Parker's Puzzle Posse

Come out and RUN!!!!

2012-10-11T21:55:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zGiDiHrIjY&feature=colike

This video describes what ASD is and how they determine if someone has it or not. I know 3 out of the 5 people in this video! Kristi and Bryan are on the Walk board with me and Patricia has seen Parker before. (I think for testing!) It's a great video!

Enjoy!

New Word!!!!

2012-09-17T23:38:00.000-04:00

Parker enjoyed a day with other people with disabilities yesterday at Opportunity Day at the K of C in Alexandria. This event is so amazing. It invites adults and children with disabilities to come have a day of fun, fishing, riding a boat, bounce houses, riding horses, games, petting animals, making crafts, dancing to music, and lunch, all free of charge. Caregivers can drop off the disabled person and can take a few hours off. They have volunteers there to help take the people around and be the caregivers for a few hours. This is such an amazing event for the disabled people, the caregivers who get a few hours to themselves, and also for the volunteers who help out in so many ways.

This is the second year Parker has attended this event. We go with him and the entire family has so much fun. Parker is not looked at funny and he his a "king" for a day. Whatever he wants to do, we do. Its his day.

His favorite this year (also was last year) was riding the horses. His eyes just light up when he sees them and he makes a run for them. This year he was ready to ride them and couldn't wait. He got on and smiled ear to ear and laughed the entire time. When the horse came to a stop and it was time to get off, he got off, petted the horse, then got right back on. They took him around a few more times.

The horses just calm him like nothing else does. He LOVES looking in their eyes, feeding them, and of course, riding them. He can't stop smiling.

Well this year, the horses did much more than give him a ride on their backs. We were standing in line, waiting our turn, and I asked if he was excited to ride the horse. I looked at him and told him to say horse. I do this for everything. Ask him to try and say the word. So I said, "Parker, say Horse" Below is what he said.

AMAZING!!!! He says it so clear!

Thank you God for giving Parker another word and we are one word closer to talking! Also, thank you to EVERYONE who helped out at the K of C yesterday. An event like this means the world to families!

Florence Freedom Game Fundraiser

2012-09-04T22:17:00.001-04:00

Please come out and support Autism Speaks and the Florence Freedom Baseball Team. Tickets are $10 online and $5 from each ticket sold will go to our team walk 2013 total. Go to www.florencefreedom.com and use promo code Parker! Any questions, please email me at katieruschman@hotmail.com. This is the first time the Florence Freedom team has made the playoffs, so they are celebrating by making it a way for charities to raise money!

Parker at school today!

2012-08-31T17:43:00.000-04:00

Parker's Autism teacher Ms. Lindsey sent me a picture of his hard at work today. They were learning about underwater animals, so they got to play in the water. His aide said he only got a little wet but the other kids were not so lucky. They said he did really well and loved it. I love getting pictures like this from his teacher!

Dine to Donate Fundraiser!

2012-08-21T19:41:00.002-04:00

I have been asked by A LOT of people to keep having the Dine to Donate fundraisers all year long. We all love to go out to eat and not have to cook, but when it is for a good cause, WE LOVE IT!!!

So, September 9th from 11am to close, Applebee's in Highland Heights will give us 10% of all checks turned in with a flyer. YOU MUST GIVE THE SERVER THE FLYER BELOW!!!! Go here to print out a copy! http://www.4shared.com/photo/ZU89_VtL/Applebees.html#I8FyWj50ZT0G7FjI.01

Please join us in our first fundraiser for the 2013 Walk Now for Autism Speaks! This years goal is to raise over $18,000!!!!

Please pass this flyer out to all of your friends, family, co-workers, etc. Thanks so much for your support!

Free $5 Tanger Giftcard!

2012-07-05T15:28:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to share a deal with everyone. Go here. You get a free $5 Tanger Giftcard. I was just there for my birthday and bought myself a new Coach purse! Have fun shopping!

Chore and Behavior Cards

2012-06-20T19:26:00.000-04:00

I finally found a new chore system that is working in our house. Dylan (our 7 year old) hates to help around that house so I needed something more than just a chart. So I started a system with punch cards and a Treasure box that is working well right now.

I got a see-thru box from the store and let Dylan pick out things to put in it. A pack of gum, a bag of cotton candy, a red box movie or game rental, special Popsicles, and many other inexpensive items that he wants. Every time he completes a chore or shows good behavior, he gets a hole punch. When he fills up a card, he gets to pick a prize out of the box.

