Summer

So far summer has been pretty good.

Lets see here. In June we headed to Michigan to watch daddy compete his super mileage vehicle in trying to have the highest mileage car. They "only" got 341 mpg. You'd think that was a lot, but they were trying for over a 1,000 and people got over 2,000. They had problems left and right like their wheels falling off and the windshield falling off. They only made it on the track once so that's the only mileage recorded. But, they still had a great time :) It was a free trip for us as they allowed Tyler and I to come along for the ride. The day of the competition Tyler had a hard time in general. He got in trouble by someone who was running the competition and because of that day, the whole trip was not worth it for me.

Then Ty had his last day of pre-school. I am so proud of him. Not only does he need to learn the pre-academic skills for kindergarten, but he needs to learn all the social skills that most kids have naturally. He continues to work on them but he has come a LONG ways.

We had a great 4th of July weekend. We went to 2 firework displays and 2 bbq's. Tyler had a blast. That boy LOVES his fireworks. During the first display he asked daddy how fireworks work and they discussed it the whole time.

He then started summer school which he loves. It is in the same building again this year but thankfully it is much cleaner and the room is much more organized. The great thing about this is that his head teacher that he has in summer school will be his BCBA next year. So she's getting to know him :). They are having success in getting him to eat, as is proven by him not crying for food when he gets home. They have said they have to verbally prompt him to eat and they have to sometimes take him away from the group, but I am very glad to hear they are doing what they need to to get him to eat. He asks every day if he has summer school. It is very different from pre-k in that both high functioning and lower functioning kids are in the same class. There are TWO autism classes in this summer school for THIRTY kids with autism. Those are JUST the kids enrolled in the summer program in this town between ages 3-5. That is a LOT of children with autism.

Tyler has also begun speech therapy and occupational therapy in the new center. So far I am impressed as compared to where he was before. The therapy is MUCH more hands on and focused and they are strict with Tyler which is what he needs. So far he will receive 1 on 1 speech therapy but they said he will probably go into a group therapy social skills group soon.

We have been spending time at the lake where Tyler has TAKEN HIS FIRST STROKES!! Meaning, he has NO bubble or floaties or life vest and he can swim about 10 feet!!! He has no endurance or stamina which I definitely am sad/worried about, but the important part here is that he is LOVING it and is SO PROUD of himself. He is also dunking his head under water!!! Its hilarious, he covers his face with both hands (think peek a boo) to do it, but he is doing it! Here are two videos of him swimming!:







Tyler is having 2 birthday parties this year. For the first time we are inviting friends from his pre-k class :) It looks like we will have a good turn out. His friend party is going to be at a local bowling ally. We were then going to have a little party for him ON his b-day while camping, but we had to push the camping trip 2 more weeks out so just today I think I have decided to do a little family thing at the beach with grilling and cake and swimming and a fire.

Well, parenthood calls, I must go get Tyler out of the trouble he is causing ;).

-Tylers Mommy