Great beach weather this weekend.  It took a while to convince Hugo to keep his clothes on but after awhile, he (like Dash) was playing in the crashing waves.

Our little streaker (above) :)

Dash playing in the fountain at our local park

a few phone images...

A few images from my phone...including "nekkid" escape from the bath tub.

Why we can't leave Dash alone with a marker for more than two minutes.

"What?"

Yesterday's Quick Trip To Lake Welch

Yesterday we made a quick escape from the city up to Lake Welch Beach (45 mins North).  The boys had a great time in their own way... 

Dash took to the water like he owned it, not caring about its frigid temperature.  Hugo, on the other hand, took a little longer to get into things, deciding that he wanted to play in the sand instead of the water.  Then the rain came and we had to make a run for the car!  And as you can see below, our boys, if not belted down, take the opportunity to let us know that the back seat really isn't their style.

 

 

 

 

Enjoying an evening with our friends

As we slowly make progress unpacking our new place, we're at a point where the kids need to be OUT (because, although they are great at unpacking, they suck at putting stuff in it's proper place...let alone putting it away anywhere--well this isn't exactly true as Dash is starting to put blocks, toys, house keys "away" into trash cans around the apartment).

Anyway, last night.....our friend Z! to the rescue. Her and her children were available for a playdate where the kids played with water in a small pool, a sprinkler, colorful toys and the doorbell.  Hugo and Dash also nibbled on battered shrimp (more batter than shrimp I was told), spinach pinwheels, cheesy-pastry thingies, and pistachio ice cream--washing it down with watered down apple-juice.  

School Portrait Show

When we heard that a professional photographer was taking photographs of the kids at Hugo's school, Jen and I both knew we weren't going to miss it.  We were fairly confident that Hugo's photograph would be in there someplace--he's a good lookin' kid, after all--and sure enough, we found him, looking directly in the lens with this cute, quizzical look of assessment, wondering what was going on in front of him.  Or more likely, he knew what was going on and was perhaps talking to the camera, or to the photographer, telling her about his day so far.

Seeing this show was a bit emotional for me (and for Jen, too).  Not only to see our son on the wall, but to be surrounded by such wonderful portraits of children.  While it's true that "spectrum" kids struggle with communicating, I was moved most by the expression pouring out from the images in the show:  anger, frustration, sadness, indifference, curiosity, silliness, happiness, elation.  All these feelings and more were plain to see in the clothes they wore, the poses they selected and the looks on their faces.  The children were clearly present, aware, and in the moment.  The exhibit served as an affirmation that in many ways these children, our son included, are already "talking."

Although he can't know it yet, Jen and I couldn't be prouder of Hugo, nor happier with the school he attends, as they patiently help him to find his voice.  It's good to know that in the best way he can right now, to the best of his ability, he's already "speaking."

Our heartfelt thanks to artist, Elisabeth Kahane, Hugo's teachers, and the School.

 

Playing in Mommy's Closet