prayers with Trevy (a bedtime book idea)

 

 

Praying with Trevy has always been part of our nightly routine.

 

 

Except when sick, Trevy is a sweet, sappy, cuddle bug at bedtime.  Even when dripping with exhaustion, there is something really special about snuggling up, reading a book, singing a song and praying.  No matter how cranky I am, it always gets me in the heart.  It’s one of the most peaceful moments in my day. 

 

I do naps and Daddy does night nights. 

 

 

Now that Trevy is understanding so much…

 

 

I’ve had this heart tug to make prayer time mean more for him. 

 

 

Once upon a time, I’d read a sweet post that shared a prayer over their children. Moving from head down to toes. It included words like “heart of a warrior – feet that run to Jesus”.

 

I thought I’d read it over at Sand in the Gears…one of my favorite reads which I’m shamelessly plugging. In fact, I emailed the author so convinced was I. Tony was kind enough to respond that he didn’t recall such a post but shared this link of inspiration instead.

 

 

I loved the idea on so many levels!

 

I loved consecrating each part of Trevy to Jesus.  I loved tangibly giving thanks for Trevy blessings.  I’ve grown into quite a pessimist over the years.  Forcing my heart to take notice of the blessings is needed!  I loved working on body parts with Trevy.  Helping him become more self aware.  I loved reminding him that he’s a perfectly Planned miracle child (as Toby calls him)! 

 

 

Did you know that the right side of the brain does most of the visual processing? 

 

Yep.  So it’s no wonder Trevy loves things that are visually stimulating.

 

Which is why I decided to take this idea that I loved and make it into a little prayer book.

 

 

I found some of my favorite Trevy pictures and using Pisca I cropped out the body parts I wanted to focus on.  Each page would be dedicated to a different focus. 

 

I then added the text “Dear Jesus, thank you for Trevy’s xyz”

 

I then free-style floated random words around the page.  I didn’t want too much text.  Just simple words that he and I (or he and daddy) can add to during prayers.

 

 

I then printed and laminated the pictures.  And a few hole punches and book rings later…we had our prayer book!

 

 

Trevy loves it.

 

 

He randomly talks about it throughout the day.  And will not go to bed without reading his prayer book.  The first time (and every time since) we read it together…he made it clear (in Trevy speak) that I forgot a very important body part.

 

 

His “taco”.

 

 

Swahili for bootay.

 

 

His siblings taught him to grab his boot and say, “I love my taco!”

 

 

Which he did whilst verbally adding a “thank you Jesus for my butt” page.  All twinkling eyes as he’s telling me all the reasons why his bum is so cool.  It goes poooop in the potty (sometimes) and makes boo-fahs (he’s a boy, people) and booty shakes (I’m not advocating for Magic Mike but I’ve seen the preview and I’m just saying, Trevy could rock the audition)…

 

 

Boys.

 

 

Trevy’s head to toe prayer book is one of the best things I’ve made for him!

 

 

…danielle

 

 

ps.  Praying over Trevy has been so beautiful that I decided to pray over the “big kids” too.  Oh if you could see the way their eyes shine!  Every now and then…an idea comes along that is a mommy home-run.

backyard therapy: toe tap the angry birds style

 

 

Trevy’s right sided weakness is so subtle that to the untrained eye it’s practically invisible.

 

 

It’s easy to miss how after a couple two footed frog hops his right side moves a smidge more slowly and doesn’t get as much air.  Or how his right foot ever so slightly starts to drag a bit while he’s running.  The toes of his right shoes show the scuffing though.  I need to take pictures as evidence!  You know…for the doubters.  Or to place on the table during IEP meetings. 

