Fresh is a wonderful word. There is nothing like strolling through an outdoor market in Kauai sampling the fresh fruit while waves crash in the background nearby. Driving in a convertible down Highway 1 in California and looking out over the ocean and the fresh air that tells you nightfall is coming soon. The fresh smell of a baby as they are being swaddled after their evening bath. Fresh. It sometimes says it all.

My dad, in his all knowing way, approached me last weekend right after Patrick left for Prom with the idea of me going with him to South Padre Island for a whirlwind trip. He's doing some work down there and knew that life had thrown me a few twists and turns recently and thought I needed to get away. I had no reason to say no, so early Sunday morning he pulled up outside my house with my step-mom and step-sister in the car and we headed to the airport for a very quick trip.

Ingredients:
2 excited little boys
1 favorite babysitter home from college
1 teacher
1 bag of M&M's
1 bag of Fruit Snacks
1 small Fruit Punch
1 small Sprite
1 very large elephant and a bunch of WHO's
1 trip to Brookstone to look at hairdryers
1 relaxed mom
Mix together with a bunch of love and a pinch of patience for a memorable afternoon.
Pictures say it all!

I was speaking with a mother who recently learned that her son has Autism. She was angry to say the least. Doctor, after doctor, after doctor told her that he was fine and not to worry. He will grow out of it. He's a boy, boys talk late. Your cousin didn't talk until he was four and look at him now.......student council president. This same story plays out daily across the globe.