Adventure #3: the Library

I know, I know the library doesn't seem like much of an adventure.  But if you haven't taken advantage of all the wonderful and free classes at your local library you are missing out.  Many of the classes we have tried out are for elementary aged children.  Owen has really enjoyed Jackson Bottom Nature Preserve talks and walks, Lego building, math camp, magic shows, book themed parties, musical performances, break dancing demos, drawing classes and sing along Christmas Carols.  Again, all of this fun, hours and hours of it, were free.  To view the Washington County Library Services events go here:     http://www.wccls.org/.  If this isn't your local library, check out your own library's page.  

Our local library doesn't offer any classes for Noah.  I have seen them listed in other library event calendars.  In the Washington County Library System the Beaverton branch at 12375 SW 5th, offers a once a month Special Needs Storytime.  We haven't check it out yet, I will report back when we do.  The next one is Saturday, September 3rd from 10:30-11am.  Here is their description:

This storytime is an option for families with children who have special needs that require a multi-sensory, yet low-key presentation.  Program content is intended for preschool/primary grades and features routine cues, alternate story formats, and a take-home activity.Registration is required.  Please phone (503)350-3600 to register or sign-up in person at the Children's Desk on the first floor of the library.  Registration begins one month before the program.

We went to the library yesterday and checked out a few titles.  Noah has become extremely hard on books, he is either tearing out pages or burying them in the sand box, or sneaking them into the tub, so no check out for him!  At the Hillsboro Main library at 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, has the prettiest corporate park I have ever seen.  Several ponds and streams are surrounded by trees, plants and trails and benches.

We took a walk around the paths and brought bread for the ducks.  These ducks are VERY people friendly.  Before I knew it we had about 50 ducks and geese surrounding us and I was a little scared about what was going to happen when we ran out of bread.  Noah loved the ducks.   He really engaged with the ducks, he even tried to pet them, which had me a little concerned about tiny fingers.  


We walked the trails and brought a picnic to enjoy by the lilypad pond.  Yes, they have a lilypad pond!  So beautiful and fun and totally free (less library fines!). 

Adventure #2: Camping, sort of.

Every summer we make a "summer goals" list for the boys.  Owen's is filled with fun stuff, like going to Oaks Park and picking blackberries. Noah's is less fun, filled with therapy themed activities, for example "Learn 2 new ASL signs".
As we cross off goals from the list, one of the few we have left is one of Owen's;  to go camping.  I am just not sure how we are going to manage this one.
 
Noah still sleeps in a crib.  This is an incredible obstacle for getting him to sleep in hotels/tents/yurts, basically anything that is not his crib.  Geoff and I tag teamed sleep during our last hotel stay because Noah was up all night.  I mean, literally 11pm to morning.  So, I wasn't sure how we were going to fulfill Owen's camping goal as a family. 

I remembered the newest state park is not too far from us.  Here was the plan:  we go out as a family and spend the day, and then Noah and I go home to bed and return in the morning.  Brilliant. 

L.L Stub Stewart State Park, here we come!  Located in Buxton, just past Banks and before you get to Vernonia, on highway 47, The park is only about a 40 minute drive from our house.  The park has over 20 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, horsepeople, and even disc golf players.  It is absolutely beautiful.  Geoff just kept saying over and over, "It is so beautiful and quiet here."  Forests and fields abound and Dairy Creek runs through many of the trails.  The park even offers a Junior Ranger program on most evenings and mornings where kids 6 to 12 can be led on a hike by a Park Ranger.  The evening we were there the kids were going on a hike out to a beaver pond.  There are 2 large car camping loops, rustic cabins, a hike-in camp, and a horse camp.  There is a day-use area (with a $5 fee) and a off-leash pet area.  For reservations 1-800-452-5687.

We took the easy way out and rented a cabin.  For one night with service charges we paid $51.  It was so worth every penny!  Our cabin was really cute and not spider-filled like I feared.    With 2 double beds and a twin, there would have been plenty of sleeping room if we all planned on staying.  Our cabin had a table with 4 chairs inside, picnic table outside, and fire ring.

My two fears regarding camping with Noah were that he wouldn't understand staying in our camping area and that he'd dive head first into the fire pit.  He did enjoy roaming a little, but as soon as he discovered the dirt and gravel at our site, he sat down to get dirty.  We watched him close around the fire but no trips to the ER were required.  Both boys enjoyed a long hike (Noah in his push chair) and seeing the horses on the trails. 
No tears, no fussing, no complaining.   We had a homerun, perfect day.  Noah had so much fun, Owen got his wish to go camping.  Noah and I stayed until dinnertime.  He fell asleep before we even made it back to HWY 26.

Daddy and Owen had a far rougher night than Noah and I.  A brief thunderstorm and a irrational fear of bears robbed Owen and consequently Geoff of much sleep.  Noah and I, well rested, returned in the morning for more campsite play and to pack up.  Next year I think we may try all of us staying the night.  If Owen gets over his fear of bear attacks. 

Adventure #1: the Oregon International Airshow

While browsing the Oregon International Airshow website last week, I read:

Margaret Teufel Day
On Comcast Sunday, the Oregon International Air Show, presented by Standard TV & Appliance will continue its tradition of honoring special needs children by providing free Comcast Sunday admission to various non-profit organizations including the Special Olympics, The Portland MS Society, the Oregon Youth Authority, and the Make a Wish Foundation. If you have a child you would like to be included in this day, please contact the Air Show office via email or call us at 503-629-0706. 

 Well, I sent them an email Saturday afternoon and was shocked with a call Sunday morning that they were holding tickets for us!  So off we went, on Sunday, August 21st on our first adventure:  the airshow.

The airshow with a child with Autism can be tricky.  It is really loud, crowded, and in late August, super hot.  Right from the beginning though, the event for special needs kids was really well organized.  We had parking passes that allowed us to park on the air field right across from all the display planes.  We looked at all the planes and military vehicles and Owen was nearly recruited into the Army.  Noah wasn't really interested in this part.  He just enjoyed his box of raisins while we pushed him around in his special stroller.

Next, we went to watch the actual show.  With the Margaret Teufel passes we had reserved seats and a provided lunch of hot dogs, chips, and bottled water.  Best of all, the planes were taking off right in front of us.  Noah still didn't care...until the big military jets took off.  I am pretty sure if he wasn't already wearing a diaper, he would have peed his pants.  It scared him, but Owen was loving it.  We stayed to watch a few more planes and Noah grew no more interested.  He may not have gotten much out of the planes but I think he really enjoyed being out with his family. 

Out and About with my Special Needs Kid

As you likely already know, I am the proud parent of a bright, articulate 7 year old named Owen and my happy, mud-loving, Autistic, Epileptic, something-we-haven't-diagnosed, 5 year old Noah.  Those boys are my sun and stars.  I have written a lot about the trials of raising my special needs kid on my previous blog: noahsnoggin.blogspot.com.  Here I am taking a different approach;  I want to talk about activities to do with both my boys.  Getting both my children out into the community and participating in different adventures will educate, entertain and generally expand their horizons.  That is my goal at least.  Owen is compliant and easy to please, but Noah is another matter.  As the parent of my special needs tyke, I know how easy it is to begin to feel isolated because managing Noah's behavior can be daunting in a public setting.  But you know what, I think the world is ready for him.  And if they are not, they are just going to have to adapt.  There are many kids and adults out there with special needs.  No more feeling sad about Noah's limitations, he is who he is and he is pretty awesome.

This blog will be part personal stories and part local family event resources, especially those that embrace the special needs community.