Fundraiser for the MAR!  

Always a great time with editor Dayna.

Nate of course spotted the ponies right off.  A bit confused that he rode much shorter than an hour.  Great company though.  They saw right off his connection and weren't surprised that he is in hipppotherapy.  They could tell he rides.

Chase was invited to play a game of hoops.  What kid.  I don't know who this young man is but he was super.  Invited Chase, coached him, but didn't treat him like a baby.  Hope we run into him again.




I witnessed what I keep reading...keep'em with typical kids.  Give kids with spectrum disorders a chance to be with all types of children.  Each child has something to give if we give our kids opportunity to receive.

Summer is in full swing!!

 The water felt great!  

Thanks to our generous neighbors we are enjoying swimming again.

Thanks to Miss Josie for helping Chase learn to ride a bike!

The era of Chefman begins!

Well I think the party was a success.

Scooby cake courtesy of Brooke.

Wonderful time roasting hotdogs and playing with cousins.

Thanks to Samantha and her skills.  She had the firing going in no time.  Ending with the perfect coals.

Chase has spent the remainder of the evening really getting into his presents and the potential they hold.

I loved watching him as he gave his thank you's.  He was consciously making an effort to connect family members to the right family.  You could physically see the wheels turning as he thanked individual members of each family. 
I love watching him grow.

8 years old!

After watching cooking shows recently on PBS.  Chase is working on his cooking skills.

Then after a long day...sleeping with Sam's present she made with her loving hands for her brother.

He is 8 today!

Had a fun time today.

Missed a picture with Miss Dara and his gluten free cupcake at GiGi's.

Yes gluten free was required after his not so gluten free burger with Miss Josie,

 after ukulele lessons with Big Ben.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHASE!

Cousin's Birthday Party.

There are just some times that differences melt away.

Always accepted.  Sometimes toes are stepped on, 

but mended just as quick.

Happy Birthday Celeste!

Puppies at the park.

They were so good.  Can dogs smile?

Yes they can! 

Brooke is working as a summer camp counselor and Friday she asked me to stop by with the dogs.

Kids + Dogs...there is nothing like it.

Chase was so excited to get his Ukulele last night.  Springfield Music was amazing at helping him find the right one for him. 

 Off to Big Ben's Class!

He had an amazing time and already learned the names of the strings and sang me a song when I picked him up. He is so excited to be like his sisters and play an instrument of his very own.

Final Game of Spring 2013 Season

for the Dodgers at the Miracle Field!!!

Nate worked hard this season learning to throw down his bat instead of putting it back against the fence.

And learning to run to first base by himself.

Chase!  Sweaty night.  What a ball player.

Nathan waiting for the his turn.  He fielded 2 balls during the second inning.

Blake always encouraging the younger players.

Okay.  Just plain cute.  Don't tell him his mom called him cute on the field.

Way to play the field Chase.

"I got it!"

 Look out Alyssa!

Way to hustle 'buddy'

And then the medals came.  

Another season on the Miracle League.

Nathan

Chase

     I don't know how many times in the last month the message has reached me that individuals with autism have said, or mostly typed, 'the best thing their parents did for them was to keep them in inclusion activities when possible.  Not in lieu of, but in addition to therapies or special classes and activities'.
     Well this may not be your typical class.  All the boys are on the spectrum.  But they are verbal and can follow directions, including Chase.  I decided with the constant barrage of messages to give Nathan a try at class.  He far exceeded my expectations.  Yes he needed constant reminders not to walk off...but he listened and did what he was asked.  Another lesson learned for this mom!

Dreamnight at the Zoo 2013

Another success...and no rain this year.

So our orthodontist Dr. Cash came in and said, 

"But, he doesn't have any teeth.  What do you want me to do?"

I told him I know!  When they called for a check up I told them.  

His sister had an appointment anyway.

And, no charge for this check up.

Good practice for the time will come that we will be looking at his serious underbite.

Summer time at the Library!

Nathan waiting for Trigger to come back around.  Right before he was ready to mount Trigger sniffed him. Nathan didn't want to get back on after that.  But, it was amazing to watch Nathan communicate that he didn't want to get back on and then still want to feed his companion for that hour some well deserved carrots.  Nathan used to be afraid to even give him his carrots.  Not only was Nathan not afraid he still wanted to make sure his horse got the carrots.  He has come so far.  When we started Nathan would have gotten upset and definitely wouldn't have returned.  

So much trust has been built.  

So not riding the last 7 minutes gave me a glimpse at yet another small miracle.

After a game at the Miracle Field we made a quick stop at the mall for a much needed purchase.  Big sister has fallen in love all over again with her little brothers.  Working for the parkboard doing summer camps she realized her brothers' behavior wasn't all that bad.  
Perspective.  Italy, Holland, the ball field or the mall, it is all in how you look at it.