16 May

{This moment}

This.

In honor of our IEP meeting today.....This, This THIS!

12 May

The weekend Lens......(Mother's Day edition)

Saturday, T had a lacrosse game in the pouring rain, (No photos).  B's baseball practice was cancelled.  T also had a friend F over all day.  Later on in the afternoon, it cleared up beautifully for spreading my mulch (I had awesome helpers!) and going to the High School Lax game. Not the greatest photo, but the HS boys were playing against Cape (different division) for a fundraiser for Autism Speaks.  There are two boys with Autism on the team.  T loved going and walking around with friends.  I remember doing that at the High School football games (kind of a rite of passage, I guess).  Anyway, so inspiring and mature these HS boys are.  WE're going to be there before we know it (sigh).

The afternoon also cleared up beautifully for L's very first Lacrosse game ever.  Seriously, it was so awesome to watch.  The boys from the other team were in K-1 and there was no pressure, no competition, just a lot of learning and fun.  So, SO refreshing.  My boy of course loved it and did AWESOME!  So unexpected.

watching him have this much fun after all that happened earlier  this year to him, well I was the teary eyed Mom behind the sunglasses, for sure.

Sunday......of course I woke up to lots of Hugs and kisses and homemade goodness!  Then off to do a fun run and a 5K with my loves.

T and I finished together....it was HOT!  I'm so proud of him.

They made me an amazing brunch when I got home.  Good thing I had run 3 miles :)

We finished off the day with a family yard lacrosse game, an awesome grilled dinner and a walk down by the shore.  Best. Day. Ever. I am so blessed.

11 May

To all the incredible selfless, amazing Moms' I know.  grab a tissue and watch.  Happy Mother's Day.

9 May

{This Moment.}

8 May

Week in review, the words.....

Between work and school and working out and  practice there have been some long days.  Some 6 am to 7 PM away from the house days.  Temps are SLOWLY pushing their way up to the 60s and we're hoping for 70s this weekend.

The boys are doing awesome at lacrosse practice.  L's coach came up to me and said that he was doing so "incredibly awesome"  for his first time out there (despite his small size).  Really that boy learns quick.  Their Piano teacher also went out of his way to pay them a compliment.  T found out which Lax team he was going to be on for the season (their youth club age group is divided up into 3 teams).  He got the friends he wanted and the coach he wanted for his team so he is psyched!  GO team WHITE!

B is doing super awesome in her swimming lessons, she has come so far.  She also got a blue ribbon at the Special Olympics Track meet (Huge deal!), we just recently noticed what a fast runner she is!  She also is getting ready to meet a new friend.  We met "Maggie" today, and hope to have her start working with us in June.  B is taking this transition with more maturity than most of the adults involved.  Enough said.  She has been my super "cheerful helper with any chore that needs to be done around the house" girl.  She sweeps the floor, empties the dishwasher, and puts away the laundry.  All with the most enthusiasm and confidence of anyone I have ever seen.  I am so just enjoying her right now.  I met with a friend (and fellow parent advocate) for a LONG lunch today, brainstorming about the upcoming school meeting next week.  We're changing our mind and going for full inclusion for 4th grade.  because it's better, because she can do this, and because it is her right.  It's amazing how much fighting parents still need to do in 2014.  This rivals the "back of the bus" people.  SO, SO tired of fighting.

 In the garden, just a few of the greens we planted 3 weeks ago are slowly peeking out of the ground.  I'm not totally optimistic about this gardening season.  Leaves are coming out on all the fruit trees.  "We" mowed, and I cleaned up all the flower beds.  Looking forward to the "how are we going to get everyone where they need to go parents divide and conquer" Saturday, and Running a 5K, eating a high calorie breakfast made by my loves, Working in the garden and Mother's Day Sunday.  Hope yours is great!  

4 May

The weekend lens....
Saturday.....sleeping in.....2 Lacrosse Games for T and practice for L.  The weather was perfect.     The big boys were defeated in both games by a GREAT team from NH and left the field feeling a little defeated :(

Number 25 This year.  How did he get to be so big?

Win or lose these boys and their coaches rock.

This Girl had opening day for the baseball season.  Their team led off the parade and they got their uniforms. Little Girls in baseball hats are just the cutest.

The rest of the weekend, The little boy and Dad spent tuning up the tractor and adding some more pipe to the side of the yard drainage system.  This Boy is a seriously hard worker.  It's his favorite thing. Even though it has been cool and a bit showery here this weekend, Spring is finally fighting it's way here.