 

 

Anyway.  Mild or not…his right side is compromised.  He’s always had right sided weakness but after his surgery his right side was completely paralyzed.  We’ve encouraged him to work hard (most times against his will) to help his healthy right brain rewire all those functions the left should control.  In a perfect world, he’d be plugged into an intensive outpatient PT program.  And for a while we were.  But alas, our world is far from perfect and the closest facility is 30 minutes away.  We fizzled out.  Occasionally, I wrestle with my mommy guilt over the outpatient PT/OT fizzle and do crazy things like co-found a Special Olympics program (super close to home) instead!  Or make up a touch the angry birds with your toes game to work on that homework Miss. Out Patient PT gave us ages ago…

 

 

 

The straight strip is for standing up toe touches.  The circular is for seated work.  There is no science behind it.  I just thought shapes would be fun.

 

 

For standing the idea is to have him keep his foot on the floor and use just his big toe to touch the color angry bird I direct.  This is to isolate that singular function/muscle.  He’s pretty good at lifting his whole foot up but those precise toe movements are really tough (especially the right) without a LOT of hard thinking work.  He resists anything that requires too much work so I thought maybe adding some fun characters would help.

 

 

And it did but still… 

 

 

The reality of how it played out this first time was more stomping and kicking and complaining.  “I no like this game!” his final assessment.  He also tried to rip up the strip!  I knew I should laminate it before we used it.

 

 

But we’ll get there.  I’m sure of it!

 

 

Daddy came to our rescue and helped with the angry bird resistance band for the seated toe touches.  The band requires even more mental powers to work.

 

 

It’s really amazing that I caught a smile! 

 

 

 

I highly doubt this will ever be a preferred activity for Trevy but at least the angry birds make it a little more fun!

 

 

I found all my angry bird printables here but thanks to google images you could do this with any faves that your child is into right now!

 

 

…danielle

our at home speech therapy tray

 

 

I am all about Montessori style trays. 

 

 

But I’ll be honest…

 

 

Trevy is MUCH less enthusiastic about the trays than mommy is!  He’s just not a fan of anything that smacks of work.  Especially lately.  He’s becoming increasingly opinionated!  But one tray he’s always excited to pull out is his Speech Tray.

 

 

 

 

He loves tickling his cheeks with Thomas and the little newborn hair brush. We do have a fancy shamancy massager…but the battery is dead.  Also, it’s easy to pop it out so I can’t keep it in there any way. For fear of a trip to the ER – because Trevy thinks pretty much everything is at least attemptable to eat.

 

 

I have a little mini basket with various whistles, straws and chewy items (minus the magnetic letters which are no longer in that basket).  Clothes pins are good oral motor work and cotton balls are cheap & fun to work on blowing exercises.  I put it on my hand and we see how far he can make it go.

 

 

I added a mirror for him to make silly faces and work on sounds at the same time.  Our mirror is magnetic which is perfect for adding magnetic letters.  The idea is that he’ll pull a letter from the bowl and work on that sound.

 

I had his big sister model for me because getting pictures of Trevy working is impossible!

 

 

I used to try and keep all the cards all organized and neat. Um. Yeah. Maybe I’m the crazy one?!

 

The binder has flashcards to work on but he has WAY more fun pulling his PECs cards out of a pencil holder and working on words that way!

 

 

 

 

…danielle

jeepers peepers plus a special coupon just for you (a TOS review)

 

 

Allow me to introduce you to Jeepers Peepers.

 

 

What exactly, you ask, is this Jeepers Peepers?

 

 

Only, like, one of the best games ever!

 

 

 

 

Because any game that involves silly glasses and the whole family is a double thumbs up winner in our house!

 

 

(FYI: Trevy told me I look cute in my glasses.  I just thought you should know.)

 

 

The Jeepers Peepers Nutshell

 

• Jeepers Peepers is an awesome family (or class, playdate, anything involving people big and small) game!
• It includes 6 pairs of glasses, Cue Cards, 101 photo cards, spinner, bingo chips and instructions.
• $29.95 (shhhhh…I have a special offer just for you at the end of this post!)
• Super Duper Publications has gobs of other great looking games and resources. 

 

 

Tell Ya What We Really Thought

 

 

 

As soon as we opened the box we were in L-O-V-E…love!

