Back to School Rush

Today I took Britney to the new JC Penney that just opened up down the street. Since she will be in Kindergarten, she needs to now wear school uniforms. We got a good jump start on her uniforms. We got 4 shirts (buy one get one for $1), 2 skorts, 2 pairs of shorts. I spent over $100 for all of it. Now all I need to get is some shoes and sneakers for her. Tyler got a few shirts as well. He dosen't need much since he already started wearing the "uniform" clothes for Kindergarten last year. I think he will be ok until Christmas time with what he has now. He just needs sneakers now for himself too.

After our trip to JC Penny, we dropped off the clothes and took another trip to Wal-Mart with the school supply list. I spent about $40 on school supplies. I think that is just ridiculous! When I was growing up, teachers and/or the school supplied everything. Oh well, its all done and bagged up waiting for new backpacks that still need to be bought. That is probably going to be my project for next week.

I think things went pretty good today considering the amount of money spent. You could say this makes a good mastercard commercial. Goes something like:

School Uniforms-$100
School Supplies-$40
Grand Opening Day @Jc Penney Balloon-FREE!
Spending time with Britney-Priceless as always!

Arcade Mania

We have converted Kevin's man cave into the game room. We now have a bubble hockey table and 5 arcade games. Tyler has taken a liking to all of them. I think his favorite one is the Golden Tee Golf. That is the first one we purchased. One day Kevin took the kids to Sam's Club and they had it out. Tyler kept going over and playing it. He's pretty good with the golf game. His other favorites are the Simpson Bowling and an NBA Basketball/NFL Blitz combo. The other games we have he plays but dosen't really "get it" too much.

For the longest time Tyler was all about the Nintendo Wii, but looks like the arcades have taken its place.

Maybe we should advertise our mini arcade and start charging people to come and use them...

Summer So Far

Our Summer is going good so far. We have been spending more time at home and letting the kids go in the pool. Gas prices are just ridiculous! We go to the mall and things like that once a week.

I am still working part-time. Still have no idea when I will get my full-time position, if ever. I put in an application for substituting at the schools in our county. I have to call the school board office and find out when the next available date is for taking a 3 hour orientation class. I know that Brit's new school will definitely use me. The principal told me she would love to have me on board when I took Brit for her screening for Kindergarten. If I get more jobs through the school, it will mean more money for me than I make at Disney. So, if it works out, I will bid farewell to Disney.

The kids are doing awesome. Tyler is still going strong and hasn't lost any skills gained. If anything, he is talking more! I still have to work more intensly on the dreaded potty training. That is going to be my priority next week as I only am scheduled to work one day next week.

Other than that, Summer is going by and before you know it, the kids will be back in school.

That is our Summer in a nut shell so far...

Diversity Presentation

Last week one of my managers approached me to talk to the "big wigs" and other coordinators from the other parks about my personal autism journey. I went over to the meeting today and I was really nervous. I did a few presentations in front of my co-workers back in April and I was ok. When I saw 25-30 people in the conference room today I felt like I was going to throw up! I was first up on today's agenda. Everyone watched the Souls video and from there I stood up and spoke from my heart about my story with Tyler. My speaking was only about 10 minutes, but it seemed so much longer with all those eyes on me. Everyone was impressed and said I did a great job. They had some questions for me. One of my coordinators has a 25 year- old son with autism and he helped me with everyones questions so it took some pressure off me. I think I really opened up everyones eyes a little more and you never know, they may have me do more of these presentations for other cast members at the other parks.

My Little Baldie

Since Tyler's hair has gotten so long and it is Summer time, I figured it was time Kevin gave Ty a wiffle. It didn't exactly turn out like a wiffle. He is more bald than having a wiffle. I cried the whole time Kevin was clipping the hair. It has NEVER looked like this before. He looks like he is sick. Hopefully he will have wiffle like hair by the time school starts. I still love my baldie even if he does look sickly.

One Year Anniversary

On June 14, 2008 I celebrated my one year anniversary working for Disney's Animal Kingdom. Yesterday at work, we had a small sales huddle. During the huddle I was presented with my Steam Boat Willie pin and a card signed by all of the managers. I will keep that same pin until my 5th anniversary and then receive one once I reach my 5 year mark. I can't believe its been a year already. Time has flown by so fast!!! Now if I can only receive the long awaited call from casting telling me they have a full-time position available. The waiting continues....

Graduation for the Kids

Just some pics of the kids and their teachers during their graduation ceremonies. I can't believe my babies are growing up so fast! The time is flying by!