Seven

You have seven days of the week, the Seven Wonders of the World and the Seven Seas. The Seven Hills of Rome and Seven Samurai. And then there is a seven-year-old boy.

Elijah turned seven in February. Yes, he's seven now. Since I began this blog, I've posted an annual updates to Elijah's growth as a little person. Because who better to blog about. I'm a little late this year. I think my last addition explains a lot about it. And I've had a little lapse in concentration where it concerns with my writing. With moving and settling in, I've been lazy and out of sorts.

This being said, everyone knows that big changes occur in the seventh year. For instance...

Changes in what happens in school. He's in first grade. I've mentioned a lot of problems he's had but he's had a lot of accomplishments as well. He can read like a champ. Third and fourth grade level. His imagination is soaring. He's learning to tell time. That's a LOT.

Changes in his interests. Building. A different, more grown up version of entertainment. He still loves the Ninja Turtles but has developed a love for the Avengers, Hulk and the rest of the crew. All things Star Wars. And he loves MineCraft. Definitely growing up.

His Star Wars Mellenium Falcon
and host of characters

Changes in his body. The boy is tall and lean. Almost five foot. OK, so it's only 4'6" but that's close. He's going to be taller than his momma soon. Not that that's saying much since she's vertically challenged but he's getting up there.

Changes in his mouth. He's lost four teeth and has three of them growing back in already. I'd forgotten how gruesome it is when kids lose their teeth. He came home this week with the last of the four pointing straight out of his mouth. Ugh! After yanking and twisting (grossing out his teacher enough to have her email me), he finally asked me to pull it out for him so he could eat his dinner. Yech! I did the only thing I knew how to do, closing my eyes to keep from vomiting...I grabbed a line of floss, wrapped it around the little thing and gave it a pull. It was out in a flash. C'mon, Gladys! Gladys is the tooth fairy for those of you who don't know the Imagination Movers (which is one thing that hasn't changed...his love for the Boys in Blue).

The one on the top before I
yanked it out

Changes in his friends. Since we moved, his friends list has changed anyway but now he has more boys than girl friends. Different interests involved. More boy stuff to be played. Rougher. Tougher.

Changes in how he shows affection. I'm no longer allowed to kiss and hug him when I drop him off at school. Because someone might see. No more loving on him in front of friends. That's not manly. At home, it's still pretty much the same. We snuggle a lot. But in public, leave off, Yaya.

Then there are the gross changes. Peeing on the toilet seat (he's too tired...). Shoving dirty clothes under his bed (because the hamper is soooo far away). Picking his nose (I think I've gotten him out of this habit).

Yup, he's growing up. In some ways I'm very happy about this. But mostly, I remember the little boy he was not so long ago.

The Diagnosis

We have known for quite some time that things with Elijah weren't quite right. As my readers know from my blogs, he is a precocious, energetic child. Very intelligent and interested in a lot of things that children his age usually aren't interested in. Most kids like fire trucks. Elijah is interested in how fire trucks are built. A lot of boys are interested in garbage trucks. He takes his interest down to the bare bones...where they are made, the various components of constructing a truck. And has done so since he was about four.

While most kids have temper tantrums, Elijah had serious meltdowns. It was during a regular checkup at the pediatrician's office that a meltdown requiring both Deanna and I to literally hold him, kicking and screaming on our laps, that showed his doctor that he had a problem. She advised us to get him checked by a psychologist, concerned that he had a deeper issue than just fearsome fours. The appointment with the psychologist, in turn, gave us entrance into the scary realm of ADHD. Because he was so young, nothing could be done for him other than behavioral therapy that we had to do at home.

When he started kindergarten, trouble started on day one. He refused to sit. He didn't want to do the work required. He raced around the room. Still, because he was only five, nothing could be done for him medically. We decided to go the holistic route. A friend recommended a product called Focus Attention Powder by Nature's Sunshine. It is full of vitamins and supplements that had an instant positive affect on our boy. So much so that with it, the help of a wonderful kindergarten teacher and kindly advice from our friend (also a teacher) Imagination Mover Scott, he graduated to first grade. Something we feared would not happen.

As Elijah entered first grade last fall, he was doing well for the first few months. Frustration soon set in, though, and he began to fall behind. For such an intelligent boy, this was difficult to watch. Homework time became a serious battle. He voiced his difficulties with violence and hatred toward us, his teacher and fellow classmates. We began our meetings with the teacher, guidance counselor and principal of the school. And we made an appointment with a psychiatrist. All who were very helpful in our quest to help Elijah reach the potential we knew he had.