2 May

{This Moment.}

30 April

Inspiring Links......Goodbye April showers edition.

Self Hugs.  and pretty much anything else he writes.....can be put to good use in improving ones life and attitude.
What if You didn't need Money or attention?
25 Things that People with Type A Personalities Do 
Real Friends
The Math Behind the Movies
Brilliant Test Answers
Report Card changes
This is 39
Advocacy Letter
Steep Learning Curve
Funny Texts Between Children and Parents
30 things to Start Doing For Yourself
Good stuff going on in Boulder
Maine Lacrosse High School Preview
11 Things I wish Every Parent Knew
Video of World's Toughest Job
Happy Secret to Better Work
How Has Having a Child With Special Needs Changed Me

29 April

Right Now......saying hello and saying goodbye.

Saying goodbye to 5 point harness car seats (so sad!!).  Our "good one" was sold via craigslist this morning.  Saying hello to 3 kids that can climb in the car and buckle themselves in their boosters.....and saying hello to a soon to be front seat rider (12+).

Saying goodbye to snow and winter and saying hello to riding scooters to the bus stop and riding our bikes to school (even though it's still cold!).

Saying hello to school meetings and saying goodbye to a favorite special ed teacher (retiring) and principal (retiring) and SCHOOL (the brand new one is opening in the fall.).  Saying Hello to a program where kids with and without disabilities are educated together in the same classroom.

Saying goodbye to junk and sugar and processed food and saying hello to smoothies and frozen treats in the VITAMIX.  Saying hello to eating way more fruits and vegetables and trying new things (and getting kids to try new things).

Saying goodbye to spending big money on house improvements and saying hello to big vacation planning and dreaming, Italy, California, the Grand Canyon.....someday soon (we're on a five year plan).  Saying hello to big kids that are old enough to be really fun on a big trip.

Saying hello to the summer swim season, saying goodbye free time at home in the evenings (although we'll fit in all the reading on the couch at home time in the evenings that we can!).

Saying goodbye to adult alone TV time in the evenings and saying hello to family stretching time, reading time, and playing time in the evenings where kids stay up almost as late as we do.

Saying hello to our basement office and saying goodbye to kids having a "toy room" and having to share rooms.  We should have done this years ago....we are loving it.

Saying goodbye to procrastination and saying hello to getting stuff done (nutrition presentation for middle school wellness day, backyard grass and garden planting, power washing, pool, fence, tree house, etc....) let's do this!

Saying good bye to one of my very favorite people in life:(  B's awesome support person LT is leaving us for a different job.  She's been with us four years.....that's almost half B's life.  I knew it was only a matter of time, she's been working so hard going to school, working and raising a daughter, but I was hoping the transition would have been slower.  It's going to be really hard on all of us (I'm so SAD!) , but we are so happy and excited for her.  Saying hello to meeting new people, and being open.

Saying goodbye to 1st, 3rd and 6th grades as we wrap up this school year (32 days!).  Seriously, who pressed the fast forward button on my life?  I can't say this year has been a cakewalk, though.  Saying hello to logistical summer planning for us and the kids, for work and camps and activities and travel.  Lots of travel this summer for T and his sports.  We decided L is going to rec camp 3 days a week this summer, good for us to work and good for him to stay in the grove of spending the day with friends.  Like school....but ALL fun.   It's a win-win.  All good stuff.

Life is just a series of hellos and goodbyes now isn't it?

27 April

Spring Break 2014 Photos and words.....

This vacation was super simple.  No big trips, just a lot of at home time.  The kids spent a lot of time thinking up different things to play.  I love when they play like I remember playing as a kid.  It's so good for the soul.  I love when they can sleep in and their is no rush for bedtime.  We spent every evening reading on the couch together and cuddling. I finished "Unbroken" It's one of those books that just sticks with you, and you think about it ALOT.   I can't get enough photos of the kids helping out with the dishes (apparently).  They usually argue about who gets to be "counter man"  Maybe someday they will be telling their own kids stories of how they used to do the dishes.

Mom had to work a few long days and Dad had a few extra days off.  On the nice days there was a lot of going outside and doing this.

and this.  they would make a road with the sidewalk chalk and ride their scooters around it all day.  This girl is seriously pure joy.  

On Thursday we headed down for some serious Cousin time.....and to celebrate a special 9th birthday with Bowling and Laser tag.  L was so excited about his "strike" it was priceless.  Super fun.

