Very Special Arts Festival

Every year for the past 26 years, people in Plano have gathered to support the arts for those with disabilities.  I've attended probably 20 or so.  I worked for the Very Special Arts state office when I lived in Austin and in Carrollton.  I have taken my students' artwork almost every year since I started teaching in 1995.  I've had a connection with VSAF for a long time.

This year, I didn't take any student artwork - although they did some...I just took Eli and planned to spend the afternoon.  Which we did.  We had fun seeing some of my old teachers from high school, some of the participants with Parks and Rec, some of their families and also some of my co-workers from Parks and Rec.

Eli got to use a potter's wheel to 'throw' a pot, use lots of glitter for artwork, string beads, play musical instruments and dance with the PSHS German Club Folk Dancers.  He had so much fun!

I can't remember what she said but he was concentrating very hard!  His eyes are closed!

The potter told him to use his muscles.  Look at that face!

Chicken dance!

Halloween 2011

I know what you're thinking.  I'm going crazy with posts today, right?  Well, actually, this is pretty therapeutic for me and I'm avoiding some things I should be doing...and, yes, I am going crazy right now.  Wanna go, too?

Eli wanted to be Spiderman for Halloween again.  So, we tried on his outfit from last year and it was skin tight!  I mean, it was indecently tight!  I found another one without any problem but he kept wearing the old one around the house!  (Mom did let him wear it to the grocery store, though!  Ewww!)

Anyway, Grandpa Jim was here from Ohio and we took him downtown to the city party.  Then, we came home and Husband, Eli and I went around the neighborhood a bit.  Eli had a blast jumping in the bounce houses and playing a few of the games.

Mom's neighborhood had an event so we had to check that out.

Eli had his face painted at the bazaar at Mom's church.  Spiderman, of course!

Eli grinning silly with Grandpa Jim.

OOPS!!

I did it.  I drove the truck and then Husband asked me to back it into the spot on the driveway.  I backed it up but didn't stop in time.  Truck is fine.  Garage door?  Not so much!

And was Husband mad?  Yep!  Didn't talk to me for a few hours!!

Soccer!

Eli had his first soccer game last week.  He did really well - considering he hasn't ever played and he had to run more than he ever has...but, he scored one goal on his own and was instrumental (assisting) with several others.  Yeah!

He's on a really sweet team.  The coach is so patient and makes all the drills so much fun and there's one dad that gets on the field and helps with the practices.  There are seven on his team and some will go to another elementary next year but some will go to Rucker with Eli.  So maybe he'll know a couple of kids when he gets to kindergarten.

I didn't take my camera to the game - I know!  What was I thinking?  And, he wore sweats over his shorts since it was a little cool.  Husband wasn't very happy about that...Anyway, I did get a couple of shots from the game.  We'll be at the soccer field each Saturday until Eli's birthday weekend.  Call me for times!!

Eli is number 40 - since his favorite number right now is 40,000...wearing navy pants with a white shirt.

Grandma Grandma

I miss my grandmother a lot.  I miss her and I tell Eli stories about her as often as I can.  Of course, I tell him stories about my dad, too.  (Saving that for another post!)

This week, we had two Grandma Grandma stories that keep coming up at our house.  (Since my mom is "Grandma" to Eli, my Grandma became "Grandma Grandma.")

1.  When we played the card game UNO growing up, my Grandma would say, "yeller" instead of "yellow" when she was changing the color.  This week, Eli and I played UNO for the first time and I told him about that.  Now, he says, "yeller" instead of "yellow" to see if we'll laugh.  I've had to re-tell that story so others could know what we were talking about.

2.  After the soccer game last Saturday, Eli was coughing.  I told him that he needed a drink of water and then thought about my Grandma.  She used to say, "You need a 'swaller' of water."  Now Eli says that, too!

Gotta love that little boy and gotta miss my Grandma.  I wonder what I'll think of next to tell him about her?

harsh? what?

I was re-telling the "cupcake caper" story to a mom of one of my students this morning.  She thought the punishment was awesome...but one of my students said, "Don't you think that's a little harsh?"
LOL!!

Dirty Boy

Husband:  Eli, I need some help changing the oil in the truck.  Want to help?
Eli:  Yes, Daddy!
Husband:  We're gonna get all greasy and dirty and smelly!
Eli:  No, I'm not helping!
Husband:  If I would have had a girl, she would've been willing to do it.
Eli: No, she wouldn't!
Husband:  I think (R and M) would love to help!  (Girl neighbors who have been known to play in the mud, etc.)
Eli:  No, they are my friends.  They won't help you, either!