I love to skate

Courtesy of Canadian Tire Jumpstart, in partnership with the Ottawa Senators Foundation & the City of Ottawa, Joseph just participated in the most amazing program called "I Love to Skate". The program provided him with new skates, helmet and skating lessons.

Joseph received skating lessons from qualified instructors at the Albion Heatherington Rec Centre seasonal outdoor rink. Over the course of only 4 lessons, you quickly saw the progress he made and the confidence he gained on the ice. Something he had never been able to do. He had never skated before.

Skating is a sport where he can be successful. He can participate with his friends and have fun, but he isn't dependent on them like he would in a group sport. 

Then came the amazing part .. he was to be able to skate at the Canadian Tire Centre. On Saturday, March 14, 2015, all the children who participated in the program were invited to the Canadian Tire Centre for a skating pizza party. How amazing is that ! A once in a lifetime opportunity for over 500 children !

Children traveled to the CT Centre by school bus and were invited to one of their meeting halls where they were welcomed by representatives of the partner groups. Everywhere there was staff and volunteers to help and support our kids. 

Then it was time to suit up and head to the ice. Each child received their own jersey. They lined up and headed out on the ice.

There is nothing like watching your child, his friends and so many other children experiencing a once in a lifetime moment. I don't know that everyone realized how lucky they were. Actually I sadly know some didn't.

After an hour or so on the ice, the children, parents and staff were treated to a pizza party and cake.

Then while they waited for their trip back home, they were treated to an entertainer. The children loved it and I saw Joseph laughing so hard. A much appreciated activity after what was for some a long day. And we all know how waiting can be difficult.

 

And before we knew it, it was time to head home.

I don't quite know how many thank yous can be said for this amazing day. All the time and effort putting this together and organizing it in a way that was just perfect. I know Joseph will remember this forever. It may not seem like this was all that difficult for him, but it was. There was a time where I don't think he could of gotten through all this. The noise and chaos of so many children and so much going on would of easily been overwhelming to him and his sensory disorder. But over time, it has gotten better and easier for him to do bigger outings and activities. I never gave up even when it seemed hard, I have always continued to take him out and let him love and experience the world. Keeping a close eye, watching for just that moment ... getting ahead of it. Surrounding him with amazing people and friends like Zeina, Julie & Kim who understand and have always been kinder than words can say. There is great people out there who are willing to take the time and appreciate what makes our kids special and happy. Thanks to everyone who created this amazing day for all our children.

March Break 2015 in Ottawa

As March Break fast approaches, I thought I'd share with you some of the activities I have found that you might find fun to participate in with your kids. Outings can be difficult we all know that. Day camps can be challenging and costly. Most of these activities are free or have a low cost attached. Many of these as well are not very long.  I know sometimes having the chance to participate in something fun that isn't too long can offer you the best chance of success. 

I'll be adding more as I come across them. 

Hope you find something fun !

City of Ottawa Recreation - Albion Heatherington Recreation Centre

The Albion Heatherington Recreation Centre and Andrew Fleck Home Child Care is having a a March Break Activity Day

Thursday, March 19 9:30 - 11:30
Gym Games, Crafts, Snack
Call 613-247-4828
Children must be supervised by parent or caregiver at all times.

Keep in mind, other recreation centres which may be closer to you could be having March Break activities. Consult the City of Ottawa about day camps as well. Don't forget about skating at your local arena or swimming at your local pool.

Billings Bridge Shopping Centre

 Dairy Queen

Free cone day on Monday, March 16th, 2015. Who doesn't like a free cone to kick off March Break !

Chapter's

Chapters  is hosting different activities every day. Themes are Dr. Seuss, Wimpy Kid, Lego, Cinderella & Klutz. Check into the March Break Headquarters for general information. You will need to contact your local Chapter's for exact details and to register.

Michaels Stores

A craft a day .. all sessions are 2 hours from 10am-12pm. Cost is $5 per child or $20 for the whole week.

