Deep in Conversation...

Every once in a while, you get a heartwarming reminder of just how cool it is to have an extra chromosome.

Tonight, John Michael and I raced to Straw Hat Pizza to catch the tailend of a DSIA Pizza Night for adults with Down syndrome and their parents.  As a board member, I'd signed up to be there the whole time, but never actually put it on my calendar! 

While it would've been nice to have been there during dinner, I think the most important thing for us happened when the evening was almost finished.

When we walked in, we met Jeremy.  I could tell he was drawn to John Michael.  It was mutual.  They said, "Hi" and made small talk.  It didn't take long for John Michael and Jeremy to find a table and chat.  I used the time to meet a few parents who have many more years of experience raising a child with Ds and learned about some of the things they are concerned with... but that's another post... 

I love how attentive Jeremy was with John Michael. 

I think that's what struck me tonight.  We are always so busy, checking our cell phones, making sure to catch every message, every text, email, call, facebook, whatever...  Heaven forbid we should unplug and be present and in the moment!

He told Jeremy all about Elmo, sang and signed the "Slippery Fish" song and the "Wheels on the Bus" song.  (I didn't hear their conversation, but asked John Michael later on in the car what he and Jeremy talked about...) 

Jeremy listened patiently while this little 4 year old shared his deepest thoughts.

I asked Jeremy and his mom, both, for permission to snap photos and to post on my blog.

The memory this left me was one of great joy and hope.  John Michael, I think, reminded some parents of their children long ago when they were little.  It was nice to see so many parents of adults with Ds be friends and chat about things relevant to them and their adult kids' needs as they get older.  I know we'll have that with the friends we've made, too.  Long-lasting friendships with people who really know what it's like.  The good and the not so good. 

What about Jeremy stood out to John Michael?  I'd love to know...

Does he somehow "know" that they have something in common?

Time will tell...

For now, this sweet image will remain with me and I will cherish the memory.

The Elephant Hunter

The Elephant Hunter

Don't be fooled. 

Under this cute exterior, lies a very powerful
Elephant Hunter.

He means them no harm... he only wants to find them so he can wash the elephants and make them clean.

Meet his cute sidekick, who's not very serious about helping...

Filled with special water, The Elephant Hunter straps on his powerful backpack watersprayer and sets off on the hunt.

Where could those elephants be hiding?
Not here...

He senses their presence on the other side of the fence and calls them.

His trusty, red-headed assistant spots them! 

He lifts up his powerful water sprayer.

Shhhhhhh.... Shhhhhhh...  Shhhhhh....

His sprayer reaches the elephants.  All clean!

Job well done.

 Looks like Mr. Turtle could use a wash...

The end.

Attention Span

Welcome and Happy New Year!

Just a little update on my sweet John Michael, who turned 4 in November, happens to have Down syndrome, and is an all-around awesome kid.



I had this Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set all packed up, ready to go into storage for another year, when John Michael came home from school and asked to play with the pieces.


 

John Michael's focused attention span continues to grow. He was at this spot, playing with these figures for about 45 minutes.

I love watching him concentrate.  He knows exactly what he wants, where to put things, and plays very nicely.  Here, he put all the pieces in a circle around the Baby Jesus.  (I'll bet you didn't know Elmo came to pay homage to the Christ Child, did you?)

Quietly. Sweetly. Reverently.

No throwing pieces.  No banging the angel's head on the table, or whatever else he could do.  No trying to bite the Magi's head off.

"John Michael, where's the Baby Jesus?"


"In a row!  Same!" proudly exclaims John Michael.

He was so proud to see all his pieces lined up in a row, as if to honor the Infant Child.  Everywhere he saw a nativity scene or a manger, he would identify Mary, "Jofes", and Baby Jesus.  He proudly tells me, "Jesus love me!" while patting his chest.  He's learning the faith and knows that these figures (minus Elmo) are different... not like Legos or other play figures.  Not because we explicitly said so, but because he's observing, paying attention and learning.  While he can't say all the words, he knows the words to a number of prayers -- the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep", Grace before meals and the Sign of the Cross.

