Debate Tournament

Emma participated in her second debate tournament of AY 2001-12 (6th grade). Her Glencairn team did very well and she took home a couple of firsts! It was a LONG day but the kids had a great time. Emma is third person from the right.

Bowling

The bowling gang

Molly and Joe

Emma and Molly

These photos were taken by Stacy sometime in December.

Women's bball game

Today I spent the morning at my friend Alice's church talking with a group of adults about writing my "This I Believe" essay and parenting a child with special needs. That group is about to begin composing their own essays and have started thinking about what they will write. My suggestion for getting started was to fill in the blanks for the following three sentences:

1. The number one thing that I want everyone to know about me is _________________.
2. I learned this important fact about myself when____________________________.
3. The reason I want everyone to know this about is __________________________.

Voila! The essay writes itself! Not really, but it seems to me that this is a good place to start.

In the afternoon, we went to the MSU women's basketball game. The highlight of the game was being on the jumbo screen for a few seconds. A first for all of us!

The View from the Fridge

Snow!

Chris and Joe heading out

Joe on the driveway

Mikey Mouse Hill: Amy & Joe on far left (orange sled)

Amy and Joe

Emma and Jonathan

math

Joe's teacher, Mrs. Olance, sent a photo of this school work that Joe completed independently today.

Art, Friends, and Shopping in Chicago

American Girl Doll Store with Ning and Cece

Creating art at the Art Institute

Art Institute of Chicago: Emma, Cece, Ning

The Lego Store (with Woody)

Museum of Contemporary Art

Swimming at the hotel with East Lansing pal Julia who moved to Chicago a few years ago.

Chicago!

Emma tagged along with me to a conference in Chicago this weekend. We drove in with friends and after walking down the Magnificent Mile (and stopping in the American Girl Doll store) we are relaxing in our hotel. Tomorrow Emma sees an old friend who moved from East Lansing to Chicago while I give a talk. The rest of the trip will be devoted to museums and shopping.

Let's Jam!

On the first Wednesday of each month CADSA sponsors a music therapy "Let's Jam" session. Joe loves to attend. Tonight he will go to the monthly drum circle hosted by the local Autism support group for the first time. Like CADSA, they open their activities to all people with special needs.