Kenner had his first Christmas show on Thursday. He was so stinkin' cute! Dressed to the nines in his red and black vest with red button down shirt and a tie of course we headed to the church. All of the kids were there each happy to see the other and to talk about their clothes. The excitement factor was off the scale. It sure was nice to see all the different people there to support their 'Star.'
As the kids started down the aisle, I am not sure who's smile was bigger the kids, Mrs. Yake's or the parents? Kenner was on the middle step of the risers; strategically placed where it would be more challenging for him to escape. Good planning! Of course the waving began as the kids were able to find their fans in the crowd. And well Kenner has to be different he starts calling 'Mom' in that sing-song way he has and then 'Ammmi!' which is Kenner for Grammy. Too cute!
Kenner's was singing to every song as loud as he could. He always supported his schoolmates by clapping after every performance. He was accompanying the singing of 'Jingle Bells' with his own set of bells. He got a bit of stage fright and didn't jingle as well as he had in practice. It was still cute!
Then kindergartner's did the story of baby Jesus from a child's perspective. They did such a wonderful job. It really served as a reminder of what the meaning of Christmas is all about.
The staff at JoyBell do such a wonderful job with these busy little people. I am so thankful that he goes to a place that teaches love and respect as well as acedemics. They really are the partners parents need. Thank you to them.
19 December 2009
14 December 2009
Shower Blues...
Last night was, what we call, 'Tubby Night.' Mostly filled with singing, dancing,laughing and blowing bubbles oh yeah and washing.
Everything started good couple chorus' of 'Twinkle' and 'Wiggle Walk.' When the washing was finished and it was time to get out he started asking for that blasted harmonica. I told him he could have it when he got dressed. That was unacceptable which was made painfully obvious to me. Then he tried asking nicely - answer still after he was dressed.
He then did this "move" that I am still not sure what happened. The result was he was out of the tub, dripping wet, crying and running to the harmonica. I think he had planned this, he found the harmonica before I did and was playing the 'Shower Blues.' He would play for a bit then sing then back to playing much like BB King...
And again I find myself asking...Harmonica? What was I thinking.....
Everything started good couple chorus' of 'Twinkle' and 'Wiggle Walk.' When the washing was finished and it was time to get out he started asking for that blasted harmonica. I told him he could have it when he got dressed. That was unacceptable which was made painfully obvious to me. Then he tried asking nicely - answer still after he was dressed.
He then did this "move" that I am still not sure what happened. The result was he was out of the tub, dripping wet, crying and running to the harmonica. I think he had planned this, he found the harmonica before I did and was playing the 'Shower Blues.' He would play for a bit then sing then back to playing much like BB King...
And again I find myself asking...Harmonica? What was I thinking.....
12 December 2009
Where is the handbook?
I have been looking for the manual to my child or at least the decoding book! I have been reading books by Dr. James Dobson and some specifically for Down Syndrome children. I just don't understand what "it" is that he wants. I know that he is getting "something" from the attention/reaction he gets when he does something he shouldn't.
One minute he is just fine and the next he is tossing the plate. I am meeting with Kenner and a psychologist to see if she can help me figure out what "it" is. I know it has to be very frustrating for him to not be able to fully communicate his feelings yet. I know they are in there; he just can't get them out. I know I am frustrated and I can communicate my feelings.
Anyone have any thoughts, comments, concerns or similar experiences? What did you do?
One minute he is just fine and the next he is tossing the plate. I am meeting with Kenner and a psychologist to see if she can help me figure out what "it" is. I know it has to be very frustrating for him to not be able to fully communicate his feelings yet. I know they are in there; he just can't get them out. I know I am frustrated and I can communicate my feelings.
Anyone have any thoughts, comments, concerns or similar experiences? What did you do?
10 December 2009
Santa's Symbols of Christmas
I must give Mary credit - she put it on her blog. I was so moved by the story I am adding it to mine...Thank you Mary.
Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. I had just finished the household chores late at night, and was getting ready to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the living room. Much to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree, and whispered, "Shh. Don't be scared. It's all right."