His school set up remedial classes in math (which he had the most difficulty with) and occupational therapy to assist with his handwriting, which is abysmal. A side note on that: the boy is left handed but, because none of the kids in his kindergarten class wrote with their left hands, he refused to do so. Still does. He eats left handed, throws a ball with his left and catches things the same way. But he will not put a pencil in it to write. So I guess he will have to work a little harder than most if he insists on being a right-hander.

His appointment with the new psychiatrist we found confirmed the ADHD diagnosis. He is now on medication to help him control his impulsiveness and learning issues. It's been quite a ride trying to get the correct dosage for his particular needs. We've finally gotten there. For the moment anyway. This will change as he continues to grow, as most with ADHD children can attest. And we will continue to ride that horse as long as we need to.

Testing also unfortunately revealed that he has a condition called Oppositional Defiant Disorder. ODD for short. Children with this disorder have difficulty regulating their emotions and are highly emotionally reactive to situations. In Elijah's case, he doesn't react well to being disciplined or in any type of negative situation. ODD children also have a lot of trouble handling frustration, which comes out in the form of tantrums or, in his case, extremely ugly behavior. Name calling, authoritative defiance. He also tends to turn it inward in the form of lacking confidence, believing he is stupid and worthless. The only cure for that part is positive reinforcement. And the therapy he begins next week. His new therapist will teach him how to deal with his frustration and anger issues.

And so, we carry on. With the help of the school folks, therapists, friends and neighbors, we will get through all of this. The saying is that it takes a village to raise a child. In Elijah's case, it's going to take a whole city. But we'll do it. With love, patience and a whole lot of faith.

So Now He's Six

I wrote a while back about Elijah’s obsessions throughout his short life and we have more of them as he grows. He has always been an interesting little guy, making us proud at every opportunity. Grabbing knowledge like it was food for his soul. I think he is a geek, if one so young can be called such. What other six-year-old walks around counting everything or spelling his sight words at the top of his voice? Telling his Pap Pap about the adventures of the Anaconda or describing the size of a tooth from the Megaladon (which, incidentally, is the largest whale to ever swim the oceans)? Well, he turned six years old this month and he is still showing the same intensity in everything he does and, while he is still wanting to visit his fire and police stations, his focus has changed to other things.

How about garbage trucks? His whole fifth year was learning about the garbage trucks. Our trash collector comes anywhere from 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. on Monday’s and Friday’s. No matter how early, there’s a boy in the window watching. And then telling us about it in a loud shriek. Early in the morning. Before coffee.

He’s borrowed every DVD in the library that has a garbage truck in it. We now know how they are built. We know where they are built. We’ve learned about front loaders and rear loaders and their functions. But his personal favorite is the automated side loader. Yes, he has a favorite refuse collector. For those of you who may not have ever seen one, it has a robotic arm that swoops up your trash can, empties it into the truck and deposits it gracefully back on the sidewalk, thereby eliminating the need for the additional trash man riding the back in between stops. I actually had to follow one of those smelly things home once so he could observe the process. What we do in the name of love.

Hello, music. Of course, his love of music goes way back. Since his introduction to the Imagination Movers…if you don’t know who they are, you best be scrolling through my blogs to learn… at about eight months of age, music has been in his life. And we are a music loving family. But of course Elijah being Elijah, he has to take it one step further. He eats pizza and makes up a song about what pizza is or what’s on it. He sees something on TV and right away he’s singing about it. Commercial jingles. Movie soundtracks. He’s on it. This is in addition to knowing every word to every song the Movers have ever released.

            

           

But the latest real obsession is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He was Donatella for Halloween. Our Christmas included two, yes two, Shell Raiser vehicles, stickers, ninja dudes, masks, swords, jammies and a sweatshirt…you name it, he got it. His Christmas money was spent on a large sized Rafael and a helicopter thing with buckets for ooze. His sixth birthday? TMNT sheets, comforter, throw, tattoos, Michelangelo and birthday cake…along with the appropriate decorations, napkins and plates. He spent his birthday money on a shell. That he refused to take off once he got to the cashier (she had to scan it while it was on his back). Wherever we go, he wears a mask, and now his shell, and carries a sword. We attract a lot of attention.

                                                     

Along that line, he has a mild, if anything Elijah does can be considered mild, romance with the Power Rangers. Who, incidentally, fight the ninjas. He has every color, with weapons included. Our battles of the rangers and the ninjas rage long and loud.

