ZOE and ETHAN

Sunday, April 06, 2014

Prepare for the ridiculous over-documentation of the E-family adventures!

I was bummed that Jeff didn't want to go camping this weekend. It was PERFECT! But there was a chance of rain, and blah, blah, blah. (It never did) So instead we spent Saturday morning driving in the mountains and scoping out future sites. I'm determined this will be the best spring/summer ever! We have the camper, jet skis, and an itch to GO! I have it on my personal IEP, that Zoe will begin to walk with us unprompted 50% percent of the time by the end of summer, so practice, practice, practice. And in the woods will be easier than the grocery store should melt down occur. So with all that in mind, plus my new camera. I anticipate a highly documented camping season!

Zoe is always wanting to GO! but then when it comes time to actually get in the car, we spend 20 minutes trying to get her in there. I've discovered singing Eminem gets her in there somehow. The things I do....

This is a campsite at Woodring in Chatsworth. They have gorgeous views, but not really good access to the water from the sites. That's Carter's lake and it is Beautiful!!

I don't normally take pictures of Zoe mid-flap, but she was sooo happy. I don't know what it is about her and water, but we need swimming lessons...pronto!

:-)

"The Hills are Alive...."

The view on the way to Fort Mountain State Park. I heart North Georgia.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Zoe's 7th Birthday

I wasn't going to have a party for Zoe again this year, because...I mean...does she even "get it"? and why bother? We subscribe to a lazy style of parenting. But Jeff insisted and I'm glad he did. Now that we have 6 cousins living in the area, we have enough for a party with family alone. Throw in her classmates, and gymnastics buddies and we had a PARTY!

Zoe had a great time. Visiting with other autism families is kind of free therapy. And I didn't see Ethan most of the time, but he came home sweaty, so I'm pretty sure he had fun, too.

Zoe and her buddy. I'm so impressed Zoe was able to climb this big slide and went down on her own!

Ethan and cousin. Ever posing.

I have so many pictures of the top of her head. Slow camera or fast kid?

Ethan getting flips into the foam pit.

My sweet, sweet birthday girl.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Sweetwater Creek State Park

Yesterday was a great day! We originally wanted to spend it exploring Ft. Mountain State Park for future camping, but with the time change and general morning laziness, we got a late start and changed to somewhere closer. We settled on Sweetwater Creek State Park, and it was great! I had read it was a good hike for young kids, and coming off Zoe's amazing hiking success the day before, I was sure it was going to be awesome. And it was! Just not in the way I had thought.

First thing, and my only complaint about the park was the parking. We had to park a half mile away from the visitor center/trailhead, and since I realize its silly to complain about your hike to the hike, let's move on... The rest of the park was great! A beautiful lake with kayaks and peddle boats to rent. Picnic pavilions all over the place. Clean facilities, and some great trails.

Zoe wasn't as awesome as the day before at Sawnee, or even awesome at all. She made it a smidge past the visitor center before refusing to budge. Our bribe chocolate was no use. When she took every opportunity to run back towards the cars, we put her in the carrier and trudged on. Jeff carried her for a bit before declaring her too heavy, so I took her. I'll just say it, I'm pretty baddass. I carried her the rest of the way, and including our trek back to the car, it must have been 3.5 miles. She's 63 lbs! Badass, I say!

We took the red trail down and the white trail back. The red was supposed to be easy, and it is for the first bit. It takes you past the ruins of the textile mill that was burned during Sherman's march and left that way. Interesting. The trail runs right along the river, but past the mill it gets really hard and downright treacherous. Up and over rocks where a slip could land you a nasty tumble into the river. I trusted Ethan, but I wouldn't have if another kid had been along to encourage silliness. With Zoe on my back, there were plenty of times we had to stop and figure out how we'd get over some of the trickier sections. Jeff ended up pulling us up some. There are a few staircases to help you up and over some areas. There was one point at the turn around, I scared Jeff and frankly myself for a minute. I had clearly reached my cardiovascular limit. (Zoe on my back + up hill+ uneven footing). We sat for a while and I tried not to lay down on the trail, though Lordy, that's what I wanted to do.

We had some chocolate and a little rest and then took the white trail back. The whole white is a 5+ mile loop, that we will have to try again. I think it's wide enough for Zoe's all terrain stroller. At that point we were eager to get back and took the shorter route.

When we got back to the mill we met the sweetest couple. Sometimes when Zoe sees people she just points and yells, "Hat!" Or "Shoes!" Or ""purse!" This lady had on a fun pink hat and was super nice about Zoe's pointing. She also kept pointing at the man's camera, and saying, "cheese!" He was kind enough to take her picture. We even exchanged email, so he could send me the picture later. I love when people respond to Zoe so nicely. Seriously warms my heart. I think most people just don't know what to do, and so don't do anything. I don't fault them, but I love the ones that jump in with kindness.

Overall a great day. I didnt get the laundry done, but the kids had fun, we got some exercise and Jeff rewarded my badassery by picking up my favorite dinner...Chipotle steak burrito bowl. Yum!

The pictures are from my not impressive phone.

Trail along the creek.

Ruins of the textile mill

Far enough out to make me nervous

The easy part of the red trail.

Chocolate break

Jeff being silly. You can see one of the staircases behind him.

The sweet couple we met.

The picture of Zoe they sent us.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Busy Late Summer and Fall

We're normally pretty serious home-bodies, but we've been on the go lately. Here's proof.

Six Flags

He is such a happy boy.

We went lots, but I only took the camera one day, so..... same clothes.

Hiking

Kennesaw Mtn, with the cousins.

Oh my gosh, a family picture!

Beach trip

St. George Island

Ethan looks goofy, but look how clear the water is!

Our nanny came with us. I'm not sure we'll be able to vacation without one again.

Birthday Parties

Notice how everyone is looking the same way except Zoe.

Visits with Friends

Travel mates and dear friends.

New Toys

Look what the motorcycle was traded in for. Zoe LOVES it!! Ethan is cranky he has to ride with slow-poke Mom.

Turns out I like camping after all.

Because the minivan wasn't up to the task of pulling the other things, and our neighbor was selling it at a garage sale.

All the outdoorsy stuff came about while we were on our beach trip. We kept thinking how hard it is to go places with Zoe. Vacationing just isn't fun when you're constantly on Autism Management Detail. So we started searching for ideas and Voila...camping. Zoe loves to be outdoors and she always has a sense of the familiar because we have our own stuff with us. Its not without challenges, but the camping crowd seems to be an accepting sort, so its working for us. And then Ethan's happy no matter what we do.

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Big Day Out

Back in June we went to "Big Day Out". Its a festival for families with special kids, and it was great! In all honesty, Zoe was a bit overwhelmed the whole time, but Ethan LOVED it, and the siblings of special kids deserve a treat, too.