Life According to Emma & Joe

2012-01-26T08:50:00.001-08:00

Bowling

2012-01-24T14:29:00.000-08:00

The bowling gang

Molly and Joe

Emma and Molly

These photos were taken by Stacy sometime in December.

Women's bball game

2012-01-15T16:52:00.001-08:00

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

2012-01-14T14:51:00.001-08:00

Snow!

2012-01-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-10T04:57:00.001-08:00

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

Art, Friends, and Shopping in Chicago

2012-01-08T07:05:00.001-08:00

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!

2012-01-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

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!

2012-01-05T06:48:00.000-08:00

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-30T13:55:00.001-08:00

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Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:31:00.001-08:00

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

Naughty or Nice?

2011-12-23T07:18:00.001-08:00

Advent

2011-12-21T08:29:00.000-08:00

Waiting, waiting, waiting.....

Emma and Calvin

2011-12-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

Student of the month

2011-12-18T17:20:00.001-08:00

Birthday!

2011-12-18T17:19:00.001-08:00

Christmas Concert

2011-12-13T05:25:00.001-08:00

Joe brought Santa a picture of a Christmas tree that he made in school

"Hi Santa! I love you!"

The kids singing holiday songs with the performer.

Emma and Calvin

2011-12-12T18:07:00.000-08:00

Another lost tooth!

2011-12-12T18:06:00.001-08:00

On the way home from the CADSA Christmas concert Joe pulled out his 4th tooth. This is the only tooth that he has actually pulled out himself!

Virtual Field Trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium

2011-12-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

The kids watching Winter on their smart board

Joe and Emma

Students during the virtual field trip

Listening to a staff member talk about Winter

Today Joe's class took a virtual field trip to see Winter the dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The field trip lasted a full hour during which they saw Winter, her dolphin pal Panama, and the staff that works with them. The staff answered questions sent in by the students. The first question asked was submitted by Emma who was included in the field trip because she is Joe's sister! If you want to watch the live feed of Winter click HERE

First snow day

2011-12-06T06:44:00.000-08:00

Last week the kids had their first snow day. Emma had placed a spoon under her pillow (an East Lansing custom) and was delighted to wake up and find out that the ritual worked! I went to work and Chris stayed home with the kids. Snow days mean lots of cuddle time with a Calvin.

Classroom visit

2011-12-01T05:34:00.000-08:00

While Chris and I were in San Francisco, Tutu and Papou visited Joe's classroom, They are featured on Mrs. Olance's classroom blog this week! Click HERE.

Winter's evening

2011-11-29T17:17:00.000-08:00

Life in the slow lane.

The snow had started to fall and Chris is reading "Olive, the other Reindeer" to Joe. Winter is here!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-25T10:51:00.001-08:00

Visit with Tutu on San Francisco

2011-11-25T10:46:00.001-08:00

Chris and Grand Tutu

Amy, Grand Tutu and Chris

Megan, Chris, Grand Tutu Donnalei, Amy and George

Joe's School: Red Cedar Elementary

2011-11-12T14:04:00.000-08:00

The East Lansing Board of education has voted to close Joe's elementary school. Our town like many others is struggling to keep all of the elementary schools open. We were surprised and saddened that the board chose what seems to us to be the best, most functional school in the district. Emma went to the school in walking distance to our home and received a great education. If I had it to do all over again, I would send her to Red Cedar, too. There are so many advantages to this school including the fantastic music teacher who creates great learning opportunities and non-traditional activities like an all day spring concert event. Here is a clip of the spring concert a couple of years ago that included kids planting with the performers during the day and then singing with them in the evening.

Working on Writing

2011-10-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Joe has been working on writing. It has been a long process. He has a few obstacles to overcome including low muscle tone in his hands, small fingers, and very short thumbs. All of this makes it difficult for Joe to grasp a writing implement and control it when he writes. He has been doing a great job with reading and early spelling but writing continues to be a challenge. I was proud when Joe insisted on writing the names of his classmates on the Halloween that bags that he made this weekend. We used the list of names sent home by his teacher and he wrote the names by himself.

Pumpkin Carving

2011-10-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

Emma made the sketch and Chris carved the pumpkin.

On the mend

2011-10-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Calvin saw the Vet this morning and is now officially on the mend. He will stay inside until he has finished his antibiotics (1 more week) but so far, so good! Joe is very happy to see Calvin without the blue collar.

