Ban the goodie bag!

This past weekend, Matt & I held a birthday party for the girls and their friends at a swimming pool.

The kids got to swim in a private area for an hour, plus had pizza, snacks and cupcakes. Everyone seemed to have a good time, including the parents. We asked for no presents for the girls since we feel that they really do have enough. Some brought cards and one family made a donation to a children’s charity.

At the end when many kids were saying goodbye and thank you, one child came to me and asked, “Where are the goodie bags?”

I was a bit shocked. And said, “The swimming WAS your goodie bag.” Continue reading

6 years on the planet

You’ve made it Lyra & Sasha! You’ve been here and in our lives for six years today. Happy birthday.

And although you both are just starting to read (and in Lyra’s case, just starting to really talk!), I wanted to give you some advice and ideas to look to every so often.

1) You have a disability; it’s called Autism. But you have never let that stop you or have used it as an excuse. Keep trying as hard as you do and you will ALWAYS be rewarded.

2) Don’t worry if people – even the ones you love – don’t always get you. That’s not about you; it’s about them. Continue reading