Let It Go!

The frozen song "let it go" comes to my mind when I think about my day, more specifically my afternoon and suppertime.

Today our specialized services started. We hired a service provider to help us work with Isaac called "Innovative". We are about to see how innovative they are. I don't think they will disappoint, I hope I don't disappoint them.

They will be coming every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-5:30pm to work with me, Isaac, the other kids and Ken. They are hired to support us and Isaac with Autism.

I was pretty nervous about this visit as it came closer, and constantly had to remind myself that they are here to help. Basically today was an observation day.

 Anyone that knows me well, knows that I am a bit of a Martha (like in the Bible), busy, busy with my tasks and trying to have everything just so. Some have labelled me as a perfectionist although I am very aware that I am far from perfect and never will be.

In order for Innovative to be able to help us I had to "let it go". So I did....let it go.

I didn't...

• didn't clean my house
• didn't bake
• didn't clean my bathroom before they came
• didn't plan out what would happen while they were here...like what snack to feed the kids etc.
• didn't plan out what activities the kids would do when they got home from school
• didn't even look in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable
• didn't forewarn the kids on how to behave, that we would have guests after school
• didn't prepare a super fancy meal to serve my family while they observed

I know, sounds ridiculous doesn't it but I always like to be prepared for everything.

Well we survived the visit, everything was quite typical for an after school/suppertime in the Leffers house. A few meltdowns, a few frustrated parents, lots of demands being put on mom and dad both, spoonfeeding 2 out of five children at supper, 3 kids wanting to play out front next to a busy street while two younger ones aimlessly want to be out front, then outback, then in the house, myself trying to set the table and get supper ready while numerous kids request my services..."mom", "mom", "mooommm". Kids forgetting what their memory work is for us to sing, and lots of interruptions during Bible reading.

It was all pretty typical but not so much fun in front of a silent audience. I'm sure their eyes were opened. Ken and I were kind of wondering what their conversation about us was like after they left.

Anyways I did "let it go". I'm not so sure which is more tiring...holding it all together or letting it go but I am wiped. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

April 2015

April has been a super busy month filled with so much fun with friends and family and school events!

The school had a language arts fair. Andrew had to pick his favorite book, dress up as a character, design a poster board to put on display, write a summary of the book and describe his character out loud to any passersby that pushed his button on his poster.. He was Anakin from Star Wars. I was proud of him and nervous for him. He hasn't really done any public speaking up to this point, especially in front of adults but he did a great job!

Our first autism awareness day! We all dressed in blue! We also had lots of family and friends wear blue to show support as well. It was great!

 

Sam at the language arts fair made a book report/portfolio type booklet to put on display. He's quite artistic and creative.

I don't have a picture of what Luke did for the fair so I took a picture of him playing with his sweet little classmate while I checked out his playdoh sculptures and book report.

Sam's class also did a live recital of an entire Dr. Suess book which was super. They used lots of expression while presenting it. That's Sam's shy look. He tends to smirk like that when he catches his mom trying to take pictures of him!

 

We made a quick roadtrip to Coaldale for Easter weekend to catch up with family and friends.

Andrew and Noah

Isaac and cousin Brad.

Jessie and Emma.

hot tub party.

Just like old times Tracy and I got up early and did a couple runs together. Sure miss her!

 

Ken bought a new bike so we had a date night in Devon checking out a few trails.

Look out...old lady coming thru. Not nearly as adventurous as I used to be.



We watched this guy come out of the river and hang out for a bit.

Icebergs. We are a bit eager for Spring!

We finally bought a tramp. Takes up our whole green patch of grass but we are hoping it's a good investment and keeps the kids entertained.

All Done.

I took Emma along on one of Isaac's field trips. Bugs and Butterflies.

They actually held and patted a tarantula spider.

 

oops..."mommy there was sand in my boot."

" Emma turned three."

new dolly, stroller, books, a tutu were some of her gifts.

Emma..." Mommy it's my happy birthday and I'm ten."

Had some friends over for cake.

Our 11 annual girls shopping trip to Calgary. It was strange driving from Edmonton this year instead of from Coaldale.

Tuckered out!

Went for a family walk with Dwayne and Trixie and the kids to a local bird sanctuary.

I'm not sure how quiet we were.

 

Isaac's got it figured out!

Isaac also had a field trip to LZ trampoline, a huge trampoline gym. This is his buddy Luke from his class. The two of them together are hilarious.

 

Spring concert was fabulous!

 

 

We had a whirlwind visit from the Vanderheides for a quick overnight. The kids loved it and so did us adults. It was Paul's 39th b'day.

Paul being a kid still.

Paul in the lead on a skateboard and Isaac and Emma chasing him.

whew what a month of great memories....

March Highlights

playdoh time with Daddy.

We started Waffle Wednesday.

Kids were quite excited about it.

I captured a few of Emma's moods this month. This is her saucy, grumpy look.

This is her "oh no I spilled paint all over mommy's floor" look.

We pulled the bikes out of the storage shed. Isaac, during walks always has to stop and check out the "waterfall".

Had a hockey morning and lunch with some friends one Saturday.

We had a playdate with Isaac's new BFF and his mommy. We went on the LRT.

I made a craft project. Earlier I had posted that Isaac sometimes says "I happy". He said it when I was waiting for his diagnosis from the Glenrose. It makes me happy when I hear him say it! I wanted to be reminded that he is a happy boy! Most of the time and that's all that matters.

Isaac had his first eye exam and did great. Border line needs glasses but we will re-evaluate in September.

He was such a big boy!

Cousin Brad, his wife Emma and Brad's son Shayden came to visit us one evening. It was so great to have a cousin over and to also meet the super important people in his life.

Mom and Dad also came for a few days so that we could get away on a get-away to Jasper. Trixie kept the two youngest and mom and dad had the other 3.

Uncle Dwayne likes to come by and relax and have a little snooze sometimes.

Massage anyone?

We decided to do a family LRT date over the break and a trip to the lego store.

Hang on.

Emma, Isaac and I did the escalator's a million tines while the older boys shopped for lego with Daddy.

Finally all the snow melted and Spring arrived. Back in the sandbox again!