Monday Musings

With beautiful weather this evening and an extra hour of daylight, we headed outdoors after supper to enjoy it. AJ and Dave went for a walk, while Teddy and I logged some running miles. As we ran along, I noticed that while not everyone smiled and interacted with us, the vast majority of folks did indeed smile at us. 

Now Wisconsinites are generally pretty friendly, so it's not unusual to greet strangers. What I noticed, though, was that most of the people who smiled at us were smiling as we approached. I realized, and said aloud to Teddy, that he simply brings people joy. I'm sure that his excitement to be outdoors and running was what brought a smile to their faces.

At the end of their run, Teddy and I visited a park to play for a few minutes while we waited for Dave and AJ. He loves parks and asked for it each time we ran past.

Teddy's a fan of parks any time and any where. Dave, not so much.

There were a couple boys around Teddy's age who had waved at us as we ran by the first time and waved again when we stopped at the park. I asked if they knew Teddy, and I heard them acknowledge they did. Teddy ran right up to them, and one of them hopped off the swing for Teddy to take a turn. 

When Teddy ran off to the playground structure to climb, the one boy encouraged the other to go play with Teddy. So, they did ... after singing the Barbie song. I figured Teddy was fine playing with his friends, so I walked his chair over to the picnic area before coming back to stretch.

It was really sweet to see them all playing together. The 2 boys included Teddy, offering him turns to race down the slides with them and encouraging him up the playground structure the one time he struggled because he was trying to scale up the wrong spot. I hadn't caught their names when I asked them the first time, so I tried to fish around to figure out which classroom at his school they were in to piece it together perhaps. 

I asked if they were in Teddy's classroom, and they both said no. Imagine my surprise when both of them said they went to different schools. *Whoops. I clearly misheard them when we first arrived at the playground.* 

I asked how they knew Teddy, and they said they didn't but they just liked making new friends. Then one of the boys said, "Not to be rude, but does he have a disability?" I shared that Teddy has autism and a genetic disorder. 

Well, the second part prompted quite a few questions to help them understand what that meant. I explained that Teddy doesn't talk like us, but he uses a tablet, sign language and gestures to communicate. The one boy said, though, "Oh, he's just like other kids but he doesn't talk." I said that it takes Teddy longer to learn to do things, like walk, but that he loves to have fun just like they do. 

The autism part they understood, so they questioned whether I knew every autistic child they knew. The one shared about his brother's autism diagnosis and how his brother loves to read about the things that interest him. 

The boys complimented Teddy's chair and thought it was really cool. They asked how far we ran, and I told them we ran 4 miles. The response was awesome from one of the boys: You're mom of the year! So I told them Teddy runs in races with it, and that we use it for biking.

That prompted the more outgoing boy to share that he loved riding bike with his dad, but his dad wasn't able to go for bike rides now. I got the sense where he was going before he said his dad was locked up for something he didn't do ... and that he won't see him until 2026. That broke my heart for him and made me realize, yet again, how blessed our family is to have a stable family unit despite the challenges that come with Teddy. 

That's about when Dave and AJ arrived, so we had to leave. I walked away a bit in awe of what had just occurred. Given how the boys interacted with Teddy, I would have sworn they were peers at his school. Instead, they were just being good humans who didn't think twice about including someone new, lending a helping hand where needed and seeking to understand and make connections. Seriously, I didn't even mention that Teddy didn't talk until the end of the conversation because, again, I thought they all knew each other. 

It was just a heart-warming moment of the best of humanity ... from two 5th grade boys. (And lest you think they were angels dropped into our lives, I can assure you they were 5th grade boys who also swore at least once and one bagged the other by accident. Pretty sure they're human.)

Without a Word

Teddy is non-verbal, meaning he doesn't talk yet. He might, someday, be able to communicate with some spoken words. For now his primary means of communication is gestures and clapping. Clapping is Teddy's way of saying "I want." When that's combined with pointing, it's amazing how that's a complete sentence that paints a pretty clear picture of what Teddy wants.

Of course, knowing Teddy helps in understanding what he wants. If you're not complying with his suggestions or requests, then he'll take your hand or physically direct your body where he wants you to go.

Last week we did a different run with my TEAM Triumph and a local running group combined to introduce others in the running group to the amazing organization that is MTT. There was a park nearby, and Teddy managed to convince one of the angels who's in high school to go play at the park with him before the run.

