Neighbors+Trunk or Treat+stop in a neighborhood on the way home=Candy!

Samantha went as a magical huntress.
Chase as Venom.
Nate as a race car driver.  What a champ. 

It was a beautiful night we couldn't help but hit a few more houses on the way home.

So sorry to miss the bands performance of Thriller and Time Warp.  But, it was the exact same time as trick or treating.  Looking forward to the video though.  Brooke sure makes a cute zombie!

What a successful night!

Monster Mash Band Concert!

I think someone liked wearing my boots.  I found this picture on my memory card.  At least one of my daughters will wear heals.  I tell the others they will breach 5' if they will put heals on.  They will not convert. 

Great night to listen to Sam play and scream.  I could hear her scream (on cue) over the other performers and instruments during Count Rockula.

One last thought about tonight...  As we started the concert everyone rose from their seats to sing the National Anthem.  As we sang Nathan slid his hand into the lady's hand that was standing next to him.  She looked down at him and smiled.  She hung on tight to his hand and sang loud and clear.  What a wonderful country we live in.

Spooktacular at Dickerson Park Zoo 2012

Fun night!

No matter how hectic life is and all the excuses there are not to go-I am NEVER disappointed that we do GO!

End of the week...
Last game.
1st week of school.

I finally got it!

A picture of Chase when Carly is practicing with him on floating on his back.

And she tells him to relax.
Every time she says it she has to clarify.  'Relax and put your arms out straight.'
Best example of someone with autism taking language literally. 

 

We did manage to fit in a book signing Friday night too.  Not that we would ever miss it!  Obert and I both needed a Nicole fix.  Even though she wasn't there it was as if she was.  Her connection to literature, her friend and mentor, author Obert Skye and of course me, her mother is something distance cannot weaken.

Nicole has definitely nurtured a love for reading in all her siblings.  The latest to fall under her influence is Nathan.  About a month ago (should have been years) I asked Nathan if he was ready to read big boy books.  I told him if he would listen I would read to him every night.  He loves it.  We started with Wonkenstein by Obert Skye.  He waits patiently every night to listen to his story.  The kind of books 10 year old boys should be reading.  Some nights he even asks for a second chapter.  
At the book signing he recognized right away that there as a new book to the series. Potterwookie.  When I asked if he wanted it of course he said, "Yes".  Holding his treasures and looking at his autographed copies that evening he was ready to get started on his new book!

Thanks to Obert Skye for bringing such joy into our lives through the words you write and the friendship you bring!

Nathan is back in school.  Half days.  Spends 2 hours with Chase before Chase heads off to 1st grade.  

Reports from his teacher said he had a great day.

 He returned from school with Chase at the end of the day. 

And both boys wore a smile.

Just marking my days...
Got too far behind with the internet down.
today.
Nicole's 20th
Wonderful horse therapy day!
Sam concert
Banquet with Elaine Hall
picts and links to come

Chase had a field trip to the zoo with the 1st grade class.  He did great and made it all the way to the reptile house before he needed some time to relax. 

You don't think I was allowed to go so I could get a visual on what they claim is Chase being a bit "HANDSY".

 DO YOU?

Not that I ever doubted his teachers and staff.  But a picture is worth a 1,000 words.

 

What a beautiful bride Nathan's teacher made.

He sure misses his Miss Vanessa.  He spent the day with her just a few weeks ago.

She is truly a great person with the kind of teacher's heart you hope your child gets to bond with at least once in their school career.  I had some I will never forget.

 It was her last marching band performance of her high school career.  We waited to for her to be announced.  And, Chase did much better in escorting her than the picture indicates.  He snapped in to attention when it was time to walk his big sister across the field as seniors were honored!
 













 
She Brooke has worked hard to perfect her skills.  This year as section leader to the flutes she was known as a kind but strict leader. 

Phone lines down since Saturday.  No internet.  Be back soon.  The library is about to close and I can't believe I even made it here.

This must be Chase week...

 He was so brave this morning.  Up early for routine blood test to check his sodium levels.  We make a special trip to Smith-Glynn.  They are the best at drawing blood.  And Jesse was there!  He is so great with the boys.  Chase only winced at the needle poke and then listened as his lab buddy asked him about school.
I love working with professionals that put their heart into their work.  I hope I can do the same when I grow up!

 Then off to school only to return home with scraped palms.  I asked him which hurt more.  His blood test or falling.  He said falling.

Letters have always entranced him.

His reading is improving daily.  Chase's teacher uses the Edmark reading program.  He has loved letters for as long as I can remember.  His early ed teachers used letters as his reward for doing his other work (either that or broccoli).  He had a variety of letter cards and magnets he would play with.  

I can no longer nutritionally shelter veggie boy.                
On the way to his neurology appointment he said, 
"I need kool-aid and soda for school."
I said, "How about strawberry lemonade?" 
To which her replied, "Ugh, that's healthy.  That's for Nathan."

This was my favorite talk this weekend.

Time is a valuable resource.  It must be used wisely.

Do I have positive kids are what!?
 This is Nicole's facebook status tonight.
"Huh my hair actually looks pretty good today. Perhaps it's a sign that I'll do well on the Bio exam. Or maybe it's a "You're going to miserably fail your exam but at least your hair will look fabulous while you do it" sort of thing -.-"

 Love my family!

We integrate our children with neurotypical  peers and hope that they will learn things by example.  Well today I bet more than one parent of Chase's peers is hoping that their child will follow him.  This is what he brought home in his backpack from the 1st grade classroom he spends part of the day in.

That's my veggie boy.

PSYCH 321: Developmental Psychology: Adolescence

Final Course Grade Date 10/01/2012 01:28 PM

Final Course Grade A

I know it doesn't make sense...  It may come right back in...  Especially since it is supposed to get cold this weekend.  Although after being chased by 2 cats for 3 days it may think twice!  Live free little mouse, live free.

So glad Samantha is a trained animal handler!