Monday, April 4, 2011

Spring Break in Paradise

I've always believed in making the best of every situation.  So with spring break being smack in the midst of ridiculously cold weather and Kayla being sick we did just that...made the most of it.  We packed as much into our week as we possibly could...

I know I've said it before...but I'll say it again...I love the DFRC Blue-Gold Hand-in-Hand program.  Kayla's buddy, Amanda, is amazing!  She came over to bake with Kayla...and I am tearing up just thinking about it...Kayla just loves her...and loves bossing her around, playing hide and seek and spending time with her all by herself...just like a big girl.  Seriously...how could I not love this...someone caring about my child...wanting to spend time with my child...






We played inside...I love that she shoved all of her doll pastries off of her doll table and used it as her snack table...and how she played hide and seek in an empty bin...and of course the play-doh...oh how she loves play doh...oh and zingo...did you see the post with her playing zingo????  If not, click here!


Then onto the DSA dinner preparations...
Every year we wait until the last minute...don't we, Karen?

It has now become an annual tradition...the night before our Down Syndrome Association of Delaware dinner we are up until the weeeeeee hours of the morning making centerpieces and favors {2:30 am to be exact}.  These are our favors...notecards with photographs of our beautiful children...

Our girls played, sang, watched movies and ate pizza...don't worry...they were sleeping by 11:00 pm {Kayla has the dark circles under her eyes to prove it}...

What did we do with all of this?

And some of this {which Rick stole from someone's yard because we were on a budget...shhh...don't tell}...

We turned it into this...

Not bad, eh?
So while I was completely exhausted, I was excited to attend the dinner with my husband...a little date night.

It's a great event.  A room filled with Moms just like me...Dads just like Rick...all parents that have a child with Down syndrome.  All parents that have been there before or will be where we are one day.  Parents I look up to and now some that look up to me.  This event is filled with acceptance, understanding and love...and a few ridiculously cute babies {meet Charlotte and River}...oh how I wanted to take them home...

























I have always joked with Rick that the DSA is the sorority I never pledged but am now a full fledged card-carrying member...and I will gladly show my {metaphorical} membership card to anyone.  These parents, while some are people I may have nothing more in common than our children, are all amazing.  I have learned so much from each of them.  All have advice they willingly share...all we need now is a secret handshake.  And so while this was a night out with adults it is still one that causes me to stop and reflect about Down syndrome.  Our keynote speaker was amazing...a brother to four siblings with Down syndrome {one by birth and three by adoption} and now a parent to a son and daughter from China that both have special needs (one having Down syndrome).  Can you imagine seeking to adopt a child with Down syndrome?  A child viewed as "less than perfect" by society but perfect for you?  He could...because he grew up with Down syndrome.  He understands Down syndrome and he and his wife love people with Down syndrome.  They see the beauty in Down syndrome.  The beauty in every life regardless of disability or differences or similarities....they see love and family...and they have two mottos..."why be normal" and "Down syndrome rocks"...and Kayla now owns the shirt!

The highlight of my night?  The amazing {teacher of the year} Tracy Taylor Calhoun telling me she watched the zingo video and was amazed by Kayla's speech and abilities.  She is a special education kindergarten teacher and is AMAZING...so for her to compliment my Kayla was so wonderful and encourages me to push harder and do more for Kayla because she can and will do anything she wants to do in her life because she has ABILITIES....amazing abilities.  It was a great night with good friends.

Kayla attended her first birthday party at Build-A-Bear for her friend, Addison, who just turned 9 {and that's her adorable baby sister}...


She was beyond exhausted but we pushed through...and she loves her new bunny...

And check out Kayla's autograph...amazing stuff...I am one proud Mommy!

Before we could even pull out of the parking spot this was my girl...done...






































But she only had about 10 minutes to snooze...we were onto swim lessons...
I have to admit...I was a bit nervous for this day...swim lessons for Special Olympics Young Athletes...
We were instructed to take our children to the pool, go to the observation area and they would take care of them.  A pool...a dozen or so Special Olympics athletes...water...deep water...lots and lots and lots of water...and a princess that doesn't know how to swim equals one very nervous Mommy.  But I have to tell you...I was impressed!  Each athlete had their own "coach".  A one on one interaction in the water...it was amazing.  Kayla strutted out of the locker room and onto the pool deck in her pink zebra tutu bikini.  She made her way to the steps, spotted Kiersten and within seconds was in the pool...no fear, ready to swim.  It helps that she knows and loves Kiersten {Victoria's older sister}.  I was a competitive swimmer for 13+ years of my life and I have to tell you...I think I witnessed the beginnings of a super star...

Oh...and I didn't follow the Mommy rules...I stayed on the pool deck to take pictures...maybe I'll follow the rules next time...maybe.  Oh...and this is what we are working towards...

























This is the amazing Victoria.  Just look at her go...and look at that form!  We are working towards this goal...but for now we will just concentrate on floating, blowing bubbles and kicking...

So there you have it...our wonderfully random spring break.  It may not have been a sunny and 80 degrees, palm trees swaying kind of paradise...but it was paradise nonetheless...

Now back to reality...well...this is my reality...life with my rock star...




























Wishing you a great week, friends!  Happy Monday!

2 comments:

  1. She is amazing! Her speech is amazing and that is a tribute to a wonderfully involved and encouraging Mommy and Daddy. I just love following your blog. I am Mommy to three Erin,5, Eoin (owen),3, and Bridgie, 14mos. Bridgie is our sunshine who happens to have Down Syndrome. You can check her out on my blog Life is simple. It's just not easy. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful stories.

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  2. Who would have ever guessed all the joy, fun times and friendships that are part of "the sorority" that we joined the moment we heard "your child has Down syndrome?" I often say I can't imagine our family without Victoria but I also can't imagine our lives without all the friends we've met because Victoria has Down syndrome. What a blessing.

    As I read each of your blogs I think they can't possibly get better - but they do. Each one and every one is amazing. Thank you my friend! (What would you do without me! - no seriously, what would I do without you?!)

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