This photo was from spring, not when it's nearly 90 degrees. Andy is on the far right. 

After the run, Teddy wanted to make a beeline to the park to play again. I told him that he could, but he kept looking at me and clapping. I told him he could go by himself because I could see him and sprint if needed. But he came back toward me, so I put my hand out to go with him. He went right past me to another angel named Andy, clapping and pointing to the playground.

Andy was an incredible sport, going to the playground to play with Teddy. That meant going down different slides and climbing different things. Andy drew the line, though, when Teddy wanted him to go down the tunnel slide because Andy was afraid he'd get stuck and have to explain that to the fire department.

So they continued playing, and Teddy kept asking Andy to go down the tunnel slide. Eventually Teddy convinced Andy, not once, but twice, to go down the tunnel slide.

It's amazing what Teddy can communicate without saying a word. He was able to convince someone to change their mind without a single word. That's pretty incredible.

And, honestly, so is Andy for being such a great sport!

#runlikeangels #mttambassador

Perfect Summer Days

Our 4th of July adventures included a trip up north that was shortened due to Teddy sleeping poorly the first night, lots of bugs that prevented being outside, humidity and the cousins going away on a day trip to see waterfalls. We all left the cabin a bit disappointed, but sometimes plans need to be adjusted rather than sticking them out and being crabby and tired.

Coming home a day early allowed us to visit the farmers' market and enjoy some tasty donuts, along with seeing Santa in July. I dare say that this might be the best picture with Santa we've gotten ... at least in the last few years. Teddy was intrigued rather than terrified, so that was fun.

Such a great Santa photo, at least for my boys!

Then my aunts came to visit, along with my Grandpa and one of my cousin's daughters. We had fun playing at our house before heading to a park for even more fun. It's amazing to see what Teddy can convince his great aunts to do, without even saying a word. Trust me, Teddy's rather persistent and convincing. Come to think of it, he'd be excellent and charades, as long as you can push, pull and physically direct people.

Teddy did remarkably well climbing this, chasing the older kids.

My uncle and his significant other came over later in the afternoon, so we had a fantastic supper on the deck with the kids running around the yard playing. We couldn't have asked for better weather because the humidity moved on, and there were so few bugs. It was truly a perfect summer afternoon and evening.

All the children lasted until dark to light sparklers with the torch that AJ designed and helped build, followed by three fireworks. (Dave's mom generously sent along fireworks and sparklers for AJ since he missed out on them by us leaving a day earlier than planned. She also sent enough food to feed my entire family supper. We're pretty darn lucky for a lot of reasons.)


For backyard fireworks, they were quite the show. Teddy loved the popcorn one and kept clapping his hands for it. Oh, and the kids all got to enjoy s'mores around the fire pit as well.

Teddy and sparklers = way more dangerous than any other child.

Today was even more fun at Bay Beach in Green Bay. It's a small amusement park with rides ranging from 25 cents to $1 for the Zippin' Pippin', which was one of Elvis Presley's favorite roller coasters. The little kids had the best time, and the adults tested how strong their stomachs were with the Tilt-o-Whirl, the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster. We followed up lunch with a walk through the wildlife sanctuary where the kids got to feed the ducks and geese along with a wounded deer. We also got to see a cougar, otter and foxes. We didn't get to pet or feed those, which is really a good thing. (I think Teddy wanted to ride the deer.)

It ended up being an absolutely wonderful summer weekend with great weather, family and many memories made.

Architecture and Parks

Oshkosh is rebuilding a park and has asked for public feedback, specifically asking school children to submit their ideas. AJ immediately embraced this, going so far as to reason that most kids probably won't submit anything, so his design will probably get picked.

The city is planning a park that all children can enjoy, and I love the inclusive nature of more parks nowadays. AJ and I talked about some of the things that would help families like ours, and ones with other challenges, enjoy the park.

I have no idea what kind of stairway that second item is ...

His suggestion of vending machines comes from his logic that it's a lot of work to get a child who cannot dress independently ready. By the time you get everything and everyone ready, you might forget to pack snacks. So he wanted food options available. (I swear my children have never been starved.)

I love how this kid thinks. When you combine his engineer brain with his considerate heart, it's quite the combination.