Annual Pumpkin Walk

2011-10-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

We went to the annual East Lansing Pumpkin Walk on Thursday evening. It wasn't as much fun as it usually is because our friends--The Conlin 5--are in Australia this year. The kids hit most of the stores on Grand River and then Five Guys Burgers for dinner.

Halloween has begun!

2011-10-26T16:57:00.001-07:00

Emma the surfer and her friend before they trick-or-treated at the MSU dorms on Wednesday evening. Let the festivities begin!

Fighting Calvin

2011-10-26T16:55:00.001-07:00

John Calvin after his fight with Michael Servetus (1553)

Our Calvin after his fight with the neighborhood orange tabby.

Hello Hospital Field Trip

2011-10-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

Joe's class went to Sparrow Hospital for a "Hello Hospital" field trip. The kids learned a lot about the hospital and were able to see a number of things including an x-ray. I like this photo of Joe because he has spent many, many hours at Sparrow Hospital not all of them as fun as this trip. He looks pretty skeptical to me.

Don't Allow the Cat to Sit on the Furniture

2011-10-21T06:58:00.001-07:00

Special Olympics Bowling!

2011-10-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

Receiving his ribbon from Mrs. Olance

Apple Picking

2011-10-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

Joe's class went apple picking last week. It was a perfect day and he came home with a big bag of apples. These photos were taken off of Joe's teacher's blog. There are lots more if you want to see them. Click on Mrs. Olance's Classroom (on the right-hand column of this blog).

All-Abilities Mardis Gras Dance

2011-10-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

Joe and the DJ

Joe and Tim

Last night we had the 2nd annual dance in recognition of Down syndrome awareness month. This year I helped to organize the event. It was lots of fun and I think everyone had a great time dancing. Chris was able to get a few good shots of Emma and Joe.

Horseback riding lesson

2011-10-09T11:28:00.001-07:00

Farmers' Market

2011-10-09T11:26:00.001-07:00

Dolphin Tale

2011-10-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

Joe's class is studying dolphins by learning about Winter the dolphin featured in the movie Dolphin Tale. Later in the semester they are going to have a virtual tour with a dolphin handler. Right now they are using web tools to learn about dolphins. Here is a link the one of the sites that they use: CLICK

Fun Run

2011-10-04T05:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos posted on Joe's teacher's blog from the Fun Run at school yesterday. Joe came home with a pedometer to track how many steps he takes each day. When I asked him about the run he said, "the fun run was....fun!"

Zoo Walk 2011

2011-09-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

We had a beautiful day for the zoo walk this year. Lots of friends joined Team Joe and spent the afternoon with us at Potter Park Zoo. Joe had a great time and I am greatly relieved that the walk went off well and the weather cooperated.

The Sound of Silence at Ground Zero

2011-09-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

Joe's first days of second grade

2011-09-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

The kids are back to school and this year we decided not to go into Joe's classroom for the first few days. Fortunately, Joe's teacher keeps a blog so we can see what he is doing during the day. Joe's teacher gave the kids a choice of how they wanted to be greeted with a high five, a hand shake, a smile or a hug. Guess who chose a hug?

To see Joe's class new class website go HERE

First day back to school fall 2011

2011-09-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

6th grade and 2nd grade

Supplies for the classroom

waiting for the bus

No salt, no sharks, no worries

2011-08-20T12:23:00.001-07:00

Emma and Joe,
Holland beach
Lake Michigan

School Lists

2011-08-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Emma's elementary school posted the class lists on Friday afternoon. We stopped to take a look on our way home from the beach. Emma will be in Mr. Haskell's 6th grade class. There are 26 students in each of the four classes.

A few more warm days

2011-08-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

We are taking every possible opportunity to enjoy the pool during these last few warm days of summer. Joe LOVES jumping off the diving board. Emma has been practicing her dive off the 1 meter, 3 meter and 5 meter boards.

Sunflowers

2011-08-13T07:17:00.001-07:00

The kids received "Lemon Queen" sunflower seeds in their Easter baskets and we planted the seeds in late May. Now they are flowering. I took a photo of Emma and her friend to show how tall they have grown. I think the tallest is over eight feet.

friends

2011-08-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

Cocoa Beach

2011-08-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

We have returned from our week at Cocoa Beach with Tutu and Papou. We had a great time! The kids loved using the boogie boards and swimming in the ocean and the pool. The highlights of our trip included:

A Trip to the Magic Kingdom

Seeing a rocket go to Jupiter

Finding a starfish

Seeing newborn leatherback sea turtles on their way to the ocean.

