10:32 p.m., Christmas Eve
I wish I could say that not a creature was stirring, but alas the cats are on the prowl. They know something is up and are keeping tabs on everything. Perhaps they have some kind of feline Santa radar...
Kirk is sleeping in Suzanne's room tonight--he wants to make sure that they get up at the same time, run downstairs, and open their presents together. I fear for him sometimes--I think that his vision of how things should be will not match up with reality. Which is exactly what will happen if I don't get the last of the wrapping done.
11:10 p.m., guess I dozed off for a few minutes...
Greg is busy eating the Santa cookies, but he's taking a pass on the milk. Kirk insisted on helping me decorate the sugar cookies. I frosted them and he was going to do the sprinkles. He sprinkled 3 and decided that those were for Santa and, therefore, he was done. Now that Greg has polished off his favorite cookies, he is settling in with the cat. I suspect he'll be packing it in shortly.
I'm happy because I don't have anything to put together this year. All Kirk wanted were games for his Wii and Suzanne is getting a Hannah Montana with stuff, so I dodged the bullet. I suspect we'll be getting the HT dream house later, but for tonight it is just regular wrapping.
It's been a strange week. We have had a lot of snow, which is so unusual for our area. The song here goes, "I'm dreaming of a Wet Christmas!" White Christmases just don't happen in soggy Washougal, so the 3 feet of snow in the yard looks a little strange. It is very much like Christmas used to be when I was a kid. I've been driving neighbors to the grocery store for the last few days because I was proactive and did not let the snow pile up in the driveway. Most of the neighbors didn't shovel because around here it usually melts the next day. Not me! I shoveled and shoveled and now I am not trapped in my home with my kids. Those little trips to the store are what keeps a mother sane!
Suzanne doesn't really care for the snow. It is deep enough that it's over the tops of her boots and she got some down her neck, so she is not too impressed with the cold stuff. It was hitting her in the face and she kept saying "Ow! Ow! Ow!"
11:40 p.m., still no wrapping
Greg is still awake and has turned on "A Christmas Story." We've never seen it, so at least I'll have something to entertain me while I get finished with the wrapping. Santa should be here in about 20 minutes, so I should probably get to it.
11:45 p.m., still snowing...probably need to shovel again tomorrow...
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Holly & Jolly
Yippee! It is December, time to play Christmas Carols and...ugh...put up the tree. Don't get me wrong, I love the tree. But between Suzanne and Oscar, it is an event. Suzanne is curious and loves shiny things and Oscar is just an oaf. He thunders around the base of it and you're always holding your breath, hoping it will stay upright.
We had a few bad moments last Christmas because Suzanne took most of the ornaments off the bottom and broke a few. She didn't get any of the good ones, though, because those were all near the top. The red ones in particular took a hit. I'm interested to see if she does that again this year or if she has grown out of this particular annoyance. Guess I'll have to gird my loins and hope for the best...
Thanksgiving was nice, except for when it was a pain. I'm pleased that my folks recovered enough from our two-week stay in August to let us back in the house. I kind of thought they might change the locks before we got there! It was an eventful weekend. Suzanne had a massive cold, which she gave to everyone. She also got bit on the toe by my sister-in-law's puppy (not his fault--she stuck her toe in his face and he thought it was a snack). Friday night my mother the nurse got to lance her toe--poor grandma. Funny thing--after cleaning her toe with an alcohol swab and having a little juice and a good night's sleep, she was much better and her usual happy self. She still kicks me when I try to look at her toe, but she's fine and dandy now.
Dinner was marvelous, even with that brussels sprout thing that my sister made. I don't think I've had a brussels sprout since about 1968, but it was actually quite tasty! Suzanne had an entire plate of mashed potatoes and creamed corn--the good kind with the cream cheese. You do not want to stand between Suzanne and a plate of mashed potatoes....very dangerous...
Kirk got to go skating with his cousins at the Bill Collier Ice Arena at the Running Y Ranch. He had a great time and is really getting the hang of it. He never got too far from the wall last year, but as you can see, he is out in the middle now and one foot is off the ice. Yay Kirk!
Well, writing this blog is an act of procrastination, so I'd better get on with things.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Robert Redford of Bears
Do any of you remember my fascination and slavish devotion to Robert Redford? Or the 6 foot poster that was on my door at home and then on the ceiling above my bed in college? I'm sure mom remembers the poster because sometime in the late 70s in the dim glow of the early morning light, as she was having a half-awake tinkle, Robert scared her half to death all because she didn't close the bathroom door and thought a man was staring at her!
...but I digress. Take a look at this video. Personally, I think the bear is really sexy. Too bad the part where he's playing the air guitar isn't on this clip.
Rocky the Riverview Bear!
...but I digress. Take a look at this video. Personally, I think the bear is really sexy. Too bad the part where he's playing the air guitar isn't on this clip.
Rocky the Riverview Bear!
Every Day is a Winding Road
I don't see how writers make any money. I can only write when I am inspired by something and lately that just hasn't happened. If I had the pressure of writing on a daily basis, I'd probably develop massive writer's block and starve to death.
Suzanne is in one of the phases where she's learning new things and doing new things and talking a lot. She has popped out with Thank you and You're Welcome, which is nice. If nothing else, I hope my children learn to be polite and pleasant to be around. She entertains her daddy by describing circle time to him--I don't think he knew what that was until recently. If you haven't been to preschool lately, that is where the kids sit in a circle around the teacher and listen to a story or sing songs. Suzanne knows "criss cross applesauce" where you cross your legs and put your hands in your lap. In fact, there is a little boy who has trouble with this instruction and she takes it upon herself to march over to him, cross his legs appropriately, and put his hands in his lap. Suzanne likes her favorite things to be orderly, and circle time is one of her favorite things!
Another cute Suzanne-ism is where she puts her hands on each side of your face, looks intently into your eyes and asks, "You okay?" The appropriate response is "I'm okay. You okay?" whereupon she will tell you yes or no, as the case may be. Suzanne appears to be grasping the concept of empathy--or perhaps she's just becoming nosy like her mommy!
We are making some headway on potty training. She will use the potty if you take her in there at the precise moment she has to go, but she doesn't initiate it. She likes her pull-ups and will tell you when they are wet, but she won't go to the potty before they get that way. She really likes to flush, but she only gets to do that if there is actual peeing in the potty. Oh well, we're getting there.
When you see Suzanne next to other kids with DS, it is rather amazing. She is getting taller and more slender rather than stocky. She isn't shy or reserved, she's very gregarious and outgoing. She is very independent. We were at a moms support group yesterday where they have a nanny to watch the kids, and the lady asked if Suzanne would come upstairs with her and she turned and waved "Bye Mama" to me without an ounce of hesitation. I suspect that she will be wanting to leave home as soon as she possibly can just so she can get on with some real fun...
Next week is Thanksgiving and we'll be staying at my parents' house in Klamath Falls. There is a new kitty to play with as well as a new cousin. Suzanne will get to meet baby Leanna for the first time, which will make her quite happy. She loves babies and likes to yell "BeeBee" whenever she sees one. Hope Leanna won't mind being yelled at with love...
Sorry this was such a boreathon--I'll try a little harder next time. In the meantime, watch the video that I am (hopefully) attaching. The big bear can really shake it and it shouldn't be too hard to guess who he is. BTW, it was about 90 degrees that day, so he gets big points for not getting heat stroke...
Suzanne is in one of the phases where she's learning new things and doing new things and talking a lot. She has popped out with Thank you and You're Welcome, which is nice. If nothing else, I hope my children learn to be polite and pleasant to be around. She entertains her daddy by describing circle time to him--I don't think he knew what that was until recently. If you haven't been to preschool lately, that is where the kids sit in a circle around the teacher and listen to a story or sing songs. Suzanne knows "criss cross applesauce" where you cross your legs and put your hands in your lap. In fact, there is a little boy who has trouble with this instruction and she takes it upon herself to march over to him, cross his legs appropriately, and put his hands in his lap. Suzanne likes her favorite things to be orderly, and circle time is one of her favorite things!
Another cute Suzanne-ism is where she puts her hands on each side of your face, looks intently into your eyes and asks, "You okay?" The appropriate response is "I'm okay. You okay?" whereupon she will tell you yes or no, as the case may be. Suzanne appears to be grasping the concept of empathy--or perhaps she's just becoming nosy like her mommy!
We are making some headway on potty training. She will use the potty if you take her in there at the precise moment she has to go, but she doesn't initiate it. She likes her pull-ups and will tell you when they are wet, but she won't go to the potty before they get that way. She really likes to flush, but she only gets to do that if there is actual peeing in the potty. Oh well, we're getting there.
When you see Suzanne next to other kids with DS, it is rather amazing. She is getting taller and more slender rather than stocky. She isn't shy or reserved, she's very gregarious and outgoing. She is very independent. We were at a moms support group yesterday where they have a nanny to watch the kids, and the lady asked if Suzanne would come upstairs with her and she turned and waved "Bye Mama" to me without an ounce of hesitation. I suspect that she will be wanting to leave home as soon as she possibly can just so she can get on with some real fun...
Next week is Thanksgiving and we'll be staying at my parents' house in Klamath Falls. There is a new kitty to play with as well as a new cousin. Suzanne will get to meet baby Leanna for the first time, which will make her quite happy. She loves babies and likes to yell "BeeBee" whenever she sees one. Hope Leanna won't mind being yelled at with love...
