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.

Visit with our buddies and NDSC Meet-Up

I have a lot on my mind this week. Therapists, playdates, school newsletter editing, life with four kids...

BUT...

the NDSC Convention begins Thursday evening this week and I'm so excited to finally meet some fellow Ds bloggers, hear great speakers, meet a favorite author, and get some new insight into this brave new world we entered some 20 months ago.

But more importantly, let me take a moment to ask you to please pray for our beautiful little local friend, Gabby. She is such a sweetie and she's having her heart repaired this Friday so she won't be able to be at the Convention. We're going to miss her beautiful smile and her mom, Sheree's, sunny personality. We also pray for the doctors and for her whole family. {{HUGS to you, Gabby!}}

Last Friday, we met our local Ds blogging buddies at a spray park. All the kids had a blast. You can see John Michael and Anna took full advantage of the fun. Greta's in the background on her scooter and Nic is somewhere getting soaked.

Below, John Michael is checking out Joaquin's camp hat. Joaquin didn't mind his hat being on his head one bit, which is more than I can say for my little guy who constantly removes any hat I put on his head. And apparently hats on other heads as well.

Here, Gabby and John Michael are sharing a little kiss. I think he's wishing her well for her upcoming surgery and recovery.
All in all, it was a super-fun afternoon catching up with our friends. Anna was great with John Michael.

Below... The Fab Four! From left to right... Sheridan, Gabby, Joaquin, and John Michael

Love those eyes!

On a final note... If you're heading out West to Sacramento for the Convention, we'd love to meet you. Please say hello! We'll be wearing our nifty DS Bloggers ID badge and so will about 10 others. You're welcome to join us for lunch on Saturday, but please leave a comment if you're planning to come. Meet us at the Registration Table at 12pm and we'll walk to a local restaurant. Hope to see you there!

PS: If you think you'd like to join us, comment here or on DS Bloggers so we know how many to expect. Thanks! and Happy Traveling!

FYI: Sacramento is very hot this time of year. Think upper 90's to low 100's for daytime and cool evening breezes in the 60's and 70's.

Memorial Day in Old Sacramento

If you're headed to the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention this July, you'll want to come check out Old Sacramento.

Established in 1849, Old Sac is bustling with shopping, dining, entertainment, historical attractions and world-renowned museums set within the time of the California Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Old Sac hosted the 36th Annual Sacramento Jazz Festival and Jubilee! It featured more than 60 bands at 23 venues, playing jazz music of all types, including sixteen bands made up of teenage musicians on their own stages.

We had a blast listening in on all the free family jazz venues.

My sweet John Michael.

Definitely all boy first...

Down syndrome is way down on the list of things to describe him...

Riding in an open car pulled by an old 1860's steam engine in Old Sacramento. A jazz banjo band entertained us for the 45 minute ride up and down the Sacramento River.

These brothers have a special bond.

John Michael makes a hard "K" sound for Nick!

I just love love love this little guy's smile. Thanks to Anna for helping me get this great shot. She is the best at getting him to smile for the camera. His eyes are sparkling in this photo!

We took a coffee and ice cream break aboard the Delta King Paddle Boat. Just over the rail we could see and hear below an excellent teenage jazz ensemble play old jazz standards. On the front side of the boat, we saw a huge family of Canadian geese and goslings swimming upstream and one lone turtle sunning himself on a rock jutting out of the river.

Me and my girls, Anna and Greta.

And a very special thank you to the men and women who have served and are serving our country. Freedom comes at a great price and we are grateful for all you do. A special thank you to those who gave their lives so that we might have ours.

PS: Drop me a note if you're coming to the Convention and would like to meet. I'd love to meet some of my blogging friends in person!