It seems to be working well. I wanted to share in case you have a non-helper in your house like I did. Here is a link to the cards I bought.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/102593918/20-childrens-chore-punch-cards

There is also Behavior Punch Cards with the same idea! Anytime he is "caught" doing something well, like doing a chore without arguing about it, helping is brother, going to get something for me, etc, he gets a hole punch. But these can be taken back with a sticker if he does something bad!

Here's a link to these also! https://www.etsy.com/listing/102594464/20-behavior-punch-cards

Hope these ideas help your kids help around the house during summer break!

Katie

New blog!

2012-06-07T17:33:00.004-04:00

I have a new blog!

I just started making ribbon wreaths (and crayon wreaths!) and putting them on a blog is a nice an easy way to show what wreaths I have available for sale! So please follow me on my newest blog. And if you would like to place an order for a wreath, please let me know.

www.katiesribbonwreaths.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for your love and support!

Giveaway!

2012-05-29T18:40:00.001-04:00

I am giving away a gift certificate for a Free Oil Change to Joseph Cadillac and Subaru. It is for a lubrication, oil, and filter change. It expires 2/14/13. It is located at 7600 Industrial Rd in Florence!

To enter this contest, you can do any or all of the ways below.

1. Leave any comment below.
2. Follow my blog and let me know you did.
3. Have your friends and family follow my blog and have them leave a message with your name in the comment section. This will earn a point for you and your friend.

I will draw the lucky winner on June 15th.

Thanks and good luck!

Here's 10 free song downloads from iTunes!!!

2012-05-29T18:06:00.004-04:00

I thought I would pass along a deal I just found. You can download the 10 songs below for free!

2012 Summer Music Festivals

Take advantage of a special offer from USA TODAY. FREE 10-song playlist on iTunes!

Playlist:

1. Dawes – Million Dollar Bill
2. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Longer and Stronger
3. Feist – Get it Wrong, Get it Right
4. The Band Perry – Independence
5. Fitz & the Tantrums – Don’t Gotta Work it Out
6. Young the Giant – Strings
7. Phantogram – When I’m Small
8. Bon Iver – Calgary
9. Trampled by Turtles – Alone
10. Thomas Rhett – Something to Do with My Hands

Hope you like some of them! I really like The Band Perry song!

Enjoy!

Katie

Walk day with Pictures!

2012-05-20T21:35:00.000-04:00

Looking at all of the pictures my dear friend Paula Losure captured yesterday truely brings me to tears.

Paula, me, and Parker

Having so many great people coming out to support my son is a blessing!

We had close family, extended family, close friends, new friends, old friends, high school friends, co workers, teachers, church members, and even some people we have never met!!! Having one of the biggest (if not the biggest) team is down right amazing. We had so many people, I didn't know some people where there until I saw the pictures. I am sorry I didnt get around to talk to everyone.

Brian's aunt and uncle were in a car wreak getting to the walk, but still made it in time to walk with us. Now that is dedication!!!!

But thank you, thank you, thank you to EVERYONE who made it out to support us. It truley means the would to us to have so much support. Words will never be able to describe the love we feel on walk day. Knowing so many people come out early on a Saturday morning to walk for your son. I stand back, look around at all of the blue shirts, and just want to cry. Thanks again to an awesome Parker's Puzzle Posse!!!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from yesterday!

My favorite picture

Cousins

Parker and Audrey - Best Buddys

Schneider Family (minus Brian)

Brothers

Parker's Puzzle Posse walking!

My family!

Saturday!

2012-05-17T14:00:00.002-04:00

TO ALL WALKERS: I am getting to Coney at 8 am. The walk starts at 10 am but I would say get there by 9 am. There is entertainment from 8 - 10 and lots of free food. Also, If you are a returning walker, please wear your Parker Puzzle Posse shirt from last year. If you are a new walker, and ordered a shirt, you can pick them up at my house tomorrow or I will have them at the walk on Saturday. Please just wear a white shirt so you can throw your new one over it. If you are in need of a shirt and did not order one, I did order a FEW extra but not as many as I am going to need. Please wear a "UK" blue colored shirt so you will at least match us in color. Coney will be open from 11-1 for free so please stay, have lunch, and enjoy the day. It should be BEAUTIFUL!!!! Thanks so much for walking with us and supporting us. It is such a fantastic walk and it really reminds us how lucky we are to have Parker and can count our blessing on how far he has come!!! See you all on Saturday!!!!!!

2 years ago....

2012-05-11T12:15:00.001-04:00

Two years ago, we received Parker's diagnoses of Autism, Developmental Delay, and Seizures. This year we added Apraxia to the mix. Thinking back on how much life has changed over the past two years, I realize how much we have grown as a family. Two year ago was by far the worst day of my entire life. Losing the hope of what you thought your child would grow up doing and what he would be is a very hard pill to swallow. But, it had made us stronger, more understanding, a better brother, Dad, and Mom.

