An iPad for Eli??? (Part 2)

Well, friends...

Yesterday I wrote a long and drawn out post asking my blog buddies to purchase jewelry from The Puzzling Piece to help us get our little one an iPad for Autism therapy.

Due to the urging of several friends, I am retracting that plea and opening a fundraiser at You Caring.

An iPad and Autism Apps for Eli


This website allows people to set up fundraisers free of charge.  Every dollar raised goes to the beneficiary.  No jewelry to sell, no overpaying.  And each person who wants to help can donate whatever amount they are comfortable donating.

This fundraiser is open until January 1st and the money will be used to purchase an iPad and Autism apps for Eli.  Please share this link with your friends and if you feel so inclined, your donation is much appreciated.

We are thankful and grateful~

An iPad for Eli??

Hello friends,

I know it seems like I'm always asking my friends to support my missions....Jump Rope for Heart, CHD walk, Autism Awareness, etc.   I appreciate every one of you who has ever read my blog and made a donation or offered a prayer for my sweet boy and these special organizations.  I have the BEST friends, far and near, online and IRL!

I hate to ask AGAIN, but... I am.  :)

I am trying to get an iPad for Eli.  IPads have become THE tool for therapists, teachers, and parents working with kids with Autism.  In the few months that Eli's ABA therapist has been using an iPad for his therapy, he has made leaps in progress.  It has been amazing to watch! If he had an iPad at home to compliment his therapy with homework, I cannot even begin to imagine how far he might go. 

I have investigated several state, national, and private grant programs in hopes of obtaining an iPad and the Autism apps Eli needs.  (The apps can be expensive.) I have applied for every grant, program, and giveaway without success.  So, I have turned to The Puzzling Piece for help.

The Puzzling Piece Facebook Page

The Puzzling Piece website

The Puzzling Piece was created by a fellow Autism mom who saw the benefits of the iPad and the need in the Autism community.  

The idea is simple.  If I sell 60 pieces of jewelry, Eli gets an iPad.  The problem?  I am NOT a salesperson.  I do not have a large real-life network. 

So...I'm turning to you all...my blog readers.

The jewelry is priced from $20 to $74. (There is also a T-shirt for $25.)   If 60 of my blog friends each bought one piece of jewelry, Eli would have his iPad!  I have over 400 feed readers....60 is such a small percentage.   That gives me hope!  

As you each begin your Christmas shopping this Black Friday, I ask you that you take a moment and check out the items at The Puzzling Piece.  You can find great gifts AND help Eli get his iPad at the same time!  

Items can be ordered from the iPad Challenge page linked here:  

http://www.thepuzzlingpiece.com/products_ic.html  

Just click the item to purchase.  The challenger's name (Lisa Schaffer) MUST be listed on the order for us to get credit.  There is a box on the left side of the order page for the challenger's name. 

If you can help get an iPad for Eli while shopping for those on your Christmas list, I thank you. It means the world to me!  Your $20 can make a HUGE impact on my boy.  

Please share this plea with your friends. 

Much love and peace~

Place your order here!  

Challenger's Name:  Lisa Schaffer (VERY important)

And this sweet boy will have an iPad for therapy:

Wordless Wednesday--Thankful...

How can I possibly list everything?

I can't.

Dream a Little Dream...aka...Eli's Art

Every morning during the car ride to school, my little one takes pencil and paper in hand to help pass the time.  Honestly, he takes pencil and paper in hand the majority of his free time.  He is quite the artist.

I planned to post this as a "Wordless Wednesday" post.  However, this colorful masterpiece needs an in-depth explanation.

It's a little large for my blog layout, I know.  I just wanted to make sure the drawing is large enough for everyone to see the detail that my little one put into his work of art.

This is....

                                          Sleeping Bunny

He finished this drawing in the car yesterday and took it into school with him.  Obviously, he was not finished!  He felt this particular drawing needed serious color.

Upon his return from school, my little one was very eager to share his finished masterpiece.  After several pointed questions, I interpreted said masterpiece.  (Sometimes his content is not as...obvious.)

The long, stretched out bunny is sleeping.  True, bunnies do stretch out nice and long when they sleep.
Notice his little toes and fluffy tail?

The bunny is sleeping (the stars are out) and he is dreaming about his favorite thing.

Carrots!

He LOVES carrots, and this is why he is surrounded by large hearts.

Love, love, love....

The carrot is the single object in this bunny's dream.

Since this drawing was created first thing yesterday morning, it makes me wonder if my little one was dreaming about a sleeping bunny dreaming about a carrot...

This morning's drawing was of a giant frog with a very long tongue hanging out.  On the end of his tongue was a huge strawberry.  Above the frog's tongue was a slice of pepperoni pizza.  Below it was a large, black bird with bulging eyes, guarding an egg.

But that's a whole 'nuther story.

Shiny Baby

I have never in my life (and I've lived a while!) seen anyone enjoy a Charm's Blow Pop more than my grandson.  He chewed on that sucker until he had no strength left and was shiny and sticky from forehead to feet.

It. was. spectacular.

He went for his first Trick or Treat dressed as a cute little lion.

Then he came home and discovered the candy.


So sweet.

Literally.