to make sure his IEP is going to work for him.

I'm getting back to Menu Planning Monday just because it helps me keep track of what we are eating.

Sunday: marinated flank steak, home made french fries, and salad

Monday: roast chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and corn

Tuesday: home made spaghetti sauce, spaghetti with meatballs and sausage, and garlic bread

Wednesday: chicken and dumplings

Thursday: left over spaghetti sauce

Friday: left overs

Saturday: bbq ribs, parsley red potatoes, random veggie that my kids pick

PYHO: I'm tired

2012-04-18T15:07:00.001-04:00

I've been on a bit of a break from writing. I figured if I didn't have anything positive to say I should just not say anything.

I'm tired.

I'm broken.

I'm bitter

I'm frustrated.

I'm mad.

I'm tired of having to be the strong one.

I didn't wake up and say I wanted special needs kids but they're here and I've embraced it.

I didn't think I'd be doing most of it alone though. I do all appointments for the kids, all IEP meetings on my own, take care of everything on my own. My husband gets to be the fun one. He's the guy that will play with the kids. I'm the mean one that makes them go to appointments, do their therapies, do their homework, does feeding therapy. I need a break. I need to be the fun one too. I want nothing more than to play with my kids and be called the fun mommy. Instead I get things like Matthew telling his teachers that I'm 90 because I'm not fun and make him eat his veggies.

I need someone to tell me that life isn't fair but it will be ok. I'm so scared of what the future holds for Chris. I find him slipping away and getting to deal with behavior wise. I am scared about Jon's future. Jon is struggling with things in school. I feel him slipping away. He doesn't want to play with anyone. He wants to do his own thing and that's it.

I need a good cry but I know if I do I won't stop. Why do I get to be the lucky one chosen for all of this?

Menu Planning Monday

2012-04-02T09:13:00.002-04:00

I'm going to make this quick

Sunday we had ham and home made mac and cheese at the in-laws *I cooked*
Monday we're having baked potato soup/chicken noodle soup *George's new favorite*
Tuesday will be left overs since we're running to the mall to see the Easter Bunny
Wednesday will be ranch turkey burgers and fries
Thursday will be frozen pizza

We're driving to my parents' house on Friday to spend Easter weekend with them.

My shopping list for the week is slim
Shop Rite
Strawberries $1.99
Kraft Indulgence $1.50 off of 2 coupon
chicken broth
Irish cheese
chicken noodle soup
Mountain Dew 3 for $9.00

My total savings is around $1, 070 for the year at Shop Rite. Not to shabby!

Menu Planning Monday A day late

2012-03-27T22:01:00.002-04:00

I was working on my resume yesterday.

Sunday we had beef shish ka-bobs with red onions and peppers, shrimp and grilled pineapple skewers and rice
Monday we had chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and broccoli
Tuesday was hot dogs and left over mac and cheese *daddy was home so I needed an easy meal*
Wednesday will be boneless chicken breasts with Kraft cooking creme, noodles, and broccoli
Thursday will be hamburgers and fries
Friday the kids are going to my in-laws for the weekend and I'm going out to eat with a bunch of friends who have kids with Special Needs

Fact or Fiction Friday

2012-03-23T13:07:00.000-04:00

I'm stretching myself and writing Friday. I think I'll try to do this regularly! So, I'm trying Fact or Fiction with my good friend The Drama Mama.

Because I'm working today with a few things I'm going all original and using the same thought as Drama Mama and going with a wedding themed post.

There was a story of a lovely lady, who walked down the isle to meet her Prince Charming only to have him marry someone else. You see, on my wedding day, my husband married someone of another name. The priest called me by another name during our ceremony. The priest who married us called me Melissa on our wedding day.

My name is Marissa.

PYHO: One parent's nightmare could be your reality

2012-03-21T08:50:00.000-04:00

I first wrote about Ayn in July after she had been removed from her home for a few weeks. Ayn, lived with her father Derek and 2 siblings. Ayn has autism as does one of her siblings. In June, her father got a knock at his door that the Canadian Child Protective Services were offering to "lighten his load" so to speak and take Ayn to make it easier for him as the parent of 2 special needs children. Derek, obviously was against this but she was taken away without his consent.

Ayn was taken and drugged. It is day 280 that Ayn has been in with the Protective Service custody. 280 days that Ayn hasn't seen her father. The visits with Ayn's mother have been few and far between at times. Her mother has dealt with last minute cancellations as well.

They have proven they have done nothing wrong. Why isn't Ayn back with her family where she belongs? She's missed her birthday, Christmas, and so much more just to lighten their load? Many families have more than one child on the spectrum! There are studies out showing that the rate is higher for a sibling to be on the spectrum if a child is identified!

Ayn needs to be back home with her family. Ayn and her parents's only crime is that she is autistic. This could happen to any one of us. We need to put more pressure on the government to protect Ayn's rights and give her back to her family. One day was too many; 280 is abuse on the government's part.