March 16th - Perler Bead Day
March 17th - Duck Tape Fashions
March 18th - Cardboard City
March 19th - Mixed Media Day Creations
March 20th - Decorate a tote or T-Shirt (requires purchasing a T-shirt, tote or both)

Ottawa Museum Network

Many local museums will be open during March Break hosting a variety of different activities and day camps. Check the Ottawa Museum Network for these. If Museums are your thing, don't forget to check in at the library to borrow an admission pass.

Ottawa Public Libraries

Take a few minutes to check what your local library is doing. This year's theme for March Break is Space Odyssey. Libraries are having a variety of activities in the mornings and afternoons, suitable for different ages. The Living in Space activity is delivered by the Canada Science and Technology guides. The Buck Rogers: Become a Space Ranger activity is delivered by staff from the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. The wonderful staff from your local library will be delivering stories, activities and crafts during other times. Check the Ottawa Public Library website to see when each location is hosting their activities.

Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre

Toys R Us


Toys R Us will be hosting an activity every day between 1:00-3:00. Themes are Big Hero 6, Sew Cool, Avengers & Cinderella, Stars Wars & Frozen. Check here for the March Break Playday details.

As you can see the possibilities are endless. There is so much more out there, particularly if you have access to a vehicle. We will also be spending a fun filled day at Funhaven courtesy of Autism Ontario. So don't forget to check service providers that work with you if they have any activities for your child.

And if you are looking for some at home activities, I highly recommend the Idea Room facebook page. I've just started following them and they are constantly posting all kinds of great ideas, recipes and helpful tips. Most of all they are posting oodles of great DIY crafts and fun things to do with your kids.

Stay tuned to see details of our March break activities and how successful they were. Hope you can find some fun things to do with the lil ones :)  

March Break 2014 T-Shirt creation at Billings Bridge

March Break 2013 at Midway Family Fun Park

March Break 2013 Face painting at Billings Bridge

Squirmy Wormy

Since I home schooled my son from March of this year till June, I spent a lot of time looking up material to use from the library. I thought it could be interesting to share with you some of my favorite book finds. Some of these are related to children with special needs, some regarding feelings & emotions, and some may just be educational. I hope that some of these might be useful to you and may in some cases bring some help or understanding to some challenges you may be facing with your child. I'm going to start with one of my favorites.

Squirmy Wormy by Lynda Farrington Wilson

I just loved this book. Squirmy Wormy is the story of a boy named Tyler who has autism and a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), just like my little man. The book goes through different situations where Tyler might do what others perceive as silly things and then explains why he may be doing them. It continues then to explain ways that Tyler can help himself and what he can do instead in those situations. The book is easy to understand with colorful imagery to help explain what living with autism and SPD could be like. While not every situation is one that my son deals with, like arm flapping for instance, there is many others that spoke directly to how SPD affects him. It's a great book for parents who may want some insight as to what an SPD is and if it's something that could be affecting your child. I related alot to some of the solutions in this book, as they are some of the same coping mechanisms that are being used at school for my son. It really is a great book and reinforces the theme "I Can Help Myself". Now I can't help but call my son, my little squirmy wormy.

I look forward to reading Autistic? How Silly Is That? also by the same author.

Hello and welcome !!!

It's been in my thoughts for a long time to have this blog and to share with you some of our life. As 2014 is well on it's way, I made a New Year's resolution to start work on it. I hope to share with you all the joys and happiness that comes with being a mom to my lil man. For those of you who do not know, my lil man has autism and a sensory processing disorder. But finding out he was autistic wasn't difficult to accept and as you get to follow this blog you will come to understand my outlook on it and how we have overcome far worse things. Would I like my lil man's life to be easier and less complicated, of course I would, but that isn't the hand we have been dealt. So I choose to keep a positive outlook and see all the wonderful things that make him who he is. Are there tough moments and difficult days, of course there is, but when the day ends and he sleeps soundly, I can look at him and forgot the day's struggles and think about how precious he is and how he has made my life so much better by just being himself. You see he is an entertaining little fellow and many of my friends enjoy hearing about it and that is part of the reason I wanted to start this blog. I hope you enjoy following it.

Mommy of the Bean