Sorry this was such a boreathon--I'll try a little harder next time. In the meantime, watch the video that I am (hopefully) attaching. The big bear can really shake it and it shouldn't be too hard to guess who he is. BTW, it was about 90 degrees that day, so he gets big points for not getting heat stroke...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Product Update
I have found another product that really works. As you know, Suzanne has been writing on things with various pens, pencils and the permanent ink Sharpies. We all try very hard to keep the pens under control, but let's face it. We are all human and occasionally one gets out--and Suzanne seems to have pen radar and can find them anywhere.
I tried a new product yesterday called Amodex Ink Remover. Supposedly it removes permanent ink from Sharpies. That sounds good, but would it also remove it from a microfiber sofa without changing the color? The answer is Yes! I have never had much success with ink other than getting it to fade a bit, but this stuff works like magic. It even took the lipstick off the carpet, which means that I can now put the wastebasket next to my desk instead of in a slightly odd place off to the side to cover the spot. Hooray, no more furniture in odd places!!
If you have a need for ink remover, give this a try. You can find it at Office Max next to the cash register.
I tried a new product yesterday called Amodex Ink Remover. Supposedly it removes permanent ink from Sharpies. That sounds good, but would it also remove it from a microfiber sofa without changing the color? The answer is Yes! I have never had much success with ink other than getting it to fade a bit, but this stuff works like magic. It even took the lipstick off the carpet, which means that I can now put the wastebasket next to my desk instead of in a slightly odd place off to the side to cover the spot. Hooray, no more furniture in odd places!!
If you have a need for ink remover, give this a try. You can find it at Office Max next to the cash register.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Mystery Solved
We have been in a bit of a tizzy around here. About a month ago Suzanne misplaced her "Hairspray" DVD, causing a huge amount of turmoil and hubbub in our household. Without her daily dose of "Good Morning Baltimore" she has been a bit crabby of late.
Well, I found it yesterday. I should have figured it out sooner--it was so obvious. I remember when Kirk was 2 and opened the door to the garage, got in the Explorer, and proceeded to shove nickles and dimes into the tape deck (remember when cars came with cassette decks back in the dark ages?). The tape deck has never worked since then and we are just lucky he didn't decide to take a whack at the CD player.
Suzanne did something very similar. I was trying to put a VHS tape into the slot, when it dawned on me that something was blocking the way. When I flipped up the cover, lo and behold I found a DVD. When I pulled it out, it turned out to be Hilary's "Shrek 3." Sorry Hil, I think it's a goner. However, upon looking further into the unit, I could see that there was another DVD lodged at the back. I ignored the label that warned against removing the cover and about 2 minutes later, extracted the missing "Hairspray" DVD. Of course, it is hopelessly scratched from being banged around by the DVD carriage, but at least I know what happened to it. Now if only I can find the upstairs remote...
On the school front, I've now had a couple of conversations with the WSD administration. They concede that they inadvertently reduced her class time by 20%, which gives me just the leverage I need to get Suzanne additional speech therapy. She is getting 30 minutes during class time and I'm going to ask for additional time individually so she can really get some concentrated attention. The kid really needs to be able to communicate better in order to have a successful kindergarten experience. I get the feeling that the school district won't be making this kind of boo boo again. It was just thoughtless and compounded by poor communication, but I am prepared to be magnanimous as long as Suzanne gets better services.
Kirk starts flag football today. Football is not my favorite sport, so I'm hoping that this is going to be enough to turn him off--much like the one season of soccer. I like basketball (a wonderful sport during a rainy winter) and baseball will be much more pleasant now that I've found the chairs with the built in cover. Knowing my luck I'll spend $65 on the darn thing and it won't rain at all next spring...
Better get back on 'mote patrol...
Well, I found it yesterday. I should have figured it out sooner--it was so obvious. I remember when Kirk was 2 and opened the door to the garage, got in the Explorer, and proceeded to shove nickles and dimes into the tape deck (remember when cars came with cassette decks back in the dark ages?). The tape deck has never worked since then and we are just lucky he didn't decide to take a whack at the CD player.
Suzanne did something very similar. I was trying to put a VHS tape into the slot, when it dawned on me that something was blocking the way. When I flipped up the cover, lo and behold I found a DVD. When I pulled it out, it turned out to be Hilary's "Shrek 3." Sorry Hil, I think it's a goner. However, upon looking further into the unit, I could see that there was another DVD lodged at the back. I ignored the label that warned against removing the cover and about 2 minutes later, extracted the missing "Hairspray" DVD. Of course, it is hopelessly scratched from being banged around by the DVD carriage, but at least I know what happened to it. Now if only I can find the upstairs remote...
On the school front, I've now had a couple of conversations with the WSD administration. They concede that they inadvertently reduced her class time by 20%, which gives me just the leverage I need to get Suzanne additional speech therapy. She is getting 30 minutes during class time and I'm going to ask for additional time individually so she can really get some concentrated attention. The kid really needs to be able to communicate better in order to have a successful kindergarten experience. I get the feeling that the school district won't be making this kind of boo boo again. It was just thoughtless and compounded by poor communication, but I am prepared to be magnanimous as long as Suzanne gets better services.
Kirk starts flag football today. Football is not my favorite sport, so I'm hoping that this is going to be enough to turn him off--much like the one season of soccer. I like basketball (a wonderful sport during a rainy winter) and baseball will be much more pleasant now that I've found the chairs with the built in cover. Knowing my luck I'll spend $65 on the darn thing and it won't rain at all next spring...
Better get back on 'mote patrol...
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Buddy Walk 2008
It is Buddy Walk time again--Yippee!!!
The Buddy Walk has three primary goals:
1. To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome;
2. To raise funds locally and nationally for education, research and advocacy programs; and
3. To enhance the position of the Down syndrome community, enabling us to positively influence local and national policy and practice.
Additional Buddy Walk Facts
We really enjoy participating in the Down Syndrome Network Oregon Buddy Walk. It is a great group of people and they do a lot of good work in the community, including providing Welcome Baskets for new parents. These baskets are filled with goodies and resources that give new parents an uplifting and humorous look at what life is really like raising a child with Down Syndrome.
The Buddy Walk was established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
The Buddy Walk has three primary goals:
1. To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome;
2. To raise funds locally and nationally for education, research and advocacy programs; and
3. To enhance the position of the Down syndrome community, enabling us to positively influence local and national policy and practice.
Additional Buddy Walk Facts
- The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 250 in 2005 across the country and around the world.
- At least 250,000 people are expected to participate in more than 260 Buddy Walks this year.
- Since 1995, more than 1,500,000 people have participated in the Buddy Walk program.
- Last year alone, the Buddy Walk raised more than $5.5 million to benefit national education, research and advocacy initiatives, as well as local programs and services.
- The Buddy Walk program is supported at the national level by the National Down Syndrome Society. Local Buddy Walks are organized by parent support groups, schools, and other interested organizations and individuals.
- Most Buddy Walks take place from September through November, to recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
- John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in the hit NBC show Scrubs, is the 2008 National Buddy Walk Spokesman. Mr. McGinley is both an accomplished actor and the proud father of Max, his 11 year-old son who has Down syndrome.
- Anyone who wants to support acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome can participate in the Buddy Walk.
This year, fortunately, was not a repeat of last year's torrential downpour. It was actually warm and overcast, but not wet. Chris Burke, the young man who played Corky in "Life Goes On" sang with his musical group and there was a raffle (Kirk's favorite). There were several hundred people there and it's just a lot of fun.
Suzanne was so cute. She's old enough now that she didn't have to stay in her stroller and could mosey around with the rest of the kids. She really enjoyed the band and danced around with all the other little girls. Kirk had a great time running around and was having a great time right up to the point where he collided with a bigger boy and bonked his head on a tree trunk. He then proceeded to have a little melt down, which coincided with the end of the event. We piled into the car and took the long way home so that Suzanne would have a little nap. Quite a smashing day, eh?
Right this minute, however, she is running around with 5 or 6 pairs of Greg's underwear on her head. Don't panic, she pulled them out of the dryer, ergo they are clean. It's just that the visual is a little disconcerting. When you are pregnant and dreaming about the wonderful life that your daughter will have, running around with underwear on her head is not really a picture that comes to mind. I wonder if Miss America started out this way...
We are off to the Post Office--Aunt Susan is out of Mary Kay Anti-Aging Moisturizer (shameless product plug) and fears that her face will "crink up" without it. As her YOUNGER sister, this I would really like to see!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I'm BAAAAAACCCCCCCKKK
Okay, two months have passed with nary a post from me. I would like to say that I've been busy (which I have been) but really I've just been lazy. We were on vacation the first two weeks of August, and I really didn't have much time to blog about anything because Suzanne needed intense watching.
That's not quite correct--my parents' house needed intense watching. Vacation for me wasn't so much a vacation as it was a geographic move of my regular life to a point 300 miles south to Klamath Falls. Probably the most interesting part of it all was watching Suzanne systematically crack every door and lock on the property. There is no room or area that Suzanne can't get into in that house, except my dad's bedroom because the door is slightly crooked and sticks. However, if Suzanne gets a little taller and shoves a bit harder, that door will be cracked as well.
I'm thinking that safe cracker or locksmith might be a career path for my little girl...
