Monkey See, Monkey Do...

John Michael loves to copy whatever his siblings are doing, which has aided greatly in his learning.

Here, he's filling a piggy bank with loose change for a local charity. Very good for fine motor skills. The coins are small and hard to grasp, and the hole is just a slit not much wider than a quarter, not to mention it's good for his concentration, too.

Another skill he's picked up is building with Duplo Lego's. He used to just stack and stack, but now he seems to be building out a bit as well. He's discovering more ways to build and design. I LOVE Lego's. He also plays with the Lego animals and cars.

This is a funny photo and doesn't do it justice... He's talking on a play phone making his fake laughing sounds while pulling the "barking" dog. It was soooo funny, but I didn't get a great shot. He was obviously mimicing Greta who has lengthy (pretend) conversations on the phone all the time.

And finally, I caught John Michael learning the fine art of making funny faces from Greta after sharing a pretzel snack.

I love all the learning that goes on, even when I'm not actively teaching him anything in particular. Life is full of opportunities for learning, you just have to open your eyes to recognize it.

Take 2... Updated video with captions

I know I'm crazy, but I was up until 1:30am adding some photos I'd forgotten and then started labeling all the places John Michael has been.

John Michael -- Birth to 3 years. You're so Amazing!

In preparation for John Michael's transition to preschool meeting tomorrow, I gathered up all my favorite photos. The first take was 9 minutes long! Here's the pared down version. I've kept it to about 3 minutes to show him doing all kinds of things. John Michael... you're so amazing!

Gold Rush Days -- Sacramento, CA, circa 1850

The Old School House, circa 1850, Sacramento, California.

Sacramento was "the" place in the 1850's for finding gold.  We spent Labor Day in Old Sacramento for Gold Rush Days where the streets of old town are covered in dirt and the only transportation to be seen is horse and carriage.  There are lots of shoot-outs and displays to see and things to do.  Here, we're in the old schoolhouse.  The boys in the front are in trouble for sitting on the girls' side of the classroom.  The one on the left looks remorseful.  The one on the right, well, he was taken out back and paddled.

These pioneer girls are enjoying the shade after braving harsh conditions and surviving the long journey from the east in a covered wagon.  They're smiling because they just had their first bath in months.

Here's that boy again.  Like I said, nothin' but trouble.  Playing Faro in the tent city.  The boy actually won the game and left with 21 chips.  He had some sasparilla and a bath, and paid for the girls to have a bath.  Perhaps he's a gent after all.

A woman making gorgeous lace using wooden bobbins.  Such an amazing skill.

The little prairie girl trying her best at tug-o-war.

This young man was trying his hand at "crack the whip."

A fine bunch. 

They posed while waiting for the steam locomotive to be filled with water.

I love how the girls enjoy dressing for historic days.  Nic used to, but he has outgrown everything we had for him.  We found Anna's dress at a thrift store earlier this year -- a Jessica McClintock Gunne Sax dress for $14.99.  I was so thrilled!  And Greta's outfit is something I'd bought for Anna on ebay several years back.  I love how she looks in it -- so cute.  I can't wait to see John Michael dressed as an old fashioned boy next year.

MOMS! -- Introducing the "Whine-erator"

This could be the invention of the century!

Kids making too much noise? Baby still fussing after you've met all his needs? Have you heard, "Mooooooommmmmm" followed by whining one too many times? Can't hear yourself think? Need a little quiet but still need to keep an eye on things?

Then you need the Whine-erator! Guaranteed to take you to a place of peace and calm, at least in the sound department. "Sorry, Sweetie, I can't hear you," will be your new mantra.

Order now. Limited quantity. You deserve some peace today :-)

A rough week...but we'll make it...

After Luke was born, it became very clear that I would need some help managing the kids and helping John Michael have the attention he needed while I recovered and cared for a newborn.  I've never needed help before, but this time was different...