I started to ask him what he was doing, but stopped in mid-sentence when I saw that his usual jolly manner was gone and he had tears in his eyes. He told me he was sad because children all over the world were not being taught the real meaning of Christmas.
He reached into his sack pulling out a small green Christmas tree. He said, "Teach the children that the evergreen tree remains green all the year round. Green is the color of abundant nature around us and indicates the everlasting hope of mankind. God created trees to be of great service to people, providing wood to build homes, fires to keep us warm and to cook on, and paper to print books for us to learn from.
Santa reached into his sack again and pulled out a bright, shiny star, and said, "Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of promise long years ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise. The countless shining stars in the night-sky still give us a reminder of that star so long ago telling of the birth of our Savior.
Santa put the star on the top of the Christmas tree and took from his sack a glittering red ornament. He said, "Teach the children that red is the special color of Christmas because it reminds us of the blood that was shed by our Savior so that we could all gain Eternal Life, which is the greatest gift Heavenly Father can give us."
As Santa returned to his sack I heard a soft, tinkling sound and saw he had a bell in his hand. "Teach the children that in the old days animals were very valuable to people as they provided transport and food for them. They put a bell round the neck of each sheep or cow, so they could hear where they were if they got lost. In the same way God values all people, wherever they are, and they are never lost to Him. In some places church bells are rung on Christmas Day to proclaim the good news of this special day."
Once again Santa reached into his sack, and brought out a candle. "Teach the children that a candle was used in the old days to light the way so people could see where they were going. When it is dark we are afraid, but the light casts away our fears. Jesus came into the world and taught that He is the Light of the World. People used to put candles on Christmas trees, but nowadays we have colored lights instead as they are safer."
Next Santa produced a candy cane. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. This was a strong stick with a curved end that could be placed around the neck of a sheep that had slipped down the hillside, so the shepherd could pull it up to safety. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show to others, and reminds us that we really are our brother's keeper."
Reaching deep into his sack Santa pulled out a Christmas wreath and said, "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. It never stops or comes to an end. It is one continuous round of affection. It is made up of many colors, and many different items, and shows how different we all are, but how important each one of us is to the whole creation."
Santa then took from his sack some tinsel and ribbon and said, "Teach the children that tinsel adds brightness to Christmas just as the many kindnesses we do for others brings brightness into their lives. The ribbon is tied into a bow to remind us that our lives are intertwined with each other, and the help we give others is constantly returned to us in different ways."
Finally, Santa patted his sack and said, "There will be many gifts in this sack each Christmas, but the greatest gift we can give, or be given, is love. Love takes time and effort from us to give to others in the way they need it, to bring their potential into being. Love is not an advertising gimmick, but something we learn to do, and we must teach this to our children."
With this, Santa waved goodbye and left the same way he had come in, saying as he went, "Don't forget to teach the children the real meaning of the symbols of Christmas." As I watched him go, I was sure that this would be the best Christmas ever.
-- Author Unknown
Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. I had just finished the household chores late at night, and was getting ready to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the living room. Much to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree, and whispered, "Shh. Don't be scared. It's all right."
I started to ask him what he was doing, but stopped in mid-sentence when I saw that his usual jolly manner was gone and he had tears in his eyes. He told me he was sad because children all over the world were not being taught the real meaning of Christmas.
He reached into his sack pulling out a small green Christmas tree. He said, "Teach the children that the evergreen tree remains green all the year round. Green is the color of abundant nature around us and indicates the everlasting hope of mankind. God created trees to be of great service to people, providing wood to build homes, fires to keep us warm and to cook on, and paper to print books for us to learn from.
Santa reached into his sack again and pulled out a bright, shiny star, and said, "Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of promise long years ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise. The countless shining stars in the night-sky still give us a reminder of that star so long ago telling of the birth of our Savior.
Santa put the star on the top of the Christmas tree and took from his sack a glittering red ornament. He said, "Teach the children that red is the special color of Christmas because it reminds us of the blood that was shed by our Savior so that we could all gain Eternal Life, which is the greatest gift Heavenly Father can give us."
