A few weeks ago we took a family vacation to Florida. We decided to drive since it was about 1/4 of the cost of flying and we would have a car that fit us all while we were there. The 29 hour drive was pretty uneventful. We picked Blake up in Dallas and decided to drive the rest of the way there that day because the kids (Billy) didn't do so well in the hotel the night before. So when we got there at 10 am the next morning we were pretty tired and ready to just hand the kids over and sleep! Mikey and James were really excited to be at Grammy and Grandad's though. James pretty much immediately got his swimsuit on and jumped in the pool, and basically didn't get out until two weeks later when it was time to leave.
James, Michael and Billy swimming in the pool
I think this is the happiest I saw Mikey in the water the entire time
They also quickly discovered Grammy's treadmill and it became a source of entertainment when swimming was not allowed.
On Monday after we got there Doug and I left the kids with Grammy and Grandad and went on a cruise. It was something we both definitely needed and very enjoyable. Except for the day I got seasick. While we were gone the boys had some swimming lessons, that didn't really work because Michael wouldn't get in the water and James wouldn't take off his life jacket. But the rest of the time we were there James kept pretending he was at swim lessons. They also got to see the sea turtles and swim to their hearts content (ok maybe not that much, I don't think James would ever stop swimming if we didn't make him).
On Friday Grammy, Uncle Blake and the boys picked us up at the pier. James and Billy were so excited to see us. Michael had conflicting emotions and didn't know how to deal with it. He was happy to see us but mad at us for leaving. So we got the silent treatment for awhile. After they picked us up we went to my favorite place, Robert is Here. It is just like a fruit stand with all different kinds of fruits. Mikey and Billy LOVED the mangos they had to sample. They also had a petting zoo and a splash park so the boys loved it too. We got to try Dragon Fruit this time, it was really interesting and Mikey practically ate the entire thing.
Saturday we spent the day mostly on the water. Grandad was home from work so we took the "water scooters" (wave runners) out for some fun. James didn't like it too much. Mikey was too much of a wimp to get on until I forced him, then he loved it, and Billy fell asleep.
James was pretending to ski behind the wave runners
In the afternoon the boys went golfing and found a little turtle, I didn't get a good picture of it, but Mikey loved his "black turtle" and had to ask about it every morning. Although he never wanted to touch it.
Mikey and his black turtle
That night after the boys were asleep we got a baby sitter and went out for Sushi. It was the best sushi I have ever had. The we went for a walk on the beach and while we were standing by the water just talking a couple came over and asked if we wanted to watch a sea turtle laying eggs. So we went over to watch, didn't see much she was still trying to dig and they said it could take an hour or more so we decided not to stay to see her finish.
Sunday afternoon we took a walk to the beach. James hated Sundays because no swimming, but he did really well staying out of the water.
James and Mikey going to the beach
The boys loved the caves that the waves had made out of the rocks
James in his cave
Helping Mikey find shells
Searching for more shells
Billy loved playing in the sand
Billy got buried, he loved it.
So Mikey and James wanted to get buried
Monday we just played in the water again. I think these pictures are out of order, but that is ok.
Everyone else playing in the ocean
Mikey's first trip to the ocean, he wouldn't get near the water
James loved his "ski board" and had no fear of the water
Grandad finally got Mikey in the water
Grandad putting Mikey to bed
After the ocean we always had to get right in the pool. James usually spent at least 5 hours in the water every day. He got really brave and had no problem getting his face wet.
Tuesday we went to Disney World. It was so crowded. After only a few hours James was ready to just go home and kept asking if we could go to the van. We rode the cars at least 4 times, it was the boys favorite. They also liked Buz Lightyear, the Jungle Cruise, The Laugh Floor, and Tom Sawyers Island.
Dad and James driving the car
Mom and Mikey
The rest of the time we just spent at the beach and in the pool. It was over all a very fun trip and the boys are begging to go back.
The dog hates thunder storms and will go sit on anyones lap during one. I just happened to be feeding Billy during one and so Billy got to hold the dog while he ate.
Mikey trying on Grandad's snorkel equipment
James headed out to catch some waves
He loved the ocean.
