First Days

Nate's off to First Grade!

And Evy's off to her first day of preschool!

Nate's First Day of First Grade

Nate's Birthday in Minnesota

. . . we were going to Minnesota to see Grandma and Papa on Nate's birthday!

Both Nate and Evy love being a Grandma's house so going for Nate's birthday was a special treat.  Grandma has the most amazing backyard.  Nate loves to go out into the forest, along the paths, and to the sand box.  Grandma also has a bazillion legos so Nate had a blast putting them together. Plus there's Grandma to snuggle him and Papa to tell him stories of Nananny Fox Fox.  It's the perfect place for a 6 year old boy.

Happy (Pre) Birthday Nate!

Nate ended up having more of a birthday week than just one birthday.  We started with a water party with friends. For years of Nate has hated water, but Nate now loves it!  After slip and slides, water balloons, and running around, there was a red train cake.  Nate loved it!

Since daddy had to work on the day of Nate's water party, we had a family party the next day.  More cake, ice cream, and presents.

We had these two parties before Nate's birthday because . . .

Last Day of Kindergarten

Once Nate was home from his last day of school, there was a surprise for both of the kids.  Water balloons! We had such a fun water fight that I think this may have to become a yearly tradition.  Do you have any last day of school traditions?

Cinderella and Prince Charming

Funny Little People

Brad - How old are you Evy?
Evy - Happy!
Brad - That's how you are feeling.  How old are you?
Evy - Happy!
Nate - She's 2.
Brad - How old are you Nate?
Nate - I'm 5.
Brad - (Super proud he answered the question.) Yes, that's right!  How old am I?
Nate - You are 3.

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Evy and Nate have decided that things are not goofy.  They're Donald.  As in Donald Duck.  It's not uncommon to hear them say, "Oh Donald!" One day I told Evy her straw was being goofy.  She told me, "It's not a goofy straw.  It's a Donald straw!"

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Evy was helping me clean up and spontaneously started singing, "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. . ."

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Evy - Butter!
Brad - You want butter on your corn on the cob?
Evy - No, on the side.
She must be a Packer.

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I was loading the kids into the car and Evy matter of factly tells me, "The car is haunted." How does she even know the word haunted?

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Aye aye Captain Silly! - Evy

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Evy stands on her chair at dinner and says, "Listen up guys.  I love Mom!"

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Brad - What's my favorite food?
Nate - Pancakes!
Brad - What's my favorite color?
Nate - Blue!
Brad - What's my favorite toy?
Nate - Helicopters!
Brad - Who's my favorite boy?
Nate - Me!
Brad - Who's my favorite girl?
Nate - Evy!
Brad - Who's my favorite mommy?
Nate - That's silly.  She's your sister!
Brad - No, she's my wife.
Nate - (Pointing to Evy) She's my wife.
Brad - No, she's your sister.  I'm married to your mommy.
Nate - Married?!?!?!?!?!?!

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Alisha - Do you guys want to go to Walmart and buy Nate's school supplies?
Evy - I do! And presents!
Alisha - Oh, what do you want to get me for my birthday?
Evy - A cake, candles, and fire!
Oh, dear!  Knowing her she just might deliver.

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Nate's therapist - Nate, what was one good thing this week?
Nate - We made messes.
Nate's therapist - Was it fun?
Nate - (With a little mischievous grin) Yes.

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Nate was having a hard time and was crying.  Evy went over to Nate and started to rub his back. "Now take a deep breath and count to three."

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Alisha - Nate would you like some toast for breakfast?
Nate - No! I want broccoli!

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I'd unloaded the groceries into the house when I got a phone call.  I'd run upstairs to my computer.  When I finished my call, I hear Evy say, "I love chocolate chips." I peek into Nate's room.  They had opened two packages of chocolate chips and dumped them on the floor. They were certainly enjoying their sneaky treat, but boy, did they try to hide it when they saw me!

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Evy thinks question marks are called mysteries.

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Evy was throwing a tantrum and I was trying to figure out why she is mad.  Evy defiantly shouted at me, "I don't have any problems!"

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My sister, Malinda, was singing the name game to the kids.  The kids think it's a riot. Laughing their heads off.  Nate keeps asking to do different people.  "Do Grandma! Do Mommy! Do Evy!" Then he points to my sister, Adrianne, and says, "Let's do this guy!"

Starting Kindergarten

Today was a day I've looked forward to for years. It was Nate's first day of kindergarten. Let me explain. Back 3 1/2 years ago when Nate was diagnosed with autism it was so overwhelming. I couldn't think too far ahead about whether Nate would ever be able to have a job, graduate high school, or live on his own. The psychologist who diagnosed Nate suggested trying to focus on just a few years ahead. Work on trying to get Nate ready for a typical kindergarten classroom. So that's what we've done. All the ABA, OT, speech, music therapy, specialized preschool, IEP meetings, research, etc. has contributed to this goal. 

When we were starting to plan Nate's transition from preschool to kinder the plan was to have Nate in a typical class and also in a special ed class. We loved the special ed teacher and the school was great. We were excited for Nate, but it wasn't a fully integrated class which would have so many benefits for Nate. 

Well, at the final transition meeting of the year the plan changed. The school had enough incoming kindergarteners with autism to hire a special ed teacher to be in the typical kinder classroom. This meant Nate could now be with his peers all the time. No pull out for special ed. And that's really exciting for us. 

I'm so proud of all the hard work Nate's had to do to be ready for kindergarten. So today is definitely a day to celebrate all we've achieved.

Happy 5th Birthday Nate!

Nate has been counting down the days to his birthday this year.  He's been so excited for the big day to come.  And luckily we were at our family reunion in Utah so Nate got to celebrate his birthday with his cousins!  It was pretty much the best birthday a 5 year old could imagine. Presents, cupcakes, snow cones, and even a train ride.  That night as I was putting him to bed he told me it was the best birthday ever.

Nate got a second party with Grandma and Papa Bennett after our family reunion.  Grandma put together a Thomas the Train party for Nate.  He couldn't believe it.  He kept smiling and covering his mouth in disbelief.  The best part was the Thomas piñata.  Nate and Evy had so much fun!

Preschool Graduation

Nate had such a great year in Miss Julie's class! He loved going to class everyday and seeing his friends.  He's asked several times over the summer to go play with his friends from preschool.  At graduation the preschoolers sang, "You've Got a Friend in Me," and then got there diplomas.  They had a little about each kid as they walked.  Nate's said he wanted to grow up to be a daddy!  Such a sweet boy!