Declan walked up the driveway with a thoughtful look on his face.
“Mom,” he said as he neared, “I have a loose tooth.”
“Oh yeah? Which one?”
I tipped to the side to peer inside Declan’s mouth. A little guy on the bottom wiggled freely as Declan moved it back and forth.
As we entered the house, Declan dropped his bag in the hallway and walked into the kitchen.
One by one he popped his shoes off and walked towards the counter.
“I wish I had a vine,” Declan mused.
“A vine?” I asked, as one by one I picked up the shoes and was hit in the head by the backpack I had rescued from the hallway and slung over my shoulder, “What do you need a vine for?”
“To tie to my tooth. Then if we tie the vine to a rock and throw it off a cliff my tooth may come out.”
I squinted my eyes and looked at the back of Declan’s head as he walked away. I eventually concluded (as I always do): Must be something he saw on YouTube.
A few days later I joined the other parents of Declan’s classroom to celebrate first grade.
It was fun. First the children gave their parents flowers. 😊
![20190531_134421[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.autismfamilypower.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/20190531_1344211.jpg?resize=223%2C300&ssl=1)
Then they read a poem and put on a play.
A very fun play about Harry the Hippo. That – (guess what?!) – has a tooth that needs to be pulled.
Guess who played Harry the Hippo?
(I asked for a big smile. I think he hit the borderline of “scary big smile” 😊)
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I think you know how the story went. And Declan did a great job.
Outside of these fun activities at school, I was able to take Catelyn to a motivational speech for young athletes.
By – Heather Mitts!
Heather, a three-time Olympic Gold medalist for the US Women’s soccer team, came to my gym to give a talk.
![20190531_185845[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.autismfamilypower.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/20190531_1858451.jpg?resize=169%2C300&ssl=1)
Catelyn and I really enjoyed listening to Heather tell her story and her quest to make the US Women’s soccer team roster through the years. She spoke of her ups and her downs as a teenager to soccer player AND all the work she put into to reach the goals she step by step made for herself.
Heather had a great message for all of the young athletes in the room –
DREAM BIG.
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School’s not out yet and the end of school year activities are still in full motion.
I am enjoying every last minute of errand running without kids – and trying to get as mentally prepared as possible for the summer ahead!
I just started a job dealing with autistic children and I’ve got no knowledge about how to do it. I need to learn as much as I can about this topic.
There’s definitely a lot to learn about autism, but each child you work with will be different. Getting to know them is probably the best thing you can do. Good luck to you in your new job!
Yeah, that big smile had me laughing. A little maniacal😂 The shoes and backpack routine is familiar here too. Dream Big indeed!💌
Of course there are no retakes. Scary big smile is what I got 🙂
When I saw the football picture I couldn’t wait to read it. Great time for everyone. ⚽️
Thank you!
That was so great for the two of you. Even I have heard of Heather in the UK. Harry the Hippo rocks.
Thank you! He does – and his tooth is all better. Although we are still working on Declan’s 🙂
Nice message!!
What a fab post, Robyn! You and the kids have been busy! Declan certainly did give you a huge smile for that cute photo, and how appropriate that he played the loose-toothed hippo! What a star Heather Mitts is. It seems she gave you a brilliantly motivating speech and I couldn’t agree more with her message of ‘Dream Big’. That’s exactly what I do, and I tell my daughter Maddie to do in her quest to be a maritime historian and sail tall ships. If you want good things in your life, dreaming big is vital, together with hard work, and then you’re on the road to great things. Great post and great photos. 🙂
There is no time off for a stay-at-home mom. You’ve got to love it…
Haha seems the beautiful game is really becoming prevalent in the states these days…which is nice to see.
I remember 10/15 years ago when it was like one of the only countries in the world who wouldn’t take it on board…even though it’s the biggest sport in the world!
That’s amazing that she took the time out of her life to go and connect with people and share her inspirational story.
The way you portray the experience in words…really does exemplify the beauty and power of human interaction!
Really enjoyed this…have an amazing day.
I remember watching the Women’s World Cup in 1999 – the game they won and Brandi Chastain ripped her shirt off. Such an exciting game – but you’re right – not many people were talking about it.
I agree – it was so cool of her. Really was an inspirational talk.
Thank you so much! You too!
Haha I was watching Manchester United win trebles in 99…oh how things have changed these last couple years for us united fans!
That’s so cool that you were…and it just shows I guess how far women’s football has come too…as I didn’t even know there was a women’s World Cup in 1999!
Now…it’s deservedly everywhere and getting it’s recognition.
Well I’m happy to have been taught a lesson by you on football on this beautiful day.
Yeah, it was great! Mia Hamm was the athlete on the Wheaties box – it was just great to see some attention going towards women’s sports. Granted I was in my twenties then, but I still thought it was really cool.
Awesome! Have a great day!
Ha ha! Yep, can’t always tie down those influences. I hope his tooth came out without too much stress.
It did – was one of those “Oh! Look! My tooth just fell out!” and not some elaborate plan 🙂 Whew!
Great!