Easter Weekend

Holiday weekends = Joy. Traditions. Family. Fun

We took full advantage of the Easter holiday with a little egg coloring, egg hunts and family dinners.

I love that with each passing year the kids get to experience things in a whole new way.

Olivia wanted to color dozens of eggs. Thankfully Grandma was there to keep her patient as they waited for their egg to soak.

 Owen just wanted to drop (literally) egg after egg into 1 cup. The green cup. So we have a few green eggs.

The Easter bunny found our house. He tried for the first year to hide a few eggs along the way that left a trail to their baskets. Only problem was after they found each egg they wanted to sit down and open it up and eat whatever was inside. It would have taken all day to get through them. But they finally made it to their baskets. Their favorites this year were chap sticks for Olivia and a Paper Jams guitar for Owen

I had trouble getting them to look at me when they said cheese. I tried waving to them to get their attention. They waved back. Love that they are holding hands.

New paper jams guitar

And then there was video

It took me a while to figure out how to get the video off my phone. Convert it to an acceptable format. String the clips together into a playable view. Darn technology!

But I know it was worth the wait, to see the program in action.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Special Olympics - Young Athletes

We don't always get to participate in things that we wish we could. We worry about behavior issues. We worry about stamina. We worry about ability to keep up. But then there are opportunities that allow us to feel like we are included. Like we are just like everyone else. Where Owen can play with kiddos just like him. The Special Olympics has a fantastic program for kiddos from ages of 3-7 called Young Athletes. They started a pilot program for our area 8 weeks ago. We were the lucky ones to know about it and signed up.
It was beyond expectations. I am thankful for people giving their time to make this happen.

Every Monday we made our way to the YMCA to a little back room full of kids just like him. To work on running, to work on kicking, work on taking turns, work on throwing, work on catching, work on jumping. So many skills that we are trying to build. And one of the most important is staying engaged in an activity for longer than 10 minutes. It lasted an hour each time. Sometimes Owen got tired and laid on the floor. Sometimes he got tired and just wanted to sit out for a bit. Sometimes he got distracted from the activity and ran around the room giving everyone high fives. But he wasn't the only one. Everyone else had their moments. And for once we had the opportunity to just let it all happen. To not feel bad that they were blocking the path of someone else, or disrupting the class. It was normal. The kids were the same. It was refreshing.

A few action shots 

Circle time. Music, games, fun

Two little trouble makers in action. 2 seconds before this shot, they both had the cones on top of their heads.

They were there every week. Running the program. Helping the kids through each obstacle. Rounding them up. Keeping them engaged. Being patient.

 Andrew and Owen. Lifelong friends.

By the order of the king...

We received an invitation in the mail a few weeks ago. An invitation to come see a preschool play to be put on by Owen's class. It wasn't from his ECSE program, it was from his regular preschool class. I was honestly a bit nervous about it. I purposely didn't ask his teacher about it because I was that worried about what type of part he would get. If he would be included. If he understand how to participate. Now I feel silly that I thought it would be a bit of a disaster. It was amazing. Owen was amazing. His teachers did great giving him a part with such a distinction. I was thrilled. And he said all his lines!

They had it all set up. The kids gave us admission tickets when we gave them hugs. Then they signed autographs. Owen was so excited to have me there. He would barely let go to sign this paper and let me take his picture.

He was the "Royal Postman" so he got to wear the cutest jacket and hat.

I also of course captured his parts on video so Jason could see since he couldn't make it. A few times you can see he looks a little sad or nervous. It is mostly because he wanted to come over to me.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I was so proud of the way he participated. So thankful for the way his teachers practiced with him and thought to use the microphone for him so everyone could hear him. Just amazing. Way beyond expectations! Another lesson learned for me not to worry about these things!

Upgrades

We have had the perfect sized swingset for the kids for the last 2.5 years. It was great because both kids could climb the ladder safely. I wasn't worried about them falling from high places. It had a little club house to play in. They loved playing on it.

