happy being trevy

I am a huge believer in the benefits of music on growing little minds.  Brain injured and otherwise.  But especially brain injured.    If I were rich I would totally have Trevy plugged into music therapy. If I were more energetic I would totally set about convincing the school to implement music therapy into their program. Since I’m neither… I added Pandora to our iPad and give him unlimited amounts of play time with it.  I also sing to him before his nap and nite nites.  And…Grams is giving him bi-weekly piano lessons too! It’s supposed to be Special Needs friendly.  There are cute little color coded stickers to place on the keys.  Which of course, Trevy promptly began picking off.  Thankfully, Sharpies come in the needed colors.  I’d like to try and see you pick those off, Mister!  He’s not playing like Beethovan or anything… but with hand over hand assistance and ...

Rhyming Words by Grasshopper Apps is free today !  It may remain free but since my crystal ball is broken I’m adding the qualifier today .  This is my attempt to redirect any potential naysayers or critics.    We’ve already played with it for a couple minutes and I looooove it!  It’s a great app to pair with the All About Reading Pre Level 1 program – which introduces the concept of rhyming. Also free today … ABC’s with Bingzy Bee: Phonics The song is catchy and cute.  The games are a little advanced for Trevy…but that just means his sister gets to play teacher.  A role that she’s totally digs! Our whole family’s  newest fave everybody’s gotta have it freebie app is… Disneyland Explorer There is nothing to not love about this one!  It’s kept the kiddos entertained for long stretches of minutes in a row!  Now Disney just needs to create one for Disney World too! …daniell...

   

re-posted from my guest appearance over at Team Aidan I should establish up front that I have tendency to take the scenic route.  If you’re interested in gutting it out with me you might want to pause here so you can grab a cuppa joe.  A box of Kleenex wouldn’t hurt either. :: wink ::   Also, one quick thing before we take the plunge.  Though I’ll keep slipping into the first person “I did this” or “I did that” – the truth is – I’m not on this journey alone. My mom is not able to contribute as much recently due to health issues, but during the most dire times she was available at the drop of hat to help me.  In fact, Toby and Bristel lived with my parents while we spent almost a month in Detroit. I’m also connected with other IS families who are my virtual safety net and sounding board. We have support from our local community too – friends gave hotel points, air miles, money, many a ride to & from various sports for the big kids wh...

    Evan Bearowitz came to visit us!   And just in time for Purple Day too!      And Trevy’s birthday (April 3rd – YIKES!) too!     Speaking of which…   Trevy told me what he wants for his birthday…       He wants Evan to fill up his traveling passport (states get stamps too)!     No, seriously, though…     He totally said that.     I didn’t say he wasn’t coached.   But that’s besides the point…     If you want to help Trevy’s birthday wish come true request a visit right here !      …danielle

      This video would explain the tears I wiped away during each American Idol commercial break last night…         Maybe there’s no such thing as a Biological Clock after all?  And as long as I keep challenging Trevy…his brain will keep amazing me?   …danielle

    My kids loooove movement cards and it’s a fun way to use word banks for different Seasons or Holidays too!   (click the image to download)   I whipped up these cute little movement cards tonight after Trevy’s school aide wished out loud for newbies (they’re still using Christmas movement cards).  Some things to keep in mind:     I have NO computer graphic programs or training.  This was done with good old fashioned Open Office, copy & paste and lots of Action Alert-able muttering. Even my “work” is interrupted so I couldn’t take the time to perfect positioning.  Most of the actions are self explanatory but when in doubt use your imagination.   Annnnd…all of the clip art came from free sites.  If I have accidentally borrowed your art please let me know so I can remove it.      Enjoy!     …danielle

    Click here to read the second half of our Story   …danielle

    Part One of Meet Trevor was posted today over at Team Aidan.     I know I wrote it n’ stuff…     but somehow it still makes me weepy!     …danielle

  I think it was around this time a year ago that I first met Aidan’s mom, Heather .     It was clear (umm…to me!) we were kindred spirits right from the get-go.      So when she asked if I would think about…     maybe…     possibly…     trying to write a little something in honor of Purple Day for her blog - I was flattered.  Also, exhausted.  Because I’m exhausted all.the.time lately.  And when I say lately, I really mean for as long as I can remember.  Which is sketchy too, since my thoughts are foggy hazy most of the time too.  Ugh.  But I loooooved her idea of using March as a platform for epilepsy awareness.  I wanted to try and share.      Turns out my little something inspired a walk down memory lane.     And a very long blog post.      Which is coming soon.     Yeah, this is just a teaser post.  ...

  Your Therapy Source     gave me the wonderful gift of reviewing the downloadable and printable e-book         Monster Mazes         Confession – I was so excited to get started with these that I didn’t (ahem)  read the instructions first and was mildly disappointed that printables were so small.     Silly me.      They’re so small so you can slip them right into a clear cd case!     Which when you think about it – is brilliant!         A clear cd case is great for things like:   Using dry erase tools (of which I am a HUGE fan) Keeping the worksheets in one place and organized Extra fine motor work – by virtue of being smaller & also because curious fingers will learn how to pry it open For popping into mommy’s purse (or if you have a Trevy too…diaper bag) to keep little ones occupied in waiting rooms, the market or where ever ...

    1…     Now that Trevor is using more than one or two words in a row I’m noticing that he tends to put some sentences backwards.     For instance…     When he sees a Subway logo (the kid is a marketer’s dream!) he always always says…     Eat Fresh…Subway.     Even though we sing it back to him the other way?      Or like this morning when he almost fell into the tub while trying to pull his pants up.  He hollered to his dad…     Daddy…in tub…I fall.     Why does he do that?     2…     We’ve had a lot (and by “a lot” I really mean A LOT ) of this lately…         We’re in a VERY cheeky screaming NO at everything phase.      The good news is…could he really look any more adorable than when he’s nose to corner?     3…     One of the skills we’re working on in the Trampol...

    Uncle B-dog caught some Toby Moves at basketball practice   He’s in love with Callie.  We keep offering to wrap her in a bow for him.   Bristel adores her Uncle   Lots of basketball happening around here.  Saturday morning was Bristel’s turn.   Followed by Toby's game Saturday afternoon. His team won their first two rounds of play off games.   Sunday = church.   Perks of being the pastor’s kiddos…you can run around before others arrive.   Sunday afternoon is Trevy’s turn to be athletic – Special Olympics.   Toby and Bristel both volunteer as helpers.   Trevy is quite able to jump by himself…but he likes holding hands with cute girls.    Family photo shoots are always tough for us (but aren’t they for everyone?). So Uncle B being ever the amateur photographer offered to head to the beach at sunset for a try… Jonathan wasn’t happy that his brother failed to mention how slo...