Where the wild things are

ZOO TRIP! Nate's class was headed to the Phoenix Zoo for a field trip again this year and I was able to chaperone. It was about 15 kids with Autism from Nate's school. This was just a trip for them, not the mainstream kiddos. I love love love that I can be so present in my kids' activities. The only bummer was that it was 36 DEGREES outside that day!!! Not the norm for Arizona!

 

The kids started in an education room to learn about animals, reptiles, and insects through puzzles and hands-on learning.

 

 

 

 

 

This was Nate by a huge snake skin.

 

They brought around a few different types of creatures for the kids to touch. Nate couldn't touch most because they had fur (allergies-blah), but he was able to touch a turtle and a hissing cockroach! (sorry my pictures are bad...I couldn't bring the big camera AND wrangle Nate/other special needs children at the same time. Had to settle for the small camera.)

 

As always, Nateman loved the carousel.

 

 

Then we took the safari train ride around the park. This really picked up the wind and it was freezing!! Nate looked right at me and said, "Chin!", and then grabbed my scarf to put on himself. :) It's all yours, buddy! I guess I didn't prepare for the cold too well! We're not in Ohio anymore, I suppose..My blood has thinned.

 

 

 

The kids got to go touch and feed the sting rays next. Nateman didn't want to take off his gloves to do it, and I can't say I blamed him! So we just watched. Afterwards I decided to sign Nate out from his class so we could go do some of the things at the zoo that Nate wanted to do....like ride the carousel again and play on this wooden tree house. He has trouble focusing on animals out in a field (he is nearsighted) and doesn't seem to enjoy it much. So I figured we would just have a little Mom/Nate time until we were frozen and needed to go home.

 Nate's class this year is fairly high functioning, so that helps. They are almost all verbal, where Nate is severely limited. Nate is on the lower end of the class in regards to communication, but I really like him being around higher functioning autistic kids. I think it really curbs his behavior issues as he is not feeding off issues of those around him.

 

Overall, we had a great trip! Maybe next field trip will be a touch warmer. :)

 

 

 

 

 

Tale as Old as Time..Day 3!

Day three was spent back at Disneyland.

 

My 3 favorite people. :)

 

This cracks me up..the kids look annoyed. Hahaha.

 

 

We met up with Aaron's best friend, Derek, and he joined in the fun. I get sick on basically every ride, lol, so I was grateful for the "4th rider".

 

 

We gave in and let Neve have another princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I mean, it's just adorable and how many more years do we have of this stage?! She thinks everything is just magical and, again, I can't get enough of the pure JOY.

Last year she picked Sleeping Beauty and this year she chose Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We left the Boutique and strolled over to Snow White's fountain. Sure enough, 2 seconds later, Belle arrived. Couldn't have planned that if I tried. It was just like last year when Neve made a wish in the fountain that Snow White would come, and she came in that exact moment!! CRAZY! Pressure's on for next year. Hahaha..not quite sure I can pull out  hat trick on that one...

 

 

 

 

Derek and Aaron getting the kids fifty dollar balloons. :)

 

 

 

Another great family vacation this year! Can't wait for the next trip. :)

 

 

Carsland! Day 2

We hopped over to California Adventure for our second day. We were excited to check out the new Carsland. It was totally cute and done up just like the movie.

 

 

 

Nateman at the Cozy Cone Motel.

 

 

The cone is actually a sippy cup!

 

Nate was SOOO happy. :)

 

Neve got to dance with the Toy Story soldiers.

 

Granny E lives in CA and was able to join us for a couple hours of fun!!! yay!

 

 

 

This is how Nate does most things- with his ears plugged. It's overwhelming for him although he begs to go on it again and again. :)

 

 

 

This was the chosen treat for the day. They wouldn't stop stuffing their pie holes long enough to look my way. Hahahaha.

 

 

 

 

The day ended with a parade and we headed back to the hotel to beat the heat and have dinner. Great day at California Adventure.

The Wonderful World of Disney! Day 1

Ok- well these posts are backtracking a bit..but I am finally getting around to loading our Disneyland trip pictures from October of this year. Our school here in Arizona has a week long Fall Break , so we took advantage of the time off again this year and decided to hit up Disneyland! It was such an awesome Nate-possible vacation last year so we were hoping for a repeat performance..and it was fantastic.

Aaron and our Mouseketeers waiting for the shuttle bus outside the hotel.

 

Disneyland was all decorated up for Halloween season again..it was really well done.

 

Nate ran up and said, "Goofy!". Ahhh, well, close enough! :) Love that boy.

 

The kids bolted through the park to get to Dumbo. Sweet Nate insisted on it.

 

 

I'm really not sure if I could love this picture more. Pure Joy. Worth every cent. :)

 

 

Neve got to meet Merida (her Halloween costume) so she was thrilled!!

 

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This is how we stroll our monkeys around the park. :) hahaha..hey- whatever works, right?!!

 

 

Neve's first Mickey ice cream bar. She got to pick one treat a day..and this was her choice! Yum!

While Neve had her treat, Nate rode Space Mountain for the first time! He LOVED it! I, of course, was convinced he would have a seizure from the strobing lights..but Dad won the fight and took him on anyways. :S Thankfully, no seizures.

We met up with our friends, Jason and Steve, for the rest of the afternoon too. Love them to pieces and it was so fun to catch up. Neve was MORE than sweet on Jason and wouldn't leave his side. It was really cute. I can't say I blame her as Jason is one of my favorite people in the world. Nobody makes me laugh harder.

Neve and her BFF on Dumbo.

 

We were able to fit in most of the rides our first day...and we got to take them on one of my favorites-Pirates of the Caribbean (it was closed last visit). The weather was definitely hot, but overall we had a fantastic first day!