If you know anyone interested in purchasing this, let us know. It will be going up on craigslist later this week. Great condition and already disassembled!

The kids have outgrown it in terms of size and abilities. So we have been in search for a replacement. I didn't want to spend thousands on a set since we may eventually move and it would be a pain to move with us. We opted for a less expensive brand but got quite a few features. It was a great purchase.

Only problem is with these types of brands you have to assemble them yourself. Jason did a great job getting it put together. Took 6 days working after work, assembling what he could in the house.

The second the ladder and rock wall were up. The kids flocked. They played. They have played for hours.

And here is the final result. 2 clubhouses. 2 swings. 1 glider. 1 rockwall. slide. ladder. 2 stools & counter. They have been playing on the "playground" non stop. They wake up and it is the first thing they ask for. I had to venture out this weekend to try to find them shoes they could put on themselves because it seemed that is all I was doing as they came in and out in and out. Mom help, shoes on!
With that came a major accomplishment for Owen this year. He can FINALLY wear sandals without too much support. This means we can try crocs and he can slip them on himself. THIS. IS. HUGE!!!

I am thankful to be able to see the kids from the family room. 4 floor to ceiling windows makes it perfect for me to get some things done inside while they play outside. We just have to be extra careful with Owen. He tends to try to sneak off if you take your eye off him for 30 seconds. Sneak off = climbing fence and going into front yard. Lucky for us he rang the door bell to let us know that is where he was. Silly boy = frantic parents.

A family weekend

Big benefits to having lots of nieces and a nephew is they all have birthdays which means it is time for family get togethers. Today happens to be Stella's first birthday (happy birthday sweetie!), my brother Nicks youngest. They had a get birthday extravaganza at a YMCA (great party place) but we took full advantage of my mom and PJ being in town by spending Saturday with them as well.

Owen of course had PJs hat on for most of the time. The weather was beautiful so we got the opportunity to play outdoors for a bit.

Owen's first attempt at the monkey bars...He climbed the ladder with no one around. Just threw himself at the first rung, then reached for the next. Luckily auntie Lisa made her way over to catch him as he fell straight to the ground. He got up brushed himself off and climbed again. This time he had a little help and made it almost the whole way. My boy is getting so strong!!!!

Grandma lovin up on her time with the grandkids. Olivia is attached to her like Owen is to PJ :)

Note: still dealing with blankie issue but she did just wake up from a nap her so she is excused...

These two are the best of buds. Love watching them play, even in a cardboard box.

The Y set up some greaty play areas in the gym for the kiddos. They got some energy out before cake. Only a few tears from bumping each other in the heads and getting hit by balls ;)

LOVE this shot, just wish it wasn't blurry. Rachel (Owen's PT) you would have been so proud at how high he got on these jumps!

 Another great area for the kids to play was the perfect little playground. Guess who loved the "yellow slide" over and over. And when she trips and falls, she gets up and says "thats ok".

It's a lot of work to play. Good thing he had a partner to chill with! And then he swiped his hat.

Spring Time. Garden Time.

I am so anxious to get started with year 2 of our garden. So we started a few things indoors. To get the kids excited, to see some life growing and try a little something different. Olivia enjoyed the "flower store", she picked out the seeds. She found some pots and soil. And away we went.

She had to pick which pot got which seeds. It was a BIG decision!

 And then they started playing with the dirt. Owen wasn't as interested in helping but he was a good participant watching....

Time for some water.

I am really excited for the kids to participate this year in the gardening. Neither one really cooperated last year. They just tried to walk all over everything. But I think I now have a partner. Olivia is very interested and it will be fun to show her how things grow, how take care of them, pick them and then EAT!

I have even found a local community class about gardening that I am excited to take in a few weeks. It is supposed to help with small gardens and how to get the most out of your space. When to plant what when. Should be very useful! Ok. I know, I am a nerd.