Every year on this difficult anniversary, I reflect on how much Parker has grown in the past year.

This year he has done so much.

-Learned to balance on a swing.
-He can cut with regular scissors.
-He knows his ABC.
-He makes a lot more eye contact.
-He has 10-15 words.
-He can try and repeat a word, and comes very close to a lot of them.
-He can trace his name.
-He throws things in the garbage when asked.
-He learned how to give Eskimo kisses.
-He give the biggest Bear Hugs that actually hurt!
-He imitates people.
-He blows kisses again.
-He can throw a ball.
-He listens to us now.
-He can brush his own teeth.
-He smiles all the time.
-He hates when the wind blows my hair in my face.
-He eats a lot more things.
-He climbs on everything now.
-He got a new bed.
-He plays with his cars now instead of just putting them in a line.
-He wrestles with Dylan.
-He loves to play with mulch.
-He is doing so well matching pictures into categories.
-He graduated from Preschool yesterday.
-Parker's Puzzle Posse has raised over $15,000 of Autism research this year alone!

I am so very proud of where we are today. Parker is an amazing kid and I am blessed God gave him to me. Below is a video I have been working on. I hope Parker understands we will never give up on him or finding a cure for autism.

Mommy loves you so much Parker!

Parker is no longer a preschooler!

2012-05-10T15:06:00.001-04:00

Today was the day I have been dreading all year. Parker's last day of preschool. Looking back over his preschool journey, he has grown SO much. He went there my baby, and came home today my little man. It was hard to say goodbye to his friends and teachers, but especially hard to say goodbye to Parker's 4th grandma, Ms. Debbie. Debbie is our angel sent down from heaven. She worked with autistic children for years so it was no surprise Parker LOVES her. Every morning when I would wake his up to go to school, I would always say "Do you want to go see Ms. Debbie today?" and he would smile. This morning I said it for the last time, and it broke my heart. How was I going to say goodbye to a teacher who has been with both of my boys for the last 4 years. I didn't know how I would do it so I sat down and wrote her a letter. I told her how much she means to me and to both of my boys. I told her I will blow up a picture I took of them last night and always remind Parker of the special angel God sent me to help him and me get through the years of preschool but she was also my shoulder to turn to when I had questions about autism. She held my hand through it all. Debbie will always hold a special place in my families lives.

So walking up to the steps to pick up the kids, I took pictures of the other teachers with Parker and waited to talk to Debbie. As I snapped away I tried not to think of what was about to happen in just seconds now. I looked at Debbie and tears filled my eyes. I hugged her so tight and all I could say was Thank You. Tears started falling down both of our cheeks. I did not want to leave her. I wanted to push her in my car and make her come home with me so I never had to say goodbye. She said she told herself not to cry, but how could she not. She loved Parker like he is one of her own. So we hugged and cried one more time until I had to force myself to turn around and start walking to my car. We were leaving a very special person and a great school. I can only hope and pray God sends me another angel like Debbie. But no one will ever be able to take the place of Ms. Debbie, as she was there for us from the beginning.

Thank you Ms. Debbie for everything! It will never be enough, but I hope you understand how truly thankful and blessed Parker is to have had you in his life. We will never forget you and I hope we can stay in touch for many years to come. I will be sending you an invitation to his high school and college graduations. (They will be in the mail shortly!) Love you with all of my heart!

Katie

Parker is ready for Kindergarten.

2012-04-27T22:25:00.003-04:00

Parker has showed me this week that he is ready for Kindergarten. He knows his numbers, his alphabet, his colors, and now he showed me he can trace his name! His teachers told me he could do it but he would never do it for me, until tonight. I was watching a movie with Dylan and I heard Parker scribbling with a pen. I ran into my office fearing black marks all over my new white desk, but he was using an envelope. So we went to the kitchen table and I got him another piece of paper. I let him scribble then thought I would try and write his name with a highlighter and see if he would trace his name for me. Sure enough, he did. Several times. So I moved on to his first and last name. He did that no problem. So I wrote the alphabet and he watched and studied how I wrote every letter. He then took his finger and wanted me to help him say each letter. We went through the entire list and he says 1/4 of them! Then he started copying them. If he missed a line, he would go back and trace it. He was concentrating so hard and did a fantastic job. He traced his name 4 times, traced his alphabet 2 times, and numbers 1-23 once. This took around 15-20 minutes which is HUGE, because he can only sit and concentrate for about 3-4 minutes.

