Sunny Days at Cold Lakes

We actually live quite close to a really lovely lake. We never go. I feel like we should go up there more, it's about 15 minutes away and it's amazing. The sun came out this past weekend and it wasn't a single digit temperature so we decided to go exploring a bit.

The kids all seem to do better when we get out of the house. Being in the house stagnates us, we get cranky and annoyed with one another. Yet with the same company in the fresh air we're like different, happier people.

Miles had become a fan of all jackets that have hoods. He loves to have his hood up even when it's not particularly necessary. However it was quite windy, so he was really better prepared than most of us for the icy air blowing in off the lake.

We stopped by the water for a snack of beef jerky and ridiculous gas station pastries (BIG TEXAS I do LOVE YOU!) and just spent some time just...BEING. I love the sound of air whooshing through the big Georgia pines.

We saw the dam which we hadn't really taken in before, and drove over it. Louis obviously thought that was awesome. Ok I did too. The twins love taking walks even when they don't, it seems to relax them even though Charlie will fuss if we walk for too long. Mostly he wants to pick up sticks and crumble them in a world where no one bothers him about it. Nature walks are the perfect place for that.

And as for us, I think sometimes we just like to walk and watch our children discover the world. Some days that's as good as it gets.

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Sunny Days at Cold Lakes

We actually live quite close to a really lovely lake. We never go. I feel like we should go up there more, it's about 15 minutes away and it's amazing. The sun came out this past weekend and it wasn't a single digit temperature so we decided to go exploring a bit.

The kids all seem to do better when we get out of the house. Being in the house stagnates us, we get cranky and annoyed with one another. Yet with the same company in the fresh air we're like different, happier people.

Miles had become a fan of all jackets that have hoods. He loves to have his hood up even when it's not particularly necessary. However it was quite windy, so he was really better prepared than most of us for the icy air blowing in off the lake.

We stopped by the water for a snack of beef jerky and ridiculous gas station pastries (BIG TEXAS I do LOVE YOU!) and just spent some time just...BEING. I love the sound of air whooshing through the big Georgia pines.

We saw the dam which we hadn't really taken in before, and drove over it. Louis obviously thought that was awesome. Ok I did too. The twins love taking walks even when they don't, it seems to relax them even though Charlie will fuss if we walk for too long. Mostly he wants to pick up sticks and crumble them in a world where no one bothers him about it. Nature walks are the perfect place for that.

And as for us, I think sometimes we just like to walk and watch our children discover the world. Some days that's as good as it gets.

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Nice People Are Nice

A couple of months ago, we were at a Gwinnett Braves game  and while we were up in the suite a REALLY nice lady came up and offered us and the only other family in the suite tickets to an Atlanta Braves game. I had been a couple of times with my friend Chuck but had always wanted to take my family there, it's an Atlanta institution - and I definitely wanted them to see Turner Field. You can't live in Atlanta without rooting for the Braves even when they suck. We said thank you and YES and a few weeks later we connected to make it happen.

Baseball games are fun but weird things for us. Having to constantly watch the little ones in so much of a crowd can be hectic. I think getting food was the most harrying part. But then, we grabbed our food and headed to our seats.

The end result is snacks and treats of the kind that little people like, and who am I kidding - big people like them too. I mean, ball park hot dogs are the best thing ever.

CHRISTA THAT IS CHEESE NOT MUSTARD ! CHEESE I SAY ! NO MUSTARD !

Baseball is a weird bonding experience. Louis has never played but he likes to go. And the crazy antics they do to keep the kids entertained is both absurd and fun.

So Julia and Louis remembered that the love each other and laughed through most the game as much as they cheered. The twins didn't fuss, and there were treats and music enough to keep them happy too.

It was a bit challenging changing the twins in the hot ass bathrooms at Turner Field. Like omg sweat pouring down my face and having to having them step out of their shoes onto the floor (thank god they were clean floors thank you thank you) because these bigger pullups do not have tear away sides you HAVE to take off your shoes. You become very aware of floor cleanliness when your kids have to put their socked feet on that floor. But we managed and I didn't pass out from heat stroke so that's a plus.

