A Singer Sings Her Songs

Jack is fairly unpredictable. Sometimes he acts like he's on top of things, involved with us socially, and able to follow instructions that I give him. Then there are other days when it seems as if he is in his own little world; unresponsive and noncompliant. One thing that he always responds to, and has since he was a little guy, is singing. On those difficult days I would make up a song, to some random tune and sing about what we were doing. It worked so well, and I enjoyed making up songs so much, that it became a habit, in fact, I couldn't stop! Soon I could belt out a tune about everything from "putting on our shoes" to "taking a bath". Before long, I had my own repertoire of made up tunes and would pull them out at any given moment to direct Jack. This of course embarrassed my other two kids, and as they got older, they insisted I quit singing my songs to them. My 10 year old sat me down one day and said, "Mom, I don't like your songs any more". Much to my dismay, I have had to quit singing to them, out loud that is, what they don't know is that I still hum these tunes under my breath as I shout directions to them about brushing their teeth.

My made up songs have only gotten me in real trouble once. I was at a funeral and the organ began softly playing the music to a church tune that I had used as the tune to one of my made up songs. As the music softly played, instead of hearing the words "Shall we gather at the river" in my head, I heard, "let's go tee-tee in the potty..". I almost tee-teed right there and it was all I could do to keep from laughing out loud at this funeral. The only thing funnier than that, will be when my kids figure out that I hijacked a church song and put my own words to it. I hope they're at a funeral when it happens. That will really make me laugh.

The Perfect Day Trip

Raising a child with special needs can be challenging at times. For instance, if we plan a family outing, I have to think through the whole event to trouble shoot any unforseen circumstances that would make it difficult for Jack to participate. He dosen't enjoy loud gym's or loud music. In crowds we have to put him into his wheel chair or he'll wander off. If we are planning to walk a long way such as visiting amusement parks, or the Mall, we load up his wheel chair, because nothings worse that trying to get this big boy up off the floor when he's tired of walking.

I've finally found the perfect outing for Jack. He get's to ride in the comfort of his own car, listen to his own tunes on the radio and he can't wander away. We went to a wildlife park this past weekend and had the best time. At the wildlife park we were able to get closer to the animals than we would at any zoo. The animals came right up to the car and they would eat right out of our hand.

About halfway through the drive they had a gift shop, restaurant and picnic area. We stopped, shopped, ate and stretched our legs before heading back down the mountain to tour the rest of the wildlife park. This place gets five stars from me.