On a recommendation from a friend, we found Haley...


a Sophomore at St. Mary's College who we hired to be a nanny/babysitter/mother's helper (all-in-one) for several half days a week throughout the summer.  It didn't take long for us all to warm up to Haley, and she and John Michael formed a special bond that I'm sure she didn't expect when she first started helping out.

Within a few days, John Michael had Haley wrapped around his little finger and she quickly learned how to communicate with him and interpret his sounds, gestures/signs, and words.  She took him (and usually Greta, too) to the park, both slathered in sunscreen, to work off some of their energy and to allow me some quiet time with Luke, to straighten up the house or to rest.  She made it easy for me to leave the house to run errands with Luke or to have some one-on-one time with the older kids, often while John Michael was napping.

Saying "Good=bye" last Wednesday was especially difficult.  The kids and I have missed her this week and I can tell John Michael misses her, too.  He has even said her name, "Lay-Lee" a couple times!

Haley, we wish you well in your studies.  You are always welcome to visit and babysit anytime.  The kids all agree that you're the best babysitter they've EVER had.  That's quite a compliment!  So, don't forget to stay in touch!  We'd love to see you at the Down syndrome walk!

Sheridan's 2nd BDay Party

I love this photo.  John Michael's buddy, Sheridan, celebrated his 2nd birthday at his home last Saturday.  It's such a joy to see these two together.  When they first met, John Michael used to make Sheridan cry.  It didn't take much.  Maybe it was the age/height difference at the time.  We don't really know.  But today, they're on a more even playing field with both of them motoring around on two feet and playing nicely together.

Sheridan is one amazing little guy.  It's hard to believe he just had open heart surgery a couple months ago!  Such a healthy boy and fast healer.

It's funny, but John Michael is sometimes left-handed/footed and sometimes right-handed/footed.  I've seen him do both with ease, but more often he uses the right side.  Interesting...

John Michael loved all the different play stations that Sheridan's mom, Lisa, set up in the backyard.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo, but John Michael had brown paint on his shirt, shorts, and two stripes on his right cheek resembling war paint.

Another fun station.  Water play with floating wine corks.  Hmmm, I wonder how many bottles of wine Lisa and Gary had to drink just to have enough supplies (corks) for this one?  LOL!

The afternoon wrapped up with music from Music to Grow On, the music therapy group many of us use.  John Michael LOVES his therapist and is super active in his private, weekly lessons.  But in a group setting, this is typical... he stands in the back and just watches.  Sheridan and some other friends were all over it.  I love seeing Sheridan standing and walking. 

Other stations included sand, dough, colorful plastic balls, and a blanket for pre-walkers.  But my favorite of all was where you could make hand or foot prints of your little one.   On the left, are Luke's footprints and on the right, John Michael's multi-colored hand prints.  Isn't that too cute?!?!

The cake was also amazing!  It was based on The Itsy Bitsy Spider.  You can check it out at Lisa's blog.

But the most touching part of the day was that Sheridan's dad, Gary, was in the hospital and Lisa still pulled off an amazing party.  If you're the praying type, please pray for Sheridan's dad for a speedy recovery!

Lithia Park in Ashland, OR

Ashland, Oregon, is only about 75 minutes north of Mt. Shasta, CA, where my parents live.
It's a gorgeous Shakespearean / college town just north of the California/Oregon border.

John Michael had a blast at Lithia Park. Can you tell what was his favorite thing to do?

Nic and Greta "chilling out" by the stream.

Anna and Greta doing the same.

I sometimes wonder if the kids will still be close when they're grown up.  I can only hope this is a glimpse in to the future.  And it's moments like these that make my heart smile!

Nic, Anna, and Greta enjoyed it, too. Here they are outside the Shakespearean theatre courtyard waiting to hit the local ice cream shop.

Traveling to Mt. Shasta (all 7 of us!)

This is how we travel   :-)
With 7 people now occupying every seat in my Honda Odyssey, it's great when the 3 youngest are asleep at the same time!  (No, I didn't drug them!  LOL!)  Can you see Luke's reflection in the mirror?