Billy also loved the beach
Dad giving Billy a ride
Friday we packed up to head home. The plan was to only drive part of the way and stay in a hotel. But about 10 pm came when we would have stopped and all the kids were asleep. We decided that because they do so poorly in hotels if we stopped we would be getting much sleep anyway. So we kept driving. We said if we got too tired we would just pull over and sleep in the car, but we never had to. The boys were pretty excited to be home, but James definitely misses the water.
Last weekend we went to Colorado. It was a fast, very busy trip, but lots of fun! Our main reason for going was the annual Autism Walk. We went last year also and it was fun, so we thought we would do it again.
First thing Friday morning James asked if we could go "to the Great Granny's house". Doug's Grandma has a trampoline and some really fun toys so James loves to go there.
First thing Saturday morning we took "Grandpa's Ship" (James' name for the boat) out to Cherry Creek. Mikey talked and made up songs the entire way there about the boat. When the boys saw the reservoir they immediately thought it was the ocean. Once we actually got on the boat Mikey got pretty nervous and didn't say a work the rest of the time. James thought it was the best thing ever! Uncle Tim and Dad went water skiing even though the water was freezing. While Doug was skiing I asked James if he wanted to try. He didn't even hesitate. Once Dad was done James just stood up and went to get in the water for his turn. We strapped him on the knee board and Doug held on to the back. He LOVED it. When he got back in the boat he proudly said "I skied!"
Later that day we went to the Autism Walk. It was at Mile High Stadium this year and the big boys couldn't be more excited about that. I will admit it was pretty cool to see since we have never been there. The boys loved the bouncy castles, but they were so crowded I think they could have done a better job running them, but they boys had fun. Mikey threw himself halfway down the slide before he even started sliding.
James got his face painted with a green balloon. I don't think he really understood what was happening, he just wanted the green paint.
After we looked at all the booths they had, and bought James an awesome centipede thing we though would be perfect for church (He lost it the next day at church) we decided to look around a bit until the walk.
Dad and Mikey
James wishing we could go back to the bouncy castles
Me and Grandpa and the boys waiting for the big boys
The walk was around the stadium then it went into the stadium and around the field. Again the bigger boys were in heaven. They all took turns taking pictures of themselves Tebowing.
That night we went to an open house for Doug's little brother who just graduated. And Sunday night there was an Eagle Court of honor for him.
Scott getting his Eagle
Grandpa telling about Scott's Eagle project which was titled "Project James" They did a book drive for the Autism Society of Colorado and collected over 1500 books.
Doug reading the Eagle Charge
Monday Doug went golfing with his Dad and brothers and we packed up, made a feast for lunch then headed back home. Overall it was a super busy but fun weekend.
So a few weeks ago I saw this idea on Pinterest. The funny thing about Pinterest is you find lots of things you like and you pin it to do it later, but you never actually end up using most of the ideas. But this one was different, I knew I had to do this one, soon. I thought about how I would do it, and knew I had to get my husband to help drag my washer and dryer out to the garage. So that night I showed him the picture and said "I want to do this sometime." I never dreamed he would be as excited (maybe more) as I was. He insisted we do it right away. Only he wanted to do it "right" of course. Doing it "right" means we use a spray gun to paint rather than a brush or roller. The paint goes on much smoother this way and you don't get any brush or roller marks. So that night I did all the laundry in the house knowing that would give us a week to get these done.
Doug got them out in the garage, than sanded them down so the paint would stick a little better.
We taped them all up and Doug got to work with the spray gun.
I made a stencil with my Silhouette. And Doug painted on the brown.
We added more stencils and more taping and more painting.
Finally we were done and are very pleased with the result. The idea for it just came to me as we were looking at what colors we wanted to do and evolved from there. It makes me smile every time I open the "laundry room" to do laundry.
He did it. He finished preschool. We have LOVED having James at this school for the past year and a half. He has made incredible progress and it has been amazing to watch. We love his teachers and basically everything about his school. I am really going to miss having him go there, and am already having nightmares about Kindergarten.
It is fun to hear James' teacher talk about James. We can tell she really loves him and cares about what happens in his future. We have felt truly blessed having him in her class.