So he is starting to show me that he is ready for kindergarten and I can only thank his teachers and therapists. I can not take credit for this one at all. He never wants to write or color with me. So, thank you Ms. Weisel, Mrs. Debbie, Mrs. Linda, Ms. Kari, Ms. Staci, Ms. Jill, Krista, Kacia, and Emily! I will never be able to repay you for all you are doing with Parker getting him ready for the next step in his life.

This is the post I have been waiting to write!!!

2012-04-27T14:02:00.000-04:00

WE HAVE BEAT LAST YEARS TOTAL!!!!! As of today, we have raised $11,810.60, and we still have 3 weeks to go! AMAZING! And we have 102 registered walkers! It really brings tears to my eyes that we were able to beat last year. Everyone in the autism community asks how I do it and all I can tell them is that I have a very generous team behind me. Even if you don't walk with us, if you have donated even a dollar, you are part of Parker's Puzzle Posse! 2 years ago when we were hit with the news of autism, I NEVER would have imagined that we would raised almost $25,000 in two years. Never! But every year you help us raise money to help find a cure for autism so they can help our son. I would never wish autism on anyone, but I do wish that in sometime in your lifetime, you will get the feeling of an amazing team of people who stand behind you and help you and your child like we have. It is the most amazing thing ever!
So I know that Thank You is not ever going to be enough to express the amount of love, support, and kindness everyone has showed us. But Thank You. Thank you. Thank You!

Parker had a great day last Wednesday!

2012-04-22T22:33:00.001-04:00

Parker had a wonderful day on Wednesday!

We were all down stairs in the toy room and I was talking with Parkers grandpa, when I noticed Parker playing with his letter puzzle. He had taken all of the letters out of the puzzle board and put the board aside. He then was taking the letters and putting them in order. He put them in 4 rows just like the board. It was out of his sight and turned upside down so he had no way of looking at it. This was the first time he showed me his ABCs! The first time, he put the R in front of the Q, but knew something was wrong, but could not pin point it. So I fixed the letters, and he smiled, knowing they were all correct know. Then he pushed the letters side, and started again. We all watched as he put them in order, in the same rows, and this time getting them all correct! We were all so excited! So Parker showed us he knows his ABCs. This was HUGE!!!

Later that day, we went to the park for Dylans baseball practice. Parker went down every slide like he always does. But this night, he wanted to swing on the swings. His OT therapist has been working on his strength and balancing with him. You need both of these to be able to swing and stay on. So I put him on the swing, expecting him to want off right away like he always did in the past. He was never a swing lover. But this time he stayed on. So I started pushing him, and HE STAYED ON!!!! This was huge because he had to use all of those muscles we have been working on and also his balance. He swung for a good 5 minutes or more! He was swinging by himself for the first time. He wasn't moving his legs and pumping by himself, by sitting and balancing all by himself on the big boy swings! This was amazing!

And to end the wonderful night, he let us brush his teeth without putting up a fight. He opened, smiled, and even took the toothbrush from me and started brushing the front of his teeth by himself. Amazing!

Days like this really make me wonder how much this boy knows and is unable to tell us. Brian and I both think he has a photographic memory, as he put the letters in the same order as the puzzle and knows which cars we move out of a line of 20 cars. I really wish there was a way to get inside his brain and see everything he knows. So now we know he can count to 12, knows his ABCs, and most of his colors. He is SO ready for Kindergarten!!!!

Love and Prayers,

Katie

Florence Freedom Basket For Sale!

2012-04-18T15:21:00.002-04:00

Today's item for Autism Speaks is from the Florence Freedom Baseball team. They have donated a bag full of items. Selling for $30. Items included are 2 tickets to a game this season, 3 baseballs with a rack to hold them, a Barack Obama bobble head, a paperweight hat, and tshirt. Please let me know if you are interested in this bag full of goodies.

Autism Awareness at its finest!

2012-04-17T10:02:00.000-04:00

Please watch this video. It is 8 minutes long but worth the watch.

This is something Brian and I worry about every time we go out to eat or go out anywhere with Parker. Its really nice to see how people react to a child with signs of autism. What happened in this video shows that the word is getting out and people are becoming aware of how someone acts if they have autism.

The lady who says "They need to teach him how to behave in public" is correct. We can not teach our kids how to handle crowds, loud noices, strange places, and strangers unless we take them out into public places. I have felt just like the mother so many times. You want them to behave "typical" and become so stressed that you begin to cry. I want to pick him up and leave to get out of the situation. It's not fair to Parker or Dylan and I am trying to not become so stressed and deal with the situation, but most importantly, not care what others are thinking of us.

