Our very first chapter book!!

Michael actually read an entire chapter book to me! In two sittings, no less! He loves the kindle so much... I can bump up the font size so it's easy for him to read. So, we read the first book in the Magic Treehouse series. I'm hoping we can read the next one soon. It has to be his idea, but I'm hoping to drop a few hints.

When I was growing up, I always had my nose in a book. It was my way of escaping into my own little world. I really want Michael to be able to enjoy books as much as I always have. So, baby steps and maybe we'll get there. Who knows, maybe he'll need his own Kindle one day.

It was a Merry Christmas!

This was the best Christmas since Michael was diagnosed with autism. The first year he actually cared about opening presents, and was truly thankful for the ones he got. I was so happy for him and proud of him at the same time.

I constantly hear people talking about their kids only caring about Santa and presents, and I have to admit that I was jealous. Michael has always enjoyed spending time with family, and even understands all the players in the Nativity. I am grateful for that, since those truly are the most important aspects of Christmas. But, Santa and presents are such a part of being a kid that I hated him missing out.

He still got overwhelmed quickly with all the presents (my family is very generous!) and the activity associated with a family event. But, it was so great when he volunteered to 'be Santa' and pass out the presents. I was amazed when he was able to read names on packages and undersand that to Mom from me meant Grandma, and Joan meant Aunt Joan, etc. I was so happy, and so proud!

So, we ended up binging home a few unwrapped presents because he just couldn't handle opening them in PA, but they are all opened now. He has two big boxes left from Santa that came to our house. He wants to wait to open them until he's had time to play with some of the other toys. That counts as self-regulation, right? If only I had some of that!

Catching Up

There have been a few things I've been wanting to do for months now - post to the blog more often, buy a Kindle, and read Kim Stagliano's book, All I Can Handle : I'm No Mother Teresa: A Life Raising Three Daughters with Autism. So, I'm finally catching up!

My new kindle arrived late last night. Who knew UPS delivered until 9pm during the holidays? I had been anxiously awaiting it's arrival, so I have to admit I was a little less than happy to wait so long. I guess patience has never been a strong suit of mine.

Anyway, it arrived and I tore into it. Before I could even figure out how to turn it on, Michael was in my lap asking a ton of questions. Was it a computer? What's a book reader? Does it really have books inside? I told him I needed to buy a book and he scooched over an inch or two so I could move my hands.

The very first book I bought was Kim's. I'd been wanting to read it since it came out, but I really wanted to wait for the Kindle. Now I had it, and the book was downloading. I was finally happy and excited.

You might know that Michael hates to read out loud to us. Absoulutely refuses to do it unless it's forced homework. Last night, he read the first three pages of the book out loud to me and Steve. I was laughing at Kim and crying with joy to hear Michael read to us. (It was rather surreal to have him read a book to us about dealing with autism, but if I focus too much on that point, my head will explode.)

After he decided he had read enough he wanted to know what other books we could read on it. I told him I didn't know since I had just gotten it. I think he inherited that lack of patience from somewhere. This morning, the first thing he did was ask about the Kindle. I told him we could look at it more after school today. Who knows, maybe this can be the start of us reading together again. I can't tell you how happy that would make me.

As for Kim's book, it's everything I was expecting it to be - funny, charming, and right on point. It is so nice to read her book and 'get' every word on every page. I know her life is vastly more complicated than mine, but she makes me feel like I have a sister up north. If you haven't read the book, I'd highly recommend it.

Now, enough blogging, I have a book to finish!