Starting tomorrow, we have Picasso’s next 10-day occupational therapy intensive. The schedule has been prepared for Picasso using a full-month calendar, with the dates & times of therapy typed out in the colors he chose for each therapist. I made my quick-reference guide for the fridge.

I have some meals prepared and in the freezer for those nights when it may be tough to prepare a meal. I have other “quick fixes” that I can easily pull out and make for them. Meals during these 10 days need to be easy as we’re gone for 3-4 hours each day and may go through some severe emotional ups and downs resulting in a lack of dinner prep time. It’s nice to have some healthy options set aside and in mind - definitely something I learned while going through the first couple intensives. I love learning these extras along the way, to be more prepared next time. I’m always looking for ways to simplify life!

I also have help for those times when kids’ schedules overlap. Scheduling his intensive doesn’t just mean receiving the times from the therapy center and arriving for those hours. It means shuffling online classes with the boys’ teachers, getting kids to and from other already-scheduled appointments, dropping kids off with grandparents on some of the days where we’re away for 4 hours so they don’t have to miss online classes that they *must* attend. I’m really grateful for other people’s flexibility to be able to help so that our lives can continue in a moderately normal way despite being incredibly abnormal for these 10-day intensives.

I had a great report from Picasso’s Sunday school and children’s church teacher on Sunday. He did very well - hopefully we’re through the toughest of the transitions! We’re so proud to hear that he’s doing well, is able to be engaged, is able to use some words, and even that he can cover his ears when the noise gets too loud. That sure beats him hollering or having a meltdown or running away!

Additionally, today we had another first - a fun first; a funny first! Picasso used air quotes correctly. I know - really doesn’t seem newsworthy. However, for a kid who lacks in social awareness, this is a huge step! Might have just been a fluke that he used them correctly today, or it might be the beginning of “all things air quotes” and I may find myself tired of seeing air quotes after awhile. Either way - the only way he could possibly KNOW to use air quotes is by noticing other people. Noticing other people means he’s looking at other people. Looking at other people means he’s aware of the fact that there are other people to notice. To sum up: these air quotes indicate a success in Social Skills Training! Hooray!