I just took Ryan to see "The Avengers".  What a fabulous movie!  We both loved it and it was so fun to take him.  As in any movie, I try not to sit too close to other people because he sometimes talks a lot during the movie or makes noises due to his Tourette Syndrome.  The movie was just about to start and we were in good shape.  There was no one directly in front of us or behind us.  There were people to the side of us a few seats over but I wasn't too concerned.  Then three boys came and sat directly in front of us.  Uh oh - I started to get a bit nervous.  Please don't think I'm ashamed of Ryan - this is not the case at all.  He has every right to be at the movies and I want him to enjoy the experience of the big screen and special effects.  But out of my courtesy to others, I do get nervous because he can be disruptive.

I am so proud of Jason and Ryan!  They are such wonderful sons and I love being their mother. For Mother's Day, Jason got me the sweetest card about what an amazing mom I am.  He also bought me a cake that said "SUPER Mom"! It was so thoughtful and I was thrilled.

Ryan actually made a Mother's Day card at school.  This was quite unusual since he is in 10th grade but his Russian teacher had them make cards in Russian so the kids could read it to their mothers.  I thought that was a great idea.  Ryan is so adorable - he actually signed the card "From Ryan Blake".  I was laughing because he is my son and he signs it "From".  Adding his last name was even more funny.  Like I didn't know it was from Ryan, my son?

Last night, I went to a fabulous gala for Dionysus Theatre.  This group is an amazing troupe of actors who have special needs but want to participate in theater.  Their special needs include physical disabilities, mental challenges and emotional challenges.  The students could not have been more gifted.

Usually, I can figure out the hidden meaning or concern that Ryan has when he dwells on something.  He can't quite express it - even though he knows what is bothering him.  I'm not sure if he thinks I'll just eventually understand and put two and two together or thinks that I just always understand what he is thinking and why.  It can be so frustrating because he thinks he is making sense when he really isn't.

One of Ryan's electives is guitar.  It's not as though he has ever played before but when it came to choosing electives, he decided to take it.  The teacher is wonderful with him and he seems to be enjoying the class.  For Ryan, that is.  I never quite know because he doesn't show a lot of enthusiasm for classes.  He knows he is supposed to go and that's what he does.

We went out for Chinese food and since Ryan doesn't like that, I brought him a sandwich from Subway.  Lucky for me the restaurants are next door to each other and the manager has no problem with us bringing in food from an outside restaurant.

The power of advertising!  Ryan is fascinated by this commercial and every time he sees it, he reminds me how wonderful the pan is.  The commercial tells you it's easier to clean and doesn't leave a mess!  What could be better?

Ryan turns 17 years old today!  I am so proud of him!  He is so sweet, funny and soooooo Ryan!  He is finishing up his sophomore year in high school.  I remember when I went to visit the school when he was in 8th grade.  I cried because the school was so big and I was afraid he wouldn't make it.  We've had our problems but they have been worked out.  There are 3400+ students at the school and I was very scared he would get lost.  But with lots of practice, he finds his way around.

A huge tradition in Houston is the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  It is an amazing event that raises money for college scholarships.  Rides, vendors, steer auctions, petting zoos - the rodeo does so much for so many kids.

I was crushed to hear of this story about a teenage girl in Ohio who has special needs.  She was bullied at school but NOT by her peers.  She was bullied by her teachers.  Please watch this story - http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45302947/ns/today-parenting_and_family/t/teachers-caught-tape-bullying-special-needs-girl/.