Oh, wait...I just realize that I've been experiencing selective memory. Suzanne did get into that room once. She was in there just long enough to flush Grandma's toothbrush down the toilet and clog up the works. This is why you should ALWAYS have a house with two bathrooms. On the upside, we discovered that the Roto-Rooter man lives just down the street and is willing to make a 6:55 housecall. Now that is good service!
Greg and I also attended our 30th high school reunion, which was a lot of fun. I was pleased to discover that in comparison, I look pretty fabulous for a 48 year old, as long as you don't count Judy Alexander who looks absolutely no different than she did on the day we graduated. It is Suzanne's influence--if you want to stay young, have children in your 40s. If the shock doesn't kill you, you actually get younger...
We are now back in school, hooray! I do have to write a stern letter to the school district chastising them for cutting Suzanne's program from 4 days to 3 days a week. I have a conspiracy theory, but it would only be sporting to let them try and explain why this happened and they didn't see fit to notify me earlier than 3 days before school started. As Kirk likes to say, I am dis-happy. I will not rant yet, but I will say that this is actually making me growl whenever I think about it. Grrrr....
All in all, the school thing is going well. Suzanne has established herself as a leader and her favorite job this year is as the teacher's helper. She really enjoys finger painting and I have many pictures that are all done in yellow, the color of the month. In fact, she made an art project the other day--yogurt ala rug! She snuck upstairs with 4 cartons of yogurt and put 2 on the floor in my room and the other 2 in her room. Then she proceeded to finger paint on her carpet. The funny thing is that I could tell it was actually an attempt at painting and not just a big mess. There was an actual design to it, very similar to one of her other paintings. Fortunately I discovered her before she could get started in my room and we spent the afternoon shampooing the carpet. If you want to see her fine work, come on over--you can still see the faint outline of raspberry yogurt if you look closely!
One of these days I'm going to be able to write the definitive book on cleaning carpets, walls, and other household surfaces! I have always thought I'd be famous for something, but master cleaner was not really what I've imagined...
One more hour of freedom...
That's not quite correct--my parents' house needed intense watching. Vacation for me wasn't so much a vacation as it was a geographic move of my regular life to a point 300 miles south to Klamath Falls. Probably the most interesting part of it all was watching Suzanne systematically crack every door and lock on the property. There is no room or area that Suzanne can't get into in that house, except my dad's bedroom because the door is slightly crooked and sticks. However, if Suzanne gets a little taller and shoves a bit harder, that door will be cracked as well.
I'm thinking that safe cracker or locksmith might be a career path for my little girl...
Oh, wait...I just realize that I've been experiencing selective memory. Suzanne did get into that room once. She was in there just long enough to flush Grandma's toothbrush down the toilet and clog up the works. This is why you should ALWAYS have a house with two bathrooms. On the upside, we discovered that the Roto-Rooter man lives just down the street and is willing to make a 6:55 housecall. Now that is good service!
Greg and I also attended our 30th high school reunion, which was a lot of fun. I was pleased to discover that in comparison, I look pretty fabulous for a 48 year old, as long as you don't count Judy Alexander who looks absolutely no different than she did on the day we graduated. It is Suzanne's influence--if you want to stay young, have children in your 40s. If the shock doesn't kill you, you actually get younger...
We are now back in school, hooray! I do have to write a stern letter to the school district chastising them for cutting Suzanne's program from 4 days to 3 days a week. I have a conspiracy theory, but it would only be sporting to let them try and explain why this happened and they didn't see fit to notify me earlier than 3 days before school started. As Kirk likes to say, I am dis-happy. I will not rant yet, but I will say that this is actually making me growl whenever I think about it. Grrrr....
All in all, the school thing is going well. Suzanne has established herself as a leader and her favorite job this year is as the teacher's helper. She really enjoys finger painting and I have many pictures that are all done in yellow, the color of the month. In fact, she made an art project the other day--yogurt ala rug! She snuck upstairs with 4 cartons of yogurt and put 2 on the floor in my room and the other 2 in her room. Then she proceeded to finger paint on her carpet. The funny thing is that I could tell it was actually an attempt at painting and not just a big mess. There was an actual design to it, very similar to one of her other paintings. Fortunately I discovered her before she could get started in my room and we spent the afternoon shampooing the carpet. If you want to see her fine work, come on over--you can still see the faint outline of raspberry yogurt if you look closely!
One of these days I'm going to be able to write the definitive book on cleaning carpets, walls, and other household surfaces! I have always thought I'd be famous for something, but master cleaner was not really what I've imagined...
One more hour of freedom...
Monday, July 14, 2008
Hot-n-Cold
Well, it has been rainy and cold since November and now it has decided to go to the other extreme--HOT!
I am not complaining...
I am so grateful to finally have sunny days, that I don't really care if it gets Texas-hot around here. With the 90 plus days we are hearing the dulcet tone of borate bombers overhead and the banging of hip-hop music as teenagers drive by with their car windows down.
I am not complaining...
I am determined that the hanging petunia baskets (for which I purchased the expensive cascading petunias and lobelia) will not get incinerated by the afternoon sun. Many of the plants in the shadier backyard are growing to hugantic proportions this year, and I have yet to hit them with even one ounce of MiracleGro.
The people who complain about global warming need to come to my house and spend 9 months in gray, soggy drizzle to appreciate the finer aspects of sun and heat.
On the downside, it has been a little hot for even Kirk to venture outside. The backyard is nice in the evenings, but the front (where they like to hang out) is quite toasty. Suzanne on the other hand, isn't so picky about the temperature and likes to go out quite nakey most of the time. Even if she has clothes on when she goes out the door, they come off pretty quickly. But only in the back. In the front she seems to know that clothing is not optional. Social skills...so important as one ventures out into the world...
Last week was quiet because Kirk was in Klamath Falls going to basketball camp and staying with the grandmas. He had a wonderful time, as usual, but is still tired from it all. He is napping as I type this. The week was weird because Suzanne really had an awareness this year of his being gone. She was clearly discombobulated by it spent all day Saturday running to the window because I told her that Daddy was bringing Kirk home. When they finally arrived, she totally ignored Greg and started screeching "Kirkie! Kirkie!" at the top of her lungs. Boy was she a happy girl--for about 5 minutes which was how long it took Kirk to hook up his Wii baseball game with the bat remote extension. On his very first swing he whacked her in the head a) because he was excited and not being careful and b) because he was showing off to his buddy Cameron who had wandered over when he saw Greg's truck roll by. She was blubbering away, Kirk had the doomed look of a man headed for the gallows, and Cameron was curled up in a ball on the couch trying not to attract negative attention. Hysteria, chaos, we had it all...
We released Cameron from the asylum, checked Suzanne for damage and mopped her face with a diaper wipey, and informed Kirk that the Wii was off limits and he was grounded for the rest of the day. He had been home for about 10 minutes at this point. He finally got his nerve up to try the Wii again today and he has been VERY careful about making sure that Suzanne is in a safe place.
The blissful silence of naptime is over and Kirk is wanting to know what's for dinner. Not unusual, except that Kirk would really like me to tell him the entire menu for the week--not just today. He likes to plan his meals in advance...
I am not complaining...
I am so grateful to finally have sunny days, that I don't really care if it gets Texas-hot around here. With the 90 plus days we are hearing the dulcet tone of borate bombers overhead and the banging of hip-hop music as teenagers drive by with their car windows down.
I am not complaining...
I am determined that the hanging petunia baskets (for which I purchased the expensive cascading petunias and lobelia) will not get incinerated by the afternoon sun. Many of the plants in the shadier backyard are growing to hugantic proportions this year, and I have yet to hit them with even one ounce of MiracleGro.
The people who complain about global warming need to come to my house and spend 9 months in gray, soggy drizzle to appreciate the finer aspects of sun and heat.
On the downside, it has been a little hot for even Kirk to venture outside. The backyard is nice in the evenings, but the front (where they like to hang out) is quite toasty. Suzanne on the other hand, isn't so picky about the temperature and likes to go out quite nakey most of the time. Even if she has clothes on when she goes out the door, they come off pretty quickly. But only in the back. In the front she seems to know that clothing is not optional. Social skills...so important as one ventures out into the world...
Last week was quiet because Kirk was in Klamath Falls going to basketball camp and staying with the grandmas. He had a wonderful time, as usual, but is still tired from it all. He is napping as I type this. The week was weird because Suzanne really had an awareness this year of his being gone. She was clearly discombobulated by it spent all day Saturday running to the window because I told her that Daddy was bringing Kirk home. When they finally arrived, she totally ignored Greg and started screeching "Kirkie! Kirkie!" at the top of her lungs. Boy was she a happy girl--for about 5 minutes which was how long it took Kirk to hook up his Wii baseball game with the bat remote extension. On his very first swing he whacked her in the head a) because he was excited and not being careful and b) because he was showing off to his buddy Cameron who had wandered over when he saw Greg's truck roll by. She was blubbering away, Kirk had the doomed look of a man headed for the gallows, and Cameron was curled up in a ball on the couch trying not to attract negative attention. Hysteria, chaos, we had it all...
We released Cameron from the asylum, checked Suzanne for damage and mopped her face with a diaper wipey, and informed Kirk that the Wii was off limits and he was grounded for the rest of the day. He had been home for about 10 minutes at this point. He finally got his nerve up to try the Wii again today and he has been VERY careful about making sure that Suzanne is in a safe place.
