Dora

Bo's new favorite show, she will stop what ever she is doing and run to the TV every time it comes on.    It is now a part of our bedtime routine. Her absolute favorite part is then end.  I have yet to get the full on action (arms waving and butt moving like we have never seen before) of this, but here is a sneak peak of how much she loves to dance to it.  She will literally be sitting on our lap and push herself off our laps to dance to this part.  I will continue to try to get this on film, but she usually stops as soon as I pull the camera out.  What an adorable stinker.

 

Enjoy!

I love my job!

A few weeks ago my boss asked me if I wanted to be be a part of this, and of course I said yes.  This class is one of my favorite to teach, and planning for this made it even more fun.  My co-worker Ashley and I co-teach this class, and I love collaborating with her to make this class even better.  This lesson is something we have done several times, and every time we have done it is amazing to see students that may be the quiet ones in class suddenly become the leaders of the group.  It was an amazing opportunity and such an honor to be asked to be a part of this experience.  

Please share this video on your Facebook page, as it is great publicist for MLC.

MN2020 -
http://www.mn2020.org/issues-that-matter/video-a-new-approach-autism-education

VIDEO: A New Approach Autism Education

Tom Niemisto, Video Production Specialist


April is worldwide Autism Awareness month, a critical chance to shine
light on a widely misunderstood condition. A CDC report estimates that
1-in-88 children in the US fall on the autistic spectrum, a rate that will
have vast consequences on our education and health care systems.

Minnesota Life College is a residential education center
for Autistic young adults, focusing on independent living and job
readiness in a modern marketplace. Admission director Amy Gudmestad says she
often sees students diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome who don't seek out or
don't qualify for state support services, yet still need critical counseling
and training to find success in our economy.

Easter weekend

On our Easter Egg hunt

Bo loved picking up the eggs, she was so surprised every time she got a new.  At one point she even stopped, picked up one of her eggs, shook it, and just giggled.  Grandma made her special eggs (filled with animal crackers and goldfish), so when her cousins found hers they would run over to her and give them to her.  She got so excited every time, it was like someone just gave her the best present ever.

Come on Dad

The Minnesota cousins 2012

Easter 2011

Loving the Lincoln Logs with my cousins.

Sophia is loving have a girl cousin in Minnesota

All about watching the card game from her "own" chair

Sunday afternoon we left Sauk and headed to Jamie and Emily's for some Easter dinner and time with the Kueters.  It sure was nice seeing them too.  To our surprise the Easter bunny stopped by too.

We were surpised how much Bo loved the Easter bunny

Avery wasn't to sure though.

Bo loved sitting on Drew's lap

T-ball anyone

What a great Easter weekend, it was so nice to spend sometime with everyone.

Picasa!

I have been a little behind in posting pictures of things going on in our life.  

I busted out the big Nikon D50 camera (which I need to do more often) and started snapping some pictures, oh how I have missed having pictures that were not grainy or out of focus (now if I could only figure out how to get it to auto focus again).

I also updated my Picasa which is free from Google, and I started playing with it for this post.  Hope you like them.  There are still some features that I miss from Picnik, but it is what it is for free.

Now that the GALA is over I can finally update you on things we have been doing besides making decorations for the GALA 

We went and met Jon and Leah's new baby girl Elena, she was so tiny

Elena Bartsch

Grandma Cleveland, Aunt Stevi, and cousin Van came to babysit me while mom and dad went to work at the GALA.  We had so much fun together thanks for coming and staying with me.  We had lots of fun all weekend, but mom only has pictures from Sunday-Bo

Bo watched Signing Time with her cousin Van

Bo enjoyed playing with her car with Van

And going for rides with Grandma

All that playing with my cousins wore me out

 After Naptime, we headed out to dinner to celebrate Auntie Stevi's birthday.  Then headed over to Jamie and Emily's for cupcakes.

MLC Proud

Time to read

The students for teacher Avery

Auntie Stevi, I'm so glad you came to visit

Thanks again Chris and Stevi for coming up for the weekend, we couldn't have had such a stress free GALA without you.

Wednesday was Josh's birthday, so Bo wore her birthday outfit for daddy.

We enjoyed a T-bone stake and gluten free brownies.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We enjoyed hanging with our pets.

Another Successful MLC GALA

This years GALA, might have been the best GALA yet.  

The whole committee worked so hard to make this year amazing!

I love seeing all of the hard work come together to make it happen, I especially love seeing all of the decorations that I envisioned come to life.  This years theme was Independence, so RED, WHITE, & BLUE it was.

Josh and I spent HOURS on the Sponsor Stars!  We came home from work and started attacking these things, long nights and little time with each other was so worth the results.  They turned out amazing.  (Thanks honey for your dedication to the stars, me, and my job).

Sold for $8,000 (I think)

They are the reason this day is so VERY important!

My favorite project I did Glittered MLC, I want these!

We have already set the date, venue and theme for next year.

March 23, 2013

MLC ROCKS! 

Minneapolis Depot

Mark your calendars, and join Josh and I for the 10th annual MLC GALA, think about volunteering, or get yourself a seat because it will be a night to remember.