Our adventure or misadventure | Autism PDD

WOW Tammy I hand it to you! My oldest is rarely around Shes almost 17 now and does her own thing but even several years back she just chose to be negative and nasty everytime I tried to do anything with all of my kids as a family. Eventually she was old enough to stay home alone and the choice was hers to come be a part of the family fun and not complain or to stay home and not complain (because she will call me every 15 minutes on my cell phone and complain) she has chosen to stay home.

Now with the other 2 I dont have the extra help. Usually Marissa will want to do things but Tyler will go into anger or meltdown mode much in the way you described Jeffreys day. What is it that gets these kids so upset and angered and then they can't calm down????

Like I said I give you credit! I know it takes alot to keep dealing with all the struggles and ups and downs. You are a great Mom and your kids are lucky to have you! Keep up the great work

Thanks ya!!! This morning Jeffrey was telling me the reason he had a hard time yesterday was that I didn't cook his eggs right yesterday morning. And for me to cook them right today!!!!

Tammy

Yeah he has an obsession with the University of Minnesota. A stupid bus aide, to keep him occupied, pointed out a high rise and said the U of M was there. So now anywhere we go he has to see it. And he likes seeing Ft. Snelling but not as bad as the U of M.

Tammy

What an adventure!!!!!!!

Glad you survived!!!!!!! bonnie

Tammy,

Your such a good mom. I was just sitting here thinking how many times I have heard you tell stories about places that you have taken them to. Even if Jeffery didn't have such a good time at least your out there giving him different experiences all the time. I'm sure without even realizing it that he appreciates this about you. A memory is worth a thousand words.

Karrie

Took Jeffrey on another walk today. We walked to the Minneapolis/St. Paul bridge. He kept on wanting to go into St. Paul, I kept on telling him no. Back and forth on this one. So eventually he saw I wasn't gonna give in and sorta let up. I say sorta. He next wanted to walk to this other bridge , that was at least three miles away. No way was I gonna walk with him that far. So we ended up walking along the Mississippi. Actually found a way right down to the Mississippi and a secluded beach

On the way back Jeffrey decided he was tired. Lazy maybe, he got used to the pca taking him places in his car. WE ended up taking the city bus home. So we ended up going to the store and of course he complained non stop on having to carry things back. I told him I am not taking him into the store with me for awhile. Now he did see this cute bumble bee balloon in the store. No he didn't ask for it but then he wanted to go on about how cute bees are and how the bee was talking to him. So right now he is taking a shower.

Also my skin has been itching non stop almost since Friday. I finally figured out why, I have chigger bites. So much for his nature walk, lol.

Tammy

Today we went out to the chutes and ladders park in Bloomington. This was a total fiasco. I won't take Jeffrey out there again. He was ticked that he didn't see his certain landmarks on the way out there. And anyone that knows Minnesota knows we have two seasons here: winter and road construction. You know you get real good at dodging the construction. Gotta know those side streets people

First he wanted to walk to where he could see his landmarks. If he had his way we would still be walking. So any hill he saw he wanted to go up. So the first hill we go up, as soon as I get to the top I have to stop, short of breath. I am thinking I am out of shape. Anyway we continue on our little adventure here. Great place to go camping by the way, just not with Jeffrey. So we continue walking and I see part of the lake full of algae. I say outloud "ewwwwwwww I would hate to get that on me" . So we continue walking. We come to this bridge that goes over some railroad tracks. I look ahead of me and think it is a lake. I am thinking wow, big lake. I then see a car, lol, thinking how did they get that out there? Well ya know about the mirage effect don't you? Lol, it was a residential area, no lake. So I tell Jeffrey lets turn around and go back.

As we turn around and are walking back towards the bridge Jeffrey sees someone on a bike. Of course he has to ask them if they have seen his favorite landmark. They don't answer. I told him to apologize to the pca once we got back and if he asked nicely, on the way back he might be able to see his landmarks. By this time I am learning to tune out most of what he is saying. But another creature in the woods hasn't. I hear this rattle. At first I thought it is the bke we saw. But it was more distinct, and longer in the sound than that. So obviously it was a rattle snake. I didn't need to see the darn thing to confirm it. Having grown up in Arkansas and Texas, you know that sound pretty darn well by now. I might had made a half a step to the right and that could had alarmed Jeffrey. Or maybe I did say outloud that is a rattlesnake. I know Jeffrey asked what that noise was and I do briefly remember saying "oh that's a rattle snake". He asked where he was. Right now I am not looking for him alot. I just tell him he is probably out there in the woods. I told him he was warning us that we were close to him. He then says how much he hates it out there. Okay , by this time we are walking a little bit faster.

We see a dragonfly on our way back too. Jeffrey tells me he hates dragonflys now. He sees the lake with all the algae in it and says he doesn't want to get in that lake. I don't blame him either

So by now we are back to the playground area. He is still mad over the landmark thing. And he is hot. So i take him over there by the sprinklers they have. He starts running thru the sprinklers and likes it. He even sees a rainbow so he is happy right now. By the way Gabe had a great day there. So we leave and take the route back where he can see his landmarks. So by the end of the day he is happy. He now wants to go back there. NOt if I can help it, lol.

Tammy

You are quite the story-teller! cracks me up.....glad you didn't meet the snake face-to-face (I don't think Riley would ever have recovered from that!!!)

I have to ask...I've heard you mention "landmarks" several times...are these things that Jeffrey must see whenever you go out? I'm just curious 'cuz I think you just turned me onto something...

~Lesley

Hi,

Wow what an adventure. Bless their little hearts they don't have a clue of what we go through. Your a great MOM. If he is like mine, one day when you least expect it he'll say that was a great day remember Mom? I'm exhausted just reading it, mostly from laughing. Especially about the snake.

Delores