The blissful silence of naptime is over and Kirk is wanting to know what's for dinner. Not unusual, except that Kirk would really like me to tell him the entire menu for the week--not just today. He likes to plan his meals in advance...
Friday, June 27, 2008
Movie Review - Hairspray
Recently we received this letter from a loyal reader --Dear Jennie,
Why the fascination with the music from the movie Hairspray (2007)? This blog is supposed to be about Suzanne. Surely this movie is a bit sophisticated for her to appreciate? After all, the movie's major themes are civil rights, segregation, female impersonation, and big hair. You should expose your daughter to more age appropriate movie fare!
Signed, Beehive Betty from Boca
Betty, have you actually seen Hairspray? It is filled with bouncy and upbeat music, just the kind of stuff that Suzanne loves, and the dancing keeps her attention focused. I can just see my little Suzanne playing the role of Tracy Turnblad in the 2020 revival! And the concept of inclusion is not so different from the concept of civil rights. There is no way that Suzanne is ever going to take a backseat to anyone, unless the backseat is where all the fun kids are. And besides, you have to love a movie where John Travolta sings and dances in a bouffant wig and a fat suit!
Seriously, we are having lots of fun watching this movie, as it is in heavy rotation on HBO right now. Kirk loves it too, and has been secretly practicing his dance moves. Suzanne is a visual learner and actually learns more with repetition, which is why I don't mind all the reruns. And she just looks so cute dancing along with the characters--what's not to love!
Enjoy the musical selections that I have loaded on this blog. And to paraphrase Wilbur Turnblad from the movie, if Suzanne can't put a smile on your face, your skin is too tight!
Enjoy the musical selections that I have loaded on this blog. And to paraphrase Wilbur Turnblad from the movie, if Suzanne can't put a smile on your face, your skin is too tight!
Friday, June 20, 2008
A Whole Lotta Gorgeous
Playgroup was a hit! We went to the Pride Center yesterday evening and both kids had a blast. They have such a wonderful facility with a great play structure designed for kids with mobility issues. Even though Suzanne no longer has mobility issues, she still loves to go there and play and make new friends. There were probably about 15 kids with DS in addition to an equal number of brothers and sisters.
I must say that there aren't very many things prettier than a room full of DS toddlers. The happiness that radiates could light up an entire town. Just imagine Suzanne magnified by 15.
Here is a picture of Suzanne that was taken when Pride's playground was first built in August of 2006...
As you can see, she needed a little help from brother to get down the slide then. Yesterday she was going down that very same slide head first!
Gotta go, Suzanne has just found my keys and has hit the car alarm so the garage is honking!!
June 21st--the first day of SUMMER!!!
Open Arms Playgroup
Third Thursday of the Month
5 pm to 7 pm
Pride Center for Kids
6511 NE 18th Street
Vancouver, WA
I must say that there aren't very many things prettier than a room full of DS toddlers. The happiness that radiates could light up an entire town. Just imagine Suzanne magnified by 15.
Here is a picture of Suzanne that was taken when Pride's playground was first built in August of 2006...
As you can see, she needed a little help from brother to get down the slide then. Yesterday she was going down that very same slide head first!
Gotta go, Suzanne has just found my keys and has hit the car alarm so the garage is honking!!
June 21st--the first day of SUMMER!!!
Open Arms Playgroup
Third Thursday of the Month
5 pm to 7 pm
Pride Center for Kids
6511 NE 18th Street
Vancouver, WA
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Happy Birthday Suzanne
We had a lovely birthday party for Suzanne. She spent the day telling everyone that she is "Four!" It was fun to watch her because she usually hangs around the edges of the kids playing, but on Saturday she was right in the middle of things. We had a rousing game of Pin the Bow on Hello Kitty, which she wanted to play over and over. She's never had a party where she was the center of attention, so it was quite fun for her.
I really wanted her to have a girly party. To be quite honest, part of it is mother's guilt. I still feel guilty that we didn't beat the statistics when she was born. A 44 year old woman has a 1 in 25 chance of having a child with Down Syndrome and Suzanne was the 1. Her birthday is a time of mixed emotions for me--happiness at all the growth and progress that she's made and sadness that her life isn't just like everyone else's. I don't know if you ever get over feeling that even though you had no control over it, you let your child down in some way.
We are going to a DS playgroup for preschoolers today. Kirk loves to go almost more than Suzanne and just as she believes that all of his friends are her friends, he believes that all of her friends are his friends too. He does not discriminate and believes that segregation of any kind is evil. I'm so grateful that when my mothering skills aren't what they should be, Kirk is there to pick up the slack.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Summer
Today was Suzanne's last day of school--summer vacation has officially begun! For some strange reason she just walked past me and whacked me with her Curious George. Sign of things to come?
Here is a partial list of all the things Suzanne has learned at or around preschool this year:
1. Shoes stay on--all the time. On the bus, at circle time, out on the playground, on the bus.
2. Lots of songs--Wheels on the Bus, Row Your Boat, Baby Bumblebee, Twinkle Twinkle and the ones that she makes up on her own.
3. Clean up--we make it easy with a big plastic tub to put stuff in. She also knows that baby wipes can fix those "personal" stains that a girl encounters now and again.
4. Waving--at the bus driver, her teachers, other kids at school. Everyone likes it when Suzanne waves!
5. Kleenex--she loves a clean face. Too bad Kirk never learned this lesson.
6. ABCs--she made it all the way to G yesterday, with a pause at LMNOP and ZEEEEEEE.
7. Colors--fortunately she colors a lot using green and yellow, which are daddy's faves.
8. Sympathy--if one of your classmates is crying it is a good idea to give them a hug and pat on the back.
9. Better table manners--no more sippy cups for Suzanne and she prefers the real forks and spoons.
10. How to group objects together, line them up, and count them. This works for toys, books, baby dolls, potato chips and shoes....which should stay on...maybe we still need work on No. 1.
We are having her first kid birthday party tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it. Our theme is Hello Kitty, which we love. I'll post some pictures after the event.
Here is a partial list of all the things Suzanne has learned at or around preschool this year:
1. Shoes stay on--all the time. On the bus, at circle time, out on the playground, on the bus.
2. Lots of songs--Wheels on the Bus, Row Your Boat, Baby Bumblebee, Twinkle Twinkle and the ones that she makes up on her own.
3. Clean up--we make it easy with a big plastic tub to put stuff in. She also knows that baby wipes can fix those "personal" stains that a girl encounters now and again.
4. Waving--at the bus driver, her teachers, other kids at school. Everyone likes it when Suzanne waves!
5. Kleenex--she loves a clean face. Too bad Kirk never learned this lesson.
6. ABCs--she made it all the way to G yesterday, with a pause at LMNOP and ZEEEEEEE.
7. Colors--fortunately she colors a lot using green and yellow, which are daddy's faves.
8. Sympathy--if one of your classmates is crying it is a good idea to give them a hug and pat on the back.
9. Better table manners--no more sippy cups for Suzanne and she prefers the real forks and spoons.
10. How to group objects together, line them up, and count them. This works for toys, books, baby dolls, potato chips and shoes....which should stay on...maybe we still need work on No. 1.
We are having her first kid birthday party tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it. Our theme is Hello Kitty, which we love. I'll post some pictures after the event.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Big Juicy and the Froggy
As I write this evening, Kirk and Greg are at a Portland Beavers baseball game in a "luxury" box. With my one good eye (and I do only have just the one) I am watching hunky Robert Redford in a forgettable 1970s era movie, but mainly I'm just watching Robert Redford. Suzanne is snoozing in the most uncomfortable chair in the house. She's not quite in the froggy position, but almost. If she goes full froggy, she'll probably roll out and then there will be hell to pay.
I haven't blogged in awhile because May was a horrendous month in terms of getting through the day without some badness from Suzanne. I've spent most of the month cleaning one thing or another and it still doesn't look like I've done a darned thing. It's like treading water--you may not actually sink, but you don't make any headway either. You're just out there hoping that a boat will come along before the sharks do.
She's so sweet when she sleeps. She snorts a little (tiny nose, easily clogged) and rolls around quite a bit. She's a good snuggler, but hot. Both the kids prefer to sleep next to Greg because he's an ice cube and appreciates the heat.
Oooh, Robert is trying kill a hit man with a fireplace poker--his longish 70s hair is falling over his eyes. Mmmmmmmm....
This child is such a puzzle. Some things she learns quickly, others not so much. The things I really want her to learn, she doesn't (potty training, complete sentences). Other things she picks up very quickly. It's a puzzle and I am hoping to solve it sooner rather than later. If only I could see inside her little head to figure out how things work in there. I don't want to change anything about her--but I could sure use a GPS.
I am thankful for a few things, though. I'm thankful that she has the ability to show love. I'm thankful that she is healthy and physically fit. I'm thankful that she is sociable and caring and that she has sympathy for those in distress. I love her beautiful smile and the way she squinches her eyes up when she's really happy about something. She is sunshine and she just radiates.
Except for this moment. She just woke up long enough to complain and remove her shoes and socks. It's jammie time, so I'd better get to it. I like this part--when she's really snuggly and just wants me to hold her and make everything nice. She's learned to give sloppy kisses--big juicies. I suppose that is an acquired taste, but I really like them...when her face is clean and free from snot, that is. She's not quite 4--I'm still working on cleanliness...
