Explosions - Boys Adventure Club

The Mooresville Library has started a Boys Adventure Club, for 5 to 8 year olds. This 1st "meeting" was about explosions. The kids got to create a mini-reaction first indoors, with baking soda and lemon juice. They got to watch You-Tube video of Myth Buster's exploding things. And outdoors they got to see the Mentos and Diet Coke explosive reactions, as well as bagged gas (baking soda, vinegar) explosion. At first Nolan was "I want to go home.", but it quickly changed and he had a good time. Did he speak to anyone - NO! However, he did not hide behind me! So, it's a step in the right direction for him & the library!

SSFC Festival!

After a week of watching the tents and rides erect in school's parking lot, Nolan finally got his wish - Going to the festival!!! From the moment he woke, until the moment we got there, it was "When are we going to the festival?"

Jillian and he both rode the kiddie roller coast, fished (and won), went on the ferris wheel, played lots of other games (adult and kids size) and rode a multitude of rides! Mom did the worst on the ferris wheel, as her eyes were shut for half of the experience, with the palms sweating, and a death grip on Jillian, who was trying to lean over and see dad & "Do".

Little do the kids know that Mom and Dad went back at 9 PM, when they were fast asleep, so we would run the Big Wheel in the Monte Carlo tent. I think the Parish won big, with us at the wheel. Our aprons were filled quite full for SSFC.

Kindergarten pictures are back already!! We could not be more proud of Nolan! He's smiling; He's looking at the camera; And he's not looking at all stressed!

He has made a lot of great strides in a short amount of time.

Nolan is now participating in all classes, except one: gym. Because the 2 K classes are combined into one for gym class, there are added kids and noise. The therapist is thinking his lack of participation at this point continues to be emotional and anxiety related, but with sensory thrown in too. A little bit of a trifecta... Again, Ms. Weber and the gym teacher are OK with it. They know that when Nolan feels secure & less anxious, he will be more then willing to participate. It's evident from his start and now participation in other classes!

This week, Nolan will be the Star Student of the week. We have made a poster of family, his likes, his dislikes & what he wants to be when he grows up. We are darn excited for this opportunity, as Nolan normally shy's away from any attention - and here he's talking about being the Star Student & how he got to stand on a chair & have the other kids sing to him last week (for a celebration of filling his sticker chart!)

Way to go Nolan!! We are so proud that he is finding his way to overcome the Social Anxiety and Selective Mutism Disorders!

Family Day @ ANG 122nd Fighter Wing

Mom talked "what to wear" with the kids; Packed the camera; Planned the photo op. Then, got to Fort Wayne & found that I neglected to bring the camera battery!
Cell phone to the rescue for Family Day!

The 122nd ANG unit's last flight of the F-16 was celebrated in style, with numerous low level fly-by's. The "new" A-10 fly-by was done by Mike, Ashley's uncle! The unit has made the switch to the A-10's!

Our excitement was that we got to go out onto the flight line, in Dad's truck - while the remainder of the crowd had to hang back behind the fences! The kids loved the truck; Ashley loved getting out; Me - I was nervous John would get into trouble for all of us being there!

Our fun hotel stay was ruined, with the pool having too much chlorine & getting closed right before we checked in! Ugh! Oh well - swim time for the fam in the hotel tub! Always finding a way to make it work!!

Labor Day with the Alpena Fam

Have we worn out our welcome in Alpena yet? WOW! This year has blessed us with many opportunities to visit Alpena! And, Nolan is already asking if in October we can go back!!

After Linda's surprise party, we hung at camp for the entire weekend, leaving Monday to get back to Indy. While the temps were 58-ish high, with 40+ mph winds, we hunkered down inside. No fishing or camping!

We did get a family hike into the woods on Sunday to collect pine cones for Nolan's school. Uuummmm... school needed 600 total. We collected over 900 in maybe 30 minutes! Needless to say, we donated a bunch back into the woods!

Sunday, we also celebrated with some BIG fireworks, as the winds finally died right at dusk! Perfect timing!! And, a great ending to a wonderful weekend with the fam!!

Sorry that the Noom's couldn't make it! :-(

Linda's SURPRISE 60th Party! SURPRISE!

We pulled it off! After months of planning, Linda was completely surprised by her birthday party. She thought we were just celebrating Labor Day with a boiled dinner & friends. She kept inviting EVERYONE to join us, with poor Chantel running behind her & letting everyone know the real deal!
Linda even made her own birthday cake... when she guilted me with "I've made Pineapple Upside Down Cake before! I know how to do it!!" OK - all yours! You can make it!!
Too funny when she found out the truth of the event!

Ridin' Purple

YAH! Kerri pulled off another successful Ridin' Purple event! Although rain dampened many of the riders spirit, the bar-b-que, kid fun zone, silent auction, and corn hole tournament was a huge success! Great job!! I can only imagine how big the 3rd annual event will be in 2011!