Field Day

Field Day (code word for "damn hot!!!") was this past Friday. I always go up to help Harris with all the physical stuff which is most of it--save the teachers from spending alll of their time with him when they have 20 other kids to worry about. I was tickled to find that he really didn't need me so much this year. The best part was when he and his friend Dylan were paired up for the three-legged race. First of all, I think they missed the whole "race" part of the quotient because they leisurely strolled down the length of that field. All the while they were both talking, not really to eachother, but kind of just ranting! So I stepped closer to hear what that was all about. Harris was saying, over and over again,"This is NOT going very well! Not very well at all!" And Dylan was saying,"This is a stupid idea! Whoever made up this idea, it is stupid!" I had to agree. I was the sucker who had to tie and untie those silly bandanas from the double-leg cluster of about 2 dozen kids and NONE of them were diggin' on that race!

So, due to Harris' decreased need of me, I snuck away to visit my more neglected children. Faith was horrified to see me, as is standard. As a special humiliation bonus, Jared was on his way home from work and stopped by. We were just in time for the big race in which they determine who is the fastest running of all the fifth graders. Faith won for the girls last year. If you don't know Jared, this is the sort of stuff he really gets into. He makes our kids race all the time in the front yard, and tries to make me race him on an almost weekly basis. So he was ALL into it. He was up in Faith's grill, telling her to stretch her legs, and focus and whatnot, all in front of her friends, much to her humiliation. Then, it was time for her heat. She placed second, overall. I, of course, could not get my dumb camera to work, and so, I have no pictures. That won't add to her complex!

Then came Ethan. Of course, he was just happy to be alive, as he is most days. He was pleased to see me and let me snap shots of him doing the hula hoop race. He reported that he fell during the fourth grade race--news that did not please his father, but that didn't bother Ethan at all!

Oh, and Harris came in last place when he raced, which he pointed out was no fun at all. He stated that,"Everyone could have laughed at me and called me slow!" To which his dad pointed out that nobody did to which he replied, "But they could have!" So glad he's an optimist!

Discoveries

When I woke up this morning at 7 a.m. as usual, and began getting my kids ready for school, I discovered it was actually 6 a.m.



Sweet.






When I went outside to drive the kids to school I discovered what looked like a dead bird/mouse thingy on my front step. Jared came and examined and discovered that it was actually a bat.







Sick.





When I pulled up to the gym and got out to go inside I looked down and discovered that my feet looked like this:







Annoying.



I had to drive all the way home to put on my tennis shoes. I'm happy to report that after doing so I did make it back to the gym, passing the donut shop without stoppping for now, the second time!
Oh, and I'll just save Sarah the trouble by saying that yes, my toes do have a striking resemblance to that of the bat's.

How does your garden grow?...............With the help of this lady!

Some of ya'll are lucky enough to know this great gal.
She is my friend, Courtney, and besides her beautiful face, and home, and kids and the list goes on and on, she has an out-of-this-world beautiful yard! I have admired it for a couple of years now so when she offered to help me cap off my recent home improvements with some landscaping aid I quickly took her up on it.
We planned and shopped, we bought and transported, we dug and we hoed. We planted and we watered. It was a glorious two days. We recruited Jen who happily came down the street with her pack and play in tow for Elsa. She also kept Elsa happy on a drive or two so we could hammer it out and get it done. (You'll also notice the random picture of her and Claire playing ball which I just threw in because I thought it was funny.)
Needless to say I LOVE the end result! (of my yard, not the picture, although that also makes me smile...mostly cuz Jen's got a priceless expresson on her face.) Where once was a weed-infested jungle is now a beautiful garden of plants, bushes and grasses. I've kept almost everything alive for over a month now! I really enjoy going out each night and watering. It's a soothing ritual I get to do all by myself and I'm not big on rituals so I've impressed myself by maintaining the upkeep (remember the teeth I can't seem to brush at night thus the eighteen cavities!) Most of them are blooming and super colorful! I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post them.
Thanks Courtney! I couldn't have and wouldn't have done it without you!
Oh yes, and thank you, Jen!!

A New Friend

Meet James.

A boy who knocks on the door every day after school and asks for not Faith, not Ethan, but Harris.....every time.

A boy who, through his own challenges with Autism, understands what it's like to feel different.

A kid who takes a little longer to learn and understand many concepts, and is patient as Harris struggles to do the same.

A kid who doesn't even seem to notice Harris' braces, who doesn't ask him why he's always shaking his head or tell him he asks too many questions.

A boy who sees all that Harris has to offer.


I'm grateful that in addition to the loving friends and family Harris has in his life he now has James as well. He is an answer to the prayers of a worried mother's heart.