I haven't blogged in awhile because May was a horrendous month in terms of getting through the day without some badness from Suzanne. I've spent most of the month cleaning one thing or another and it still doesn't look like I've done a darned thing. It's like treading water--you may not actually sink, but you don't make any headway either. You're just out there hoping that a boat will come along before the sharks do.
She's so sweet when she sleeps. She snorts a little (tiny nose, easily clogged) and rolls around quite a bit. She's a good snuggler, but hot. Both the kids prefer to sleep next to Greg because he's an ice cube and appreciates the heat.
Oooh, Robert is trying kill a hit man with a fireplace poker--his longish 70s hair is falling over his eyes. Mmmmmmmm....
This child is such a puzzle. Some things she learns quickly, others not so much. The things I really want her to learn, she doesn't (potty training, complete sentences). Other things she picks up very quickly. It's a puzzle and I am hoping to solve it sooner rather than later. If only I could see inside her little head to figure out how things work in there. I don't want to change anything about her--but I could sure use a GPS.
I am thankful for a few things, though. I'm thankful that she has the ability to show love. I'm thankful that she is healthy and physically fit. I'm thankful that she is sociable and caring and that she has sympathy for those in distress. I love her beautiful smile and the way she squinches her eyes up when she's really happy about something. She is sunshine and she just radiates.
Except for this moment. She just woke up long enough to complain and remove her shoes and socks. It's jammie time, so I'd better get to it. I like this part--when she's really snuggly and just wants me to hold her and make everything nice. She's learned to give sloppy kisses--big juicies. I suppose that is an acquired taste, but I really like them...when her face is clean and free from snot, that is. She's not quite 4--I'm still working on cleanliness...
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Everyone has a Talent
It is fun to watch children as they grow up because everyday they evolve into the adults that they will someday be. Whenever I would get frustrated, my mom would tell me that everyone has a talent and I needed to be patient. Patience is not something that I have an abundance of, so this usually just added to my frustration, but I'm happy to say that over the years a couple of talents have finally emerged.
Suzanne has a talent already, and she is using it as much as she possibly can. Suzanne's talent is being Kirk's sidekick. She is Robin to his Batman, Tonto to his Lone Ranger, Jerry to his Tom. Suzanne is ready and willing to do whatever Kirk wants and to put her own particular spin on things.
We had a baseball game on Tuesday and Suzanne is a regular on the bench. The boys don't pay any particular attention to her most of the time, but Tuesday was different because Kirk decided to have her sing for them. If you live in Oregon or Washington, you have probably heard the ads for Sleep Country U.S.A.
"Sleep Country USAAAAAA. Why buy a mattress anywhere ELSE! Ding!"
Suzanne actually only sings the Ding part, but it really cracks up a crowd. Kirk's friend Noah has seen this little performance before, so he helped Kirk with the singing and then Suzanne chimes in with Ding! I hate to say it, but the boys on the bench were not paying attention to the game because they were busy watching Suzanne sing her part of the song. Even after Kirk went up to bat and got on base, they kept singing in order to get Suzanne to say "Ding!"
This isn't all Sidekick Suzanne can do. She's a really good fetcher as well. Kirk doesn't have to fetch the balls that he doesn't catch because Suzanne is usually hovering around ready to do the job. She also helps him clean up his room, although he never helps clean up her room. She even cleans his toothbrush! Of course she does this by swishing it in the toilet--we've been going through a lot of toothbrushes lately.
As Greg likes to say, behind every good man is a woman kicking him in the, uh, derriere. Well, behind Kirk is a sister intent on side-kicking him to the top. I just hope that is where he wants to go...
Suzanne has a talent already, and she is using it as much as she possibly can. Suzanne's talent is being Kirk's sidekick. She is Robin to his Batman, Tonto to his Lone Ranger, Jerry to his Tom. Suzanne is ready and willing to do whatever Kirk wants and to put her own particular spin on things.
We had a baseball game on Tuesday and Suzanne is a regular on the bench. The boys don't pay any particular attention to her most of the time, but Tuesday was different because Kirk decided to have her sing for them. If you live in Oregon or Washington, you have probably heard the ads for Sleep Country U.S.A.
"Sleep Country USAAAAAA. Why buy a mattress anywhere ELSE! Ding!"
Suzanne actually only sings the Ding part, but it really cracks up a crowd. Kirk's friend Noah has seen this little performance before, so he helped Kirk with the singing and then Suzanne chimes in with Ding! I hate to say it, but the boys on the bench were not paying attention to the game because they were busy watching Suzanne sing her part of the song. Even after Kirk went up to bat and got on base, they kept singing in order to get Suzanne to say "Ding!"
This isn't all Sidekick Suzanne can do. She's a really good fetcher as well. Kirk doesn't have to fetch the balls that he doesn't catch because Suzanne is usually hovering around ready to do the job. She also helps him clean up his room, although he never helps clean up her room. She even cleans his toothbrush! Of course she does this by swishing it in the toilet--we've been going through a lot of toothbrushes lately.
As Greg likes to say, behind every good man is a woman kicking him in the, uh, derriere. Well, behind Kirk is a sister intent on side-kicking him to the top. I just hope that is where he wants to go...
Sunday, May 4, 2008
"Special Needs"
Blech! Yet another word or phrase that makes me retch. "Special Needs" ranks right up there with "politically correct," "we pimpin'," "bling" and "awesome." These words and phrases simply grate on my nerves whenever I hear them, partly because they are overused, but also because they are meaningless. Take bling for example. Why say bling when, in most instances, it is more accurate to say hideous, gaudy jewelry worn in poor taste? Why say "we pimpin'" when it would be more accurate to say "I've painted and accessorized my truck to the point of technicolor tackiness."
Let us examine "special needs" as it relates to Suzanne. Her needs are not really so special. She only needs what every other kid needs. She needs love, nurturing, protection, friendship, patience, kindness, purpose, health, family, security, play, laughter, a brother to hold her hand, cinnamon toast, bandaids and a dry fanny. This is a pretty ordinary list when you really look at it. There is nothing too special about it, except for Grandma Della's special cinnamon toast spread, which has certain restorative powers when used during a crying jag.
The really special thing that Suzanne needs, which may not come to her automatically, is inclusion. She needs to be a part of the group, she needs to be where the action is, she needs to be accepted like every other kid on the block. The more that Suzanne is viewed by everyone as just another kid, the better she will do in life and the more she will be able to achieve. Inclusion is a vital key in helping kids with developmental delays to succeed.
It is interesting to note that in classrooms where there is a child with Down Syndrome, the test scores are higher than in other classes. Hmmmm...wonder why that is??
Anyway, don't look at people with delays as "special." Just remember, that they need exactly the same things that you do and the rest of it is just details.
Let us examine "special needs" as it relates to Suzanne. Her needs are not really so special. She only needs what every other kid needs. She needs love, nurturing, protection, friendship, patience, kindness, purpose, health, family, security, play, laughter, a brother to hold her hand, cinnamon toast, bandaids and a dry fanny. This is a pretty ordinary list when you really look at it. There is nothing too special about it, except for Grandma Della's special cinnamon toast spread, which has certain restorative powers when used during a crying jag.
The really special thing that Suzanne needs, which may not come to her automatically, is inclusion. She needs to be a part of the group, she needs to be where the action is, she needs to be accepted like every other kid on the block. The more that Suzanne is viewed by everyone as just another kid, the better she will do in life and the more she will be able to achieve. Inclusion is a vital key in helping kids with developmental delays to succeed.
It is interesting to note that in classrooms where there is a child with Down Syndrome, the test scores are higher than in other classes. Hmmmm...wonder why that is??
Anyway, don't look at people with delays as "special." Just remember, that they need exactly the same things that you do and the rest of it is just details.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Carpet Watch - Day 2
Well....
My new favorite cleaning product is Bio-Ox! My Suzanne-decimated carpet is really clean and the stains are gone! Greg and I spent several hours vacuming and shampooing yesterday, and her carpet came out really nice. And it has a rather pleasing citrus aroma now. I know it won't last, but now at least I have a product to use as soon as I encounter another "gift."
Next...the windows and sliding glass doors that she loves to press her nose against!
Get your Bio-Ox here...
My new favorite cleaning product is Bio-Ox! My Suzanne-decimated carpet is really clean and the stains are gone! Greg and I spent several hours vacuming and shampooing yesterday, and her carpet came out really nice. And it has a rather pleasing citrus aroma now. I know it won't last, but now at least I have a product to use as soon as I encounter another "gift."
Next...the windows and sliding glass doors that she loves to press her nose against!
Get your Bio-Ox here...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Carpet Watch 2008
7:55 a.m. and Suzanne is still asleep. This is quite remarkable in that she is normally up between 6:30 and 7 and it is sunny today. I guess we really tired her out the last few days with our many and varied activities.
Let's start with Wednesday--on second thought, let's totally forget Wednesday and move immediately to Thursday. Kirk had his spring musical program Thursday evening and he was given a speaking part to perform. This isn't the first time Kirk has been in the spotlight. When he was 4 he played the peddler in the Pelican Gathering Preschool play, "Caps for Sale." He was also an extra in a soon-to-be-released movie called "Multiple." You can check him out on the Internet Movie Database website... Kirk Brown - Child in Park. He had a speaking part in the 2nd grade production of "The Frog Prince" back in February, and now he snagged a role as one of the narrators in the musical "Glow." It's about fireflies. Kirk has occasional moments of shyness, but overall he's pretty outgoing and likes to be in front of the crowd.
