Open The Garage...

I know I just updated everyone last night, but what happened today is just too good to not tell everyone. Our little Sam is growing up into a quite a funny guy. Sam went back to school today for the summer session at Coltsville and caused quite a stir in his class. When I went to pick him after school, not only did his teacher Ashley bring him out, but his head teacher Susan came out as well. I immediately knew something was up. Well, our little Sam has started streaking. Apparently, in the middle of the class today, he said out loud, "Open The Garage" and pulled his shorts down to his ankles. Then he say's "Close The Garage" and pulls them back up! I honestly don't know where he picked this up (no...it wasn't Adam that taught him this). I couldn't help but laugh when his teacher told me about this. I hadn't seen him do this yet until tonight. When Adam and I came home tonight with the kids, Sam was in the living room with Adam and there went the shorts right down to his ankles with him saying "Open The Garage". Adam proceded to say "Look! Come Look At This!...He's Doing It". Not only did he pull down his shorts, the diaper came off as well. It didn't end there either. Sam's cousin Brittany and her boyfriend Andrew came by...and right there in the driveway, the shorts came down and out came "Open The Garage". Adam in a stern way told him to stop. I can't believe this! Can you imagine this happening in a store or restaurant? It's so hard not to laugh, but it's so much harder to hold it in. What will this child come up with next?

Vacation Wrap Up...

Long Day

Kristie's Graduation

Uncle Mike, Aunt Doreen and David

Adam, Sam, Uncle Mike, Chris & Gabby

Gabby, Jody & Sam

Adam & Sam and "The Quad"

Adam & Sam

Sam

Sam & Gabby

Grandpa & Sam

It's the night before Sam has to return to school for the summer session at Coltsville. I believe Sam's teachers will be quite amazed at how much more he is talking since his vacation started almost 2 weeks ago. He's been quite a happy boy with lots of singing...two of his favorite songs are Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Happy Birthday To You! He's been putting alot of smiles on our faces and faces of others. We are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished. Sam's grandparents headed back for Florida last Wednesday and the twins really enjoyed their visit. We left Wednesday soon after with our camper and headed up north to Maine to visit my Aunt Doreen and Uncle Mike in Wells. We set up our little home on wheels in their front yard and stayed two nights. The kids were so well behaved and enjoyed themselves very much and did great sleeping in the camper. We spent time around the campfire with my aunt & uncle and my cousins, Chris and David along with their girlfriends, Jody & Rebecca. Sam and Gabby were taken for rides on their quads and loved every bit of it. Adam taught Sam to say "Mommy....Quad?" It's very cute. My aunt and I attempted a beach trip with the kids while Adam and my uncle attempted their fishing trip. All failed due to rain...total bummer! Needless to say, it was a great trip and we look forward to returning next weekend for the 4th of July weekend. Kristie will be coming along with us and we look forward to having her. To wrap up the week, Adam, the kids and me went to my sister Lisa and brother-in-law Fran's house for Fran's 40th birthday party. The kids had so much fun with all the other tikes running around. I got myself in a little trouble when playing with the little one's. I started a choo choo train with the kids following me...chugging around the yard and into the little pools. I put one foot in the pool and landed in it! Yes...the little kids and big kids got some chuckles out of it. Glad there wasn't a camera in sight! Oh well, it was worth it I guess. It's back to the normal routine tomorrow...Sam back to school and Gabby going to school just 3 days a week for the summer. I'm looking forward to returning to Nature's Grocer on Tuesday. I miss being there! I hope they missed me. I've attached pictures from Kristie's graduation, Sam with his grandparents and our trip to Maine. I hope you all enjoy!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

So sorry I haven't posted for Sam in so long. We've been very busy in the Sheidy household. Sam has done a tremendous job with handling all the activity that's been going on these days. He's such a good boy! Grandma & Grandpa Sheidy arrived from Florida to visit last Tuesday and Sam started his school vacation last Wednesday. He's been a pretty happy boy since he hasn't had to go to school and has really enjoyed some special time with his Grandpa. He's talking so much!!! He goes back to school for the summer program on June 30th. Our other duckling, Kristie, graduated from high school! Can you believe it? We feel old...oh yes! But, how proud we are to have a high school graduate in the Sheidy household. Kristie looked amazing and it was hard to keep the tears back. Mom's first born is now an official "big girl". One down...two to go (huge gap in between...thank God). Sam loved the graduation ceremony. He clapped his little hands EACH and EVERY time it was time to clap for something and sat for two hours with his Auntie Lisa without any meltdowns. He did fantastic! We've been going to bed late for the past few nights and Sam has handled it pretty well. I think Gabby has been having a hard time dealing with all the new "activity" lately more than Sam has. Tomorrow the little ducklings go to see their pediatrician for their 4 year check up and then we are off to Maine Wednesday for a few days to visit my Aunt Doreen and Uncle Mikes with our little pop-up camper. A well needed vacation I might say. We can't wait!!! I'll be taking pictures and posting about our trip upon our return. Love to you all!!

