Sports Banquet

Earlier this week, The Boy, Babe and I attended the ECLC Sports Banquet.

It was a great night that included a lovely dinner and an awards ceremony 

for the all the sports teams at ECLC (Soccer, Basketball and Softball)

The boy received a medal for his participation on the JV Soccer Team...

He's already planning our summer run workouts...

...and a JV letter for his participation on the basketball team

as if the JV jacket wasn't enough.....

The PE staff did such an amazing job planning this evening

and taking the time to honor each athlete for their specific achievements.

The Boy and his friends were thrilled with their awards 

and for each other's achievements.

One of things I love most about ECLC

is how the students all support, help, 

respect and honor each other.  

It's just something that is inherent

in the culture.

Cannes Film Festival Fashion

You didn't think I only had an opinion regarding fashion choices on US soil, did you?

LOVED LOVED

Eva Longoria

amazing and classic in this white dress, 

with just enough detail to keep it interesting.

Jessica Chastain

Divine.

Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson

were stunning.

I loved his navy take on black tie.

Fan Bing Bing
Swoon.

NOT SO MUCH

Diane Kruger

Wait! Didn't we just see Diane on the LOVED LOVED list?

 Yep, be she fell from grace with this super weird combination of two different dresses. 

Yes, I do realize it is fashion blasphemy to criticize Jason Wu, but I'm just not getting this look.

Chris O'Dowd

loooove him, but thinks he should dress like a grown up.

Freida Pinto 
I appluade her daring, 
but this toxic vomit color gown with an gold trimmed fin 
coming off her hip just doesn't work for me.
So wrong. Especially since she is smaller on top than bottom. 

 BOOOORINGGGG

Jennifer Connely

wore black .... zzzzzzzzz

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

When did Shawn Penn get so old?

and what is with that 'stache?

TOO CUTE

No words needed

Am I right??

Jaden Schmaden...

It was a big day in the life of the The Boy today.  It was his school's spring show.

Those of you who know this, know that he had a solo and has been practicing since late March.

He worked with his music teacher

He worked with his speech therapists

He practiced, practiced, practiced

He practiced with Taylor over Easter Break

He practiced, practiced and practiced some more.

If we were in the house or car, the song was on and he was practicing.

I woke up several days ago with these lyrics as my first though of the day.

This endeavor required a new shirt, because it was "special" and the white shirts he had in his closet were not "special" enough.

This endeavor required a trip to the salon so he could have GOLD in his hair, because gold is apparently, "cool" and "sexy".

He was up late last night practicing and worrying about today.

He was up and in the shower this morning, on time, without me having to beat him in there - -That's serious excitement.

My point in all this, is that he put a lot of time and effort into this.

So, please allow me introduce to you ECLC classroom 209 's rendition of

Never Say Never

featuring The Boy as Jaden Smith (around 2:26).

(Sorry about the raw footage, my editing software isn't working...)

He totally pulled it off!

I was crazy proud of him!

All his classmates and teachers and therapists were super proud of him!

His grandmother was over the moon proud of him, waving her hands and cheering like a mad woman!

But, best of all, he was so proud of himself and feels like a Rock Star!

We went to lunch at Joe's to celebrate with gluten free burgers and fries
and tonight he goes back to school for the monthly dance.

A full day...yes.

Too much excitement...perhaps.

Now, no offense to Justin and Jaden

but if I never hear this song again

it will be too soon!!

Sweet Basil

lavender, wet soil, cilantro, newly scrubbed kids, 

fresh lawn clippings, surf wax, sweet pea, coffee, 

newborns, lemons, summer rainstorms, 

camp fires, night-blooming jasmine,

peanut butter, freesia, leather

an ocean breeze, 

dusk . . .

This Just Makes Me Happy

I feel so blessed 

to able to experience 

the incredible people in this amazing place.

Finding ECLC was truly life altering for 

The Boy.

I honestly can't imagine 

a school, or any environment,

that would be a better fit for Alex.

He thrives here in a way, that I had once

only dreamed possible.

For all my altruistic friends and family 

who find themselves looking

for a new volunteerism experience

please consider

"ECLC has launched a volunteer initiative 

to support our dedicated staff and make all 

ECLC entities even more efficient.

Please consider how you can have an impact 

on the success of our schools and adult programs.

If you are interested, download the Volunteer Form 

and return it to contact Director of Volunteerism, 

Mary Lou Dawson at 973-635-1705 x 29

 or  mdawson@eclcofnj.org."