Surfside Beach, TX Vacation 2010

This was absolutely the best vacation we have had! Vacations are supposed to be a break from a routine, vacations are all about trying something new, vacations are about experiencing a new environment. When you have a child with Autism, vacations are absolutely the furthest thing from relaxing! Children with Autism like routines. Children with Autism like "sameness". Children with Autism are usually NOT content in a new environment, or with trying new things. Every vacation we have taken up until now has been....stressful to say the least. This summer we tried to plan a vacation that both Wyatt and the rest of our family could enjoy. He loves sand, he loves water, so do we. We looked for the closest beach we could drive to, and found Surfside beach texas to be the perfect vacation spot for us. There is not much to do in this town except the beach, and several miles of beach homes, two restaurants, and a convenience store. We didn't care. We were there for the sun, sand, water, and some relaxing family time. We didn't have the distractions that we would have had in a more "touristy" town with lots of stuff to do. We established a great routine...wake up when we want to...hang out in our pajamas all morning...put on our swimsuits...walk the 50 steps it took us to get to the beach...and relax. Nice. Can't wait to go back!

Saige collecting shells in her bucket. The beach was full of clam shells, I've never seen so many in my life. We also saw a dead baby shark wash to shore (no it wasn't the tar balls that got him), and a few jellyfish.

Wyatt taking a break, relaxing with a refreshing CarpiSun in hand.

The view from our condo. 50 steps. That's all. Oh how I wish we could be there now!

(more to come, couldn't fit it all in one post...)

Our little friend this week

This is Gabriel. He has been our little friend this week, but leaves to go back to his foster parents tonight.

Saige has LOVED having a baby around and has been a huge help! :)

Wyatt....has not been so interested in Gabriel. He is very careful to not step on him when he is laying on the floor, but other than that he has not shown much interested or even noticed him much. That's alright, it's better than fighting over toys or attention! They have both been pretty content all week!

Wyatt dancing to fireworks on 4th of July :)

Wyatt's reflection

Wyatt has recently discovered his reflection in the mirror, the dishwasher, the oven, the refrigerator, shiny doorknobs, etc. He REALLY enjoys looking at himself and making various faces. It pretty cute, but not nearly as cute as what we witnessed yesterday. We just about died when we saw this it was so cute! Thank goodness my camera was handy and charged! I don't think we have to worry about Wyatt's self esteem...what do you think? :)

Third annual Father's Day taste testing competition!

Jello...Ice cream...and this year COOKIES! Our more recently started family tradition is a Father's day taste testing competition. This year the challenge was cookies! As you can see, this competition involves great concentration, years of preparation, strategy, skill, and of course some awesome blindfolds!








John preparing mentally....


























Dad, giving it his all.





















Jeremiah, perhaps saying a little prayer before the competition began...



















And the winner.......

It was a tie between Jeremiah and John! Although John I believe was officially appointed winner because as a part of the new, healthier John....he did not actually taste any of the cookies. How did he do it? Using touch and smell...I have no idea how you hold an Oreo, smell an oreo, and you don't actually put it in your mouth. Now that takes some serious self restraint!

Worlds of Fun

If you are planning a trip to Worlds of Fun this year, make sure you stay until the sun goes down. They have added a light display through about 1/2 the park that is really pretty spectacular. Okay, it's no Disneyworld, but I was pretty impressed. Viewing the lights through 3D glasses reveals flashing hearts all along the pathway. They had bubble machines going, projectors shooting images onto the sides of buildings, and strobe lights. Not bad.




































Saige and I tearing up the racetrack!


















Saige and John tearing up the racetrack!













Saige and Wyatt on Snoopy Mail (Wyatt's favorite ride by far)











Saige and Wyatt on the kangaroos (I remember riding this when I was little! That makes me feel old.)

Look mom! No hands!

No, Wyatt didn't go on the Prowler. But my daredevil daughter did! I can't believe all the rides she goes on...and loves to go on! This is the first year that she is tall enough for EVERY ride at the park, and she will actually go on EVERY ride at the park. She has no fear. I think I was at least 12 or 13 before I would go on an upside down roller coaster, and she is going on them at 8!

Having a bit of a "Staycation" this week in KC

A few days off from work...a whole city to explore...what to do? We have had a bit of a vacation in our own city this week. Monday we went to Coco Key. Wyatt was totally in his element (water, slides, etc). Addie and Saige had a great time too, as you can see we did not get a single picture of the two of them. It is kind of nice to have a child old enough to not need to be watched every minute, especially since it nearly takes two of us to make sure Wyatt doesn't escape (or drown). Saige and Addie took off as soon as we got there, they did check in occasionally, but we didn't see them a lot. The got wet, worn out, and had a great time though!

Here's a video of Wyatt on the water slide. He did this about 300 times that day!

Saige's Dance Recital June 2010

Pictures of the actual performance...at some time in the future. Here are a few we took afterwards. Thanks to grandma, grandpa and Addie for coming to support Saige (and sitting through 2 1/2 totally...um... thrilling hours of girls in tu-tu's! :)

Wyatt singing Wheels on the Bus

He actually does it much better than this, but never when I'm recording him of course! Pretty amazing though!

House painting complete!

Not a shocking change, but we love our new house color! It's amazing how a fresh coat of paint makes a house seem brand new. Check out the before (on the left) and the after (on the right)!

Backyard fun

For Afton...

It looks like the video story is no longer on the news station's website. Here is a video I recorded of the story playing on our TV. Not the best quality, but it works!