 

 

 

I just adore everything about this game.  The glasses are silly-licious and fairly sturdy!  Trevy has attempted to break them every time we’ve played and so far no casualties.  The picture cards are simple enough that Trevy can play but complex enough that we can make it more challenging for the older kiddos.  We don’t use the bingo cards just because Trevy is in a very oral phase right now…but I’m sure they add to the fun. 

 

 

 

 

The first time we played we were laughing and having SO much fun that daddy couldn’t resist joining!  Especially when Trevy used his words to ask him!

 

 

I double dog dare ya to put the glasses on and NOT make a silly face…

IMPOSSIBLE!

 

 

 

We’ve played Jeepers Peepers often but my favorite is when Trevy asks for us to play during one of his home based therapy sessions (cause I get to snap pictures and clips)!  He always cracks us up with his peeking cheater ways and hints that are really answers! 

 

 

 

I really can’t say enough about how wonderful this game is and how much we love it!  I’ve been blessed with the chance to review lots of wonderful curriculum and products this year.  If I had to choose a favorite – Jeepers Peepers would definitely make the top of the list!  I highly recommend adding it to your Christmas Wish List!

 

 

Or just go ahead and buy it now with this special offer just for my readers:

Use Coupon Code:   BLGJP30

and save 30%

but it expires 8/31/12 so you’d better hurry!

 

 

…danielle

 

 

**This is my little space to disclaim that I was given Jeepers Peepers in exchange for my honest review shared on my blog.  All opinions expressed are my honest own.  I hope that you enjoyed and found my review at least a smidge helpful.  Because my voice is just one, I highly encourage you to visit this link and read what my fellow TOS Crew friends thought about this product.**

“ I can dress myself” – how I’m teaching my special little guy to dress himself

I am NOT an expert.

I am NOT a therapist.

I am not even a “real” teacher per se.

I am just a mom.

Who happens to love sharing ways that I’m helping Trevy learn new things.  (if you’re curious about Trevy’s backstory click here)  I have a passion for encouraging moms (and dads) towards what I like to call “backyard therapy”.  You know, things we can do at home!  It makes me feel warm n’ fuzzy sharing and allows my heart to heal a little bit when another mommy tells me that she’s connecting with me.  So, you see, it’s purely selfish motives!

:: wink :: 

  Dressing himself has been a goal of mine for aaaaaages now.  Trevy is 5 and is still very mommy dependent with most things.  I need him to learn this life skill as much for himself as for me!  Because seriously…I hardly have time to dress my own self! 

We’ve worked on self awareness for a long time.  It’s in his IEP and among his ABA targets.  But no real curriculum here at home.  We’ve just done the regular mommy stuff.  Where’s your nose?  Touch your toes.  That sorta thing.  You’re probably already doing this – but I’ll share some ideas we’ve used to help build self awareness with Trevy.  Hint:  If you have a chewy kiddo like Trevy – make sure to only use small pieces with supervision!  I keep small pieces locked away in a Trevy proof closet.

• Music, music, music!  Head & Shoulders and other little poems and songs about body awareness  (Hint: YouTube is an awesome resource!  We also LOVE the Baby Signing Time series too!)
• Books from the library about bodies and clothing.  I’m not remembering any in particular.  I just usually browse around the board books and pull out ones that look good.
• Dolls and clothing sensory bin!
• Mr. Potato Head sensory bin!
• I would ask him to hand me his clothes piece by piece.
• Have him label his body parts during bath time.
• Melissa & Doug Wooden Bear Dress-up Puzzle (it was a free cycle snag)
• I have Betty Lukens dress up bears activity book
• iPad apps like these faves of ours:  My Underwear, Fancy Nancy Dress Up, Elmo’s Monster Maker, Mulberry Finger Plays, Try it on  (Hint: if you’re into free app tips you might want to like my Raising Little Rhodies FaceBook page – I try to post free app finds often)

We still do all of the above often…but now that Trevy can mostly identify key parts of his body and articles of clothing, it is time to get serious!  So I’ve created a tray (or workbox) that is more focused.  I like to say what we do is Montessori-ish.  I have the IKEA Trofast system in our school/therapy room.  The drawers are filled with a variety of activities but right now only 3 of them are being used consistently right now.  Speech Therapy…Movement Therapy and… 

I Can Dress Myself  

Inside this bin lives a doll with removable clothing, a mini book, a set of clothes for Trevy to put on himself and a visual schedule.