I wonder, as always, how long the latest “thing” will last. How long I will be transporting a ninja turtle to Target or the mall. How long will he scan the insert that comes with each turtle looking for next winner? How long will I be waging war as a power ranger against the mighty ninja turtle dudes? It doesn’t matter. As long as Elijah is along for the ride…or driving the shell raiser…I’m willing to play along. He has such style and energy, you can’t help but love it. And him.

Moving & Grooving...An Update

A friend and fellow blogger, Tammie Sue Brown, gave me a great idea to advertise the newest venture for my grandson's favorite rock band, the Imagination Movers. Her latest blog is a tribute to their greatness. You can read her interview here with the awesome Scott Durbin aka Mover Scott. http://www.typicalmommies.com/disneys-imagination-movers-exclusive-interview/  And as Tammie did, I also will do.

So, readers, I have a favor to ask of all of you. Please read this even if you’ve read it before, and most importantly, visit the link below to see what is coming up next for the Mover’s. It is not only a new CD/DVD filled with the best rock music and hilarious hi-jinx but a way to contribute to the enjoyment of so many of their fans, both ankle biter size and all grown up. And help a worthwhile cause as well. The link will show you what they are doing and how you can help. Great music, great prizes and a donation to help the National Down Syndrome Society…a cause near and dear to my heart after I joined the Buddy Walk three years ago as a way to give back for all of my blessings. Since then, I’ve met some really great people who are involved and enjoy helping when I get a chance.

In honor of the Movers, I wrote this blog almost two years ago after a wonderful trip to see their Rock-O-Matic concert in Houston and last year, we attended their concert here in Louisiana. Another great success! A fantastic time was had by all.

Here are a few of the details of our inception into the land of blue and our latest (at the time) experience with our little guy and his heros, circa 2012:

If you have young children, you know the names Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty. And if you don’t, you should. Yes, I’m talking about the Imagination Movers, the kid’s rock band from New Orleans that has taken the world by storm, aided in part (but only in part) by their brief but very popular run on Disney. Right off the bat, I want to tell you that this is not another article promoting the group. Not that I wouldn’t promote them, because I do…I am a proud member of Imagination Mover’s Street Teams in PA, FL/GA and LA/TX, doing my best to spread the love. But that isn’t the meaning behind my blog. This is a story that documents our personal induction in to what is aptly called Mover Nation. In a world where most news you hear is bad and terrible influences are everywhere for those of us raising children, I want to share something that is positive. No negativity allowed in this post. To begin…

Our family began watching the Imagination Movers when my grandson, Elijah, was eight months old. I was surfing through the TV channels one morning trying to find anything that wasn’t a mindless, annoying cartoon to calm my feverish little guy during a bout with whatever illness it was that caused nasty fluids to come out both ends of his body and landed on a show I now know so well. Four gentlemen about my age running around in blue coveralls, waving giant toothbrushes and singing about how everyone needs to brush their teeth. Apparently their rodent friend didn’t brush his and now had a cavity. I rolled my eyes and prepared to flip the channel yet again when I noticed, hey, these guys are kinda funny. And, hey, this music is really good. Then, more importantly, I saw that Elijah had stopped crying and was watching intently. Bonus! Thus, the Mover frenzy in our home had begun.

That band (and their awesome show) from New Orleans became a staple in Elijah’s life in record time. Amazingly enough, the grown-ups enjoyed it just as much as he did, with great rock music and awesome annoyance avoidance (I just made that up). We DVR’d episodes for emergencies (i.e. belly aches, missed/interrupted naps, Momma working overtime). We bought their CD’s and DVD’s for peaceful road trips. Elijah’s love affair with all things Mover had been established. He had a Mover Dave gadget hat (which he now eats pizza out of), a Mover Smitty hat, Mover Scott’s wobble goggles and drum sticks like Mover Rich. Oh, and also a stuffed replica of the rodent, who I have since learned is Warehouse Mouse, basically the show’s mascot. If it’s for sale on their website, he has it. When we heard the Mover’s were touring the US in 2011, we bought tickets to their Pittsburgh show. Third row, center. We couldn’t wait to see his reaction to seeing his hero’s live and in person.

So, the concert…Elijah, now two, danced and laughed at Choo Choo Soul, who provided the opening act. He was also familiar with them since they are Disney related. But once the Mover’s came on stage, he barely blinked, eyes never leaving the stage. He was awestruck. The only change in his demeanor was when Mover Rich hopped down and made his way to stand on the seat in front of us. Elijah smiled for the first time since the show began and almost reverently touched Rich’s leg. A pat on his head from Rich brought an almost hysterical giggle.