As Santa returned to his sack I heard a soft, tinkling sound and saw he had a bell in his hand. "Teach the children that in the old days animals were very valuable to people as they provided transport and food for them. They put a bell round the neck of each sheep or cow, so they could hear where they were if they got lost. In the same way God values all people, wherever they are, and they are never lost to Him. In some places church bells are rung on Christmas Day to proclaim the good news of this special day."
Once again Santa reached into his sack, and brought out a candle. "Teach the children that a candle was used in the old days to light the way so people could see where they were going. When it is dark we are afraid, but the light casts away our fears. Jesus came into the world and taught that He is the Light of the World. People used to put candles on Christmas trees, but nowadays we have colored lights instead as they are safer."
Next Santa produced a candy cane. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. This was a strong stick with a curved end that could be placed around the neck of a sheep that had slipped down the hillside, so the shepherd could pull it up to safety. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show to others, and reminds us that we really are our brother's keeper."
Reaching deep into his sack Santa pulled out a Christmas wreath and said, "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. It never stops or comes to an end. It is one continuous round of affection. It is made up of many colors, and many different items, and shows how different we all are, but how important each one of us is to the whole creation."
Santa then took from his sack some tinsel and ribbon and said, "Teach the children that tinsel adds brightness to Christmas just as the many kindnesses we do for others brings brightness into their lives. The ribbon is tied into a bow to remind us that our lives are intertwined with each other, and the help we give others is constantly returned to us in different ways."
Finally, Santa patted his sack and said, "There will be many gifts in this sack each Christmas, but the greatest gift we can give, or be given, is love. Love takes time and effort from us to give to others in the way they need it, to bring their potential into being. Love is not an advertising gimmick, but something we learn to do, and we must teach this to our children."
With this, Santa waved goodbye and left the same way he had come in, saying as he went, "Don't forget to teach the children the real meaning of the symbols of Christmas." As I watched him go, I was sure that this would be the best Christmas ever.
-- Author Unknown
3am Shoes!
At 3:08am this morning I was sound asleep. Appearantly Kenner was not. He insisted that he have his shoes. He kept doing the sign for shoes and saying please. I tried to insist that he get back in bed - I didn't understand what the deal was. He then brought the shoes to me, layed down and went to sleep. Perhaps he was dreaming or the shoes were cold and he wanted them under the covers??? I don't think I will ever know...
09 December 2009
The Harmonica...What was I thinking?!
Kenner loves music! Ever since he was an infant. He and my father were "watching" 'Walk the Line' - the Johnny Cash movie. Anyway, I went in to check on them and find my father looking at Kenner and not the movie. He motions to me quietly to look. Kenner was sucking his binking to the beat. I guess he had been doing this for a lot of the movie.
So now fast foward three years...I am at Target and see a cheap-o harmonica in the one dollar bin. Here is where the trouble began - I bought it. The good news is he didn't figure it out right away. I would play it for him and he would hold it vertically to his mouth, blow, nothing would happen, the harmonica went flying and off he went.
Until, a few days ago...I blame his grandmother for this one. She showed him one more time and BINGO! It sunk in. The good news is with this toy he has to use two hands and I can hear where he is, right? Did he have to figure it out while I am out with a sinus headache??? Its my own fault. If only I had stopped and thought while standing at the one dollar bin at Target.
So now fast foward three years...I am at Target and see a cheap-o harmonica in the one dollar bin. Here is where the trouble began - I bought it. The good news is he didn't figure it out right away. I would play it for him and he would hold it vertically to his mouth, blow, nothing would happen, the harmonica went flying and off he went.
Until, a few days ago...I blame his grandmother for this one. She showed him one more time and BINGO! It sunk in. The good news is with this toy he has to use two hands and I can hear where he is, right? Did he have to figure it out while I am out with a sinus headache??? Its my own fault. If only I had stopped and thought while standing at the one dollar bin at Target.
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