Suzanne sat there during the entire program trying to imitate the hand motions that were a part of the songs. She really got into the music and clapped enthusiastically after each song. Her teacher tells me that she loves circle time in school, especially when they sing. In fact, there is a little boy who refuses to sit with his legs crossed and his hands in his lap. Suzanne got so annoyed with his flopping around that she got up, walked across the circle to him, and firmly helped him cross his legs and put his hands in his lap. Then she marched back to her own spot and sat down. Woe to the kid who disrupts Suzanne's circle time!
Friday was baseball, of course, and for once it wasn't rainy. Kirk had a bit of a meltdown when he didn't get to play the position he wanted, but Suzanne was happy. She likes to sit on the end of the bench with the boys, and many of them have had a couple of years to get to know her, so they don't mind.
Yesterday we went to the Home & Garden Show at the Clark County Fairgrounds. We like to go to events there because it is
1. Easy access from I-5
2. Plenty of parking
3. The Clark County Dairy Women make wonderful milkshakes
We go to the fair every year and we occasionally go to concerts in the Amphitheater. Last year we saw ZZ Top and Chrissie Hynde. The ZZ boys are darned old and apparently quite deaf, but Chrissie Hynde (who is pushing 60) sounded great and was wearing these killer boots that I would love to have. Not being a rocker chick, however, I would probably look quite silly.
But back to the H&G Show. I have a system for choosing which booths to stop at. They have to talk to me first. If I make eye contact and they don't at least say hello, I don't stop. C'mon, if you are in sales and you can't at least squeak out a howdy, you should probably find another career.
I found a fun guy to talk to at the Bio-Ox booth. No, this is not compost created by oxen, it is a cleaning product that is supposed to take out odors and all manner of organic stains from virtually every surface in your house. As I told the guy, I don't care if it removes stains from my toilet, all I want to know is will it take out poop stains from the carpet in my daughter's room. That's it--if the poop comes out, I will buy some. He showed me how it works on red wine, soy sauce and tea, and how it cleaned the carpet pad as well as the carpet, and its ingredients are water, hydrogen peroxide and orange oil, and a bunch of other stuff that I don't remember. Now, perhaps I'm grasping at straws, but I bought a bunch of it in the hopes that my carpet could be saved. After we got home, I mixed a sprayer full and tried it out on some kitty barf, poopy spots, and a stain of indeterminate origin. I have to say that I'm rather amazed because everything came out. I had to scrub on a couple of stains, but overall I was pleased with my test. We are going to put some in the carpet shampooer today and really give it a test drive.
I'll keep you posted on the Bio-Ox situation. Gotta go now, though--it's pancake day at church and Kirk hates to be late...
Let's start with Wednesday--on second thought, let's totally forget Wednesday and move immediately to Thursday. Kirk had his spring musical program Thursday evening and he was given a speaking part to perform. This isn't the first time Kirk has been in the spotlight. When he was 4 he played the peddler in the Pelican Gathering Preschool play, "Caps for Sale." He was also an extra in a soon-to-be-released movie called "Multiple." You can check him out on the Internet Movie Database website... Kirk Brown - Child in Park. He had a speaking part in the 2nd grade production of "The Frog Prince" back in February, and now he snagged a role as one of the narrators in the musical "Glow." It's about fireflies. Kirk has occasional moments of shyness, but overall he's pretty outgoing and likes to be in front of the crowd.
Suzanne sat there during the entire program trying to imitate the hand motions that were a part of the songs. She really got into the music and clapped enthusiastically after each song. Her teacher tells me that she loves circle time in school, especially when they sing. In fact, there is a little boy who refuses to sit with his legs crossed and his hands in his lap. Suzanne got so annoyed with his flopping around that she got up, walked across the circle to him, and firmly helped him cross his legs and put his hands in his lap. Then she marched back to her own spot and sat down. Woe to the kid who disrupts Suzanne's circle time!
Friday was baseball, of course, and for once it wasn't rainy. Kirk had a bit of a meltdown when he didn't get to play the position he wanted, but Suzanne was happy. She likes to sit on the end of the bench with the boys, and many of them have had a couple of years to get to know her, so they don't mind.
Yesterday we went to the Home & Garden Show at the Clark County Fairgrounds. We like to go to events there because it is
1. Easy access from I-5
2. Plenty of parking
3. The Clark County Dairy Women make wonderful milkshakes
We go to the fair every year and we occasionally go to concerts in the Amphitheater. Last year we saw ZZ Top and Chrissie Hynde. The ZZ boys are darned old and apparently quite deaf, but Chrissie Hynde (who is pushing 60) sounded great and was wearing these killer boots that I would love to have. Not being a rocker chick, however, I would probably look quite silly.
But back to the H&G Show. I have a system for choosing which booths to stop at. They have to talk to me first. If I make eye contact and they don't at least say hello, I don't stop. C'mon, if you are in sales and you can't at least squeak out a howdy, you should probably find another career.
I found a fun guy to talk to at the Bio-Ox booth. No, this is not compost created by oxen, it is a cleaning product that is supposed to take out odors and all manner of organic stains from virtually every surface in your house. As I told the guy, I don't care if it removes stains from my toilet, all I want to know is will it take out poop stains from the carpet in my daughter's room. That's it--if the poop comes out, I will buy some. He showed me how it works on red wine, soy sauce and tea, and how it cleaned the carpet pad as well as the carpet, and its ingredients are water, hydrogen peroxide and orange oil, and a bunch of other stuff that I don't remember. Now, perhaps I'm grasping at straws, but I bought a bunch of it in the hopes that my carpet could be saved. After we got home, I mixed a sprayer full and tried it out on some kitty barf, poopy spots, and a stain of indeterminate origin. I have to say that I'm rather amazed because everything came out. I had to scrub on a couple of stains, but overall I was pleased with my test. We are going to put some in the carpet shampooer today and really give it a test drive.
I'll keep you posted on the Bio-Ox situation. Gotta go now, though--it's pancake day at church and Kirk hates to be late...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Snow in April
It hardly ever snows in Washougal, but it snowed off and on all last week! Fortunately it managed to stay about 40 degrees and sunny during Kirk's baseball game, but the rest of the time it was snowy and/or rainy.
I'm not complaining, of course, because my mom will not hesitate to remind me that she still has an unmelted snowbank in her backyard from the many feet of snow that dropped on Klamath Falls since December. It's just that it really isn't supposed to do that here, and so snow causes quite a stir.
Personally, I'm more annoyed by the unrelenting wind that makes traveling across the I-205 bridge a bit of a roller coaster ride. It is unnerving to have to steer into the wind to keep the car from sailing off the opposite side of the bridge. But that is just what Suzanne and I did on Friday as we took a field trip to Lake Oswego to go to a DS Mom's Coffee and meet with a speech therapist. As it turns out, I'm doing several things right, which comes as a pleasant surprise to me. She had a nice handout, which talked about how we learn speech and the different ways to learn new words. Suzanne is picking up words more easily now, so now is the time for Greg and I to really work hard at it.
In fact, Suzanne's beloved Dancing With The Stars is helping with words and counting! Last night they were giving the scores for one of the dance couples and Carrie Ann said "Eight," then Len said "Nine" and then before Bruno could speak, Suzanne shouted "Ten!" Suzanne was more generous in her score than Bruno, because I think he only gave them an eight.
Poor Greg--he used to really like having a little snuggle time with Kirk when he was little. They would get on their jammies and get in bed to watch a little TV and I would find them both asleep. Soooo cute. He likes to do that with Suzanne, but she always outlasts him. When I go upstairs now, Greg is usually snoring away and Suzanne is either sitting up watching TV or roaming around. One time, I found her on the floor at the foot of the bed snuggled up with a pillow and one of her dad's shirts. Still awake, though. What is exceptionally funny is when this happens with the 3 of them. Then I will find Greg and Kirk asleep and Suzanne in the middle, wide awake. I am the only one in this house who can outlast her.
Gotta go and teach Kirk how to clean his bathroom. He wants to do chores to earn Wii games, so we'll see how long his enthusiasm last...
I'm not complaining, of course, because my mom will not hesitate to remind me that she still has an unmelted snowbank in her backyard from the many feet of snow that dropped on Klamath Falls since December. It's just that it really isn't supposed to do that here, and so snow causes quite a stir.
Personally, I'm more annoyed by the unrelenting wind that makes traveling across the I-205 bridge a bit of a roller coaster ride. It is unnerving to have to steer into the wind to keep the car from sailing off the opposite side of the bridge. But that is just what Suzanne and I did on Friday as we took a field trip to Lake Oswego to go to a DS Mom's Coffee and meet with a speech therapist. As it turns out, I'm doing several things right, which comes as a pleasant surprise to me. She had a nice handout, which talked about how we learn speech and the different ways to learn new words. Suzanne is picking up words more easily now, so now is the time for Greg and I to really work hard at it.
In fact, Suzanne's beloved Dancing With The Stars is helping with words and counting! Last night they were giving the scores for one of the dance couples and Carrie Ann said "Eight," then Len said "Nine" and then before Bruno could speak, Suzanne shouted "Ten!" Suzanne was more generous in her score than Bruno, because I think he only gave them an eight.
