Our Family Homework

Each week we have speech therapy homework. One of the characteristics of Asperger Syndrome is very poor (pretty much non-existent) pragmatic speech skills. Pragmatic speech is the social aspect of speech - like how to listen, how to have a two-way conversation, how to communicate in a socially acceptable way, read facial expressions... etc.

We've learned that our whole family can learn from The Professor's homework - so we try to remember what we learn and do it as a family. I'll pass along what we're learning and maybe if you want to you can try it out at your house, too.

This week we are working on telling the difference between being polite and being rude (most people with Asperger's just say it like it is, or yell it like they see it - not understanding they should be polite. For example, if someone is in the way their instinct is to just yell, "move!" Instead of saying, "excuse me.").

So our homework for the week is to label behavior for what it is - being rude or polite and we need to be thinking about and then reacting with a polite phrase.

So we will focus on:
Saying sorry.
Using the words excuse me.
Asking instead of telling people what to do.
Saying please and thank you.
and making kind comments to each other.

All of this takes practice, practice, practice... and when you think you've practiced enough you still have to keep practicing.

We are thankful the scriptures tell us, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27 (You can find this scripture in the Book of Mormon.)

A Family Tradition

Our church meetings are at 8:30am every Sunday morning. So one of our family traditions is watching a, Sunday appropriate (not too crazy), movie in the afternoon.

The boys' snack of choice - Popcorn!

My Favorite Veggie

We recently started buying our fruits and vegetables through a co-op called Bountiful Baskets. If you live in the Phoenix area you should click here and find out more - we absolutely love it!

You never know what, exactly, you'll get in your order, but we've enjoyed what we've had and look forward to the surprises. This last week Handsome Hubby knew I would be thrilled with one of our fresh arrivals...

It was an eggplant!

Handsome Hubby knows how much I love these. Anytime I'm at a restaurant and they have eggplant... anything, on the menu - that's what I'm getting! My family used to grow them in the garden and I've always just thought they were an interesting looking vegetable. And as far as I can remember I really liked eating them!

Although I've eaten a lot of eggplant, the kids haven't. Here's what they thought of their first eggplant on the dinner table.

OTG Boy said his slice tasted good - but one slice was enough!

The Professor thought it was good while chewing, but didn't like the aftertaste.

Bubba's face says it all - not too thrilled with his first eggplant!

Oh well, we'll just have to keep trying!

Pool Chores

Now starts one of the least fun parts of having a pool. Labor Day has come and gone and even though it's still 100 degrees outside - the water is just too cold for us, thin-blooded Arizonans, to jump in and swim.

That, however, does not mean we get to ignore the pool for the next 8 months. Yep, we get to keep it clean year round!

So while OTG Boy and The Professor take turns skimming and sweeping, Bubba works on picking up the hundreds of olives that have fallen off the tree. The boys are not shy about taking credit for how good the pool looks - but believe me Handsome Hubby is the one who can give himself a big pat on the back. He puts a lot of effort into taking care of the pool and our family has truly had a lot of fun swimming and diving in our own backyard!

Come visit - we love backyard barbecues and an afternoon of swimming!

A Grandma's Birthday

It's our Idaho Grandma's Birthday this week!

We had so much fun when Handsome Hubby's Mom came to visit with us this year! She actually came twice and we were so happy to have her!

One of the boys' favorite memories from visiting Grandma's House last summer? Kitties!

They could not get enough of those poor little kitties - The Professor and Bubba just couldn't keep their hands off of them.

We love you Grandma!

The Professor on Temples

Last week Handsome Hubby and I took our Wolf Den to the Mesa, AZ Temple to talk about doing our Family History.

On the ride over the boys were very excited and talking about times they had been over to the Temple and Visitor's Center and then I heard The Professor start to talk about one of the reasons he feels the Temple is important for everyone... He shared a little of his own family story:

He was explaining that he had a brother that had died, but that his mom and dad had been married in the Temple (we were married in the Logan Utah Temple) and that meant we had been sealed so our family could be together forever - so even after you die you still get to be part of your family. Very simply put - and a great testimony that I will always be thankful I overheard.

If you'd like more information on LDS Temples try clicking here or here.

Cookies Save the Day!

While Handsome Hubby, OTG Boy and the Professor went off to play soccer last Saturday I had to stay home - I'm still not feeling too well and supposed to be taking it easy, so sitting out in 100 degree weather at 2:30 in the afternoon... not the best idea.

Because I was staying home the laws of cause and effect kicked in and Bubba was stuck staying home with me. Believe me there was...

Weeping

Wailing

and

Gnashing of Teeth...

Bubba was not happy.

And then his brilliant mother said, "once everybody leaves we'll make some cookies!"
Bubba could not get his brothers out the door fast enough - he was shutting and locking the door as quick as he could get them out. Then he turned and said, "It's time to make cookies!"

I don't think I've seen a happier kid!

Thank goodness for Betty Crocker cookie mixes - they're perfect for a mom who needs something quick and easy when she's not feeling well enough to be in the kitchen!

Bubba made the perfect fall cookies - brown chocolate frosting with yellow and orange sprinkles.

Delicious!