Trevy’s big sister helped me make this adorable mini-book by Your Therapy Source.  She’s such an AWESOME helper!  And I loooove projects where she can help me!  Click here to purchase your own copy or here if you’d like to read my review.  It’s a GREAT little e-book with lots of wonderful tips and advice!

We always read our mini book first.  For Trevy, snuggling in my lap and reading a book helps center him.  Which is just a fancy way of saying he’s less fidgety.

And then we might play with the doll.  Trevy really enjoys trying to put her clothes on himself!  He’s addicted to silly!

Next, we’ll use the visual schedule to either chat or if he’s interested, play a game of dress myself.

One of Trevy’s amazing home therapy friends created this visual schedule for him!

Everything is laminated (or as we like to say…Trevy proof). There are just 5 steps on this schedule. Trevy likes the number 5 right now…because it’s his age.  Underwear, pants, shirt, socks, shoes. The pictures have velcro on the back. This comes in handy because Trevy loooooves removing and replacing things which doubles as fine motor work!

I also love the laminated arrow. This has velcro too which lets us move the arrow down the schedule as we complete each task. SO fun!

A year ago, Trevy couldn’t even come close to dressing or undressing himself.  But we're making progress!. 

…danielle

board games that Trevy can play which means I think they’re worth buying (or gifting) and I’m cheapskate, soooooo….

 

 

We have gobs of board games. Too many if you ask me! But the Hubs is a fan…and he’s encouraging the development of little board game fans. The thing that’s tricky about board games though – is that it’s often really hard to include Trevy. A little Trevy backstory: He was diagnosed with catastrophic epilepsy at 7 months, lived with hundreds of uncountable seizures daily until he had almost his entire left hemisphere removed at 2 1/2 and is doing extraordinary now – but still struggles with developmental delays. He is chronologically 5 but functionally closer to 3. While it’s not realistic that he gets to do every.single.thing his siblings do - at the same time I like to have options that work for all of us. Many board game rules are too complicated. Also, those dang ants in his pants. If you think ADD is an imaginary disorder…I dare ya to keep Trevy for a day! He’ll convince ya!

 

 

:: wink ::

 

 

So I know this post would be great at Christmas time but I figured we’ve had lots of rainy days around here and maybe you have too. These games have been sanity savers while we’ve been stuck inside! Plus, we’ve used all three of these games during in home therapy sessions. I just know I’d love to stumble across a post like this…so I wrote one instead! Oh…and Trevy needs lots of supervision and help while playing these games. I usually don’t play myself but function as his helper…verbally coaching him and physically helping him participate. The great thing is – with help he totally can play these games!

 

 

Where is Sock Monkey

 

(photo credit)

 

Uncle Nathan and Aunt Tiffany bought the sock monkey game (at Target, I think?) just for Trevy and it’s so great that I would totally spend the mulah myself!  We all have fun with this one!  One person hides the monkey and the rest of us draw cards with picture prompts.  Example:  Picture of a couch means you ask “is the monkey in a room with a couch?”  There are yes (green) and no (red) spots to put the card to help you remember what is in the room where the monkey is hiding.  If you draw a Go Look card you get to race the sand timer to find the monkey!  Bonus goodie – no small pieces just beggin’ to be chewed!  Trevy is addicted to chewing things and he has chewed the sock monkey!  This is a great game for sibling bonding, problem solving, answering yes and no questions, remembering, following directions and just plain ol’ having fun!