Poor Greg--he used to really like having a little snuggle time with Kirk when he was little. They would get on their jammies and get in bed to watch a little TV and I would find them both asleep. Soooo cute. He likes to do that with Suzanne, but she always outlasts him. When I go upstairs now, Greg is usually snoring away and Suzanne is either sitting up watching TV or roaming around. One time, I found her on the floor at the foot of the bed snuggled up with a pillow and one of her dad's shirts. Still awake, though. What is exceptionally funny is when this happens with the 3 of them. Then I will find Greg and Kirk asleep and Suzanne in the middle, wide awake. I am the only one in this house who can outlast her.
Gotta go and teach Kirk how to clean his bathroom. He wants to do chores to earn Wii games, so we'll see how long his enthusiasm last...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Progress...sort of
WARNING!
This post is going to be about poop. If you don't want to hear about it, then leave immediately. I realize that while this is a big deal to me, it is probably not a big deal to you, so here is fair warning...
I have the "Hunter Nose." It's kind of long and pointy (thanks, Dad) and consequently I have a good sense of smell. My nose leads me to many places and today it led me to my very own bedroom. I opened the door and there was my sweet, smiling Suzanne dressed in a pretty magenta top with nothing on the bottom. I asked her where her pants were and she said "all done." I was thrilled that she answered a question with actual words that I could understand. My joy at this was short-lived, however, once a bit of aroma begin to waft past my nostrils.
After a little bit of detective sniffing, I found both her pants and her pull-up (we've graduated to pull-ups) in the bathroom. Pants on the floor, poopy pull-up in the potty! She knows that poop goes in the potty, so she gets credit for that, but a partial demerit for including the pull-up in her total deposit. She has all the pieces, if only we could get them in the right order...
On a lighter note, it is baseball season again, which is really fun as long as it isn't raining. Our first game was on Friday and it was a balmy 65 degrees. Our next game probably won't be quite so nice as rain is in the forecast for Saturday. We'll just cross our fingers and hope for the best.
We had visit a couple of weeks ago from Max and Landon. It was great having Landon around and he and Suzanne really hit it off, but the best part was getting Kirk to play catch with Max. Kirk hasn't really wanted to work at baseball this year, and Max managed to light a fire under him. Kirk wants to really learn to pitch this year, just like his cousin Max and his Grandpa Frank, and he's really working hard now. Thanks, Max, you helped out more than you know!
Big sigh...I must go upstairs and put away all the clothes she took out of the drawers. She was using them to count with (good) but left them in the middle of the floor (bad).
This post is going to be about poop. If you don't want to hear about it, then leave immediately. I realize that while this is a big deal to me, it is probably not a big deal to you, so here is fair warning...
I have the "Hunter Nose." It's kind of long and pointy (thanks, Dad) and consequently I have a good sense of smell. My nose leads me to many places and today it led me to my very own bedroom. I opened the door and there was my sweet, smiling Suzanne dressed in a pretty magenta top with nothing on the bottom. I asked her where her pants were and she said "all done." I was thrilled that she answered a question with actual words that I could understand. My joy at this was short-lived, however, once a bit of aroma begin to waft past my nostrils.
After a little bit of detective sniffing, I found both her pants and her pull-up (we've graduated to pull-ups) in the bathroom. Pants on the floor, poopy pull-up in the potty! She knows that poop goes in the potty, so she gets credit for that, but a partial demerit for including the pull-up in her total deposit. She has all the pieces, if only we could get them in the right order...
On a lighter note, it is baseball season again, which is really fun as long as it isn't raining. Our first game was on Friday and it was a balmy 65 degrees. Our next game probably won't be quite so nice as rain is in the forecast for Saturday. We'll just cross our fingers and hope for the best.
We had visit a couple of weeks ago from Max and Landon. It was great having Landon around and he and Suzanne really hit it off, but the best part was getting Kirk to play catch with Max. Kirk hasn't really wanted to work at baseball this year, and Max managed to light a fire under him. Kirk wants to really learn to pitch this year, just like his cousin Max and his Grandpa Frank, and he's really working hard now. Thanks, Max, you helped out more than you know!
Big sigh...I must go upstairs and put away all the clothes she took out of the drawers. She was using them to count with (good) but left them in the middle of the floor (bad).
Monday, March 24, 2008
A Good Life
Happy Easter! We had a lovely weekend taking the kids to an Easter Egg Hunt in Hathaway Park on the only sunny day this weekend. Kirk really embraces the competition and enjoys getting out there picking up eggs. Suzanne, on the other hand, couldn't care less about those pushy kids and (in some cases) their equally pushy parents. She picked up 5 eggs and was done. Then she trotted off to the playground where she spent the next hour going down the many slides and swinging on the swings.
Suzanne has a good life. She goes to school on the bus which gives her a little independence, she knows how to play with boys, she works her dad like a pro, she's friends with all the checkers at Safeway and all the parents at little league, she brings sunshine to everyone she meets. Suzanne excels in the important areas.
Which brings me to the reason I haven't blogged for a month. I've really been a tad angry over something I read. Maybe I'm a big dope, but never, NOT ONCE, did I ever contemplate terminating my pregnancy. I'm not noble--it simply didn't occur to me. Yes, I had a clue that Suzanne might be born with DS, but I really thought that the notion that you had an amniocentesis and based on the results, made a decision to have an abortion, was really old fashioned. I really didn't think that people did that anymore, but it seems that I was mistaken.
As it turns out, approximately 90% of fetuses with Down Syndrome are terminated. Yup, you read that right--90%. I read an article by an editorial writer for Salon magazine that talked about the decision he and his now ex-wife made to terminate her pregnancy after they discovered that the child would have DS. The reason they gave was that the child would never have a good quality of life. What a moron...
Okay, perhaps I should be a little more understanding about what parents go through and the agonizing decision they have to make, yadda yadda yadda. Sorry, no can do. The notion that DS kids and adults do not have any "quality of life" is so utterly ridiculous. Who defines "quality" anyway? Your life is what you make of it, and so is Suzanne's. One thing about Suzanne is her ability to get the maximum amount of fun out of everything she does. My job as a parent is to provide her with experiential opportunities and it is up to her to make the most of them.
According to this guy and many others, if you're not going to have a quality of life (as defined by him, I guess) then you should be whacked. That would be called eugenics, a practice that was popular in Nazi Germany. Okay, I'm not calling this guy a Nazi, but eugenics was a bad idea then and it is a bad idea now.
90%. Done ranting now...
Each year in communities around the country various DS organizations sponsor Buddy Walks. These are community walks to raise awareness and acceptance of people with Down Syndrome. If you would like to find out if there is a Buddy Walk in your area, please let me know.
Friends Don't Count Chromosomes...Thursday, February 28, 2008
'Mere Ok!
If there was an award for "Best Kitty Ever" it would certainly go to Oscar Brown. And he would have earned it!
Take this photo, for example. As you can see, Suzanne has him in her toddler death grip. Oscar knows that if he just sits and relaxes, he'll be able slide out momentarily and be on his way. Now, I don't think Oscar is the brightest bulb in the box (he keeps coming back for more...and more.... and more), but he is so gentle with her. Suzanne is learning to be gentle with him and is also learning a new word, "Dentoll, Ok, dentoll..."
Last week she fell asleep in one of the recliners and he snuggled up next to her and snoozed as well. Oscar has clearly decided the she is his person and he is her kitty. It isn't unusual for me to find him on her bed or in her room. He likes me, too, but he really likes Suzanne best. Emmy, on the other hand, has assigned herself to Greg and will only pay attention to the rest of us if he's not at home. She clearly has forgotten that he was the meany who took pictures of her after she, with cat-like grace, fell in a full bathtub.
We've had some rather nice weather lately and Suzanne decided today to explore the back yard. Oscar was right there with her, playing with her and generally keeping an eye on her. She ran his legs off and now they're both having a nap. Hope that flower she ate isn't poisonous...
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Suzanne Speak
Suzanne is a multi-lingual child, I think. For the longest time she sounded like she was speaking Russian, but we decided perhaps not when she was sitting next to some Russian folks and they didn't seem to know what she was saying. Then we started to think it was French, with all the jzshhing she's been uttering. Unfortunately, we don't know any French people.
Lately, however, I have noticed an increase in actual words that I think are english. Or at least "Suzanne English." Here is a list with translations....
Milk = Mill
Kirkie = Gookie
Oscar = Ok
Come Here = Mere (as in 'mere Ok)
Cookie = Cookie (no question about this one!)
Juice = Jzshoos
Shoes = Shooooooz
Socks = Toks
Jacket = Shacket
Train = Tain (Usually Tain! Tain! Tain!)
Bus = Sus
Boom = Boom
Bear = Beer
Karissa = Rissa
Hilary = Hilly
Grandpa = Bampa
Grandma = Bamma
Please = Weese
Thank You = Tank ooo
Excuse Me = Skoo me
This is by no means an exhaustive list--she pops out with new words every day. She'll see something and say the word and if you aren't listening closely, you'll miss it. You particularly have to watch for her patting her fanny and saying "boop." Any doubts as to what that means?
It's like a flood gate has opened and she can't get them out fast enough. She still sounds french, but at least the words are english. I guess she was destined to speak french, since her name is french and means lily. Pretty name for a pretty girl and pretty soon we might even understand her!
