First Years Academy

10/24/2023

This is an important reminder! 🙌

05/08/2023

🙌🏽🔥♥️

01/07/2023

01/07/2023

💙

Yesterday I dropped my son off at Target so he could do a little shopping.

This might seem like no big deal to you.

I get it. Before I lived alongside autism, an 18-year old walking across a parking lot and into a store on his own wouldn't have turned my head either.

But two short years ago, this boy Jack reached for my hand when whenever we went out in public.

Three years ago he refused to walk into any store that played classical music over the speakers.

Five years ago, he had a meltdown in this very same Target because we couldn't find the holiday M&M's.

Today, watching him walk through the doors, I could have wept.

Every step forward, no matter how small, counts. It simply does.

Carrie Cariello

01/07/2023

"I find myself sitting in the parking lot at Kroger trying to compose myself. You see, while inside getting groceries, I came upon a little girl prancing down the isle making a crazy noise. I turned around to see this young lady wearing massive boots compared to her tiny body. At first I just giggled and continued shopping. I ended up in the check out lane behind her and her mother. As good southerners do, we struck up conversation. I told the little girl that I liked her boots. She had a massive grin on her face and began to speak. She let me know that those boots belonged to her Daddy. Today would have been his birthday, but he was killed last year in 'Afghan Stan.' To feel better about today, she was allowed to wear his boots. As her mom started to cry, so did I, as did the cashier. Apparently, the gentleman behind me heard the story and gave the little girl a cupcake out of the dozen he was buying. He told the little girl to always eat a cupcake for her dad's birthday. He told her that her dad was a hero and that she should be proud to be his daughter. Please remember why we are able to celebrate America. Let's stop to think about those who protect the freedom that we often take for granted!"
Credit: Katie Shuler

01/07/2023

No paint in the house? Make your own!

http://easiepeasie.blogspot.com/2010/07/homemade-finger-paints.html

01/07/2023

If this isn’t one of the best explanations of what it is like to have children then I don’t know what is

01/07/2023

Every few minutes if the day, even do it when on trips with friends who have kids

via Fun in 5th Grade & More with Angela Yorgey

01/07/2023

😂. Ok ok but I am making up for it now that I can read,and enjoy reading😂. Dyslexia is no joke these were my nightmare. Only thing worse were the math minutes with dyscalculia

So true! 💯