Westward ho, the minivan

We spent spring break in the Bay Area. Tyler had a week of meetings, so it was sit home alone or tag along. We visited friends and family, ate at favorite restaurants, and soaked up spring weather, which in California was actually warm (it snowed the day before we left) and brightly colored. Luckily, the 12-hour drive went much more smoothly than we had thought, powered by the following distractions: three cell phones, an iPod, portable DVD player, digital camera, GPS, and two Nintendo DS systems. Add to that multiple cords and chargers for the aforementioned gadgetry and we finally arrived, disgorging a small mountain of snack wrappers, water bottles, cracker crumbs, and tangled wires.

Here's a few highlights of our week.

We always try to visit Carden's former therapy team from the autism days. Elley (behavioral therapist), Bonnie (speech therapist), Marieta (personal aide), and Kathleen (occupational therapist, not pictured) have remained wonderful friends and sources of encouragement. We are so blessed that Carden has no autism diagnosis and appears to be a typical boy. Thanks in large parts to their efforts, he has the whole world ahead of him.

The boys love Grandma & Grandpa's dog Posy, or "old Pose" as Carden likes to call her. She has to go hide in her cage to get away from their constant attentions. They chase her around the yard, play tug-of-war, and try to imitate a commanding adult voice telling her to stop eating their action figures they left within her reach. They especially love visiting the local dog park and watching her interact with other dogs. Carden comes back showing off his new-found knowledge of different breeds.

Unexpectedly, we spent a lot of time at various city parks. Charlotte loved her first time in the swings, and the boys had a great time climbing and sliding on various play structures. We met my college roommate Deborah and her kids for a picnic in a San Jose park and spent a day with my sister Lorianne and her daughter at a great park in Gilroy. It reminded me how I'd falllen into the rut of sending the kids into the backyard at home rather than hit the local playground. Watching Carden especially, who needs a little encouragement with motor skills made me appreciate communities who develop really great playgrounds.