You don’t have a WWE wrestling ring in your room.

I have often found when faced with an unpleasant task, it often helps to find a different task to totally distract you from the unpleasant task.  Today was the day.  I was going to put up Christmas decorations, clean up the house, and organize.   I really wanted to get it done.  However, I could not possibly do any of that until Logan had a WWE wrestling ring completely set up in his room.  

 I know you think I have officially lost it this time.  For the past few months, Logan has really gotten into wrestling.  I don’t get it.  Football…yes, baseball….sure, but WWE?  Really?  I don’t understand it.  However, I am a MOM!  I am a super mom!  And what kind of mom would I be if I did not support my son’s wish of having a wrestling ring in his room?  It has, after all, been his DREAM for a DAYS.  I looked on the internet but found most of these rings would set me back a couple of thousand.  (I am SUPERMOM, but I am also SUPERTHRIFTY.)  Then, I got the tingle.  My Spidey sense kicked in and I realized I could make him one.  I, SUPERMOM, could make him a WWE wrestling ring.  Of course, you see now why I absolutely had to put off cleaning. 

 It is almost done and it looks great! I still have to add the cords and a few chairs and tables for the boys to smash over one another.  I made it with some plywood from the garage, mattress foam, duck tape (of course!), and shower curtain liner.  I even foamed the wall so little wrestlers had less of a chance of ending up in the ER.  Come on- I am a mom and safety first.  So, to those who tease me about being a crafty, mini-van driving, DIY Mommy- Guess what?  You don’t have a WWE wrestling ring in your room.  Aren’t you jealous?

Don't blame the Autism!

Last Friday, the unthinkable happened.  I, along with everyone else, was stunned when I learned of the shootings in an elementary school in Connecticut.   We send our children to school every day and expect them to be safe.  When such violence occurs at a place we consider safe, our view is shattered.  As a teacher, I thought about how I would handle the situation.   As a parent, I am sure I did what other parents did.  I hugged my babies tighter.

I watched the coverage on TV with my husband.   Aaron ended up turning it off because I couldn’t stop crying as we watched the story unfold.  Before he shut it off, I heard something that made me cringe.  The reporter said they thought the shooter had a form of autism.  His tone of voice implied this could have been the cause of the shootings.  

  As the parent of an autistic child, I needed to pause before I wrote this.  First, the only sources the media had to back their autism claim at the time were former classmates.  I don’t know any high school student qualified to diagnose autism.   

To say the shooter, had a mental illness is probably accurate.  I don’t know any sane person who would do what he did.  However, autism is not a mental illness.  Autism is a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction.  Do some autistic children display violence?  ALL children display violence.  If you don’t believe me, spend a day in my preschool class.  

I am not saying the shooter did not have autism.  I am saying he committed this act DESPITE his autism.  To have autism thrown out as a possible explanation of this horrendous act was an injustice to all individuals with autism.   Autistic individuals have enough social stereotypes to overcome without adding to it.

Christmas Letter 2012

Christmas 2012

 

Dear family and friends,                                                                                 

 Another year has flown by and if, in the midst of your busy lives, you are craving a little excitement, here is the annual Christmas update from the Campagnone family.  

Our year has been filled with lots of fun.  Spurred on by our youngest family member, we tried our hand in fishing this year.  After many unsuccessful attempts, we were forced to re-evaluate our strategy.  We eventually concluded the fish were too scared to approach the bank and decided to try to go to them in our new flat bottom boat.  Unfortunately, Aaron kept knocking the fish out with the oars as he rowed and our attempts to finally catch a fish were in vain.  Don’t worry!  We now have a trolling motor for the S.S. Odyssey and are ready to try again as soon as the weather warms up.  

Karyn forced all of the boys to take family pictures this year.  Aaron argued the kids looked the same as they did last year but Karyn showed him the last family pictures taken did not have Joey in them.  After weeks of whining and complaining, Karyn made everyone get in the van telling them she better get pictures of a HAPPY family.  However, the photographer could not find a happy family to take pictures of so he had to take pictures of our family instead.  They turned out great and we figure we don’t have to retake pictures for another five years- ten if we draw the boys mustaches on our current pictures.

Aaron is well on his way to winning the employee who has worked at Ricoh the longest award.  As a manager he is perfecting his people skills.  He is constantly praised for his ability to nurture those who need extra help.  Karyn is teaching again this year.  She is working on perfecting her play dough recipe and should be ready to tell the fine people at Hasbro where they made the mistakes in their formula in a few more weeks.   

Tyler celebrated his 13^th birthday this year, officially becoming a teenager.  Additionally, he boldly faced another challenge.   He left his sobbing mother behind and boldly stepped into middle school.  He is doing well in his work and has added many new friends and one girlfriend to his entourage.   He spends most of his evenings up in his room listening to his stereo, watching TV, and perfecting his teenager broodiness.

