Overnight Fun

Austin was invited to an overnight, out of town birthday party. He was so excited! He packed all his items including his toothbrush and toothpaste. He and a couple of friends enjoyed pizza and fun at Dave and Busters. Austin set a record in a running game too! He also went to an indoor water park during a cold, rainy day. So fun! Grateful for good times and good friends.

Basketball

Dylan and his classmates played basketball on the Unified Special Olympics team last week  Dylan was also featured on the school Facebook cover page and a special article that warms my heart and shows his love for sports ...Smile  it was a cold day (32 degrees) and I sent Dylan to school in his black and blue shorts and his black shirt  He was very excited!!! (He did say his legs were cold but thankfully our ride to school is short sand the heat works well in my car! That afternoon before getting off the bus, Ashleigh’s friend- the cheerleader featured (the person making this infographic more than likely did not know  that Dylan already knew the cheerleader as it was a good friend of his sister, but that is beside the fact). I knew that he scored 8 points- two 3 pointers and one 2 pointer- because of the friend. A coworker had also sent me video of the beginning of the game.  Dylan came in proudly with his ribbon! Later in the evening, a parent that was able to go to the game was telling me all about Dylan and his fun while playing. Later, other photos were shared. Lastly, I received The Road to Greatness article from the principal at the high school. I am overwhelmed and thankful for all those that love and support not only Dylan, but people with disabilities and differences. Encourage ment, inclusion, and kindness go a long way... and Dylan’s smile and love for others does too!

 

Happenings

The school year is flying. The winter months are fast yet slow.  School is half way through the third quarter  for Austin and Dylan. Austin received his progress report and continues to do well. I love to hear his stories about what he is learning each day. He especially loves Social Studies. Recently, he learned about the Great Depression and is now learning  about WWII. He is also taking an elective called Agriculture. In his class, there is an incubator and there will soon be chicks. They are hopeful to maybe have 4 chicks because the incubator has not been working properly. In Choir, He is learning songs and using solfage. I hear him singing and it reminds me of Ashleigh and her singing when she was in elementary school. He is also so excited to tell  Ashleigh about what he is learning and to compare songs. He shares the music by singing and through the computer. They study a composer a month also and he is becoming well rounded and knowledgeable in music.  He is singing songs in various languages  including Spanish, Native languages, and English.
Dylan is doing well in school. He is being evaluated for the usage of an assisted communication device. I am really excited about this for his wants, needs, and socialization as he continues to become more independent and reaching adulthood.
Ashleigh is in full swing with lectures, labs, and clinical  each week. Her hospital rotation is the same hospital and floor this semester is ironically the same as she worked on in high school. She is also dancing in a piece of music performed by Concert Singers. CBHS sang the piece and now CSU is singing the piece. The choir director  had mentioned hiring dancers and Ashleigh asked him to consider her as she dances and would love the opportunity. He did and now she has been practicing and will perform later this month. She also auditioned for the play, Mousetrap, and landed the lead female role as Mollie. . She is learning  to manage time for study, food, fun, and class.
We are all  transitioning to having Ashleigh living on campus. The boys are too. This means more intentional time when Ashleigh is at home and changes for the boys as well. We have created chore charts and new routines, but also plan for family fun and game/movie nights. Homework, tutoring, and every day routines such as menu planning are more intentional and meaningful too.
I have sense adopted a flower garden started by Ashleigh to care for and water too. Honestly, I do enjoy helping and watching her when she comes home to see the growing process of the seeds.
God has been so good to us during this transition. He is growing each of us everyday— what a Good Good Father.

Valentines 2020

Feeling and spreading  love ....

while February is “the month of love” spreading and sharing love is evident and on going everyday, but this Valentine’s has been special. Dylan brought home hearts for each of us and another friend that he had made in Art. Can you guess who the large yellow one is for?  Chris took me (with the boys) to eat sushi and Japanese at one of our favorite places earlier in the week. Later in the week, my students showered me with lots of chocolate, candy, and cards. Then on Friday, Ashleigh brought two roses to me and posted the sweetest message on Instagram. Austin, Chris, and Ashleigh received chocolate covered strawberries and cannolis and Dylan received chips. Pappy is in town this weekend too.