Bowling

Aunt Jessie and I took the kids bowling last night. Colin loves to bowl more than he loves eating. He scored a fifty unassisted and Morgan got over 60, but Jess and I helped her quite a bit. I think Morgan liked the nachos better than the bowling..but hey, we had cheese man! They did great and Colin was wonderful taking turns. Here are some and pictures of the kids.

I made it

Well, today is my last day of school. I have a written final and something they call "Walk of Fame". I guess all of our chef instructors line up and we walk down a path and they clap for us. Since I have been a blubbering mess for a week now, I am sure this will only spark the tears..yet again. I can't belive it is finally here. It is like graduating from high school all over again. You wait for it forever and then BAM it is right there in your face, reality. I am scared, excited, sad, anxious, and depressed all at the same time. My friend Amy calls it being a "hot mess". That is for sure!

So, anyways, Goodbye Minnesota and Goodbye to a great set of friends, whom I will never forget and hope to visit soon!

Toad, if you are reading this, I love you and I will miss you like crazy! :-) You are the best. Not many people would step aside and let someone they love live their dream. You are doing that and so much more. How lucky am I to have you?

Leaving and starting over...again

I am in my final days of school here is beautiful Minnesota. I realize every day how much I am going to miss this place. It has been a huge stepping stone for me. I really feel like a found another piece of myself here. Colin has come leaps and bounds from when we moved here a year ago, Morgan talks, runs, and fixes her own cereal. I found a babysitter that I am pretty sure is a Saint and I realized how much sacrifice my husband made when we made the trip out here. We have all grown..physically and emotionally. I believe that we were meant to come here so we could grow as a family as well.

School has been a Godsend. I have developed friendships I didn't even know existed. People who see me for who I am. It has been wonderful and I will miss it tremendously, however it is time to move on and start another chapter in our lives. So here are some pictures of things I have done at school. I really have amazed myself for being able to accomplish so much. I am proud of who I have become.

Hair cuts and happiness

All week I have been preparing Colin for another hair cut. Todd and I totally dread these days, but unfortuantely, Colin takes after his Daddy and his hair grows incredibly fast. Today was the day to take him in. I didn't say anything to him this morning and got both the kids ready to go. Once we were in the car, I let him know what we were doing and promised him chicken nuggets, fries, and pop if he did a good job. Todd and I talked about how much we hated this time and wished it was all ready over. I volunteered to hold him down and fight with him every time the clippers or scisscors came near him. I checked us in, sat down and Todd and I joked over which hair stylist was about to have a really bad day. Colin's name was called and sure enough, the tears and whining started. I did my usual reassuring and telling him what a good boy he was. I let the stylist know he was autistic and that hair cuts are his worst nightmare. She smiled and said, "No Problem, we will do what we can." That was all I could ask for. Then for the first time ever, Colin stopped crying and just sat there. I was literally speechless. He was watching Curious George on T.V. and occasionally dodging his head when she came too close to his ears. After 5 minutes he began getting a little anxious and wanted to be all done. I held his hand and the stylist finished up. He did great!!!!! I couldn't believe it. I remember looking over at Todd at one point and his jaw was about to hit the floor because he couldn't believe Colin wasn't screaming. Now, there were a few tears and the occasional head movement, but man have we come so far!!!!

When we started Colin in his 40 hours a week of ABA therapy, I had two main goals in mind. Potty training and being able to sit through a hair cut! Well, they have met and exceeded all of my expectations! Colin continues to amaze me every day with the amount of knowledge he has, and today was no exception!

It has FINALLY happened!

Well Folks, it has finally happened! As every parent of a little girl wants to do from the moment they even find out they have a little girl is put their hair in pig tails! I am proud to say that when Morgan was born, she was bald as a cue ball! My hopes and dreams were immediately dashed! Corn syrup and bows were what we did, just so people would know she was a girl. Today, I told her I was doing her hair. The look of confusion, curiousness, and utter horror crossed her face in an instant. I went and got the brush, hair ties, and a mirror so she could watch and went to work. In less than 2 minutes, I had accomplished what I have been waiting for for over 2 years now..the little girl has pig tails! She said they are "pretty". I can move on now to making sure she doesn't date until she is 30!

Annual Apartment Easter Egg Hunt

Well, the Easter Bunny has managed to hide the eggs all over our apartment today. I do believe the kids had a wonderful time looking for eggs. When I told Colin yesterday that the Easter Bunny was coming to leave presents and eggs he looked at me, slightly confused, and said "umm....Santa?" How cute is that? Morgan had a blast running after the eggs before Colin could get to them.Here are some pictures and video of them this morning.

Bragging...just a little

As a mom you have the right to brag about your children. There is some unwritten rule that makes people that are around have to endure all of the information that you say about your kids..so here it is, I am going to brag...just a little.

Colin

Can now zip up his jacket with no help - super cool by the way!
Write his name - made me cry
Tell you what emotions you are acting out
Makes his own mac and cheese in the microwave - of course with adult supervison



Morgan

Says the whole alphabet
Can count to 15 - how cool is that!?
Can say Colin



Mommy
Can still get dressed by herself
Manages to still go to school and work everyday
Hasn't had a nervous breakdown..quite yet!

Daddy

Still has a job -thank God!
Still has the car working - how I don't know!
Is ready for a vacation!


What can I say? I am a proud Mom!