Can you tell I just LOVE this boy!

May 2012 bring you abundant blessings and much joy!

Thanks for reading.  I hope to hear from you more this year  :-)

Monica

Ceramics Studio Painting

John Michael recently spent a super fun morning at a ceramics studio as part of a birthday celebration for two of his little girlfriends, Eva and Annelies.  We chose an ornament to adorn our Christmas tree.


I loved his concentration and willingness to paint and explore color and texture, using his fingers as well.

I tried to help him keep his colors separate so his ornament wouldn't be a big brown blob. I think we managed pretty well...

As a finishing touch, I helped him put his handprint on the ornament. He chose green.  Unfortunately, I forgot to turn it, so his hand was at the bottom of the ornament, upside down. Oh, well...

I think he was quite pleased with his creation and loved spending some time with his friends.

Today, I picked up the finished piece.

I'm thrilled with the way it came out.  Yes, lots of brown, but plenty of color showing through!

I love the colors!

And, not to be missed... the big, green handprint underneath the ornament.  LOL!

It looks AWESOME on our tree!

John Michael turns 4

John Michael turned 4 this past Monday! He had a super fun birthday party last Friday, but the camera I brought took horrible photos in the low light. So, I leave you with this short video clip of his actual birthday.

John Michael has changed so much in one year... too many things to list. The biggest change I see is his verbal communication. He is a chatterbox and is learning to ask for things in complete sentences; e.g., I want to ____, Can I please have a _____. This video doesn't show his verbal skills, but I'm so impressed! His vocabulary has increased exponentially this year and he's not afraid to repeat words that I don't understand. He is also starting to sing... really sing. Sometimes, while driving in the car, I'll sustain a note and ask him to sing it. He is matching at least 5 pitch changes, which tells me he can and will sing! Again, a thrill for me. He can sing Happy Birthday (with a little help), Old MacDonald Had a Farm, Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star and other simple songs, leaving the connector words out, but getting the message across. He is holding his crayon or pencil correctly and is taking more time to color. He can identify a few letters and numbers and knows the basic colors and shapes. He still remembers many signs, which is very cool! He says, "Hi, Lady" to women in stores (very charming) and freely gives hugs and kisses. He wants to help and be involved in what the family is doing. He has turned into a real "big brother" to Luke and often comforts him or hugs him when he's grumpy or hurt. He stays dry and uses the potty (although I have to take him every 1 1/2 hours since he isn't telling me on his own very often, but will say, "yes," if I ask him if he wants to go). He isn't pulling hair or hitting and rarely pushes anymore. He does steal toys and his new phrase in a serious voice is, "not funny!" to which we usually bust up laughing. He runs fast (arms flying wildly), jumps from a 6" footstool with both feet on the ground, does the Chicken Dance (oh, it's so cute!), and says his prayers, including making a sign of the cross and saying, "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."  He can also say the litlte "Now I lay me down to sleep..." prayer, leaving 1/2 the connecting words out.  The sweetest is when he recently said at Mass, looking up at the crucifix, "Jesus, love me," while patting his chest. Yes, John Michael, Jesus loves you! And everyone else who meets him...

It's been a great year. Can't wait to see what lies ahead, but I'm in no rush...

(Not so) Worless Wednesday -- FUNDERLAND!

We had an awesome time at Funderland last week! It was John Michael and Luke's first time and it had been a couple years for Greta, too.

Luke hitching a ride with my singing friend, Gaw.  I needed another set of hands to pull this off!

By the size of their smiles, I'd say the old fashioned cars were a huge hit!

But I wasn't sure how he would do on some rides...

Let's just say... they were both happy to get off the boat!

Whooooo whooooo.........

John Michael didn't want to go on the airplane at first, but once it was moving, he had a blast. Greta got them up in the air, too...

More fun on the carousel...

Cars again... solo, this time.

It was so great to see him do this alone!

Greta was scared the first two times on the rollercoaster, but by the 3rd try, she was ready to go solo!


Finally, his favorite... the fishies. Luke cried instantly and had to get off... John Michael could've stayed on this ride all day!