Bad at Goodbye

Those of you from my past know that I am notoriously bad with goodbyes. They make me...

1. uncomfortable beyond belief
2. sad
3. have a loss for words (which never happens)

So...after talking with my dear friend Christie tonight about how the best blogs show lives for what they really are...happiness...tears...joys...sadness...and the mundane. I decided it was time to share my sadness.

It is only every now and then in life that you find a friend that gets you. Christie is a gets me kind of friend. She has seen my tears, shared my joys, and loved kids with autism with me. I am going to miss her. That is it...I am just going to miss her.

I find in life that we are always saying thanks. Thanks for your help...thanks for listening. But at Camp Royall we always said thanks for your friendship. Friendship is all encompassing...so Christie...thanks for your friendship. I am so excited for your and Robert's new adventure. But true to form...I will see you really soon in Minnesota.

Training Update

Ok...so a little miscommunication. I actually attended PRT (pivotal response training) today not Floortime. It was pretty enjoyable and informative. PRT is kind of like Discrete Trial toned down, initiated during play, and child interest driven. Plus all reinforcements are natural. I learned quite a bit. The only thing I was a bit confused about was the lack of visuals used. The trainers were from Kennedy Krieger and said that they use PRT with DTT and TEACCH. But I was not seeing many visuals or PECS books. So hmmmp. How to incorporate in the classroom. I will keep you posted on that one.

Getting excited for the big party this weekend (and possibly seeing my long lost friend Beth Reynolds)! Welcome home Neal! Now if Chris can just get home. His flight was canceled and now he is taking the red eye to an airport not close to home. Fingers crossed or I might have a mini meltdown tomorrow morning.

Good night for now.

Coming adventures!

Just wanted to take a minute to share the exciting things that are happening this week. I am so excited for the new little kiddies at Reed school. I am going to spend tomorrow working in my classroom and then I am heading to a Floortime training on Thursday! I will let you know how the Greenspan approach presents itself in Arlington. I have to admit that I am only vaguely familiar with Floortime and I am excited to learn a bit more about it (for free)!

But wait...drum please...Neal's welcome home party is this weekend. Chris and I are getting really excited. It will be a weekend filled with family, friends, golf, music, delicious food, and of course dancing and beer (it is a family tradition)! So glad that we can all get together to celebrate Neal coming home...but we will be thinking of his friends and fellow Marines that didn't make it home.

Time for a glass of wine on the porch. Good night for now.

Thinking back...

It is amazing how life changes so quickly. Chris and I were uploading old pictures onto picasa this weekend and got to looking at some of the 'ancient' ones. We forgot how much time has passed, some of many adventures we have taken together, and good times with our friends. So...for your viewing pleasure...some of the good ole days!

*Click on the pic to see it full screen!

Welcome baby Lily

Welcome baby Lily! So excited to have the time to visit Lily, her two gorgeous sisters, Aunt Jenny, and her wonderful husband Sean in NY. Lily is so blessed to be born into such a fabulous family. Her sisters are both gorgeous, smart, and such well behaved young ladies. I am lucky to call them family! Enjoy the pictures of the newest addition to the family!

Life is the fast lane.

Life is still moving quickly. Amy and Carter headed out this afternoon. It was so much fun to have them here. To hear his deep laugh (right from the belly), and to enjoy time just chatting and walking with Amy. It is slightly strange that I remember when she was born and now she is such a lovely mother! Now time to relax for a day or two...then off on another adventure to NY to visit my new cousin Lillian! But for now...it is time to ride the bike. It and the trails are calling my name.

Greece and Summer...ahhh.

It is amazing to me how slowly life seems to move at times. And then at other times you feel like it is flying past you so quickly your fingers couldn't grasp it if you stretched out extra long. That is me right now. Well...for the past month. Really? A month? Where has the time gone? Well...I will share pictures for your viewing pleasure and my all time favorite - a bulletted list!

1. Summer Flying By

• School ends (ahhh miss those fab kiddies already)
• Greece (ahhh miss those gorgeous beaches already)
• Neal gets home! Woohoo!
• Amy and Carter come to visit!
  
• Zac Brown Band in Danville, VA (I mean you know I love a good country concert!)
• 2 more fun days to come with Amy and Carter...then NY bound to welcome baby Lily.
• Whew...and one more exciting thing...I am moving schools...I was offered the autism preschool classroom in Arlington County! Can't wait :)

Greece Trip...I mean...Life is Good Today



Amy and Carter...





More to come of Neal's homecoming!

Life is good...so goodnight for now.