We had such a great time I am so grateful for the gift of the tickets. It was a great day together as a family. And, my son got the hat of our people - which is obviously very important.

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Nice People Are Nice

A couple of months ago, we were at a Gwinnett Braves game  and while we were up in the suite a REALLY nice lady came up and offered us and the only other family in the suite tickets to an Atlanta Braves game. I had been a couple of times with my friend Chuck but had always wanted to take my family there, it's an Atlanta institution - and I definitely wanted them to see Turner Field. You can't live in Atlanta without rooting for the Braves even when they suck. We said thank you and YES and a few weeks later we connected to make it happen.

Baseball games are fun but weird things for us. Having to constantly watch the little ones in so much of a crowd can be hectic. I think getting food was the most harrying part. But then, we grabbed our food and headed to our seats.

The end result is snacks and treats of the kind that little people like, and who am I kidding - big people like them too. I mean, ball park hot dogs are the best thing ever.

CHRISTA THAT IS CHEESE NOT MUSTARD ! CHEESE I SAY ! NO MUSTARD !

Baseball is a weird bonding experience. Louis has never played but he likes to go. And the crazy antics they do to keep the kids entertained is both absurd and fun.

So Julia and Louis remembered that the love each other and laughed through most the game as much as they cheered. The twins didn't fuss, and there were treats and music enough to keep them happy too.

It was a bit challenging changing the twins in the hot ass bathrooms at Turner Field. Like omg sweat pouring down my face and having to having them step out of their shoes onto the floor (thank god they were clean floors thank you thank you) because these bigger pullups do not have tear away sides you HAVE to take off your shoes. You become very aware of floor cleanliness when your kids have to put their socked feet on that floor. But we managed and I didn't pass out from heat stroke so that's a plus.

We had such a great time I am so grateful for the gift of the tickets. It was a great day together as a family. And, my son got the hat of our people - which is obviously very important.

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You probably heard that last week Atlanta was brought to it's knees by two inches of snow.

This isn't about that.

This is about how much fun four children who rarely see snow can have, in just over an hour outside. It's funny, they always have this list, they wanna make snow angels and a snow man and have a snowball fight etc etc etc.

What's funny is how quickly the snow just becomes, wet and cold. And then they realize that we're out of things to do because we have done them all.

And then they wonder, so what now? When I assure them that this is in fact IT other than sledding (we don't own a sled) and point out that this is why winter is SO DREARY up north, I think it sinks in that snow is best as a rarity. I know I don't miss it.

It was fun for a couple of days. And we did even make a snowman.

It was a good excuse to wear the wonderful hats grandma knitted us too!

Now, back to rain and warmer weather. YAY Atlanta!
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You probably heard that last week Atlanta was brought to it's knees by two inches of snow.

This isn't about that.

This is about how much fun four children who rarely see snow can have, in just over an hour outside. It's funny, they always have this list, they wanna make snow angels and a snow man and have a snowball fight etc etc etc.

What's funny is how quickly the snow just becomes, wet and cold. And then they realize that we're out of things to do because we have done them all.

And then they wonder, so what now? When I assure them that this is in fact IT other than sledding (we don't own a sled) and point out that this is why winter is SO DREARY up north, I think it sinks in that snow is best as a rarity. I know I don't miss it.

It was fun for a couple of days. And we did even make a snowman.

It was a good excuse to wear the wonderful hats grandma knitted us too!

Now, back to rain and warmer weather. YAY Atlanta!
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The Polar Vortex Of DOOOOOOOM

Atlanta is hurtling toward record cold right now as I type. The temperature dropped five degrees from when I pulled out of the office to when I arrived home. When I pulled into the driveway, I found my husband under the house wrapping the pipes and my son helping.

It's cold.

According to Weather.com it's 14 degrees right now.

We haven't seen a single digit temperature in Atlanta in a decade they are saying, definitely not since I've here. They are on TV explaining to people what WIND CHILL IS and how fast you get frost bite. It's a reminder of childhood that honestly I could've done without. I live in the south for a reason.

