Lately you...

Simon3

Lately...

1. You have been doing awesome with your morning routine. No grumpiness waking up and barely any fuss when we comb your hair before heading outside to catch the bus for summer school.

2. You love to play tag & chase before the bus picks you up. We discovered this a couple months ago and it has made a big difference in your attitude right before you get on the bus. Something about getting to run around a bit with Mom or Dad in the fresh morning air seems to do the trick.

3. You want to be the first one to greet Anna in the morning. You like to unwrap her from her blanket and say "good morning Anna" or "good morning fancy pants." Then you come yelling to me, "Anna's awake! Anna's awake! Come see! Come see!"

Simon2

4. You are finding that the power to read is a very, very cool thing. New books from the library are longer and more interesting. Yesterday morning you wanted to check out the comics while we ate breakfast.

5. You are rockin the legos. You now get that if something breaks off or falls apart all you need to do is grab the instructions and it's an easy fix. I found you in your room last night putting one of the smaller ships back together calmly and actually enjoying the process (vs. being really, really upset that a piece had broken off).

6. You and I have been watching Harry Potter movies almost every night. I love that this is something we both really enjoy.

7. You went down the big slide at the outdoor pool today all by yourself and swam to the side.

Simon1

8. You are developing more independence & self-awareness. A couple of times in the last week you have made the choice to go to bed when you felt tired (and told us that was what you were going to do). Being able to care for yourself and your needs is such a cool skill.

9. You are also doing a lot of talking back and testing. We go back and forth between being excited to have you expressing yourself and feeling super frustrated with some of the behaviors that go along with you testing the boundaries.

10. You love to talk about how cool Anna is and include her in everything you are doing.You are an amazing, loving big brother.

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82 thoughts

  1. Angie in Japan says…
    07/15/2009

    He sounds like such a positive kid. It's amazing how well a child can develop in a loving, safe, supportive, fun home. It seems as if you and your husband have got this parenting thing down to a science!:) i hope I can show some of the same qualities whenever I get around to having babies...

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  2. Amy says…
    07/15/2009

    Boy, that Simon is growing up, huh? I love that he's such a fabulous big brother. Congrats to Simon and you/Chris for all of the new developments. A great kid with great parents...obviously.

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  3. Sue says…
    07/15/2009

    Simon Rocks! It sounds like he's making great progress and you should be so happy and proud of each of his accomplishments.

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  4. Mefi says…
    07/15/2009

    lovely. and love your yellow quilt.

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  5. Katie the Scrapbook Lady says…
    07/15/2009

    love the way you document growth and progress like this!

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  6. Ali Edwards says…
    07/15/2009

    It's so just one day at a time :).

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Lynn says…
    07/15/2009

    Ali,
    Reading about your family makes me choke up with Joy. You are so good to each other. I wish the planet was full of good people and loving parents like you and Chris. I'm excited at the prospects of such great children inhabiting this world. Keep up the great job! You Rock!

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  8. con-tain-it says…
    07/15/2009

    http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/2009/07/candy-coated-roach-control.html
    Good Mornin' ALi...Simon is growing up so fast! Hop on over to Heather Bailey's blog today to check out the "creepy" "roach" snacks she's making for the newest Harry Potter movie release. Don't know if I could eat anything named after a cockroach but kids love the darndest things...lol Really cute blog post by heather...enjoy!
    Fondly, Roberta

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  9. Leslie says…
    07/15/2009

    What touching/important changes that you have documented w/Simon! You're a great mom Ali!
    Leslie

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  10. Carolyn Lontin says…
    07/15/2009

    I loved reading about how well Simon is doing!!

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  11. MargVP says…
    07/15/2009

    This is a very touching tribute to your sweet, sweet son. I really love your simple approach to highlighting the extraordinary things that happen around us everyday. Thanks Ali!

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  12. Maritza says…
    07/15/2009

    I agree with Mary. It inspires me to stop and count my everyday blessings.

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  13. Maritza says…
    07/15/2009

    I agree with Mary. You inspire me to count my every day blessings.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Jill says…
    07/15/2009

    I love to read about such loving parents--it just shows through every comment and layout. But more than that you are a parent to pays attention and understands that the process of thinking about subjects like this blog--noting even the simplest event is important. Blogged, scrapbooked, or not. You pay attention and I admire that much more than your creative talents.

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  15. Yolanda says…
    07/15/2009

    I can't believe how weepy I get over posts like these. Simon is so lucky to have such an intuitive and attentive observer in his life.

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  16. jamieonthegulf says…
    07/15/2009

    You're a good Mama, Ali. #10 made me cry.

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  17. Annette says…
    07/15/2009

    Hi Ali,
    love that you bring home the important skills Simon is getting control of. As the Mom of a kid with AS, I sometimes forget to look at the skills that he is mastering that are natural for most kids. Thanks for bringing me back to focus so I can celebrate his success
    your the best.

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  18. Kirsten H says…
    07/15/2009

    Thanks for sharing this. It makes me stop and think about what my kids have been doing lately. When I get home tonight I plan on documenting the same stuff for my kids.

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  19. tchrtiff says…
    07/15/2009

    Love these little snippets of life with your children. Makes me realize I need to be doing the same. We are going through #9 as well with our 7-year-old. She's constantly testing us--on one hand we love her assertiveness but on the other it makes us very weary at the end of some days. Thank you for sharing.

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  20. Ali in FL says…
    07/15/2009

    Ali, I love your perspective on life. You share so much of your family with us. Thank you.

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  21. Carole Hepburn says…
    07/15/2009

    Completely Fabulous ~

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  22. Susan Raihala says…
    07/15/2009

    Thanks for sharing Simon's growth on your blog. This is an excellent way to journal for a SB page about the here and now. I'm going to do the same for both my boys.
    BTW, my youngest son, Jack, has autism and last night, when we dropped big brother off for his swim lesson, Jack said, "See you, Nick. Have fun swimming." I was amazed he was so engaged with his brother's activity and so appropriate in responding to it. Gotta scrap that!

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  23. Leni says…
    07/15/2009

    I love your positivity! I appreciate you sharing your family growth with us (strangers). You really do inspire me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. sharna says…
    07/15/2009

    what a sweet glimpse of Simon right now!

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  25. Melanie says…
    07/15/2009

    I appreciate this post very much. I have a 5 year old daughter with PDD and she's been involved in the same types of programs you and Chris have had Simon in. She just finished 2 years of integrated preschool that included summer school sessions. This fall she starts an integrated kindergarten program with the hope that she will join her twin brother in a typical 1st grade class in 2010/11. Like Simon, early intervention has been so HUGE for Hailey. I feel and understand the joy each step forward brings! It's been helpful for me to see what has worked for Simon since Hailey is just a bit younger.

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