Autism Walk 2014 and a few other things!

This weekend we participated in the Autism Speaks walk.  Last year we raised over $1,200 for this philanthropy.  We were amazed at all the people who donated.  As great as that was, and as proud as we were to raise the money for them, we started to think.....We were sure that people would be just as likely to donate money that would go directly to benefit Grayson and help him attend numerous therapies.  As some of you may know, the occupational therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy (ABA), and speech therapy are not cheap to say the very least.   We want to add speech therapy into Grayson's routine, but if I am being honest, we don't know where to put it in an already packed schedule.   We were completely shocked and overwhelmed because when we put it out there that we were raising money to help Grayson, we raised over $2,500!    We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts for donating, for walking with us, and just for being there when we need you.   The support has been life altering and completely necessary for the journey that we are on.  Grayson was not in the best mood this morning because his sleep patterns have been whacked out, but we did the best we could to keep that smile on his face that we all love.  Below are a few of our favorite pictures from the walk so you can see some of the amazing people we have in our life to support us.

 Our 2014 group of walkers!

 A group of women I met by chance in a MyGym class that have turned out to be an amazing support system to me.

 Some of the best women I have met have been through Jacksonville Beach Elementary.  I am so lucky that I picked that school not knowing anything about it!

 We were so happy to have Gramps in town to walk with us.

 After the walk it was time for swim class.  When we walked in, the owner came out from the pool to take our picture.  She loved how we were all in our shirts showing support to Grayson.  Swimming Safari Inc is an amazing company.  They offer private classes for a group price for special needs individuals.  It has been a great experience and wouldn't be possible financially without the thoughtful people that work there.

Just a fun photo session with Gramps the night after the walk.

 Then Uncle Andy thought he would be able to beat Gramps at making Grayson smile.   Maybe next time!

 The weather was a little chilly, but we haven't been to the beach in ages.  We figured we would take a quick trip there and if it was too cold we would leave.   It was great.  Grayson loved having the open area to run in and even poked his toes in the water a few times.  He was the only one brave enough to do that!

 Grayson and Luca having fun in the swing at ABA.  That smile is worth a million dollars.

We have been so proud of Grayson lately.  He has been so exploratory at the parks we take him to.   In the past he would just run circles around the perimeter.  Now he is so actively engaged in the equipment and makes up his own obstacle courses.  It is such a great change to see! 

Halloween 2014 and the park

 It is so much fun trying to think of costumes for this guy.  Not!  He will not keep anything on his head or face so that eliminates about 98% of the marketed costumes.  I saw this one last year when I bought his vampire costume and snatched it right up!  It was easily readable and felt like regular clothes so I know it would be easy to get him to wear it.  Mission accomplished.  

 Quick photo shoot in the backyard before we made our way out for trick or treating.  The ironic thing is that he should be the one in the police uniform since he is the one in charge around here!

 This is one bossy inmate!  He likes to be carried around on our shoulders.  Don't get used to being that tall buddy!

So we began our trick or treating right at 7 when it started to get dark.  We had made it to a few houses before we saw a police car circling the neighborhood.  We were relieved that he was just driving around to make sure everyone was behaving, but then I had a brilliant idea.....  The police officer played along nicely and allowed us to put Grayson in the back of his vehicle.   

Love this shot. Looks like I bailed him out!

All in all, trick or treating was a major success and we had a pumpkin full of candy to show it!  The speech teacher at Grayson's school had made these cute little cards for him to hand out at each house.  They said "Happy Halloween, thank you for my treat."  Each had a Halloween symbol on them also; a candy corn, black cat, pumpkin, you know the drill.   So he would get candy to put in his pumpkin and then I would hand him the card to give to the homeowner.  If they weren't looking, he would put it in their candy bowl which I thought was adorable.  Once they saw what it was they were gawking about how cute of an idea it was.  I can't take credit for it, but I will do it every year from now on!

 Grayson had some practice trick or treating that afternoon with ABA.  I lent Ms. Carolina our police hat so they would have costumes that went together.  I received the following 3 pictures on my phone before pick up.   First an arrest, then a tickle session, then great smiles.

 ABA took a field trip to the park nearby.  They are trying to encourage more sociability with peers.  So they had another boy, very close in age to Grayson, hold his hand and go through the playground equipment together.  I even got videos and it was so cute.

 They even made it to the slide where they sat down and went down the slide together. At ABA this is a one on one environment so this was facilitated by the therapists.  They also go to public school together also.  Interestingly enough, when I went to pick him up the following day from school, his teacher told me all about how they were playing on the equipment outside together and even sliding together!  What a great transfer of skills in a different environment.  We were all very impressed!

 And after the park they headed back to therapy where this guy got his first fat lip.  He was doing his typical running around and his toe must have gotten caught on the tile.  Split lip, blood gushing and all. With a little bit of ice and my trusty essential oils, he was back to his gorgeous self in no time.  Still had to document our first real injury. :(