Special Olympics, Preference, and Blake Haircut

We signed Caleb up for Special Olympics.  Right now, they are only doing basketball.  We knew it would be a sport that he wouldn't like.  However, this is an important part of therapy that our psychologist recommends.  Later in the year, they offer track, softball, bowling, bocce, and soccer.  He was very excited about bowling.  We told him that to do bowling, he would need to do all of the sports.

He spent the first day sitting on the bench asking to go home.  I told Caleb that he had to try for 5 minutes before I'd take him home.  I got a volunteer to come over and engage with him.    

Caleb walked to the end of the bleachers, bounced the ball once off the floor, and turned to me expecting to go home.

I told him that I wouldn't accept that.  He needed to participate for 5 minutes.  The volunteer got him to play follow the leader while he dribbled around the perimeter of the court.

 He even laughed a few times when the ball would bounce away from him.  

This look is, "Mom, that better be enough!"  We called it a day and went home.  Sadly, the next week they started a tournament.  That isn't going to help him participate.  We will have to wait for the next sport to start practicing.

Josh got asked to Preference by a girl on Cross Country.  This time he let her come in while they did corsages and boutonnieres.  We were happy to meet his date.

 I have always cut Blake's hair.  Josh asked that we do the sides shorter and leave the top long.  I wasn't feeling confident about doing it myself.  So, we took him to Great Clips with Kyle.  Blake was shy but did very well.

What a waste of $12.  I asked her to keep the top long and it was as short as I usually cut it.  Bummer.



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A Photo Shoot Story

I was sitting on the couch when Blake came up to me and starting talking.  I noticed how blue his eyes looked with the sunlight pouring in the window.  I started taking a bunch...err....100s of photos.  (iPhones aren't the best and I am a terrible photographer).  

After a while, he wanted to make silly faces.

Caleb got off the bus and wanted to take some photos, too.

Blake decided it was his turn and that he could take funnier pictures.

They had a great time taking turns trying to make silly faces.

Eventually, Blake got sick of sharing the spotlight.  

I told him that he could have one more turn and then we were done........ 
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Pieces of February

Blake helped me make some Valentine's sugar cookies.  He loves to help out in the kitchen.  He wishes that we would make brownies every time, however.

 Josh called me from school and said that he cut his finger while manipulating a lawn mower engine, in his class.  He said that they bandaged it up and didn't think he'd need stitches.  When he got home I made him take of the bandage.  I took one look at his finger and called the dr.  He was annoyed because he thought I was over reacting. 

Seven stitches. 😏 

Most of the girls in our neighborhood are younger than Katie.  Its a good thing that she's so much fun.  She's pretty popular.

 Katie was challenged by her piano teacher to play a hymn in Primary.  She played "Come Follow Me" without missing a beat.  I was so proud of her.  Accompanying is very hard.

Caleb turned 9.  He got some more books from a series that he has just found.  "Dogman"  

He has flipped over to the level of reading where he can read chapter books all by himself.  It's such a sweet tender mercy to see it.  I am so grateful for his patient and talented teachers who know how to reach him.

This lego set was another of his presents.  It is from the "Lego Ninjago Movie."

 Caleb tried to blow out all of his candles.  When he got a little frustrated, Blake was completely willing to step in and help.

 Grandma Clark got a new puppy.  She came by and let the kids meet her.  Our kids were enamored with her.  

(I didn't have to stage this photo.  They stayed like this for over 10 minutes.)