Here are a few of the priceless things she has taught James
His name, first and last
His age (although he did fight us a little when he turned 5)
The difference between boys and girls (not the real difference, but he can now correctly identify girls and boys)
Letter sounds
How to count
Numbers 0-20
I am sure there is lots more that I am forgetting, but these are pretty big things. Graduation was a pretty fun day. It was so neat to see James with his class and when he saw us there he got the biggest smile on his face, he was so proud to have us there. They had the graduation out on the playground. There are 4 classes and they all walked out and too their seats.
James walking to his seat with his class
Then They had the classes come up one at a time to shake hands with their teacher and get their "diploma". It was amazing to watch how well James waited for his turn, and just sat in his chair.
Here is James getting his diploma. Although I think I need to be fired as the official video taker for the family. I stopped it too soon to try to get a picture, then I didn't even get a good picture.
After the class was done they had then stand together for a class picture before they went back to their seats.
James waiting for them to finish, I love his face.
Now he sees me. Much happier face.
Once all the classes were done we went back inside for a program the kids had put together. It was really cute to watch. James did awesome!
During the end of the last song Michael kind of stole the show. He started singing with the kids and all the parents smiled at cute Michael.
After the program they called the kids up one by one to give them their real certificates and have a picture with their teachers.
I am really sad to have James be moving on. We have loved being at this school and we will miss his teachers and all those who worked with him.
Yesterday my cute little Mikey, I mean Michael, turned three! He is such a fun little guy, we really love him. Some things about Michael right now:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Sandlot
Favorite cartoon: Go Diego Go!
Favorite color: Yellow
Best friend: James
Favorite book: Barney Sharing is Caring (it really is a dumb as it sounds)
Favorite toy: A ball (any ball)
He loves to talk and talk and talk and talk
He loves to make up songs, and when he isn't talking or asleep he is singing
We had a really fun day yesterday for his birthday, and even though we kept it low-key we all really enjoyed it. First thing in the morning after he woke up he choose french toast for breakfast. Then we got his presents out (we didn't dare put them out the night before because we were afraid they would open them without us). He picked one to open and it was the biggest one from Grammy and Grandad. And what was inside.....
A Trampoline!
Dad and Billy putting together the trampoline
This was a pretty big hit with all three boys. They did a lot of jumping yesterday. He also opened the littlest present which was this really cute Despicable Me shirt. He loved it and wanted it on right away.
MIkey jumping wearing his Despicable Me shirt.
After opening a few presents they boys decided to go ride bikes. So Dad headed out with the boys. They ended up at a big dirt hill near our house. After a while I got a call from Doug who just said to come pick them up right now. I was a little nervous because it really isn't that far so even if James was having a complete meltdown he should be able to get them home. When I got there I took one look at Mikey and thought for sure we were headed to the hospital, he was COVERED in blood. I had no idea where he was even hurt. Doug put him and James in the car and went back to get the bikes while I took the boys home. When I got home James was crying so I asked James why he was crying and he said "Mikey turned red." When I got Mikey out of the car I finally saw where he had been hurt, the back of his head was completely covered in blood. His hair, and shirt were just red. I got him in the bathroom and started just dumping water on him to try and wash it all off so I could see where he was cut. When I finally got it all cleaned off this is what I found:
I could not believe this tiny little cut could bleed so much! So no trip to the hospital for us. We were really wishing we had got a picture before we washed him all up, because it is so hard to believe how bad it looked.
After we got him calmed down we asked if he wanted to open another present. Of course this cheered him up right away. He opened his life jacket from Grandma and Grandpa, and wore it for a long time!
Then it was time to take James to school. After we dropped James off we asked if Mikey wanted to go to Pizza Hut for lunch. It is his favorite place to eat. He said "How about tomorrow so James can come." So cute! After lunch we headed back to the school for graduation (more on that later). Not sure Mikey really cared too much, but I think he had a good time.
After school we went home and Mikey had a short nap, then opened the rest of his presents. He also got a baseball glove and a automatic pitcher. It was so cute watching the two boys trying to play catch. Not sure they really get it yet.
We had Hot Dogs for dinner then the biggest part of the day: cake. I don't think I have ever seen anyone so excited for a cake. He has been talking about his cake for months. We finally decided on an airplane, but I am not sure it measured up to his expectations. Oh well, maybe next year.
