Amazed by a third grader

For those of you who do not know, my 9 year old son has Aspergers. It is a form of autism. He is so amazing! I am constantly in awe at his ability to see what others miss. Today I joined him on a feild trip to BYU-Idaho to visit the planetarium and the gardens. I watched him closely as he sat throughout the entire planet show (which was a little long for most 3rd graders) completely captivated by the solar system. He soaked up every last little bit of information about the planets! I was also in awe at how he kept correcting the tour guide about the fossils at the museum. Kindly pointing out that it wasn't just called a mastedon but also a wooly mammoth and informing all the children that the giant elephant bird egg had to be a fossil due to it's giagantic size. Later, after we got home and went to visit our Grandma, he asked her for a bannana and began to give her a brief but accurate lesson on how bannanas grow from a dead flower.

I was also very thankful for all the friends he has in his class. Making friends has always been a struggle for Seth, but particularly so this year. One time he came home saying that the only friend that played with him that day was a bee that kept following him around the playground. Everyone in Seth's class has grown to love and accept him for who he is. I heard all day, "Mrs. Wacaser, Seth did a really good job..." I think so too kids! What I am thankful for even more than Seth's friends today, is a teacher that took the time to explain to everyone in his class what Aspergers is. She is solely responsible for creating an environment in which Seth thrives. Thankyou Mrs. Winter... I don't know what I would have done this year without you! You are the epitamy of what a teacher should be! You gave up your own personal time to help out my son and I will be forever grateful!

Money and Power... or neither

Field of swaying lilies

I have unsuccessfully attempted posting twice over the last week. Seems like something always interrupts and then I forget. This week has been absolute chaos. Fortunately, I thrive under such circumstances so overall it was just fine. I was greatly blessed by a rather fortunate happening when my attorney showed up to present me in court although he told me he could no longer do so. After much praying and much research, the Lord was kind enough to see me through a very difficult circumstance through the generosity of another. Of course, we lost :) but no matter- it is only money and money does not bring any type of happiness.

D&C 84:81-84
Therefore, take ye no thought for the morrow, for what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed.
For, consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin; and the kingdoms of the world, in all their glory, are not arrayed like one of these.
For your Father, who is in heaven, knoweth that you have need of all these things.
Therefore, let the morrow take thought for the things of itself.

I strongly believe that money is inherently evil and yes, I have had money. I don't anymore ;) I have seen how relationships can be destroyed by greed. I feel that it takes a strong person to take money and do good with it. Money can be both a blessing and a curse. Right now, I do not suffer from that trial although sometimes I long to! What I do know is that the Lord will always provide what you need, when you need it as long as you are living righteously.

Chocolate

Mundo chocolate
Originally uploaded by paolita_iris

My most favorite thing in life, besides my children, is chocolate. I grew up on chocolate. My grandmas house smells like chocolate. Everything about chocolate makes me feel better.

This week for my speech class, we have to give an informative speech. Why give it on anything other than chocolate!

Here are some fun facts that I have learned already that will support my chocolate addiction in case I ever need a justification!

"Placebo-controlled trials suggest chocolate consumption may subtly enhance cognitive performance. As reported by Dr Bryan Raudenbush (2006), scores for verbal and visual memory are raised by eating chocolate. Impulse-control and reaction-time are also improved. This study needs replicating.

A "symposium" at the 2007 American Association for the Advancement of Science - hyped as a potentially "mind-altering experience" - presented evidence that chocolate consumption can be good for the brain. Experiments with chocolate-fed mice suggest that flavanol-rich cocoa stimulates neurovascular activity, enhancing memory and alertness. This research was partly funded by Mars, Inc. " found at http://www.chocolate.org/ last viewed April 10, 2009.

As if having chocolate taste yummy wasn't good enough, now they are saying it increase your brain power. The Aztecs had it right when they said that cacao came from the Gods!

Happily Never after 2 ( Animation )

Happily Never after 2 ( Animation )
Originally uploaded by see_movie

I usually don't make movie reviews but this was possibly the worst movie I have ever seen. Snow White has been turned "valley girl" and even their attempts to fix her in the end were less than fairytale. They have taken a classic story and slaughtered it. The graphics were stiff and often the mouths didn't even match up with words. I wasted a dollar at the redbox for this.

Childrens Literature

The Poky Little Puppy

I love books. I love the way they feel in my hands, the way the binding bends when it is opened. The way they smell of paper and ink. I especially love children's literature. I love the artistry that captures a good children's book. It amazes me how even as an adult, I find myself looking through the children's section not only for my children but for myself as well.

This month is National Library Week. I thought I would celebrate by sharing some of my favorite childhood books with my preschool/childcare kids. Narrowing down the list is the tricky part.

I'll start off with my absolute favorite and work from there.
The Poky Little Puppy
The Real Story of the Three Little Pigs
Hansel and Gretel
The Little Red Hen
Snow White and Rose Red
Corduroy
Where the Wild Things Are
Alligator Pie
If You Give a Mouse A Cookie
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Pecos Bill

Some have been my favorites from when I was a little girl. Others are new stories that I have fallen in love with while reading them to my own children.

If anyone has other good books that I can share with the kids, please drop me a post. I would love to give them a read too!