Please let me know what you think of the video. Has this happend to a family and your heart when out to them, or did you find it upsetting?

Thanks

Katie

Barleycorns Fundraiser and Total Raised!

2012-04-16T10:23:00.001-04:00

Our next Dine and Donate location is Barleycorns in Cold Spring on April 25th. They will donate 15% of all food, drinks, and alcohol! This is an all day event, so please stop by for lunch, or dinner! You must bring the attached flyer! Thank you so much for all of your support in all of these fundraisers! It's nice to get out of the house and not have to cook while supporting a great cause!

We have raised $9,764.63 so far!!!! We are going to beat last years total! Simply amazing. Thank you for helping us raise money for Autism Speaks so they can find a cure for our son.

Also, I only have about 70 raffle tickets left. If you are interested in winning an iPad 2 for $5, please let me know and I will get you a ticket!

Again, thank you is never enough to let you know who much it means to us, having the best friends and family supporting us in fundraising, but also in supporting Parker.

Lots of love and prayers,

Katie

Gift Certificates for sale!!!!

2012-04-04T17:07:00.003-04:00

Here are the gift certificates I have left. Please help us raise money for Autism Speaks by purchasing one (or more) of the following!

Reca Roller Rink Admission Pass - Good on Weds 6:30-8:30 pm, Fri 7-11 pm, or Sat 2-4:30 pm or 7-11 pm. 2 passes for $5.

Susans Salon - Free haircut with Kaitlyn - Expires 4*30*12 - Selling for $10

GameWorks 30 minutes of play - Selling for $5

Mitchell's Fish ...Market - Complimentary Appetizer - Expires 12*30*12 - Selling for $5

Joseph Cadillac and Subaru - Oil Change - Expires 2*14*13 - Selling for $10

Raffle Ticket for a chance to win an iPad 2 - $5

Bruster's Ice Cream Fundraiser

2012-03-21T13:26:00.000-04:00

Kids will love this fundraiser...and adults too! April 11th from 6-9 pm at the Bruster's Ice Cream on US 42 in Florence is our next fundraiser! Bruster's is donating 20% of all sales between 6-9 pm to Autism Speaks. No flyer to print out, just show up and your order will be counted! How easy is that! Please come out and enjoy some ice cream!

Thanks so much for all your support!

Katie

Scentsy Fundraiser!!!

2012-03-16T15:05:00.001-04:00

My friend, Kathy Schwartz, is turning her Scentsy party into a Parker's Puzzle Posse fundraiser for Autism Speaks! Kathy walked with us last year and I am excited she is helping in the fundraising! If you are interested in ordering from Scentsy, please visit her page online www.jenniferjohansing.scentsy.us. On the left hand side, under My Open Parties, pick Kathy Schwartz. 20% of the sales will be donated to Autism Speaks!!! I have a warmer I bought last year that has puzzle pieces on it for Autism and Scentsy donated some of the money. They have AMAZING scents. With Kareys house fire, I do not like to burn candles anymore. So a warmer is so nice! Please help us make this a great fundraiser. Her party will close on April 7th so make sure to get your order in before then!

Again, Thanks so much for supporting Parkers Puzzle Posse. With your help, we will be the #1 Individual Fundraising Team again in 2012!

Tastefully Simple Fundraiser!

2012-03-15T13:43:00.001-04:00

Parker's Puzzle Posse is holding a Tastefully Simple Fundraiser. My friend, Kristen Hildebrand, contacted me and offered to do a party and she will donate 15% of the total sales back to Autism Speaks! This is at my house on March 30th at 6:30. Please feel free to bring a friend or two. We will be tasteing some really good food, so come hungry!

If you'd like to place an online order for this party, shop online today at www.tastefullysimple.com and select the host (Katie Ruschman) prior to checkout.

Thanks for your support! Let's make this fundraiser as big as all the other ones!

Katie

Gift Card Sale

2012-03-07T10:34:00.000-05:00

For a donation to Autism Speaks of $100, you can have a 200 wing party at Hooters in Florence. These parties are awesome. Brian won one last year and we had a ton of people there eating wings. This party can be held Sunday - Thursday, excluding Wednesday. Select times are available on Friday and Saturdays (Call ahead). THey need 24 hours notice. This is dine in only at the Florence location. Expires 9/30/12. You could get a bunch of friends to all go in on this. Let me know if you are interested!

Susan Salon - Haircut with Kaitlyn - $10
Gameworks - 30 minute video game play - $5
(6) Hofbräuhaus - Free dinner entree (up to $10) - $5 each (Can not be used for the fundraiser!)
All money raised will go to Autism Speaks. Please let me know if interested.