Summer of a Lifetime

When school ended, we wasted no time in our memory making.  Josiah was slated to attend summer school 3 days per week.  I was scheduled to teach drama for 2 weeks.  The big boys were signed up for 2 weeks of summer camp at the YMCA.  All would come to pass and a whole lot more.

In the 48 hours following the end of school, Josiah had 5 therapy sessions (2 physical therapy, 2 speech therapy, and 1 occupational therapy).  We visited a playground, a playground/splash pad, and attended a baseball game.  Oh yes, we hit the ground running!!!!  It was summer, at last!

July rolled in quickly.  Josiah continued his therapies 2 days per week.  We had play dates and movie nights.  We celebrated the 4th of July by meeting Josiah's new best friend (the little girl with Down syndrome, who attends school with him) and her family.  We spent a glorious day at a local theme park.  In the evening, we went to a friend's house.  We enjoyed great food, friendship, and fireworks over a private pond.  The boys all played with friends.  The adults enjoyed the fun that friendship affords.

We went to a zoo.  The boys had Saturday swim lessons.  Josiah started his summer preschool program.  Mama started teaching her 2-week drama camp.  The big boys started their 2-week YMCA summer camp.  It was busy but everyone was happy, and at peace with life.

We threw in drop-in playgroups & farmer's markets.  The oldest resumed karate (though it was short-lived).  Carl started iron infusions and found more energy.  We attended a benefit dinner for the 5 year old's preschool teacher, who had since been diagnosed with Cancer.  Carl & I celebrated our 9-year anniversary.  We enjoyed a few date nights.  Josiah had an audiology appointment & his hearing came into question (again).  It was believed hearing aides may be beneficial so we started considering the option.

August was quickly upon us.  I was still teaching.  The big boys were still attending summer camp.  Josiah was attending summer preschool 3 mornings per week & therapy 2 afternoons per week.  Yet we continued pushing our goal - making memories with our boys.

We went to a water park with a great local group - all families have a child with Down syndrome.  We attended family night at the YMCA.  The boys attended summer Birthday parties & back to school parties.  They loved summer camp so much that they were signed up for an extra 2 weeks.  It was proving to be the summer of a lifetime!!!

We revisited the local theme park, playgrounds, splash pads, and filled in many days with love and laughter.  As the last week of August approached, our busy schedule started to slow.  My 2-week drama camp ended.  Josiah completed his summer program.  4 weeks of summer camp came to an end.

Josiah had a sedated CT scan to rule out possible physical causes of his hearing issues.  There were none.  The CT scan did note an unusual density to his cerebellum - something that will be further examined with an MRI.  Meanwhile, we actively pursued the hearing aide option.

The former preschool teacher lost her battle with Cancer.  We said goodbye to her, crammed in a field trip, celebrated my Dad's Birthday, and quickly welcomed September.  A new school year was about to begin.  Josiah was moved to a toddler bed (from his crib) and has slept like a big boy every night, since! 

September 1st: The first day of school!  Summer was over.  We were disappointed but looked forward to what a new school year would bring.....

Friday's Facts 042712: Fun Facts

Fun Facts:

Did you know.....

1 in 5 children with Down Syndrome (DS) play a musical instrument?  For children older than 10, that number doubles; 1 out of 5 children with DS sing in a choir or vocal group, for children older than 10, it is 1 out of every 3...

2 out of every 3 children with DS like to draw and/or paint pictures.

Approx. 9 out of every 10 individuals with DS listened to someone read a book more than 3x/week between the ages 2-5.

Approx. 7 out of 10 children w/ DS use total communication (signs, etc) between the ages of 2-5.

Approx. 7 out of 10 kids with DS saw a speech therapist two or more times a week between the ages of 2-5.

Approx. 1 out of every 3 children with DS, older than 10, rides a bike without training wheels.

7 out of every 10 individuals with DS, older than 10, participates on an athletic team through Special Olympics.

2 out of every 5 individuals with DS participates on an integrated athletic team.

According to their families, 3 out of 5 individuals with DS know how to operate a computer.

1 out of every 3 individuals with DS, older than 10, w/ DS reads the daily newspaper on his or her own.

7 out of 10 individuals with DS, older than 10, read books on their own for personal enjoyment.

1 out of 2 children with DS go to school in a mainstreamed class.

3 out of 5 children with DS participate in school activities that are open to all students.

According to their families, 1 of 5 children with DS talk on the phone with friends more than three times a week. For children older than 10, that number doubles.

1 out of 3 children with DS write email regularly.

2 out of 3 children with DS, over age 10, have a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Approx. 7 out of 10 children with DS pray on a regular basis.

According to their families, approx. 7 out of every 10 individuals with DS imitate characters from a television program or movie.

Approx. 2 of 3 individuals with DS, older than 10, prepare their own breakfast each morning.

3 out of 4 individuals with DS, older than 10, make their own bed in the morning.

1 out of 2 individuals with DS, older than 18, work in a non sheltered workplace.

1 out of 5 individuals with DS, 18 or older, lives on his or her own.