T learned his first jazz "tune"  

Saturday all our activities were canceled due to the weather.  The girl scout "camporee" was moved to Friday (so we couldn't go)  and the Lax games were cancelled.  So, we spent the weekend at home......doing more of the above and a little food shopping.   Next week is going to be a doozy, so we are soaking up all these last few hours of vacation have to offer.

25 April

{This moment.}

(Stay tuned for a Spring Break Recap)

21 April

The Weekend Lens......Easter Edition. Saturday, we got some seeds planted.  The ones that say "plant as soon as the ground can be worked" seeds.  Peas, Spinach, Mesculin Mix, Arugula, Beets, 2 types of carrots, Leeks and Green onions.  My girl was all about being the "helper girl", then the "sign girl" then the "digging girl" then the "seed hander girl"  Love that.  I'm the "plant it and forget it" type of gardener.  I can't wait to see what grows.

The kids rode bikes,scooters and played lacrosse.  The Girl is a mad defense player.  All Day outdoors.  Love that.

L had a 2 hour Lacrosse practice.   I'm still trying to figure out why they need to practice longer than the 6th graders.  It's always so cold and windy at this field.

The start of vacation leaves plenty of time for extra chores. The kids are cleaning up and the adults are sitting back and engaging in adult conversation.  I sat back and took in the moment......just for a moment.  Let's just say the boys are very "sensitive" about who does what.  The girl just dives right in and most of the time is like "C'Mon Guys!"  It eventually all gets done.....EVENTUALLY.  (Just keeping it real).  WE also hit our favorite Dairy Corner.  The cold couldn't keep us away!

This girl has been learning how to do her own ponytail.  She insists on no adult help at all.  She's getting close.

Easter morning.  Since we were going to be having an egg hunt at church this year, we had a non-candy scavenger hunt with presents at home.  We got new swim suits and sneakers.  Summer is coming soon, I promise!

then it was off to get in our church clothes.  He was learning how to tie a tie himself with a little help from You tube.

He stuck with the clip on, and it was so refreshingly awesome that there was no crying and complaining over outfits this year.  Everyone had what they needed.

The traditional family Easter shot.

And the kids.....

and a lovely church service followed by a coffee hour and Easter egg hunt. T decided he was "too old" for the hunt this year.

In the afternoon we went to the MOVIES!  T and I saw Divergent (cause we had read the book) and the little kids and J saw the Muppet movies.  Then we ate our fill of a Pulled pork dinner that J ahd cooked on the grill all night the night before.....yum!
I hope your Easter/Spring weekend was lovely.  XO.

18 April

{This moment.}

16 April

this.

Loved This.

this is 39.

15 April

Monday....the first night of outdoor practice....it was supposed to be warm but it was cool and windy. Hello spring and new routines. here's to running outside during practice when it's still light out. Teacher conferences....which lead to phone calls and emails and frustration...learning about the blood moon. here's to the Monday of a new season 

14 April

The weekend lens.....

Friday and Saturday were absolutely beautiful.  My friend and neighbor Tina posted on Facebook that the one great day erased the last "150 days of crap" Just like that..  So true.    I got some compost spread on my garden.....kids were playing outside in the yard.   Awesomesauce.

Our local Dairy Corner opened up and of course we were there.  With Gammie and Grampa.  They have some amazing new cheesecake flavors this year!

Saturday night was the Girl Scout Annual Father Daughter Dance.  I was on the committee that helped plan it this year and volunteered to take all the "couple" photos.  There were over 100 girls.   I had a great time doing it.....it was such a nice way to get to talk to everyone that went.  Of course my girl loved it. She's so grown up now.    Anything to dress up, curl her hair and put on make up.  This girl speaks dance as a second language....for sure.  She was in heaven. The boys attended a big band Concert at the High School that Grampie was playing in.  They loved it, got to stay up late and the report was their behavior was "excellent".  They can't wait to go to Grampa's next "gig"  :)

We made smoothies (at practacally every meal) with the vitamix,  LOVE it!

Sunday morning we  practiced music and played games.......Cat and Minnie lost by a mile.

Then on to three hours of Lacrosse in the afternoon.  Trevor had two practices (one for the travel team) and Lucas one.  I always stay for the practices because I love watching them play.  Then they practiced more when they got home.
Sunday night, (it was raw and rainy outside) we settled in for a movie and a chicken "farm" (Bre calls it) dinner.  Best weekend ever. (Aren't all of them?)