Aloha Friday Five

It's Aloha Friday and I know that this is the last day of school for lots of teachers out there!! Hurray! 

I am linking up today with Kasey for her Five For Friday.

If you have followed me for awhile you know I have 

two sweet girls that are 9 and 11.

As in all siblings they are similar, yet so different.  My sweetie in pink is a little fireball and always full of energy!  She is super sociable, loves reading and is very athletic.  She has played soccer and is now in gymnastics.  All her teachers tell me how wonderful she is and that she is very bright.  I have never had a problem keeping her busy because she is willing to try out most activities. This girl is a Drama Queen!!

My sweetie on the left is my oldest.  She is completely opposite of her sister in many ways.  She has an incredible imagination, loves to draw, has a few close friends,  is very quiet (like her mother), struggles in school and does not like sports.  She has always lived in her own world.  In third grade she was diagnosed with ADD.  It's a nice umbrella to make sure her needs are met and that she is given the extra time needed to complete her work.  My own diagnosis is that she is on the spectrum for autism. I don't make a big deal out of it or tell her anything different.  I just find what works for her to meet her needs.

She is becoming a young woman and I really want her to be involved in some sort of extra-curricular activity.  Nothing has ever interested her. The one thing she is compassionate about is animals, especially horses.  This summer I finally found a riding program for her that I could afford.

She has been going once a week for the past few weeks and she loves it!

She is all smiles when she is around the horses.

You have no idea how somber this girl can be sometimes.  Her teachers this year thought she was very depressed, but she just doesn't show much emotion.  Seeing her smile just makes my heart burst.

 She is completely in her element on the ranch.

I am thrilled that she is learning to ride.  She loves her instructor and talks non-stop all the way home about what she did.  Finally something that will bring her out of her shell and get her to be more active and social.  

I am so thankful for my educational background and all the wonderful teachers I have met along the way who have given me more insight into to my daughters needs.  I love my girls dearly.  Each has their own special gifts and like all parents, I want them both to become confident, strong women who can stand on their own.  They also have to be able to take care of their mother in her old age!!

I hope you have had a wonderful week and that your summer days are lazy and happy! Surf on over to Doodle Bugs Teaching and check out all the great posts.