Party Like It's Your Birthday!

Neve couldn't wait to celebrate her Dad's birthday. We have started letting her be the party planner for all adult family birthdays. We take her to the store and let her choose a "theme" for plates and such and then she can pick balloons as well as any cake she would like. We usually do ice cream cake so she can eat it too. She picked Chipotle for dinner since she said it's Dad's favorite. :)

HAPPY 37th BIRTHDAY!!!

DINO-mite!

We grabbed our good friends yesterday and headed to the Natural History Museum! I have never taken Neve before so I thought we would give it a try. Thanks to "Dinosaur Train" (which she is obsessed with), Neve has learned a lot about dinosaurs and was excited to learn more!

Outside the kids could pan for gold and brush off fossils..they had a fun time for sure. I think they just loved yelling, "Eureka!" every time they found something. :)

I wish Nateman could enjoy places like this..but I am grateful he is in therapy(that he really likes!) during the days so I am able to let Neve experience all the fun museums and such in Phoenix. Spring Break just started so I will have to brainstorm some places they will BOTH love.

Little Leprechauns

Next week is Spring Break, so preschool celebrated St. Patrick's Day yesterday instead!

Neve was super excited that she was able to put green and gold hair paint in. I mean, who wouldn't be?

Everyone in the class was asked to bring a green "healthy" food to share.

Neve and I made "Shamwiches", thanks to my uber crafty Betty Crocker-ish friend, Jill. :)

The kids got their names on gold coins when they tried a "new" green food..and the class would cheer them on in encouragement. Really cute idea as their were LOTS of empty plates after that.

Peapod Portnoy and her buddy, Logan.

CHEERS!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

(even if it is a little early!)

The Show Must Go On

I am posting this purely for my own enjoyment....This is Neve trying to direct, choreograph, and STAR in her self produced improv musical, "Ladybug, Ladybug, Fairy".

The supporting cast is unwilling and unaware..

...but the SHOW MUST GO ON! HA!

He holds her hand, She holds his heart...

Nate has trouble connecting with people.

Actually, he is the sweetest kid around-and is especially easy going with new people in his life. Whether it's a new aide, new teacher, or even family he doesn't see very often..no worries, Nate just rolls with it.

...But I am talking about really connecting. He just doesn't do that very often-especially with peers. Now that he is older, kids rarely have time for him and he is oblivious to them. Don't get me wrong, it breaks my heart EVERY time a kiddo does attempt to engage Nate and invites him to play...but it falls on deaf ears and Nate goes into a script about Elmo from a game he recently played while the other kid just moves on. It seems that Nate has no clue what just happened...but I know. What if he does know? What if he can't STOP what's going on in his head and with his body, but wishes he could? I know I am not alone in that thought. I am sure all parents of children that can't or won't speak, wonder what their child thinks about. I just want a day pass into his head..to see what's in there and how it all works.

But my Nateman DOES connect with one kiddo...and that's Neve. It melts my heart to see how their relationship is forming. She loves him so very much and is so PROUD to tell everyone about her big brother. She also asks questions daily about Autism and why Nate has it. She tells me how she will always help him and how she can't wait to get home to show him something. It does go both ways too. She drags him around, "helping" him in her own little way, and he tolerates all of it. He follows her and plays with her-unlike any other kid in his world. I love it.I love that he was gifted this brazen, bossy, smart, caring, sister that I know will dedicate herself to take care of her big brother. I love that she was gifted with a sweet, funny, easy going, brother that is going to teach her life lessons that I couldn't if I tried. I guess I am just feeling the love tonight and I am so thankful they have each other.

Snow Much Fun!

We might live in the desert....where it's 70-80 degrees on March 1st....but today it snowed at preschool. :)

snow angels...

..and penguin slides.

The kids had a blast slip sliding away. They had this little sled they were pulling each other on too- so cute!

Neve doing a faceplant...

The running and jumping never got old..and I could have watched them forever.