Feelin' HOT HOT HOT!

After school today, Neve and I cooled off a bit. Tomorrow is April 1st, and they are calling for the first 100 degree day of the year. *gulp* I HATE the high heat. Oh well..guess we will live in the sprinklers. :)

He smiled!!

Progress has been made. Let me take you back to school pictures of yesteryear...

1st year of preschool- 2008/09

2nd year of preschool - 2009/10

...and the one we just got back today-Kindergarten 2010/11

We are getting closer. :) It's really funny though how 3 years and in 2 different states, Nate is always sitting with his teacher. He is always the class pet. :) I mean, he IS the cutest one so I would sit by him too. :)

I am guessing I am not alone in the Autism community when I say we DREAD picture day. Not because we are afraid of getting a bad picture back, but becausee it is like torture for our kiddos. Sitting still and smiling at an over sized bright light is WAY out of the comfort zone.

BUT we survived another year of pictures at school and I suppose they aren't half bad. I don't know if I posted this back in Fall, but here is his individual pic. He isn't screaming!- so we'll call it a success!!!

...and while I am at it, here's Neve's from last Fall....

Please note that NO children are smiling and WTH is up with Neve's "Flock of Seagulls" hair?? so funny. I have such horrible hair in my childhood school pictures that i SWORE I wouldn't do that to Neve...(*sigh*)
Here is her individual one..

so funny. I will try harder next year not to scar them with my school picture styling..lol.

Gramps and Grams hit town

Nate and Neve's Grammy and Grampy came in town to spend Monday with the kids. Neve was super excited to say the least. She gets to see her Grampy about twice a year, but this was her first time ever meeting her Grammy Koke! Nate doesn't really outwardly show signs of recognition(typically), but he was good with it when he got home from school. Nate saw Grampy last August, but he hadn't seen his Grammy in about4-5 years..so I was glad they could at least see him for a couple hours if nothing else! They really are good kids (once you get past the Neve diva-like behaviors, lol)!

This is Neve watering her plants with her new hat and watering can (new gifts).

..then it was smoothies and Chutes and Ladders. Doesn't get much better in the eyes of a 3 yr old.

Reading books with Grampy.

Neve chillin with Grammy, teaching her about Diego.

Then when Nateman got home from school at 4pm, we headed off to Joe's Farm Grill for dinner (this chill little local outdoor grill with picnic tables and home grown produce).

...and it's always hard to say goodbye. :(

..And they swam and they swam right over the dam.

Gotta love that you can swim outdoors here in March! I need to get hoppin and get them new swim suits and gear for this year before it's all picked through- but the old stuff will do for now! They were just thrilled that we let them swim outside for the first time this season.
I don't think Nate stopped grinning until we got back in the car for home. He is such a water lover- it's awesome!
I got a few quick pics on my cell phone..

Now I lay me down to sleep (Why do I always say that in my head using the creepy Metallica voice??)

Spring Break here still- well at least for 3 of us. Nateman is back at school. I had hoped to get my 12 page list of to-do's completed while Aaron is home but time is running out. Oh well- the house is better than it was! Today I attempted to tackle the kids' rooms and at least plan what else needs to be done in there for them.
First up is Neve's room. She LOVES her "Owl Room" and looks forward to climbing into her owl sheets every night. ..and if there are any "decorators" out there- I need ideas for what to hang from her quilt rack rod? frames? birds? I just can't think...  ANother thing I would LIKE to do is have a window seat cushion custom made to match her decor... maybe I can have my mom ask around in retirementland to find some old biddy that sews. :)

...and let me tell you how awesome (albeit UGLY) Neve's wake-up clock is. The bottom "sleeping cow" is illuminated when she is sleeping and then instead of an alarm clock, the "playing cow" is illuminated at whatever time we set it for. LOVE THIS! How great for a kid that can't quite tell time and it has eliminated the, "DAD! MOM! What time is it? Is it wake-up time?!".

Next up is Nateman's room. He has the same "Alphabet" theme from Ohio. He still really likes learning about his letters and such so we will keep it for another year or so and then let him help pick a more grown up boy theme.

DON'T FEED THE BEARS (well, you can throw in that one kid that always bites Nate)

Aaron is still on vacation so I graciously dropped out of my duties as Greenfield Gators Kindergarten Field Trip chaperone. ;) The trip was actually to the Phoenix Zoo and since I was just there with Neve on Tuesday, I stayed home with Neve today.
Aaron said Nate was a rockstar and was perfectly behaved. yay! I think Aaron had a good time too except being hounded by Crazy-try-to-sell-you-my-supplements-Mom at lunch time. I am just happy to see another parent involved! That in itself is a minor miracle. Aaron also noted the lunchtime meals of the special needs kids in Nate's class--bag of cookies, pudding, etc.. I think he was proud to be sitting next to our rockstar Nate who was happily munching on turkey, peas, strawberries and apricots. (Trust me, we have been through the feeding problems and came out the other side- IT IS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's ONE thing we HAVE done right! ha!)

This is Nate with his favorite aide, Ms. Janette.

Nate and his classmates, Gianna and Caden.



I Wet My Plants

Neve has started a garden. I know, alert the media. lol. It actually is really fun AND Nate is getting in on the action too- he's loves watering it everyday. We have lima beans (Neve insisted on planting them since they are Nate's favorite food), tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, carrots, sunflowers, and daisies. :) Just wanted to share...

Neve first planting the "garden" a few weeks ago...

They both LOVE running out to take care of them everyday!

SAVE FERRIS

Beautiful sunny weekend here in good ol' Arizona. It's in the high 80's/low 90's and it's Spring Break for all. Yay! Aaron has 2 weeks off too, otherwise I would have lost my mind trying to entertain these two. It's actually quite difficult finding activities that Nate likes....and if we do find something, it's nearly impossible to monitor him properly while helping Neve at the same time. Ugh. I will be very happy when we can finally settle on a long term aide that we feel is a good fit for our family. THEN we might actually be able to go on some adventures without having to always wait for Aaron to come along.
Today we hit this little park in town that we love going to. It has a small throw back amusement ride area for the kiddos, as well as a train ride, playground, and pond with ducks.

Nate and Neve always have a blast there. I will upload all the cute pics to the family Shutterfly page tonight. There are definitely some cute ones.

In other news, Neve is now registered for year two of preschool next Fall. We went back and forth over where to send her next year and it wasn't an easy decision. She currently attends a private Christian preschool that she loves. Her little friends she has made there are all coming back next year, so that made it so tough...BUT we decided to send her to the Amanecer preschool which is held at the same Elementary school where Nate will be next year. The Amanecer preschool is comprised of a mix of special needs students and typically developing students. Neve, being a typically developing student, will serve as a peer model for the developmentally delayed kids in her class. :) I hope she makes us proud.