Of course we sprung for the Mini Mover Package, which gives you not only the great seats we enjoyed but also a chance to mingle with the Mover dudes backstage in their “Think Tank”. We had a blast there as well. Elijah got a hug from Genevive and DC from Choo Choo Soul. He was able to pull Mover Scott’s beard and get his picture with all of his idols. Getting him out of the room was a different story. But after we warned him that none of the band would like it if he misbehaved, we were able to make our exit peacefully.

Fast forward to 2012. My daughter purchased tickets for the Mover’s Rock-O-Matic concert in Houston Texas, originally scheduled for early March then delayed until the end of September. Ironically, we were now living in the Mover’s home state of Louisiana but they weren’t performing in our area so we hopped a plane to Houston (if the mountain won’t come to Mohammad…). Elijah, now the grand old age of three and a self-proclaimed #1 Mover Smitty fan, was so excited that all he could talk about was being able to sit down with the Mover’s and have a nice long chat. Um, you and about fifty thousand other fans, sweet baby.

We had originally had front row seats but due to a scheduling issue, our 5 p.m. show was combined with the earlier one on that day. As a consolation prize, our boys in blue invited those affected by the change to the sound check prior to the big event. In we went with the others, Elijah lugging a sign as big as himself declaring his hero-worship of Mover Smitty. I wasn’t sure what to expect at this point but I should have known. All four of those wonderful men and their crew came down off the stage to meet the group. To make a long story short (yeah, like when have I ever done that, you ask?)…We learned about a sound check (thank you, Scott). As for Elijah? He got a Mover guitar pick (thank you, Rich). His sign (shown below) was placed on stage for the concert (thank you, Smitty). And Dave tried on his Mover Dave hat (he wants his pizza back, Dave).

Elijah's sign

Elijah's sign on stage

The concert was fabulous. Of course.  And, once again, we had purchased the Mini Mover Package. We heard more music, played with balloons and got our pictures taken with the Mover’s. We had to wait to get Elijah’s hat autographed until after all the families got their pictures taken. When told this, I initially thought “uh oh, this should be fun” since Elijah waits for things about as well as he eats his vegetables (which is not). But my little boy, that mostly inexhaustible ball of energy, stood by the gate (see picture below) without moving for over an hour watching as family after family posed and chatted. When I asked him if he wanted to sit down beside me, he replied “No. I’m waiting to talk to the Mover’s.” He was not disappointed. Because the Mover’s rarely, if ever, disappoint and only then when it’s beyond their control.        

Elijah waiting to talk

After the last photo was taken, he snagged Mover Dave as he moved toward the fans (Dave, he was asking if you really ate things that came out of your hat and telling you that he actually did too. We can vouch for him. Unfortunately he does.). We moved on to Mover Scott…thank you for the Twitter recognition, by the way…and Scott was uber patient while hearing all about his toy dog, Big Bad Barry (affectionately named after that famous dog from the Walkaway Walkie episode), who had attended the show with us. Mover Smitty was next and the photo op was so exciting for Elijah that he had trouble speaking (I can relate, little buddy, I felt the same when I met Drew Brees). But he was asking you if you liked having his sign on stage with you, El Smitto. We grabbed Mover Rich on our way toward the door and got a great picture of the two of them comparing muscles and mean roars. (Again, see pictures below.)

Comparing roars & muscles with Mover Rich

Overwhelmed while being held by Mover Smitty

And to the door we went. Not a cry, not a fuss. Because he got what he came needed. He was able to see the Imagination Movers on stage, dance to their music and have fun. Most importantly, he was able to visit a little with four guys he admires and looks up to and who bring such joy to so many children (and to their parents). A class act from beginning to end, never forgetting their fans or the importance of a little one-on-one time.

Movers, my little guy had the time of his life. You were all kind and attentive to his questions. You treated him with respect and caring. You were sincere and he recognized it your sincerity. And for that, Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty, this Yaya thanks you from the bottom of her heart. See ya next year!

Anyway, that was 2012, and the 2013 concert, as I said, was just as much fun. So here's the big favor I mentioned at the beginning...

Please click on the link below to find out what is going on.  You will love it! And while you’re at it? Like their FaceBook page. Follow the Mover’s on Twitter…@imovers.  Follow their PledgeMusic on Twitter…@pledgemusic. Visit their website at www.imaginationmovers.com. Help us out!

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