The best part was spending everyday on the beach:

Day at Disney

2011-08-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

While we were at Cocoa Beach last week we drove to the Magic Kingdom for 12 hours of fun! Emma went on all of the roller coasters (2 with Chris and Splash mountain with me) and Joe achieved a lifetime dream of meeting Buzz, Jessie and Woody. Joe loved the outdoor rides and all of the trains and people movers, but did not enjoy the indoor rides. Emma went on everything including the spinning tea cups which she has to go one by herself because on one else in our family could do it. I could barely take photos of her on them!

CMS Musical Theater Camp

2011-07-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

Emma is at musical theater camp this week and tonight she will perform "It's a Hard-Knock Life," from the musical Annie. She is in other numbers but her solo speaking part is from this song. What is the line that she will be shouting tonight?

"You'll stay up 'til this dump shines like the top of the Chrysler Building!"

-From the song It's the Hard Knock Life from the musical Annie based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan which opened its original Broadway production in 1977 starring Andrea McArdle.

Dinner and Dancing

2011-07-27T10:41:00.001-07:00

What to do when it is too hot to go outside after dinner?

Garden late July

2011-07-22T17:11:00.001-07:00

The freezing cold winter and the very hot summer (yesterday it was 98 degrees) has done great things for our plants!

Rock and Roll

2011-07-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Not everyone in the household appreciates music.

Day #1 at overnight camp

2011-07-11T17:42:00.001-07:00

These photos were sent by the camp. E. is in the neon green "be your own boss" T-shirt. Third from the left in the front row.

Overnight camp

2011-07-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

Running to the cabin after we said "goodbye."

Looking for their cabin. Yes, my daughter did bring a rolling suitcase to camp.

Joe in the luggage cart

Chris and Joe by the lake.

We dropped Emma and her friend off at their first overnight camp today. They both were excited and ready to do everything as soon as we arrived. Another plus--a favorite counselor from the local YMCA day camp is at the overnight this week and so is his sister. It's a pretty spot and the girls seemed very happy.

First Lost Tooth

2011-07-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

While we were in Boston, Joe lost his first tooth (at age 8)! The two bottom adult teeth have come all the way in but the bottom baby teeth have not fallen out. He is scheduled to have them extracted next week. So, we were surprised that he lost a tooth on top. It was loose but we thought the bottom two would either fall or be taken out first.

Friends!

2011-07-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Got Rights?

2011-07-07T06:30:00.001-07:00

We visited the National Women's Rights Museum in Seneca Falls, NY. At this spot in 1848 a number of soon-to-be famous women (Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Susan B. Anthony) and some already famous men (including Frederick Douglas) gathered together a signed the Declaration of Sentiments. The impetus for this meeting began when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott traveled to England for an antislavery convention but were not allowed to enter the convention hall because they were women. They returned to the United States and called a women's rights convention in the town where Stanton lived.

4th of July in Boston

2011-07-07T06:24:00.001-07:00

plimoth plantation

2011-07-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

swan boats

2011-07-04T09:14:00.001-07:00

cousins!

2011-07-04T09:11:00.001-07:00

Niagara Falls!

2011-06-29T14:57:00.001-07:00

Opening act

2011-06-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

We went to the U2 concert last night at spartan stadium. Florence and the Machine opened for U2. I was so excited to hear her sing "The Dog Days are Over."

Happy 11th Bday!

2011-06-23T16:08:00.001-07:00

Joe's T-ball Team

2011-06-21T11:07:00.001-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

THE SUPERSTARS!

Eric "rickstar" winter music camp

2011-06-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

Joe at music camp

2011-06-17T09:12:00.001-07:00

Last Day of School

2011-06-11T05:20:00.001-07:00

Emma's soccer team

2011-06-10T07:22:00.002-07:00

The Griffins!

T-ball

2011-06-07T06:24:00.001-07:00

Practice for the 2011 Lansing Superstars has begun!