 

 

Don’t Break the Ice

 

(photo credit)

 

I snagged it at Target on Black Friday for, like, three bucks or something crazy like that.  Don’t Break the Ice is a great turn taking, fine motor and problem solving game.  If you’ve never played it before, the idea is pretty simple.  Hammer out chunks of “ice” while trying NOT to knock down the skating bear.  While Trevy does enjoy this game, he also needs hand over hand help to be gentle with his hammer.  Otherwise he’s gonna crash the whole sha-bang in a blink!  He doesn’t really get (or like) the idea of NOT making everything go boom…but he does enjoy the hammering and even the setting up.  Bonus goodie – while these pieces do beg to be chewed they’re all plastic and non-choking hazard sized!

 

 

I Can Do That! 

(photo credit)

 

I get all sappy whenever we break this game out.  That’s because a very sweet-special friend bought it for Trevy as a get well gift after his surgery.  (If you’re curious about Trevy click here)  This is a great game for sibling bonding, wiggle worms (lots of movement), turn taking, following directions, simple math, problem solving, fine and gross motor play!  You have to pick three cards.  Each card has a prompt (direction) to follow. 

 

 

Example:  Put the cake, behind your back and hop on one foot

 

 

It’s fun and silly and we love it!

 

 

Hint:  could be a great gift for a speech therapist – especially if that speech therapist happens to practice therapy with your child!

 

 

If you have a Trevy in your house, I totally recommend adding these games to your toy closet!

 

…danielle

target: recognizing family

 

 

I have a bad habit.

 

 

I print things out.  With the best of intentions. 

 

 

The get stacked neatly on my desk.  Other paper work gets stacked neatly on top of that.  Before long, my pile is too big to manage so I hide it in a drawer.  Where I promptly forget all about my good intentions (among other things lost in the paperwork abyss).  Eventually, I’ll get around to cranky-cleaning stuff out.  Clutter makes me cranky.

 

 

Which is how I stumbled across one of the most adorable (and FREE) printable mini-books.  Evah! 

 

 

Daddy, Daddy

Who Do You See?

 

by Katie Yeh of www.playingwithwords365.com

 

 

Otherwise known as my fave Speech Therapy website. 

 

 

 

 

I had printed it out who knows when ago.  And then stacked, stashed, and forgot all about it.  Until I could take the stuffed drawers no more and found it again!

 

 

 

 

I am trying to change my forgetful (thyroid brain) ways.  So this time, I promised myself I was actually going to put it together!  I kept moving it to the top of the stack until I finally put it together!

 

 

Aren’t you proud of me?

 

 

I even got a little creative and added our own faces to the pre-made figures. 

But only because I knew it would make Trevy giggle.  His giggle is my addiction.  Truth be told though, it made Bristel and me giggle as we glued them together too!

 

 

I also laminated the pages and people (using painter’s tape to make them moveable).  But again, you don’t have to.

I’m just one a those crazy home school mommies…I laminate everything.

 

Trevy is very into books and his family right now.  One of his ABA targets is family members.  He has mommy and daddy down pat.  Brother and sister…not so much.  Which is cute…buuuut…  I’m predicting we’ll use this book quite a bit over the next few weeks.

 

 

In fact, I can’t wait for him to come home from school so we can snuggle up and read it together!

 

 

And of course, I had to share this sweet little book just in case you have a little one who is working on recognizing family members too!

 

 

…danielle

 

Trevy’s fave warm weather fine motor play-tivity: write and squirt the alphabet

 

This is totally not an inspired idea.  You’ve probably already seen it/done it/moved on.  But since we’re having so much fun right now I thought I’d share.

