My negative-ish last two posts do not sit well with me. Yes, I worry. Yes, I doubt and question. But I try my darndest not to let that consume me, or my blog.

I do so appreciate all the comments of support and empathy. And the jokes to cheer me up too!

Let’s not linger in the worry, though. Let’s move straight into the good stuff. The beauty and joy and love of children. My children. Our children. The typical ones and the special needs kiddos.

Charlotte’s language continues to blossom. Every day we gasp at something new she articulates. A new understanding she seems to have.

She is beginning to ask so many more questions of us, beyond “What are you doing?”

There’s “Why are you doing that?” and “What did you just do?” She asks about our plans for the weekend, and inquires what’s for dinner later. It’s like she’s finally taking an active interest in her own life.

Conversational skills are building, although at times it is frustrating when  she won’t answer the simplest of questions. And she still is not great at listening, as in “minding” us, you know – being obedient (I am not a fan of that word).

My husband and I were asking ourselves tonight regarding the not listening -is that an ASD thing, or is it just Charlotte? She decided she wanted to go upstairs tonight (while we were sitting outside eating dinner) and get a bandaid. And no amount of firmly telling her do not go upstairs, stay outside worked. Neither did threat of consequence.

She just went on up. This happens frequently. It can be so infuriating.

Lately, though, (knock on wood) that has been the only frustrating thing. Being 100% dairy and soy free seems to have taken care of the screaming and aggression. Thank the heavens as that was really hard to deal with.

Sarah astounds us as well too. Her command of language is superior. A few weeks ago, she lost me at where we take weekly tumbling. She was putting her shoes on, so I ducked into the bathroom to check on Charlotte. When I came out 5 seconds later, Sarah had run off in the opposite direction, crying, and looking for me.

She said to me: “I looked up and you were gone. I looked and looked for you and I was crying. Then the teacher picked me up and she gave me to you. Don’t get lost again, Mommy.”

Every week when we walk into tumbling she looks me in the eye and says, “Don’t get lost, Mommy. Okay?”

Have I mentioned how much I love where we take tumbling? Just let them know when you sign up that your kid has Autism, and they will provide an extra instructor if needed.

That has been helpful for us. Sometimes Charlotte gets a little overwhelmed when we go in there. Last week she cried and said she wanted to be 2 so she could be in the 2 year old class with me.

One of the floating instructors walked around with her for a few minutes and then she was fine to join her fellow PreK tumblers.

I love watching her from across the room. I see her standing in line patiently, trying some crazy new move, learning the Chicken Dance. That may be the cutest thing ever to watch.

Sarah, equally, is a joy to watch in tumbling – a rock star. She is fearless, and has such balance and strength and coordination. She loves the physical aspect – climbing, jumping, rolling.

Begin sappiness.

It’s marvelous parenting two such opposite children. I feel blessed by God to have been given these gifts.

End sappiness.

Happy Independence Day.