They're saying the low will be 7. I question that. Why is it going to stop at 7? I'm curious.

What I do know is that this POLAR VORTEX has certainly brought out the armchair scientists on my Facebook. They know a lot about Polar Warming it seems and like to send pot shots out to Al Gore.

PSSSSSST. You might wanna look up what Global Warming includes.

Just saying.

As for me, I've got my slippers on and a space heater at the ready. I'm a northern girl.

Bring it mother nature. I weathered the blizzard of 78 in a house with no insulation.

I can do 7.



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The Polar Vortex Of DOOOOOOOM

Atlanta is hurtling toward record cold right now as I type. The temperature dropped five degrees from when I pulled out of the office to when I arrived home. When I pulled into the driveway, I found my husband under the house wrapping the pipes and my son helping.

It's cold.

According to Weather.com it's 14 degrees right now.

We haven't seen a single digit temperature in Atlanta in a decade they are saying, definitely not since I've here. They are on TV explaining to people what WIND CHILL IS and how fast you get frost bite. It's a reminder of childhood that honestly I could've done without. I live in the south for a reason.

They're saying the low will be 7. I question that. Why is it going to stop at 7? I'm curious.

What I do know is that this POLAR VORTEX has certainly brought out the armchair scientists on my Facebook. They know a lot about Polar Warming it seems and like to send pot shots out to Al Gore.

PSSSSSST. You might wanna look up what Global Warming includes.

Just saying.

As for me, I've got my slippers on and a space heater at the ready. I'm a northern girl.

Bring it mother nature. I weathered the blizzard of 78 in a house with no insulation.

I can do 7.



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All The Flavors of Soccer

The oldest boy has played soccer for several years. The girl started this year playing indoor soccer for wee ones, and we decided to move up to the regular outdoor soccer league this fall.

What that means to the twins is, they go a lot and watch their siblings DOING things. I've always felt like that's probably a drag. I mean, they seem to LIKE to go, but what is there to do? Go and watch someone else do something, wow that's probably great year after year.

There are a lot of activities and camps and events for high functioning autism kids. Our group here is really awesome, and I am so glad they are able to provide that. But what about our little guys on the more challenging side? I mean, they like to DO things. Why isn't there ever anything for US to do extra curricular with our Miles and Charlie?

Well it turns out, there is a thing or two. Hats off to Atlanta Fire United for offering TOPSOCCER. It gives Miles and Charlie an opportunity every Sunday to get out there and play just like their siblings.

They spend about half of the time doing various play activities based on the abilities of the kids there. There is a range from little guys to young adult and the volunteers running it do a spectacular job of dividing them up and keeping everyone interested.

We sit on the sidelines and everyone cheers and shouts as they complete their activities, cheering even louder for the kids who need it most, the enthusiasm from the parents is amazing. I think it's partly just being so glad there is a place and event FOR our kids. We range from autism & down syndrome to various physical and mental disabilities that I don't comprehend. It doesn't even matter. They're out there running, sometimes with help, and kicking the ball and scoring. Just like regular kids.

This is the same league Louis plays in, AFU, and so he goes out to help during the practice and game. There are sometimes other older kids from the teams who come and help - they do an amazing job working with the kids, it's really impressive.

I think one of my favorite things is that they do work with them to learn real soccer fundamentals. Sure, it's scaled into bites that they can handle - but I love watching them. 

They also do fun things that give them good work outs and are variously sensory stimulating - like this one, they run with a parachute behind them. The idea is to make it fly. Miles thinks it's HILARIOUS especially when it flies and makes the whipping, flapping noise behind him.

I've heard it mumbled that these things are "for the parents" and I have some thoughts about that. First of all, if it was FOR THE PARENTS, why would that be SO BAD? I mean, as parents, we do have needs. We need to feel like our children are developing. We deserve to have moments that are unique and special - when I said MILES SCORED TWO GOALS his second game, I actually mean MILES SCORED TWO GOALS. 