Logan is 10 and in the fourth grade.  He tried out for the school musical this year where he moved the judges to tears with his Italian Aria.  We are eagerly anticipating opening night.  He has joined the science and technology club and continues to excel academically.  The biggest problem he is having is narrowing down the early acceptance letters to numerous universities.  

Joey has shown a preference for the social sciences.  A few months after he turned 5, he decided to combine his entrance into Kindergarten with a fascinating experiment on the effects of stress on parental personalities.   It concluded with fascinating results you will be able to read as soon as it is published in Psychology Quarterly.  His parents are recovering.  Currently, he is focusing on learning how to read and write.  This summer, he played T-ball receiving the coveted T-Ball participation trophy.

Aaron and Karyn coached Sunshine League again this year.  Tyler played on the team.  Logan and Joey were team buddies.  You will be ecstatic to know we have continued our undefeated streak!  Tyler pretended he had forgotten how to hit a ball at the beginning of the season until his mom figured out he was only doing it so the very pretty cheerleader would put his arms around him to show him how.  Busted, he got his act together and brought the heat!

That sums up just a few highlights of our year.  If you are especially brave, crave excitement, or are an adrenalin junkie, we would love to have you visit us in 2013! Until then-

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Campagnone’s

Aaron, Karyn, Tyler, Logan, and Joey

Email: Karyntybug@gmail.com

http://campagnonecapers.blogspot.com/

And They Grow, And They Grow, And They Grow…

Last weekend, I had to go buy new school pants for my 13 year old and my 6 year old.  Keep in mind I just bought them new school uniforms three months ago!  This past month, when I saw our family pictures, there was one picture in particular that made my heart skip a beat.  I was unaware the photographer would be using a magic camera.  Surely, the young men in the picture could not possibly be my babies.  How are they growing so fast?  Doing the math sends me into near panic mode.  Tyler will be 18 in only 5 years.  Logan will get his driver’s license in 6 years.  Joey will be 10 in only 5 short years.   When?  When did this happen?  Don’t get me wrong.  This is not baby fever.  I have no desire to have another baby.  My pregnancies always tend to be riddled with complications.  I don’t want to change diapers, fix bottles, and potty train again.  This is just me wondering when the babies I did have crossed the line from toddler to teen.  

Trick or Treat

Halloween is always busy for moms.  This year, I didn’t buy costumes.  The boys either had to reuse one from a previous year or make their own using things we have at the house.  I felt a little guilty last night.  Not guilty enough to battle the last minute Halloween shoppers but I did feel a little guilty.   However, Logan decided he wanted to be a zombie and Joey begged to wear his ninja costume from last year.   I rushed home from work today.  I ran in, checked homework, and made mac and cheese.  As the boys were eating, I did some last minute repair on the lawn decorations.  Then, I found (after a long time looking) the fog machine. Really? How do I lose a fog machine?    Decorations perfected, I run back in to paint a zombie’s face, clean the dinner dishes, and start a movie for Tyler.

In the past, Halloween starts out fun but frustration usually sets in by the end of the night.  This Halloween, I decided to document our experience and find out when it all goes wrong.

5:47pm.  Kiddos are fed.  Tyler is in his room watching his tv.  He absolutely refuses to have anything to do with Halloween this year.  He is a teenager and too cool for these kiddie things.  (sigh…)  Logan is dressed as a zombie.  He has also decided to go trick or treating with his friends instead of his parents.  (double sigh…)  That just leaves Joey.  Aaron is taking him although I have PROMISED to take him next year.  I played the I-just-want-to-stay-home-and-hand –out-candy- because-I-have-a-cold card tonight.  We are now waiting for it to get dark enough to trick or treat. 

6:03pm.  Logan left to go across the street to his friend’s house.  No trick or treaters at our house yet.

6:09pm.  Logan is back at home because he forgot his DS.  Aaron tells him he is not allowed to bring his DS trick or treating.  I have no idea what Logan was thinking.  He leaves again to go back to his friend’s house. 

6:41pm. Still no trick or treaters.

7:01 pm.  First trick or treaters arrive. 

7:27 pm.  Fog machine does not work. 

7:27 pm. Child complained about type of candy I gave him. He just stood there and kept saying, “I don’t like this.”  My reply, “Then trade it with one of your borthers.”  Goodbye.

7:32 pm.  Parent actually trick or treating carrying a separate bag.  My reply…” I am only handing out candy to the kids.”  Really?  If you can drive, drive yourself to the store and buy a bag. 

7:42 pm.  Running low on candy.  Opened up a new bag. 

8:29 PM.  2^ND kid to make a candy request.  After looking in the bucket, he said, “Do you have any gum?”  No, but the store does.  Go there.

8:32 pm. Turned the light off.  It is a school night.  Go home. Go to bed.

8:35 pm.  Doorbell rang.  Of course.