Happy Easter!

This was one of the BEST Easter celebrations ever!  We had Easter at our house this year.  My parents are having some renovations done at their house and it was in shambles, so I offered to host Easter.  The Cullinans were going to have Easter with his family, so it was just our family, my mom, dad, and grandmother. 

We started off the morning with Declan following the bunny trail.  Apparently the Easter Bunny's tail sheds when he leaves the Easter basket.  Declan thought that was very neat!  He LOVED his basket of goodies.  Pretty sure he only had candy to eat yesterday.  Oh well!

My parents and grandmother came over around one.  Declan finally woke up from his 3 hour nap and was ready to hunt for eggs.  He loved all of the attention on him and having his grandparents undivided attention.  He was great at hunting for the eggs and grasped the concept quickly.  Of course he wanted to open each egg after he found it.  He would yell for his Pop to open them.  After the hunt we enjoyed a wonderful early dinner (was supposed to be lunch) outside and enjoyed the company of one another and the beautiful weather.  It was a perfect day :-)

Owen and Gavin Turn 7!!!

My little nephews that were once preemies are now strong, happy, loving, smart, creative, and handsome young boys!  I cannot believe they are 7?!  Where has the time gone?  It feels like just yesterday I was visiting them in the NICU nightly.  What little fighters they were!  I have such a special and different bond with each of them.  They made me an aunt which is the second best thing from being a mom.  I am so proud of you boys and love you with all of my heart!   We are glad we could celebrate your big day with you!

Fripp Island 2011

What an amazing time we had on Fripp Island this spring break.  We left Saturday morning and returned the following Saturday.  It was paradise!  Perfect weather and perfect company.  The memories that we created together are priceless.  Declan had the BEST time hanging out with his cousins and Aunt for the week and so did I.  No schedule, no agenda, and relaxation.  I definitely needed a break.  We explored the island on the golf cart, got to "meet" different animals of the island, play on the different playgrounds, see the deer and alligators, go to the beach, play in the ocean and sand, and swim in the pool!  It was great!

Declan did not love the pool this time, but absolutely LOVED the beach.  He had no fear and loved playing in the ocean and the sand.  He was in heaven.  He definitely woke up asking for the "beach" and cried when we had to leave.  He loved the freedom of being able to run around...he might have felt independent, but I was always right there behind him :-)  I loved having a week with my little boy, but of course we missed Jason.  My sister and I definitely are a good team and it was nice to spend some "sister" time with her.

I feel like there is so much to tell and so much that I'm leaving out.  I took a ton of pictures, but tried to narrow it down.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho It's Off To FRIPP ISLAND We Go!!!!

Spring Break is here!!!  Yay!  My sister and I leave Saturday with the kids and are headed to Fripp Island for the entire week.  I cannot wait to see how Declan reacts to everything this year.  Last year he was not even crawling and this year he is in to everything.  Not sure if this will be a relaxing trip, but if anything it will be FUN!!!  I will post pics when we get back!

AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

April is Autism Awareness month.  I could list all of the facts about autism for you but, that would take forever...If you are interested please check the Autism Society of America or Autism Speaks website.  You will be intrigued by the facts and statistics that they share.  Just know that it is on the rise...

I can tell you that I have the greatest job on the planet working with these amazing children.  No day is EVER the same in my classroom and some days are way more challenging than others, but there is nothing I would rather do than teach and love these little ones everyday.  Every student or individual with autism (or any disability) that I have had the honor to work with has had a huge impact on my life.  My 9th year of teaching and I can remember the first and last name of every child I have had and how much they have touched me and how much I have learned from each one of them. 

I really think that it has prepared more than anything to be a parent too.  Weird how things work.  My students have taught me patience, understanding, and love that many people will never get to experience.  I wake up and I'm excited to go to work and have an impact on these children's lives everyday.  Don't get me wrong...being a mom is the BEST job in the world, but teaching children with autism is definitely a close second. 

Please take the time to learn more about autism and have a little more patience for people that may have a disability.  You most likely will learn more from them than they will learn from you.

You will notice a lot famous buildings/structures that are lit up in BLUE this month...it is part of the LIGHT IT UP BLUE campaign to spread Autism Awareness.  I know I will be wearing BLUE tomorrow to spread awareness.

The DEW and SE

We had a fun play date after work/school with Nicole and Sawyer.  It was SO fun watching these two together.  It was great to catch up with one of my best friends too.  Just a reminder of how no matter how busy we get in our lives that we need to make time with friends.  Sawyer and Declan got along so well and I have a feeling they will be great friends!

 Cookie Time!

 So happy together....

 Ha ha!

Watching The Fresh Beat Band after a bath (SE is sporting Declan's pajamas).  Don't let them fool you...as soon as we left the room they were jumping on the couch yelling "bounce, bounce."  So stinkin' cute!!!

Pop and Cyn Cyn To The Rescue!

 Scooting down the stairs...Cyn Cyn taught him how...wedo not have stairs he can go up and down in our house...

 His shirt says it all as he has a banana stuffed in his mouth :-)

 Loves opening and closing the door with my mom...their little game...

 I LOVE it here!

 Sitting in the fountain...

 Playing with Pop...

 is SO much fun!

 So, he is totally up to something look at this face...wait for it (look at the next picture)

After the martini!  Cyn Cyn with the save!

Declan and I wanted to get out of the house after Jason left, so what better place to go then to Pop and Cyn Cyn's house?!  Declan was asking to go...how could I deny the child time with his grandparents?  Declan was more than thrilled to spend time with them and I actually got to go shopping.  I had to find a bathing suit for our trip to Fripp Island next week with my sister and her kiddos.  So excited, about the trip, but HATED bathing suit shopping yuck!  I am smaller now then before I was pregnant with Declan, but everything has just shifted and I have a different body...and not one that I love.  The DEW was more than worth it of course!  I suppose I could diet and workout and that would help.  Ha ha!  It was such a nice day/night with my parents.  All stress is gone when I visit them.  They let me relax and take over and I love it and appreciate it so much.