Louis only ever scored one goal and he's been playing for years, plus that one was accidental and off of his head. So really, would it be so bad if we took them to play soccer just for the much needed parental ego boost? 

You don't get many of those, as special needs parents. You get events that aren't for you, activities that aren't for you, school nights your kids won't understand or also - aren't for you. So the fact that we seek out something THAT IS FOR US so we can participate in the "My kid did XYZ" conversations, would that make us SO BAD? Nope. It wouldn't. 

But the truth is, it isn't for us. Despite Charlie whining because he gets hot and tired, or Miles not wanting to take directions sometimes because he wants a different activity, they're both smiling and laughing by the time we're done each Sunday. They get to run and play and chase a ball. We're outdoors in the sunshine, and there are other little kids. They are kids who don't stare, kids who want to play too. 

It's amazing and it's wonderful. I am so glad we found it.

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All The Flavors of Soccer

The oldest boy has played soccer for several years. The girl started this year playing indoor soccer for wee ones, and we decided to move up to the regular outdoor soccer league this fall.

What that means to the twins is, they go a lot and watch their siblings DOING things. I've always felt like that's probably a drag. I mean, they seem to LIKE to go, but what is there to do? Go and watch someone else do something, wow that's probably great year after year.

There are a lot of activities and camps and events for high functioning autism kids. Our group here is really awesome, and I am so glad they are able to provide that. But what about our little guys on the more challenging side? I mean, they like to DO things. Why isn't there ever anything for US to do extra curricular with our Miles and Charlie?

Well it turns out, there is a thing or two. Hats off to Atlanta Fire United for offering TOPSOCCER. It gives Miles and Charlie an opportunity every Sunday to get out there and play just like their siblings.

They spend about half of the time doing various play activities based on the abilities of the kids there. There is a range from little guys to young adult and the volunteers running it do a spectacular job of dividing them up and keeping everyone interested.

We sit on the sidelines and everyone cheers and shouts as they complete their activities, cheering even louder for the kids who need it most, the enthusiasm from the parents is amazing. I think it's partly just being so glad there is a place and event FOR our kids. We range from autism & down syndrome to various physical and mental disabilities that I don't comprehend. It doesn't even matter. They're out there running, sometimes with help, and kicking the ball and scoring. Just like regular kids.

This is the same league Louis plays in, AFU, and so he goes out to help during the practice and game. There are sometimes other older kids from the teams who come and help - they do an amazing job working with the kids, it's really impressive.

I think one of my favorite things is that they do work with them to learn real soccer fundamentals. Sure, it's scaled into bites that they can handle - but I love watching them. 

They also do fun things that give them good work outs and are variously sensory stimulating - like this one, they run with a parachute behind them. The idea is to make it fly. Miles thinks it's HILARIOUS especially when it flies and makes the whipping, flapping noise behind him.

I've heard it mumbled that these things are "for the parents" and I have some thoughts about that. First of all, if it was FOR THE PARENTS, why would that be SO BAD? I mean, as parents, we do have needs. We need to feel like our children are developing. We deserve to have moments that are unique and special - when I said MILES SCORED TWO GOALS his second game, I actually mean MILES SCORED TWO GOALS. 

Louis only ever scored one goal and he's been playing for years, plus that one was accidental and off of his head. So really, would it be so bad if we took them to play soccer just for the much needed parental ego boost? 

You don't get many of those, as special needs parents. You get events that aren't for you, activities that aren't for you, school nights your kids won't understand or also - aren't for you. So the fact that we seek out something THAT IS FOR US so we can participate in the "My kid did XYZ" conversations, would that make us SO BAD? Nope. It wouldn't. 

But the truth is, it isn't for us. Despite Charlie whining because he gets hot and tired, or Miles not wanting to take directions sometimes because he wants a different activity, they're both smiling and laughing by the time we're done each Sunday. They get to run and play and chase a ball. We're outdoors in the sunshine, and there are other little kids. They are kids who don't stare, kids who want to play too. 

It's amazing and it's wonderful. I am so glad we found it.

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