Having sat through 3 soccer games and 2 lacrosse games today (just a regular Saturday around here!), it seems only fitting that I sit down now to write about…athletic events!  Now, my kids didn’t catch the sports bug super early.  Nope, mine were the kids picking daisies in the midst of the kindergarten soccer field as the ball sailed right past them. 

But this year, in 4th grade, my eldest has suddenly become sports obsessed.   And she’s not only obsessed with playing sports – she loves following them too.   Need Red Sox scores? She’s got ‘em.  Want to know if Chelsea beat Man U?  Look no further.  And as much as I love the Sox and Chelsea, Boston and London aren’t always so easy to get to, so we’ve found some local sports events to frequent.  Some of our spring and summer favorites:

It’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming…Mother’s Day!  The one day a year when my children are required by law, tradition, expectation, whatever, to treat me like a queen.  And just in case they haven’t been preparing for the big day with the same fervor that I have, I’ve compiled a list of activities that will make the 2013 Mother’s Day one to remember!

In second grade, my daughter often talked about her classmate Robert.  Robert, who remained in our public school system through second grade, struggled with the nebulous diagnosis of being “somewhere on the autism spectrum”.  He’s a great kid – with a great family – and I watched and marveled as they worked tirelessly to help Robert navigate his way through school, friendships, and growing up.

Robert’s mother, who is thoughtful, tireless, patient, strong and grateful, told me how much support they’ve had from the Connecticut community as they’ve explored the world of autism with Robert.  It has made me appreciate again how lucky we are to live in an age and place of both relative social acceptance and medical phenomena.  There is no doubt that my life and my daughter’s have been enriched and strengthened for knowing Robert and his family, and their struggles and victories.

If you have a child who may be grappling with autism, there are many, many resources in the Fairfield County area to explore.  Here's a list to get you started: