The typical sibling AKA the "normal" sister

April 10th is National Sibling day. In other words, a day set apart to celebrate siblings of kids (or adults) with special needs.

If you have been around here, you know I have 3 girls. My oldest daughter is my "normal" child. I use this term because I think this is what most people outside the special needs community use, but here is a little "educational moment" it is really more appropriate to use the term "typical." You know that little saying, "Normal is a setting on a washing machine" yeah, that applies for special needs too.

Because of the nature of this blog (and my writing) I really don't talk much about my oldest. And the thing is, she is pretty phenomenal.

Because of her sisters, she is one of the most accepting and understanding kids I know. I love her heart of compassion, and how well she "gets it" when it comes to other kids (not her sisters) having special needs.

I am proud of her. Okay, that might even be an understatement. But she really makes me proud, and in so many ways I look up to her.

So today, in honor of sibling week, I am sharing with you her newest passion: playing the piano. Ellie has been taking piano lessons for over a year. All of a sudden it just clicked and she plays every single day on her own, because it is fun. She works on her songs for her lessons, and then she learns her own songs, by ear.

Oh this girl is so talented! but she is also very shy! We have asked her several times if she would like to sing (she has a great voice too) but she does not want that type of attention. She might consider playing the piano, she said maybe for Mother's day. I think that would be really sweet.

So here it is, her first recital (and you all get to be the attendees).

From her piano lesson.

From her love for music, she figured it out by ear.

EDITED TO ADD: this post was inspired by my friend Shasta, who thought about making sibling's day sibling's week. CLICK HERE to visit her blog and the other blogs linked up. If you write a post about your typical kids, join us!