Sam & Gabby Turn 4!! June 10, 2008

Once we all survived the heat during the 2008 Walk for Autism, most of the Team of Super Sam Sheidy headed over to the Sheidy house for a birthday party for Sam & Gabby. We all had a great time! Lots of kids, friends and family joined us for all the fun. The kids (adults too) enjoyed the Dual Slip n' Slide, kiddie pools and Bounce House. While we were about to do the cakes for Gabby and Sam, we endured a huge thunderstorm. Unfortunately, it didn't break the heat. But, as usual, we all survived. Sam had a GREAT day with his cousins and friends. I'm so proud of him. I ended up having to bring both kids to the doctor on Monday...Sam couldn't seem to break his fever and Gabby was complaining that her ear hurt. The doctor said Sam had the Hand, Foot and Mouth Virus (I'm still trying to figure out who came up with that diagnosis), which really means he had a sore throat. And Gabby had some clear fluid in her left ear, but no infection. For their birthday last night, Sam and Gabby's Auntie Lisa, Cousin Brittany and Andrew joined us for dinner and cake. Sam was so excited about the candles that he got really close to them and almost burned himself! This was the first birthday ever that he actually enjoyed us singing to him and he knew exactly what to do!!! He used to either cover his ears, run to a corner or just cry. He's doing amazing!!! Both kids received new bikes from Adam and I for their birthday. Sam is in heaven with his...Gabby on the other hand prefers that we bring it back to the store. The pictures on the video will speak for themselves....

2008 Walk For Autism

Let me start by saying...It was so hot!!!!! But, I want to thank all of those who showed up to walk with the Team of Super Sam Sheidy. You all didn't have to take on the terrible heat, but you did. And Adam and I can't thank you all enough. I'm not sure if everyone was aware, but Sam woke up with a fever that morning...the thermometer had read 103.4 that morning. I was able to get it down before leaving the house for the walk to under 100.0, but he still wasn't feeling well. Not only were we keeping our eyes on him, but there were a few times during the walk that I thought Gabby was going to pass out from the heat. Everyone made it through the walk okay and has recovered nicely. Although we had sunshine for the walk (lots of it as a matter of fact), it was something like 97 degrees and Sam's team turnout was amazing! We had a few more walkers with us this year, which included Sam's cousin Missy and her soon to be hubby Henry, my niece Brittany's boyfriend Andrew, my brother-in-law Fran's Sister Katie, her hubby Allan and their 7 week old baby Anna, my sister-in-law Kim's friend Michael with his 2 children and my cousin Amy's friend Lorraine and her family! The walk this year was held at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain, and to be honest, I wasn't crazy about it. I guess after doing the walk at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford the prior two years, I liked walking in the beautiful setting there...lots of shade! I hope that Autism Speaks returns the walk to Elizabeth Park next year. From what I understand, there were more than 5,000 walkers this year! The Team of Super Sam Sheidy did an incredible job with their fundraising efforts and we couldn't have asked for better family & friends to support our little man and all the others affected with Autism. As soon as I get a final total, I will let everyone know what it is.

Progression Overload????

With the Autism Speaks Walk for Autism and Sam & Gabby's birthday party coming up, we are all in some sort of "overload" in the Sheidy household trying to get the house, yard and last minute details in order. I myself ended up at the doctors yesterday since I haven't been able to really move from my shoulders up since last Thursday night. I look absolutely ridiculous! I pray that no one tries to scare me at this point. It turns out that I have Severe Muscle Spasms going on in my neck...Perfect Timing! And Gabby, well let's just say Gabby has been being Gabby. Still having a hard time with toilet issues. I'm beginning to think that it's one of two things...1) She fell in one time and it scared her to death or 2) Everytime she attempts to potty with a dress on, the dress ends up in the toilet. So, why not just go in the pull-up? She's also been battling a cough for a while and we will be heading to Dr. Boobies" (it's really Dr. Bouviere, but that's what Gabby calls him) office tomorrow. Adam has turned our yard into a full blown "hick" yard. We've got a glass table top screwed into a tree stump that we will now use as a table, the camper is set up,and instead of filling in a hole from a tree we had removed in the front with topsoil and seeding it, he added some mulch and placed a wheelbarrel that I bought with potted flowers and placed it there (It actually looks pretty good). And as far as Sam, I think he's in major progression overload right now. We've been having a difficult time with him at night since the weekend. Lots and lots of whining. He's learning so much so fast that I believe he's not sure what to do with all these new things he now knows. However, It was so nice to pick him up from school today and hear him singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" so perfectly as he was walking down the hallway with Gabby. He's at the stage right now where if he doesn't get what he wants when he wants it, then watch out. Adam and I will be learning how to deal with moments like that since there is no reasoning with him right now. I've been getting the kids excited about their birthday party and he is now saying "I want party" all the time. We are all looking forward to the party for some well needed fun with family and friends. It's going to be a great day!