 

 

What you Need:

• Sidewalk Chalk
• Water filled squirter of your choice
• Any chalk friend surface (opinions may vary on precisely which surfaces are chalk friendly )
• Children

 

 

 

Trevy (when I say Trevy…I really mean mommy) has been driving daddy bonkers with the chalk.  He’s drawing everywhere.  On everything.  A regular graffiti artist in the making!  Actually, we may have two or three of them in the making.  That big square that Trevy in enhancing (below) is his big brother’s chalk drawn Strike Zone.  Where he practices pitching with a tennis ball.  From approximately dawn til’ dusk. 

 

 

Anyway…

 

I may have rolled my eyes at the hubs’ chalk hating ways.  I also may have guilt tripped him to “let the boy write” and “the rain’ll wash it away” retorts.

 

 

Which gave me the bright idea to let TREVY wash it away!

 

 

I mean the monkey already has a passion for squirting things.  We keep a little squirty bottle ready for bed head fixes.  It is not uncommon to get misted at the most unexpected times.  And to look up and find Trevy cheesy grinning behind the weapon.  So very proud of his aim. 

 

 

 

So I decided to make it a little more structured by drawing the alphabet on the fence for him to wash away.  And you can get as creative as you dare.  Pull letters from a bucket and then go erase that letter.  Use words instead of letters.  Draw shapes.  Colors.  Whatever!

 

 

The bottom line is…

 

 

it’s crazy fun to squirt things!

 

 

And Trevy loooooved it!

 

 

Of course, I played therapist by making him use “two hands”.  Which he hates.  He will ALWAYS prefer his left hand only.  Forcing him to “work” did put a damper on some of the love.  But I have no doubt this’ll be his fave thing to do ALL summer long!  Especially when I randomly allow him to get in a mommy squirt too. 

 

 

…danielle

playing with monster mazes (a review)

 

Your Therapy Source

 

 

gave me the wonderful gift of reviewing the downloadable and printable e-book

 

 

 

 

Monster Mazes

 

 

 

 

Confession – I was so excited to get started with these that I didn’t (ahem)  read the instructions first and was mildly disappointed that printables were so small.

 

 

Silly me. 

 

 

They’re so small so you can slip them right into a clear cd case!

 

 

Which when you think about it – is brilliant!

 

 

 

 

A clear cd case is great for things like:

 

Using dry erase tools (of which I am a HUGE fan)

Keeping the worksheets in one place and organized

Extra fine motor work – by virtue of being smaller & also because curious fingers will learn how to pry it open

For popping into mommy’s purse (or if you have a Trevy too…diaper bag) to keep little ones occupied in waiting rooms, the market or where ever

The smaller case was also a new concept and therefore exciting for Trevy

 

 

 

I popped a few dry erase crayons into a left over valentines heart for a little extra fine motor business.

 

 

I had Trevy match the monsters with his finger first.

 

I love how cutsie the monsters are.  I also love that the worksheets focus on matching the same color monsters too.  Colors are included in every treatment plan we’ve developed recently for Trevy. 

 

 

Ha Ha

 

How cute is that concentration tongue up there?! 

 

 

Distraction alert!

 

Trevy had to finish unwrapping the paper from the crayon before he could concentrate any further.

 

 

Broken crayons make me cringe too.

 

But…

 

at the advice of some stellar therapists I found the courage to snap my Crayola dry erase crayons into smaller chunks.

 

 

 

The smaller chunks force little fingers into a more refined grip.

 

You can clearly see the difference in the picture below with a larger writing tool.

 

 

 

 

One of the best tips I ever had was breaking those crayons!

 

 

 

 

Trevy gives Monster Mazes two thumbs up!

 

 

And so does Trevy’s Mommy. 

 

 

If you have a little one who needs fine motor work I would definitely recommend Monster Mazes.  At just $3.99 plus the luxury of not having the leave your home to purchase or wait for a workbook to arrive in the mail. 

 

 

I think Monster Mazes is the ticket!

 

 

…danielle

 

 

A big fat thank you to Your Therapy Source for this wonderful gift – which by the way was donated with no blog review strings attached.  I am sharing my review because I am impressed with the company and the product!