We have been waiting for Ava, the first niece, to arrive.

April packing up new dress for Ava.

Big brother Dan and April

Dan and April text each other several times a day.  Saturday morning at 4:18p.m April received a text from Dan that said, “Baby is here!”  April was one of the first people to know because she sleeps with her phone and heard the text come in.  Here is the first picture of niece Ava.

We told Jake and Sam about being uncles again when they got up Saturday morning.  Jake was very excited.  Sam on the other hand said, “I’m not an uncle.”  To which Jake immediately replied, “Yes you are.  You’re Uncle Pain!”  Things are never dull around here.

Tonight (Sunday) you will find the five of us at 9 p.m. watching this…

This Hallmark movie on ABC  is about a coach and science teacher who took his class of kids with disabilities to Space Camp.  Yes, it’s based on a true story that happened in 1989.  One of the actors has down syndrome.

Peter is from Los Angeles and I can’t wait to see him in action.  I love for my kids to see others overcoming challenges.  There will also be much discussion about the acting and making of the movie.  You can read more details here…..

http://www.downsyndromedaily.com/2012/01/actor-with-down-syndrome-peter-ten.html

Since the movie is titled, A Smile as Big as the Moon, I have included some of my favorite smiles of April, Jake and Sam.

Happy Sunday!

This moment} – A Friday ritual. A  photo(s) – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.   (idea by SouleMama)

Right now there’s a bowling tournament going on at our house.  It’s rainy and cold outside but that doesn’t matter because Jake, Sam and our helper Ali are bowling.  I love the Wii.

There is some serious smack talk going on here!

Jake has great form and control and usually wins.

He won again tonight.  Then it was on to tennis and baseball.  So far Sam has gotten 3 home runs.  The kids are having a great time and more importantly they are moving……………………………………!

Before dinner Ali took the boys to the rec. center where Sam rode the stationary bike 5 miles, walked on the treadmill for 2 miles and lifted weights.  It didn’t even phase him.  That boy still has lots of energy.  Meanwhile Jake walked and ran around the indoor track.Does this guy look tired to you?   I am counting the hours until my bedtime.

And so it goes.  What is going on at your house tonight?

If you need some inspiration click on the following links.  The first is about two women ages 43 and 25 who completed the Rose Bow half-marathon.  Oh and they happen to have down syndrome.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8515473  After I read this I went out and did my daily walk that I can always find an excuse not to do.

The next link is about one of the kids’  friends from ballroom dance class named Teddy.  In addition to the weekly group lessons Teddy takes private lessons from the owner Mary.  They entered a dance competition and won fist place.  He was the only one there with down syndrome!

http://www.wlwt.com/entertainment/30217396/detail.html  All the students at the ballroom dance class inspire me to get out of my seat and dance.

My own three kids continue to amaze me on a daily basis.  They don’t let a little thing like an extra chromosome slow them down.

Sam, April and Jake with big sister Jennifer

Who has inspired you lately?

The phone rang and whoever was on the other end Jake was very excited to talk to.  Wondering who it could be I took the phone and was surprised to hear the voice of our former helper Liz.  This is the young woman who made a huge impact on the lives of our children.  I wrote about it here last June when she moved to Kentucky to start her new job as a genetic counselor.

http://aprilanecdotes.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/because-of-down-syndrome/

Liz was in town for a birthday party and wanted to know if we would be home later that day so she could come for a visit.  We made some gluten-free cookies for all to nibble on and waited for her arrival.

What a sweet visit we had catching up on her job and life and  the kid’s school and many activities.  Sam had to show her his art work that he had created in his art class.  April filled her in about her boyfriend.  It was a great, but to short visit, of talking, tea and treats.  We had to dash off to swim practice and she had to get back to her family.  Oh how we miss Liz!

                                                         Last year’s going away present.

 

Have you had any surprise visits recently?

April was born in Baltimore and is a huge Baltimore Ravens fan.  She has her game face and game shirt on.

Here is the back of her shirt with the name of her favorite player.  She has watched the movie The Blind Side many, many times!

Fingers crossed that the Ravens win……………………………………………………..

April came downstairs yesterday for breakfast with a two shirt color combination that frankly I felt didn’t match.  I sweetly made the following suggestion:

“April, how come you’re wearing that red shirt under your t-shirt?” (the t-shirt was very dark green)

“I like it Mom.”

“I don’t think the colors go together.  How about if you change it?” I replied.

“They’re Christmas colors.” said April.

“It’s not Christmas.” I wisely noted.

To which April replied, “It’s always Christmas in my heart.”

April 1…….Mom 0.   She wore the shirts!

Yesterday I wrote about the process of taking Jake’s Senior pictures.  Today you can try to guess which picture Jake picked out.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

I had input but Jake made the decision.  He will be the one sending out graduation announcements with his picture inside.  Drum roll please………..

Jake chose picture # 2.  Good choice Jake.  It was great to have so many good pictures to choose from.  Thanks Jeremy:  McDaniels Photography.

I though I posted this in November.  I actually had his pictures taken at the very end of October.  Part 2 will appear tomorrow.

Yes, Jacob is a Senior this year no matter how much I am in denial.  My darling guy can’t be graduating from school already since he was just 5 wasn’t he?  In my typical procrastinating manner I had put off having his Senior picture taken at a studio.  I  just rationalized that his picture taken at school would work fine as his Senior picture.  Fortunately my daughter’s neighbor is a professional photographer.  I see him at most school events taking pictures for the school.  I saw him again at the Senior Halloween parade.  I of course had my handy-dandy point and click digital in hand.  Jeremy mentioned to Jenny that he could take Jake’s picture and so I made an appointment 4 days before the final yearbook dead line to get Jake’s picture taken by a professional.

I love the last sentence on his About Us page…a positive and relaxed environment for every customer.   Sam came along with us so I am not sure how relaxing the environment was with Sam bugging his brother for most of the session.

Jeremy was great with both boys.  Many pictures had to be taken because Jake has a tendency to not look at the camera.

Jeremy’s easy-going and patient demeanor is just what both boys needed.  He took lots of pictures with different poses and backgrounds.

Meanwhile Sam was doing his own posing all over the studio.  I tried to ignore him.  I finally just told him that this is a professional photo shoot just like Justin Bieber would have and that he would have to sit quietly.

OK, I admit it, I had camera envy watching Jeremy work with all his fabulous equipment.  His pictures turned out amazing.  It was hard to pick the best one for the year book.

Jeremy showing Jake how to pose.

If you are lucky enough to live in Cincinnati this is the place to get your professional pictures taken.  He knows how to work with our kids who have Down syndrome.  We will be headed back to his studio for a family portrait soon.        McDaniel’s Photography