After a 6 hour trip (it should only take about 4 without kids!), we finally arrived in Mt. Shasta City.  John Michael loved playing on the bridge my dad built for my parents' yard. He spent most of his days going up and down this bridge.

 Such a big boy!

My Mom has always had an incredible green thumb.  Here in the front yard, John Michael and I explored and found an old rail car amid the daisies, pine trees and fruit trees.

John Michael and I collected a few apples for the horses on the property behind my mom and dad's place.  He decided to take a few bites out of one of them.  While this one looked good to me, most of the apples are wormy, and this was no exception. Luckily, John Michael was tired of the apple before he got to the "bad" part.

North Shore of Lake Siskiyou.  John Michael loved feeling the rocks and water.

 

Several long logs floating in the water made for some fun water play.

 

The kids were in heaven here -- we thought it was pretty nice, too!

Feet and Food -- "JM-style"

Feet, feet... wonderful feet.  Oh, the many, many feet you meet...
(I know, I'm starting to sound like a Seuss book, but really, there are so many different kinds of feet, even amongst my own children.) 

Nic has seriously huge (size 13!), flat feet, great for swimming; Anna has strong soccer and tennis feet; Greta has gymnastics feet that can kick high with a graceful arch; Luke has long, slim baby feet.  But John Michael has the softest, chubbiest feet with short toes, a cute little sandal gap AND a Simean crease to boot!  I LOVE this boy's feet.  I must kiss his bare feet at least once a day.  Like other parts of his body... his neck, his cheeks, his arms... they are so soft and smooth.  Like butter, only better  :-)
 

Now for the food...  Greta has taught John Michael the fine art of dining al fresco and nibbling on all kinds of "seasonal", plastic fruit.  I love how well they play together and the role-playing she teaches him.  Here, he's showing off his pot of fruit while holding a fork in his teeth.  Yes, he knows how to eat properly with a fork, but he sure can be funny sometimes.  I love his crossed legs, too.  The ultimate in relaxation.

Ooooh, a juicy strawberry!  (minus the juice and the mess!)

I will seriously miss having Greta here every morning to play with John Michael as she prepares for her Kindergarten career next week.  I guess I'll have to start eating more plastic fruit and dining al fresco while barefoot.  OR better yet, we'll need to invite some of his buddies to come play.  Sounds like a plan...

2 years of Music Therapy...

John Michael has been fortunate to have the same music therapist since he began in June 2008. 
He was only 7 months old when he began and would sit either in my lap or in a Boppy.  By September that year (see above photo), he was sitting unassisted and really enjoying music therapy, still needing hand-over-hand assistance while working on strengthening his left arm which he didn't use as much. 

It's so funny to see photos of him back then... he was so chunky!

Today, two years later, he greets Carly at the door, sits down and is ready to play. 
The triangle makes some cool sounds...

The tick tock block sounds cool, too, but mostly he likes to stick the mallet into the hole.  He still loves the rainbow scarves and says "Ben bow" for rainbow, but his repertoire has expanded greatly since the early sessions.  He loves the Slippery Fish song and The Wheels on the Bus..., playing instruments, imitating sounds, anticipating movements and words, and all the sounds that go with music.

I cannot say enough about Music Therapy and its importance for John Michael's learning.  It works on fine motor, gross motor, coordination, vocal imitation, blowing horns and harmonicas, listening skills and so much more.

Here, he's signing "LOVE" for "The Daddy on the bus says, "I love you."

Just last week, he said "Vuv Yoo" as he was waving to me while his babysitter was taking him and Greta for a ride in the wagon.  My heart just melted!

Here's another Music Therapy favorite.  Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?

The music therapy interns embellished each page of the book with fur, feathers, yarn, curly hair, etc., to make a very cool touch and feel book.  I've already promised our  Ds Sisterhood that we would get together to make one of these for our kiddos, too.  Soooo  fun!

Last year, funding for Music Therapy services were cut so we had to either quit or opt for private pay.  It has been well worth the money and definitely John Michael's most anticipated therapy that carries over into our everyday lives.