Lately, however, I have noticed an increase in actual words that I think are english. Or at least "Suzanne English." Here is a list with translations....
Milk = Mill
Kirkie = Gookie
Oscar = Ok
Come Here = Mere (as in 'mere Ok)
Cookie = Cookie (no question about this one!)
Juice = Jzshoos
Shoes = Shooooooz
Socks = Toks
Jacket = Shacket
Train = Tain (Usually Tain! Tain! Tain!)
Bus = Sus
Boom = Boom
Bear = Beer
Karissa = Rissa
Hilary = Hilly
Grandpa = Bampa
Grandma = Bamma
Please = Weese
Thank You = Tank ooo
Excuse Me = Skoo me
This is by no means an exhaustive list--she pops out with new words every day. She'll see something and say the word and if you aren't listening closely, you'll miss it. You particularly have to watch for her patting her fanny and saying "boop." Any doubts as to what that means?
It's like a flood gate has opened and she can't get them out fast enough. She still sounds french, but at least the words are english. I guess she was destined to speak french, since her name is french and means lily. Pretty name for a pretty girl and pretty soon we might even understand her!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day - TURN UP YOUR SPEAKERS!
We are having a fun Valentine's Day this year. I got to make valentine's for Suzanne's preschool class, which is a nice little milestone for her. She really liked the stickers, but she wasn't much help in putting them on the valentines. She preferred to stick them on her clothes instead.
Kirk waited until the last minute to do his valentines, but he finished and took them to school this morning. He a moment of greed when he decided to keep all the pirate tattoos and not put them inside, which is what he was supposed to do. Guess we need another lesson in sharing. On the other hand, he asked for advice on how to ask a girl to be his valentine. He wants a girl to be his valentine, but he doesn't want to be rejected. I explained that most 7 & 8 year old boys are goofballs and won't ask, so he pretty much could get any girl in class to be his valentine and probably all of them. I tried to impress upon him that it is the boy who asks who gets the valentine, and the boy who doesn't gets zip. He ran my advice past his father to make sure I was telling him the truth. I did notice that this morning he took extra time with his ablutions, wore a nice shirt and his good jeans, and smashed his bed head down in the back. Reminds me of my nephew, Max...
Kirk also wanted to make sure that we had some valentine cookies...for Suzanne, of course. I suspect Suzanne will be encouraged to share her cookies with Kirk, and because she loves him, she will.
Speaking of love, here is one of my favorite pictures. When I tell people that Kirk has always loved and protected Suzanne they don't always believe me, but I know it's true. Even if he doesn't get brave enough to ask a girl, he'll still have his very first Valentine, Suzanne.
Gotta dash...I'm delivering Valentines to Hilary, making cookies, and getting Kirk a heart-shaped pizza for tonight.
Oh yes, enjoy the music...these are two of Suzanne's dancing favorites!
Kirk waited until the last minute to do his valentines, but he finished and took them to school this morning. He a moment of greed when he decided to keep all the pirate tattoos and not put them inside, which is what he was supposed to do. Guess we need another lesson in sharing. On the other hand, he asked for advice on how to ask a girl to be his valentine. He wants a girl to be his valentine, but he doesn't want to be rejected. I explained that most 7 & 8 year old boys are goofballs and won't ask, so he pretty much could get any girl in class to be his valentine and probably all of them. I tried to impress upon him that it is the boy who asks who gets the valentine, and the boy who doesn't gets zip. He ran my advice past his father to make sure I was telling him the truth. I did notice that this morning he took extra time with his ablutions, wore a nice shirt and his good jeans, and smashed his bed head down in the back. Reminds me of my nephew, Max...
Kirk also wanted to make sure that we had some valentine cookies...for Suzanne, of course. I suspect Suzanne will be encouraged to share her cookies with Kirk, and because she loves him, she will.
Speaking of love, here is one of my favorite pictures. When I tell people that Kirk has always loved and protected Suzanne they don't always believe me, but I know it's true. Even if he doesn't get brave enough to ask a girl, he'll still have his very first Valentine, Suzanne.
Gotta dash...I'm delivering Valentines to Hilary, making cookies, and getting Kirk a heart-shaped pizza for tonight.
Oh yes, enjoy the music...these are two of Suzanne's dancing favorites!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Queen of the Foamers!
Some of you may be wondering what a Foamer is and why they need a queen. Well, I learned all about foamers when I first met Greg. On August 7, 1988, after our 10-year KU reunion picnic, he invited me to his apartment to look at his slides. Being the very worldly urbanite that I was, I figured this was just a new take on "come see my etchings." Turns out he really did just want to show me slides, which was really geeky since the only other person I knew with slides was my Grandma Mary. We looked at slides of train locomotives...lots and lots of them. Sometime during this ordeal he told me that guys who are train enthusiasts call themselves "foamers"--that is to say, they foam at the mouth whenever they see a train. Even as I write this, I still can't believe that I found this to be cute and endearing and that a year later we were married. Astonishing!
Anyway, back to the queen part. When Greg moved to Portland when we got married, he met some other foamers and started going out on Friday nights with them. When they changed bars (to one where the ladies room actually had a roof) I decided to join them. I soon discovered that while they were basically nice guys, they are all a little odd in one way or another and ergo there is a reason they were all single. Nonetheless, in either 1991 or 1992, I decided to throw a party on Superbowl Sunday. In spite of the hideous olive balls, it was a lot of fun and I've been throwing one ever since. Somewhere along the line I also started making birthday cakes for most of the guys and eventually I crowned myself Queen of the Foamers. They are really like a bunch of puppies--if you leave out food for them they'll follow you anywhere!
Over the years I've refined the menu (no more olive balls) and so I basically do the same thing every year--except last year and there was hell to pay. I'm going to slide in a smoked salmon ball and some asparagus spear rollups, but aside from that I'm sticking to the traditional baked roast beef and turkey sandwiches that have made me famous. Yes, the recipe comes from my sister, but they don't know her so I take all the credit for it. Hmmm....maybe the shrimp ceviche would work...
I'm hoping that Suzanne is in good form. The last time we saw the guys at the train depot was the weekend of the gurgling squirters--rotovirus. These are guys who aren't married and don't have children, so they are pretty scared of Suzanne. Not because she has Down Syndrome, but because she is a 3 year old girl. I don't really blame them--she smelled so bad and pooped all over the inside of the Explorer, which wasn't really the impression I wanted to leave with anyone. Maybe this weekend we'll get really cute and adorable Suzanne. Although if she lets out one of her man-burps, they'll probably get a kick out of it.
Kirk is thrilled. He is going to be in a play on Friday, his basketball game and a hockey game on Saturday, and the Superbowl on Sunday. He informed me this morning that this was going to be his best weekend ever. Kirk is a boy who knows how to enjoy his life.
Oh well, the Queen had better get off her throne and start a shopping list!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
What a whirlwind. Like the east winds that come blasting down the Columbia River Gorge, the last month has absolutely flown by. January is supposed to be a boring month, but for me...not so much.
Christmas was fun. We had a great party on 12/22 and I was thrilled with the turnout. I made a signature party drink called a Cranberry Smash and I couldn't mix them fast enough. We had very few leftovers (Susan, as usual, planned my menu for me...) and no one wanted to leave. I think it was a success and I was quite thrilled by it all.
Suzanne really got into the opening of presents this year. She didn't quite know what to do with the boxes once she got them open, but she enjoyed the chaos of it all. Kirk was more than helpful with the unwrapping and opening of her boxes. He doesn't really care who the boxes are for--he just likes to unwrap things. He got a Wii and fortunately for me, it was easy to set up. It is quite a clever game with an interactive remote. And it is harder than it looks. I pulled a muscle in my fanny playing the bowling game and I still barely made it over 100!
Mom and Dad came up for New Year's this time and we took them to the New Year's Eve hockey game. I think mom enjoyed it even though we lost. This is a "transitional" year for the WinterHawks, which is to say that our team really stinks. Oh well, it was fun anyway. One of the highlights was my hike with Hilary out to the parking garage to change her flat tire. Yes, Hilary had a tire that was low and instead of taking care of it beforehand (head-in-the-sand-Hilary) she drove downtown anyway. I was a bit perturbed when I discovered that Hilary did not have a lug wrench, but fortunately the nice young men who were smoking in the garage were happy to help. Turns out they were waiting for their wives and kids to get to the car--nothing sinister about that.
After we took care of Hilary's problem, she went off to a party where she got into some kind of tiff with her not-boyfriend, Jesse. Long story there...
Since we wore out mom and dad, home we went where everyone collapsed into bed well before midnight and Greg and I went to a party at the neighbors. This seems to be a recurring theme when mom and dad come up--run their legs off until they drop and then send them home to recuperate.
An interesting thing happened at the airport--when Suzanne figured out that Grandma and Grandpa were not getting back into the car she started to cry. In fact, she blubbered all the way back to the freeway and then started hiccuping. Glad mom didn't see that--it would have done her in!
Since then, things have been rather chaotic. The weather has been dismal, which means that we've had a couple of snow days--kids at home being bored, so fun! Then we had a rather nasty run-in with the rotovirus, which took Suzanne and me out for an entire week. Blech! Suzanne is a trouper, though. She would blast a cloud of the most foul-smelling gas imaginable and giggle at the sound she made. As horrible as it was, she had a much better attitude than me.
2008 is not starting very auspiciously, but we have no where else to go but up!
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