Happy Birthday Savannah

My baby girl is 14 years old today. I can’t believe it!



The girls made zen gardens.


Okay, notice the homemade “14” on the birthday cake. Well, Savannah picked out a large “1” and “4” for her cake while we were shopping the other day. Thomas was intrigued by the large candles and was the last person seen holding the “4”. Yes, the “4” is missing. Now, for most 14 year old kids misplacing the “4” would not be the end of the world. But if the 14 year old is autistic and she had picked out those numbers herself, a missing “4” could be pretty traumatic. To Savannah, if the cake just had a “1” on it, then she is having her “first” birthday. This reasoning is completely logical to her and you’re not talking her out of it. I knew the cake HAD to have a “fourteen” on it or life at the Little house was going to get ugly. So, I wrote “14” on a placemat, cut it in a cute little triangle and placed the “1” candle behind it. All was well with the world in Savannah’s eyes as she was indeed “14”. Just look at that smile!



The little boys enjoyed the cake!

Savannah was thrilled with her presents and gave a great big smile and “thank you” or “awesome” or “just what I wanted” as she unwrapped each gift. (Just like we taught her to in ABA therapy! But hey, it sure looked good!!)

An hour with my sister and......

Savannah invited Thomas into her room to play today. That’s not really unusual. He plays in her room with her for short periods of time throughout most days. Savannah likes Thomas in her room. She says he is the “quiet brother”. (She describes William as “enthusiastic” and he does not share the same open invitation to play in her room.)

Well, today was a little different. Thomas went into Savannah’s room to play, but stayed longer than usual. I noticed this and went to check on them. My first thought was, “what have those two gotten into.” Well, I opened the door to find that Savannah had given Thomas a manicure and painted his fingernails bright red. She had also given him a red beaded necklace to wear. I’m kind of sad I interrupted it. I wonder what else Savannah would have come up with if left to her own thoughts.

Later in the day, Savannah came out and asked Thomas if he would like a pedicure! Thomas said, “I don’t think so. That might be dangerous.”

Yes, I'm alive.

It’s been a crazy two weeks. My dad in FL had knee replacement surgery and had some complications. He’s doing much better now, but I’ve made 2 trips to FL (for a grand total of 32 hours drive time). I didn’t get much sleep while I was down there as I was either at the hospital or rehab center with him for pretty much the whole time.

I’m back home and trying to get things back on track. My wonderful husband did the best he could holding down the Little fort, but, ummm, let’s just say we have different styles of running a household. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining. He was so supportive every time we talked on the phone while I was in FL, telling me to stay as long as I needed to. I know how blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband that I love so dearly.

I’ve also got to brag on Jack, who was a huge help while I was gone. He played with the boys, made them snacks, organized and executed Easter egg coloring, and generally made sure there was peace. He did great job, because when I returned I found everyone in one piece (no stitches or broken bones).

The hardest part of it all was being away from my kids. I got to the point where I couldn’t even talk to them on the phone without sobbing. I’m so glad we are all back together again.

I’m busy working on getting the house clean, getting the kids back into their school work (which is tough with the pretty weather), and trying to catch up on my rest. The dogwood trees are blooming and I’m afraid the beauty is making me sick. My allergies are the worst they have ever been. I’m hoping some rest and Clartitin D will turn things around.