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http://vimeo.com/33495585

Bonk Holiday Video 2011 http://vimeo.com/33495585 The video of the year...literally. Happy Holidays!

Fake Uggs

Lucy has started wrapping her feet in paper towels when she wears her 'Uggs' because the fuzz gets in her feet and it doesn't feel so good.

I suggested socks, but was met with disdain and dirty looks. Clearly, I am the crazy one.

New Bath

The christening of the new basement bathroom. We nipped off part of the long garage and turned it into a full bath. We've been talking about doing this for years. Now when we have guests, they don't have to go up two floors (or outside).

Friday Hike

We went on a hike today, me, Lucy and Grandpa. It was about a 3 miler and Lucy was so much fun. She caught a lizard and carried him for at least a mile, begging (demanding), that she keep him for a pet. Somehow, I convinced her to let it go, back to his parents, babies, cozy home, stash of food, and whatever other lies I created to save that poor thing from a slow painful death. Here is Lucy's self portrait of the day:

New Laundry Room

Halloween Outakes

School Photos

Yes, his hair really is that red. We suspect it came from my Dad, but really it's just from left field and still makes us smile. He's also a wee bit devilish, just like the photo.
Eli: Preschool - 3 years old

The sweetness!
Lucy: Kindergarten - 6 years old

Old Man

Like an old man, Eli prefers to nap in his chair, pushed up right next to his radio and book shelf. He falls asleep most nights like this too, but I move him into his bed. For napping, I leave him there.

In Heaven

But, not psyched about her assistant.

A Poem

By Lucy Bonk

Pouring rain so sad
Keep out said the police
The streets are closed
The Bonk family sleeps downstairs
Lighting lighting baby crying
Mama settles the baby down
In the morning it is dry


Written "during math class". That's my girl!

Lucy reading

Lucy is now reading short books from school. This is her first reading to her brother!

Eli's Day

Little bro finally got HIS first day of school today. It's been all about Lucy and The Bus and Her School and Her Routines for so long he stopped asking when he would start school. Well, it was today and really no big deal. If I didn't know better, I'd think he mumbled, "Whatevs", when I dropped him off. He didn't even look up at me to say goodbye. When I picked him up and asked him in the car what he did today, he very politely stated, "We played, we ate snack, we read some books, and then you picked me up". Preschool in a nut shell from a 3 year old.

I don't know if it's second child, boy, neurotypical or a healthy combination of all three, but he's soooo easy. Even if he is running around the house without any pants on, during what should be his nap time.

Last Days of Summer

Life is good for Eli after Lucy leaves for school. We break all the rules.

Mountain Park Community Garden

First Day of Kindergarten

Kindergarten Open House

Lucy met her teachers and saw her classroom today, in preparation for the first day of school on Monday, August 15th. She drew her teachers a picture of the planets orbiting the sun. She was describing the picture to them and they seemed impressed with her use of the word orbit. It was then that I looked at them and asked, while nodding my head, that they had looked in her file, yes? I got that blank stare with a half nod, which really means, I have no idea what you are talking about.

Not very reassuring for the mother of a child with Aspergers who is sending her child off to Kindergarten, on the bus, for the very first time.

She wants to bring her teachers an apple on the first day of school, so we will stay positive and go with it. She knows her bus color and her cubby number and her teachers name. Maybe I will scribble my phone number on her arm, just as back up.
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Water Game Number 2,593

This is why I am crazy insane by the time Ken gets home. She is always getting her animals water to drink. And then that water makes it's way throughout the house in the form of a 3 year old named Eli.

Just Because

And they got to pick the decorations.

Rope Girl

On the way to the pool, there was this:

And on the way home from the pool, it morphed into this:

I like to think future knot professional, rock climber, world class sailor...because does this girl ever like to tie things up and play with string/ropes/leashes.  It's been a recurrent play theme for years.  Just the other day she got in trouble for lowering her stuffed animal, tied up, down the wall and knocking off a framed picture.  Maybe search and rescue trainer.

Fly Away

And then there is this:

Lucy Flies Away from Amy Bonk on Vimeo.

The Zoo

Today it seemed like a good idea to go to the zoo. Lucy has camp all week from about 9:30am to 5pm. That leaves all day for Eli to hang out with me, which gets a little boring for him. My brainstorms are much more neat and tidy than Lucy's. It was HOT today, as usual, so the zoo involved playing on the play ground, talking about the stinky animal poop, eating slushies and touching every item for sale in the gift shop.

Eli took a 30 minute nap on the way home, and then we gathered our things and spent the afternoon at the pool.  No better way to spend these steamy Atlanta summer days.

Lucy is doing so well at camp, I just can't stop telling people about it.  Although today, she got stung by a bee.  I'm so glad it was on their time, and not mine.  Because with them, she bucked up and continued on with her day.  If she had been with me, The Whine would have lasted all day.  And the best news out of that tidbit of trauma is that she didn't go into anaphylactic shock!  So bees, we are not allergic to you.  

Pirates and Princesses

Eli had his birthday party on Sunday at our community pool.  We had a joint party with another neighborhood friend who also turned 3 a few days later, Grace.  We went with the princess and pirate theme, served some margaritas, cupcakes and chicken fingers, and called it a party.

Phoebe, loosing her second tooth in as many days.

Grace, the birthday girl

Thankfully, he has a big sister to keep him in line.  Do not blow out those candles, until it is time.

After three years, I finally got a decent picture of me and both of my children.

The last of the motley crew.  Most had gone home.  The dedicated party peeps.

It really was the perfect party.  Kids had fun, adults had beverages and it was all right here in our neighborhood.  We are so lucky to live in a beautiful secret hide-a-way, with a bunch of really fun and loving group of people.  Thanks for a great party!

Mighty 3

And still wearing his sisters PJ's.

Happy Birthday Eli!

Swipper

Can NOT

get HIM

to wear his own pajamas.

It's a race to Lucy's nightgown drawer each evening after they take their baths. You can see Eli's determination to get there first. All attempts at trying to get him to put on his own PJ's have been ditched.

(All these photos were taken with an iPad. The resolution is somewhat disappointing).