Runs, Parks and Tired Children

Teddy's spent more time running with me in the past couple weeks than he probably had the past couple years (at least outside of myTEAM Triumph training runs and events). I've realized that when I only have Teddy that we can sneak in quick runs. Well, not necessarily quick but shorter ones, around 3 miles or so. We've been making the most of this time before school rather than simply counting down the minutes until the bus arrives (me) or destroying everything in sight (Teddy). On a related note, guess which 4-year-old is tall enough to reach our microwave ... that's up on the shelf above our counter.

This morning we headed out for a run at Menominee Park. It was a gorgeous, foggy morning to run. We cut the route a bit shorter because the peninsula had a bus full of children on it, so we opted to skip it this time. Teddy threw his partially eaten apple on the ground, which I then stepped on and left in the parking lot where it was smashed. We saw plenty of geese, ducks and people walking dogs. Some random guy on a his bicycle told me I was doing great after passing me (and Teddy stopped complaining because he had a bicycle to watch).

He was pretty excited, despite having the park to himself at first.

Our run ended at the playground, where Teddy had a blast wandering around checking out things at his pace. It amazes me how much he can explore and do that he couldn't a year ago.

This is how Teddy tried to climb up to the slide. Perfectly safe.

After some fun in the park, we headed home where he refused to nap (yet again) and was tired and crabby until I took him outside. He took off running toward the bus when he saw it coming down the road because he was so excited to go to school. (I know that feeling. I'm really excited for him, too.)

And why tired children, not child? Oh, that would be because AJ was up at 4:03 a.m. (I checked my watch.) He was too excited to finish building his LEGO set he got yesterday as an early birthday present from his running buddy. He managed to wait until 5 a.m. before coming back to tell me that he really couldn't fall asleep ... after thumping around in the bathroom, playing and getting dressed.

Getting Hot & Sweaty with Teddy

AJ has spent this entire week at my folks' house, filling his days with LEGOs, games, Lite Brite and more. He's went to Firehouse Ceramics twice to work on pottery, and he spent all day yesterday at Circus World. Honestly, I'm a bit jealous.

As nice as it is for AJ to spend some time enjoying himself (instead of going along to three appointments for Teddy this week and having Teddy constantly requiring my attention), it's also nice to have Teddy to myself. We get a few more snuggles and cuddles in the morning. Teddy doesn't bug me about tablet or TV ... in fact, I can pick out a movie to watch with him because I know he won't repeat any of the swear words or be scared by the bad guys.

It also gave me the opportunity to take Teddy for a run. Normally Teddy and I run with myTEAM Triumph on Monday nights, but the weather didn't cooperate this week. I had a 5-mile run on my training calendar, so Teddy and I hit the trails in Neenah after his therapy appointment. (It was one of his best PT appointments I can recall. He did 11 sit-ups without complaints, did all the sit-to-stand activities and obstacle course that was expected of him and rode the tricycle like a rock star.)

The Trestle Trail bridge is so scenic.

It was hot. Running when it's 78°F and sunny while pushing a stroller (with a few flat tires that I discovered after about a half mile) makes it feel like you're running in Death Valley. But it was a beautiful place to run. We went along a portion of the half marathon route for the Fox Cities, so I sort of knew where I was going enough to not get lost. The trail goes along the water for a good portion and is rather peaceful as long as you don't mind the sweat pouring off you.

I wonder why only one of us is red as a lobster? Maybe next time Teddy can push me.

Afterward, Teddy insisted we go check out the park. It was a pretty awesome park, and he had a blast. He went down a few slides all by himself (first one was belly first ... not his best idea). We definitely need to go back there as a family to perhaps take the paddleboard out on the water, walk the bridge together and play in the park.

Playtime at the Park

Earlier this week it was unseasonably warm, nearly 70 degrees. We took full advantage of the gorgeous weather by visiting three different parks in two days. Both boys had a blast at the parks, even though Teddy got soaking wet at the one park (and it wasn't so unseasonably warm that day). He loves water, so he felt the need to splash in every puddle with his hand, and he tried to faceplant into a few to drink them for good measure.

Teddy goes everywhere AJ goes!

I love seeing how much more Teddy can enjoy a park this spring than last fall. He's able to hold onto things much better and explore more.

He holds onto swings now!

It might help, though, if we could give Teddy a healthy dose of fear. His safety awareness has improved a lot in the past year, but he seems to forget about all those lessons when he's playing at a park.

Holding on with one hand ... from a kid with poor balance.

I think we'll be visiting a lot of parks as the weather warms for good this summer. We'll just have to hang on tight until spring is really here to stay.