Happy Memorial Day weekend and happy birthday Grandma!!

No more ponytails or chewing on my hair (well, ok, I can still put my hair in my mouth and mommy said that we might have to cut it shorter, but 4 inches off was good enough for now). Yes, I got a new summer haircut. And guess what else? Yesterday, our pool opened and I swam for 4 hours (not counting the annoying breaktimes when the lifeguards made me get out and rest, but at least I got to eat snacks then). It only took me one time to be reminded that I had to get out of the pool for breaktime. I screamed and kicked for about 5 seconds and mommy had to remind me that everyone gets out of the pool. The rest of the afternoon, when the lifeguard blew the whistle, I got right out. The water was really cold, but I got used to it. Even mommy came in and helped me learn to swim again. I practiced lots of jumping into the water while mommy helped me. I was also happy to see so many of my old friends. All the mom's kept saying that we've all grown so much...well, we are 4 now! I wasn't as shy this year and I made great eye contact with my friends and their mommys'. Everyone noticed and told me I was such a big girl. Mommy said that I mimicked and played and talked a lot and that I did really good. I even called out "mama" when I wanted something. It was a lot of fun! I can't wait to go to the pool again...today, right mommy?

Tired of the videos? Here's some still photos of Eliza brushing her hair...to sleep. Look how tired and glazed over her eyes look. I can remember brushing and brushing my hair before I went to bed when I was a little girl. Actually, I was always brushing my hair... I found Eliza (unsolicited) brushing her hair the other night. It was really sweet. She let me snap pictures and then showed how she can now smile on command for the last picture. This moment came on the heels of a tough week; a very autistic week. She was very unfocused at school, distracted by her feet? Hitting her head a lot; major sleep issues... just an all around tough week. But today is Sunday and she is napping next to me on the couch at a nice early hour so I'm hoping and praying that next week the sun shines brighter on us!

Been having busy days here. Nothing much to tell just day-to-day stuff. Winding down the school year w/ only 4 weeks left. The pool opens next weekend...I can't believe that the '08 school year is ending and that the '09 pool season is beginning.

Derek was invited by one of his customers to attend the BMW Golf Tournament in SC this week and while riding the bus from the parking lot to the golf course, he sat next to a woman and a dog in training to be in service for autism. Check it out: http://www.dogsforautism.org/
Two of the many things the dogs are trained for is to "protect" the child from themselves...herding a child to stay inside the boundaries of the property...alerting parents when a child opens a door to go outside, etc., etc...all things that we are beginning to deal with with Eliza. Surely, Hogan or Sadie can be trained to help us!

Here's some footage of Allie teaching Eliza some cheerleading moves and stretching exercises. I caln't remember if it's this video or not, but on one of them you can hear Eliza making the same sounds (not words, but sounds) as Allie. She's doing great mimicking everything and trying to make more and more sounds. She's been a pistol though since being sick...all toddler...lots of temper tantrums, very dramatic screaming and throwing her body at you or the floor when she doesn't get her way. She has also learned to smile at you though and has been using that when she wants something (smarty-pants). With Derek and I still getting our strength back after being sick, her moods have been a bit tiring. I'm allowed to say that right? Thankfully, Allie is such a good big sister. Enjoy...

Okay, I get all the hints from your e-mails...I haven't updated 'cause we have all been sick. I don't have any good pictures to post not for lack of trying, but for lack of getting a picture that didn't show a runny nose. So, here's the completely random highlights of the last week:

1) Eliza had strep, an ear infection and 102 temp; and she's not a good patient.

2) At the same time, Mommy had an upper respiratory infection and wasn't very patient or comforting.

3) Daddy was away for work. Made for a very tough week.

4) A/C got a temporary patch; needs a new part, but they don't make it anymore???

5) Daddy came home from a week of meetings in Minneapolis and got sick; he's not a good patient either.

6) It's been raining, raining, raining...April showers brought all my flowers to life; and our Red Oaks in the backyard popped giving us the glorious canopy of shade that we love come summer.

7) Eliza's gladiator sandals were a success so I bought a second pair in purple, of course.

8) Allie finally went to an ortho for her knees that are constantly in pain and give out on her.

9) Diagnosis is Patellafemural Stress Syndrome (patella doesn't line up w/ the femural groove and therefore, dislocates constantly...should've seen the x-rays).

10) She will need p/t 2x per week to strengthen her inner thigh muscles. Re-eval in 6 weeks.

11) Will probably need surgery though.

12) Dad bought Mom 2 new golf clubs for Mother's Day and I love them (Taylor Made Burners - hybrids)!!

13) First Couple's Golf of the season begins this Friday which means "date night" is back on for us...ooh la la...drinks and dinner follow golf...and they have babysitting at the Club...get any better than that?

14) I've found an old childhood friend (Jocelyn) on Facebook who I haven't talked to since probably senior year of highschool. Was 1983 really 26 years ago???

15) I've been so excited to read her e-mails. She is a teacher and has been teaching special ed (children w/ autism too...wow) and has 2 handsome teenage boys. I feel old...26 years???

16) It dawned on Allie yesterday that (in her words and with a big smile) "in a few short months, we're going to be a family of 6 and there will be 3 girls and mom sitting on the couch at night watching Idol! And I'll have 2 little sisters asking me to drive them places in a few years." Mom's reply: "Yes, and I'll have 1 more child making demands on me and no, I'm not ready for you to be imagining yourself driving yet. I was kind of hoping you'd be around to play board games with your sisters for a few more years!?!"

17) Eliza is constantly saying "mama" and "dada" and she's been talking back to us too (good, bad and funny).

18) My house has been neglected; we should have bought stock in Kleenex and OJ.

19) This week has been Teacher Appreciation Week: I can't thank YOU enough!

20) Happy Mother's Day to everyone!