Autism Speaks

The Autism Speaks group at my school is working on putting together a cookbook as a fundraiser for Autism. As an educator and parent, this is a cause that I am passionate about and try to support whenever possible. I am asking my family and friends to e-mail me their best or favorite recipes so that I can submit them to help put together this cookbook. E-mail any and all recipes to me at aruwe@fccsc.k12.in.us before Friday, February 5th.

SNOW DAY!

I love snow days! I snapped this pic of Maddie this morning as she was playing in my bedroom. She emptied out the toy basket and called up Jake. I think she was telling Jake she wasn't coming to the babysitter's house today.

With this snow day, I finally got to update the Blog, which I haven't done in a month. However, this means I didn't get a chance to write a paper that I needed to finish. I am counting down the days until I don't have to write anymore papers!!! Only a few more months....which means I have a severe case of senioritous!

Sunday Comics

Last Sunday, Maddie sat down and started reading the comics section from the Sunday paper. It was so cute. She loves to be just like her Daddy!

After she got done reading the comics, she did her new trick...walking around with a bucket on her head. Then she will tip up that bucket and say...
"HERE I AM!"

So Many Christmas Parties!

We are so fortunate to have such a great family. Having so much family means going to many Christmas parties. Maddie enjoyed herself at all of them. I have compiled some of the highlights from all of them.

We got a quick family picture at my parent's house when we picked Maddie up there after Christmas Eve mass. Maddie did not go to Christmas Eve mass with us because we knew it would interfere with her nap time and she just cannot sit quietly for two and a half hours. So Scott and I went and enjoyed sitting in peace for those couple of hours. Then it was off to Nana and Grump's house to have crab legs and many cookies and of course, many, many gifts. That Nana always out does herself!

This was this year's Christmas card picture. I can't believe how much she has changed from last year!

The weekend before Christmas Maddie had her 2nd Lutz Christmas at Loren and Marge's house. Jake showed her how to ride on their barbie jeep and bus. I am just glad that they did not break the toys while visiting.

This picture shows Maddie doing her favorite thing...picking up trash. Throughout Christmas, she obsessed over picking up ripped wrapping paper as she unwrapped her presents. This makes for a tidy floor, but takes forever to unwrap one gift. At Nana's house, Uncle Adam was her garbage man! She must have said "Thank you." to Adam a million times before she got all of her gifts unwrapped.

On Christmas morning, we went to eat breakfast at Grandma and Grandpa Lutz's house. This is one day of the year when Grandpa Lutz cooks. He made pancakes, eggs, sausage, and toast for us. After we ate breakfast and opened gifts Jake and Maddie took a break and watched some cartoons. I just love Jake's new John Deere boots from Santa.

On Christmas Day evening we went to Great-Grandma Oehlman's house after going to Aunt Charlene's house for Widolff Christmas. Maddie got a baby doll and a bed for the baby from GG. This has turned out to be one of her favorite gifts. Most nights she puts her baby to sleep and reminds Scott and I to, "SHHHH....baby sleeping." We shall see if she remembers that when her baby brother or sister arrives.

While at GG's house she discovered GG's magnifying glass. She played with that for the longest time.

I had to add this picture because this pretty much sums up how much Maddie loves boxes and paper. I guess this is what Santa should have brought her this year for Christmas!

I can't wait to see what excitement and memories we will make next Christmas!