Red Cedar International Fetsival of Cultures 2011

2011-06-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

On Thursday Joe participated in the Red Cedar Elementary School International Festival of Cultures. Just like last year, we were amazed by what Joe could do. This year he (with the first graders) sang: "Che Che Koolya" (Ghana); "Hao Peng You" (China); Sare ke Sare (India); "I'd like to Teach the World to Sing" (USA); "Red Cedar Peace Pledge" (with signs); AND he danced a Croatian folk dance called "Drmes Iz Posavskih Brega." In the montage, he is usually on the left wearing a white shirt that says "Varsity 8" and red shorts. Leah is standing next to him.

The music teacher, Mrs Sigh, won a "pay it forward" grant from MSU and cut a CD of the kids singing the folk songs. The music in the montage is from the CD.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

early june garden

2011-06-02T11:40:00.000-07:00

The peonies and irises are opening this week. The foxglove and delphinium are just past their peek and the daisies are starting to bloom. The smaller poppies are open but not the tall ones (at least in my garden). The azaleas are done.

Sports Skills Summer session

2011-05-31T14:48:00.002-07:00

Coach Michael, Joe, Coach Paul

The MSU sports skill summer session began today. Joe is paired up with 2 coaches Michael and Paul to help him work on general skills including basketball, baseball and bowling.

Friends

2011-05-31T14:48:00.001-07:00

Joe and Leah

Make Way for Ducklings

2011-05-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

We are getting excited about our 4th of July trip to Boston! We will visit Plimoth Plantation, Old South Meeting House, Paul Revere's House and, or course, ride the swan boats at the public gardens.

Not Acceptable

2011-05-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

"Not Acceptable" is a powerful and compelling 30 second television PSA which gives voice to a variety of diverse communities each of whom expresses that it is not acceptable to call them by what were once common words, but are now recognized as offensive slurs. It culminates in actress and self-advocate Lauren Potter from "Glee" stating that it is not acceptable to use the word 'retard' and she and "Glee" co-star Jane Lynch make a call to action to stop using the word and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to make their pledge online at http://r-word.org.

Sugar and Spice

2011-05-18T15:46:00.001-07:00

Concert

2011-05-18T15:45:00.001-07:00

Walking to the fifth grade concert.

Go Fish!

2011-05-18T15:44:00.001-07:00

Let me be brave

2011-05-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Joe's class participated in mid-Michigan Special Olympics yesterday. Joe won ribbons in the long jump and the 50 meter dash. He is the kid with the blue Beatles shirt and the black cap.

Hippotherapy

2011-05-12T05:45:00.000-07:00

Joe's teacher, Mrs. Olance, brought the class to C.H.U.M. for a riding session. Joe has been riding since he was 13 months (7 years!) and is scheduled to continue over the summer (as usual). Click here to see a slide show of Joe's class riding the horses.

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:03:00.001-07:00

Calvin and Joe

2011-05-08T14:58:00.002-07:00

Joe and Leah, another afternoon

2011-05-08T14:58:00.001-07:00

Local young man directs the MSU marching band

2011-04-27T06:14:00.001-07:00

Check out this inspirational video about how Barry Greer came to be one of the directors of the MSU marching band during the men's basketball games.

Click HERE

Joe is 8!

2011-04-24T16:23:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

Joe's 8th birthday party

2011-04-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

Joe had his 8th birthday party in his classroom yesterday. The kids played a quiz game with their teacher and then had cupcakes and sang "happy birthday" to Joe. Joe gave each friend a copy of the book "Pete the Cat" as a party favor. Then they read the book together and Joe sang and danced along with the book in the front of the class. In these photos you can also see the chicks that hatched this week in the classroom.

Happy Birthday, Chris!

2011-04-22T05:41:00.001-07:00

Creative musician concert

2011-04-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

Emma is on the far right with the crazy glasses. The kids dressed "creatively."

Emma's solo, "Midnight Wind."

Emma participated in an early morning creative musicians program this spring. This was a collaborative effort between the music teachers and a MSU student (as part of her field placement project). The 5th graders composed their own music and experimented with nontraditional forms of music expression. Last night they put on a concert at MSU. Emma surprised us by playing an original composition "Midnight Wind."

2011 Easter Photos

2011-04-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

Our annual Easter photos taken at the MSU butterfly garden. I like to think of this activity as my annual fit thrown over spring outfits and pictures. Good times!

Joe and Leah

2011-04-17T16:42:00.001-07:00

Our trip to Chicago

2011-04-10T17:09:00.001-07:00

2011-04-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

I found this photo of Emma playing the cello when she was 4 years old.

Tim Shriver and the R-Word on Stephen Colbert

2011-03-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

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