Please join us in fighting for Ayn's rights at http://freedomforayn.blogspot.com/ and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn/

Menu Planning Monday

2012-03-19T22:26:00.002-04:00

Monday- home made lasagna, home made herb bread
Tuesday- pork chops, rice, veggie
Wednesday-leftovers
Thursday- breakfast for dinner eggs, pancakes, and bacon
Friday- left overs
Saturday- beef shish-ka-bobs

Menu Planning Monday

2012-03-12T22:53:00.002-04:00

After taking a week off with being sick *again* I'm going back to my Menu Planning Monday routine.

Monday: baked ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn

Tuesday: lunch of scalloped potatoes
supper ham pot pie soup

Wednesday: left overs

Thursday: hamburgers and hot dogs with french fries *hubby's choice*

Friday: home made pizza

Here's to me feeling better this week!

PYHO: Rare Disease Day

2012-02-29T21:10:00.000-05:00

Today is more than just February 29th. Today is Rare Disease Day. We live the world of rare disease day every day. With Christopher's 16p11.2 duplication we live this every day. My hope is that everyone understands that, although he may look "typical" the extra 555kb of genetic material in him has created havoc in his tiny body.

Not only has the extra portion to the 16th chromosome cause his autism, but it causes his apraxia, phonological disorder, abnormal eye cup pallor and delayed myelination.

His chromosomes also created an adorable little boy with blond hair and blue eyes like his mama and a chubby face round face like his daddy. It can be hard to remember that for some people who look at nothing but the paper diagnosis.

I contacted a behavior therapist after last week's post. I'm waiting for them to contact me back but we've had more "good days"' than bad. He is still having his moments though.

Menu Planning Monday

2012-02-27T15:06:00.002-05:00

This week were having
burgers and fries on Monday *Jon's choice*
grilled pork chops marinated in a Wegman's marinade with rice and a veggie on Tuesday
chicken nuggets with mac and cheese on Wednesday *Matthew and Chris' choice*
chicken tortilla soup and chicken noodle soup on Thursday
green eggs and ham for Friday
I'm not sure what Saturday will be right now since we're going to take the boys to the movies to see The Lorax

This week was light on my shopping. I've loaded up the past several weeks and was able to go under my regular budget. I spent $51.84 and saved $35.09. The best deal this week were a Schick Silk Hydro that was on sale for $4.99 and I used a $4.00 coupon that came in this Sunday's paper.

PYHO: I am not sure if I like my child

2012-02-22T21:20:00.001-05:00

I love my children. I adore all 4 of my children. I might not like one and I have to be honest, I am not sure if I really enjoy being near him right now. Please don't judge me.

This face, this precious cherub of mine of whom I'd love to share a picture but my network is being wonky right now..., this beauty of mine is mean! He kicks me, hits, punches, throws things at me, and screams in my face. We were on the way home from a doctors appointment tonight and he didn't get his way. He threw his sunglasses at me, threw a water bottle at me, pinched my shoulder, and punched my head.

I don't understand how someone this little can have that much hate in him?! I want so much to relate to him and to have the fun relationship that I do with my other boys. Instead I dread being near him. My heart races, I try to do things with him and for him but I really want to not be near him.

I ended up walking in to my house with my mother-in-law standing in my kitchen and I sobbed to her how I can't take much more of him. I adore him but am afraid of my child. I am afraid of a 4 year old. I look at him and think "What does his future hold if he is this violent at such a young age?" What kind of person am I to think this about my child? I must be a monster.

Menu Planning Monday

2012-02-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Monday: roasted chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy, corn
Tuesday: ravioli with sauce I made and froze a few weeks ago
Wednesday: chicken and biscuits for Jon and Matthew. George, Chris, and I will be out on our way home from an appointment.
Thursday: hot dogs/burgers and fries
Friday: left overs
Saturday: beer battered talapia with mango salsa, rice, and green beans

I'm buying the salsa instead of making it.

My grocery list this week was around $60 at Wegmans and $63 at ShopRite. On a happy note, I've saved $552.77 so far this year at ShopRite.

PYHO: 6379

2012-02-15T21:32:00.002-05:00

Do you know what that number is? I didn't until today. You'd think THIS number would be more in the news than Whitney Houston's death. This is the number of deaths of American men and women since the start of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Why isn't this in the news? Why are we flying flags at half staff for music stars and not those men and women who have lost their lives fighting for our freedom?

I was a fan of Whitney Houston but let's face it, she was no hero! We need to stop idolizing those who don't deserve it and start focusing on the men and women oversees who are fighting for our freedom. They and their families sacrifice so much for us and it's time we start to do the same for them.

Fly the flags at half staff not for a woman who made bad choices but for the men and women who made the ultimate choice to give their lives for us!