Clearwater Marine Aquarium

For Christmas this year, we gave Lucy the experience of wading with the dolphins at the aquarium featured in the movie, Dolphin Tale.  She saw this movie in the theater and begged daily to meet Winter, the star.  We watched the webcams and read the book.  She could rattle off details about bottle nosed dolphins and she always wanted to know how long it would take to get to Clearwater Beach, Florida. 

Turns out even from Atlanta, it's a long day of driving.  Especially with a 3 year old brother.

Anyone can wade with the dolphin, for the right price, of course.  On this day, you should note it was very cold, high 40's, with a wicked wind.  We dug deep for our Minnesota roots and donned our wetsuits.  Most of the time I think Lucy was completely overwhelmed with the fact that she was actually touching and playing with a dolphin.  We bought lots of schwag to remember the experience-- tshirts, bags, mugs, bookmarks.  Because Lucy loves STUFF and she's a marketing executives dream. 

We were in the same tank as Winter, but we played with her friend named Panama.  Turns out, Winter doesn't do the shows, as she's in fairly high demand.  She also can't do most of the tricks, because of her tail amputation.  Panama was very sweet and at one point even dosed off as we rubbed her tummy.  The trainer had to wake her up to continue the show.  We also had a huge crowd gathered around the tank, maybe 100 people.  There was so much to take in and experience.

Here are the best shots of the day!

Being the little brother is really tough sometimes.

Amy Bonk shared a clip with you on Vimeo

Amy Bonk shared this with you:
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.