Just Because

Everyone should have such a blessing. Read This Please.

Saturday's Adventure

Today was the monthly Down Syndrome group meeting. What a great time the kids had. We stayed 3 hours and they would have stayed another 3. They were thrilled, to say the least.

We met at a 'therapy/play place'. Here are some of the things we did. Again, my camera and I are having a bad time. I should have taken Judson's birthday camera!

There were 'wheeled' vehicles (bikes, scooter,trikes, tractors)

There were climby things of all sorts
Ball Pit
Play RoomSwings
Zip Lines

They tell me Turner did the zip line too and I missed it!

They also had: art room, kitchen for parties, sensory room, therapy rooms

Great times were had by all.

Friday's Fabulous Fotos

World of a 7 year old

If you'd like to see life as a 7 year old, go HERE.

Hike @ Fort Donelson

Pictures

What to do when the cat won't let you sleep. (Yes, I could have done something to the cat but I chose to post pics)

We spent the last few days in Tennessee visiting family. Here are some pics. (Can't believe I didn't get the camera out and get pics of Gigi, Margaret, Cousin Abbey. I"m slipping)

At my Dad's place: (on ballgame day, hence some Orange and White)


We also went to Fort Donelson. I took the 2 little ones for snacks and then exploring while Randy took Ansley and Judson hiking. (you'll have to wait for hiking pictures. They are on Judson's camera and I haven't downloaded them)

Sawyer is trying to move the cannon.

It was an earthen fort, not what you typically think of when you hear the word 'fort'.

Be sure the check out Judson's blog in a couple of days. We'll put some pictures he took on there. He got a new camera for his birthday and is enjoying learning how to use it.

We are Back

Pictures to follow. Have to decompress right now.

Toothless

Buddy Walk 2009

Hey. It's Buddy Walk time. If you're in the area, wish you'd come out and support us. Here's the link with all the info. Check out the items on the left hand side of the screen. There is a place to volunteer if you're in the area. We also appreciate any financial donations you wish to make. The money goes for advocacy/education for peoples with Down Syndrome. It is tax deductible.

CLICK HERE.

Guess Where We Went Today?

"Chip-Poo-Lay" or you may know it better at Chickfila. Only Sawyer eats the chicken but they all love the play place. We all got free chicken sandwiches for wearing sports team logos. Now I have a frig full of sandwiches!

He's 7!

Wow. Where has the time gone. Seems like yesterday he looked like:Then only a day or two ago that he had his first haircut:
His first (technically his 2nd but he was too little to enjoy the 1st) Halloween:Where has the time gone between:


And this:

How lucky I am to have such a wonderful son!

Status Quo

Sawyer had his follow up cardio appointment today. They were able to get a better look a the clot. The clot is about the size/shape of a pinto bean, 1.2cm at it's longest. As of now, we're maintaining the current course. (he did up the aspirin dosage to a full aspirin/day) Other options are very invasive: Open heart (on bypass) or meds that require daily shots or blood work. He said on the extreme end you might could find a "Cath Cowboy" to go in and try to cut it off and bring it out. Not something you'd really want to try.

We will go back in 2 months to see if there is any change. The hope is his heart will outgrow the clot or if they have to do surgery, they can postpone it until he is older and bigger/stronger. BTW, Sawyer tracks on the 75th percentile (plus) on height and 25th percentile on weight, using the down syndrome charts. That's pretty good since he doesn't even make the charts our pediatrician uses.

Alphabet

So, Ansley is working on an ABC book. Each day, she cuts out 10 pictures starting with the 'letter of the day' and glues them on a piece of paper. Then by the time we finish, we'll put it all together into a book. This appeals to her very artistic side. Plus, she loves to cut and glue. The thing she doesn't realize is she is also learning to figure out the beginning sounds of words. That appeals to me!

Today was the letter "I". The first 20 minutes was spent saying, "I can't do it" "It's too hard" "It's boring". Translation, I"m confused about "I" words. I don't recognize "I" in this book. She just doesn't want to admit any 'weakness' or ask for help. (We are working on that) What I've realized when this is happening, I need to point out her need to ask for help. Then I point out some words that begin with "I". Then she can continue on. I do have to leave the room or she'll just let me do it all for her.

I went to the next room and pretended to be working but actually I was listening for signs of T-R-O-U-B-L-E. What I hear next is: " 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. I did it! Sometimes I think I'm a Genius!"

Emergency!

This just in! Ansley fell off her bike and scraped her hand. THEN while running, she fell and scraped her knee. She is now convalescing on the couch wishing she had NEVER, EVER gone outside. Fiddle-de-dee, Miss Scarlett.
Notice the large 'bandage' over the wound. That is because it is BLEEDING! SEE!Now someone else is 'tick' too.

(notice the shoes on the wrong feet)

Love, Love , Love This Post

Click HERE. (that's right, HERE)

Happy Birthday to ME!

It's been a good day!

We ate lunch at my favorite restaurant. The tibs were a mite overcooked but we had a good time and the sambusa was terrific.

Fall is in the Air

(Okay, around here if the temp dips below 90 it's cause for celebration) Love, love, love this time of year. Mornings start a bit cooler. You know in your heart the sweat shirts will be coming out in another month (probably 2). I also love Wednesdays. It is the only day of the week we have no commitments. The day we can laze around after Randy gets off work. With 4 kids, we really don't ever laze but it's as close as we come.

Here's what we do. My camera is not being nice to me lately, so these are the only shots that were not totally blurry.

Good Story

From the Tennessean

Thanks Dad for pointing it out.

Fashionistas

1. How to watch TV in the morning when it's too early to be up and the sun is too bright.2.What to do to keep your hair out of your eyes (when mom has sent you to your room to rest and you want to make sure you don't fall asleep)Tie 2 socks together and have a color coordinated head band.

I Admire This Guy

You gotta just love a man you isn't afraid to sew and show off his talents. This man is particularly admirable because he sews for a very special purpose. He and his wife are adopting 2 boys with Down Syndrome. He is selling many of the items he sews to raise funds to help bring these little boys home. By the way, over the past 2 years this man and his wife adopted 2 other boys with Down Syndrome. They also have 3 other children.

So, go over to his site and check it out. His color bags are pretty cool. CLICK HERE.

Oh yeah, he's also a dog trainer in the Army!