US
Monday, March 26, 2012
Baltimore, D.C.
Car Conversation:
Eoin- "I wanna go to the see-um (museum)"
Erin- "Eoin, It's taking so long because it's in Baltimore, D.C......"
"And that's not even in our country!"
Yesterday we went to the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore
Erin was invited to a student artist reception where her artwork was on display.
Erin and her classmates learned about Chinese pottery and calligraphy and then created their own samples.
Erin and her classmate were given certificates for their artistic achievement at a brief gathering in the sculpture court.
After the ceremony we celebrated in the cafe with a 'big cookie', some chips and a 'brown soda'.
Eoin says Erin you keep achieving so I can have more 'brown soda'!!
I was worried about Eoin in the 'see-um' thinking he would be bored, hyper, and uncooperative.
Boy did he prove me wrong!!!
Happy for his sister,
Serious about observing bugs and butterflies,
And enthusiastic about exhibits.
"What can we see now". "Let's go find some more fings to see"
Erin and Eoin really enjoyed some of the larger sculptures of people. We played a game called 'what is missing?'
You know arms, noses, heads....
Eoin wanted to know 'what happen to he nose?'
I told him they were very old sculptures and they had been broken.
"broked? Who did it? Who broked the noses?"
I asked him 'did you do it?"
"NOOOOO"
I said, I know....'Bridgie did it!'
"NOOOO, he too wittwle"
We learned some very valuable lessons as well.
Like whispering and how to pronounce sarcophagus.
Erin found a painting of Jesus resurrecting a young girl from her death bed. She was very intrigued by this and learned what resurrecting means.
She wished she had some paper and markers with her so she could draw some of the things she saw.
As for Bridgie, she did what she does best, make friends with all the guards and women with long hair!!!!
A very wonderfully fun and exciting family day!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Things are not always what they seem...
The first appearance deceives many, the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden. (Phaedrus)
I have this little daughter, Bridgie, she is small and very funny. *
She is two and toddlerish
Stubborn, Stormy, and sometimes Shocking.
Coy, Cunning, and Conniving.
A typical toddler.
There is something else about this typical toddler you should know.
Bridgie has 47 chromosomes. 3 copies of the 21st chromosome.
Trisomy 21 or Down Syndrome
A little something extra.
You may have heard that people born with Down Syndrome are so loving, kind, and sweet.
Laid back, easy going.
While some people may say Bridgie was born with more to love,
I am here to tell you that she was born with a little something else as well.
Spirit, Spunk, and Sassiness.
Our girl, well, she was born with attitude.
Could simply be her mother's Fiery Irish-Lithuanian background or her father's Hardworking, nose to the grind stone Czech heritage.
Could be that Bridgie is simply just another member of the every evolving, dynamic, and diverse group called the human race.
Bridgie is so much like her older sister and older brother. She looks alot like one of her cousins, my brother's daughter. She likes Mickey Mouse, baby dolls, and goldfish. She loves bathtime and screams because she does not want to get out. She feeds herself, says mama and dada, loves her big sister and instigates her big brother.
And this may be one of the areas where she is most like other little girls who are the baby of the family. Big sis is the light of her life, makes her laugh like no other, and has more concern for Bridgie's welfare than her own. Big bro is her nemesis. Since she was old enough to sit up in the jogging stroller she has been terrorizing him. Taking his blanket, his sippy cup, his lollipop, pulling his hair, biting his toes. Just touching him to be annoying. You know like you did with your brother or sister in the back of the station wagon?
Seemingly like alot of other little girls, baby sisters, Bridgie is well, how do I phrase it?
Bridgie.
Unique, different, diverse. And like....you.
One word, one category, one group, one characteristic, one action, does not define you.
Nor does the fact that you only have 46 chromosomes.
Nor does the fact that you only have 46 chromosomes.
Down Syndrome does not define Bridgie.
Bridgie is unique and evolving.
At two, Bridgie is not yet walking.
Yet she is fast.
She has a champion 'scootch' and a warriors desire to keep up with the troop.
At two, Bridgie does not have very many words.
Yet she is a great communicator, engaging, magnetic, leaving her friends and family speechless and feeling as if they have just been with a long lost friend.
Some might say an 'old soul'.
In two short years Bridgie has provided me with opportunity, purpose, desire, drive, passion, a chance to come out of the fog that I was living in. A belief in my abilities.
Most of all, she has given our family love.
Great big, wet, sloppy, goldfish crumb-filled kisses and amazingly warm, purposeful, unconditional hugs for no reason and for every reason.
March 21, 2012 is the 7th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day. In 2012, the day has been recognized by the United Nations.
The aims of World Down Syndrome Day are to promote awareness and understanding, seek international support, and to achieve dignity, equal rights and a better life for people with Down syndrome everywhere. (Muttiah Muralitharan)
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21 (3/21) to represent the 3 copies of Chromosome 21 that is unique to Down Syndrome.
On this day I ask you to reflect on what it means to be a human being, how you like to be treated, how you treat others, and what you can bring to the table of the human race.
And in the words of the pesky Lorax
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothings going to get better. It's not."
As for me,
I am the mommy, and I'll yell and I'll shout for the fine things in life that are on their way out.**
*altered and paraphrased from Lauren Child's Charlie and Lola books
**altered quote from the Lorax
To support our crusade go to Bridigie's Brigade on Facebook and "like us".
Sunday, March 11, 2012
A Little Something....
May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.
And find your shoulder to light on.
To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
And find your shoulder to light on.
To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
Some fun videos of the kids that reminded me of a special Man this morning.
Uncle Ken McCoy
Gone from us too soon
But what lasting and amazing memories I have
Such fun, laughter, and spirit all around
Giving, caring, and genuine
So, Here's to Kenny
Happy One Year, cousin Yolanda! Here's how we enjoyed your video and song!!
Take Two!
His spirit lives on. I think they've got it without any lessons!
This one is the longest therefore the most blurry :(
And in the words of Uncle Ken, It's time for me to:
"Get along home, Cindy, Cindy, Get along home I say"
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Fundraising...
I know, I know, you'd rather bite down on a cold metal bar.
Trust me. I have a love/hate relationship with Fundraising.
In my ole days of coaching when students or parents approached me about fundraisers,
Well,
I went screaming the other way!!!
However, I have learned that despite my belief that money cannot buy happiness it sure comes in handy and is a necessity for organizations to run.
Personally, It's not about the money it's about the message.
Last year fundraising for Team Travis I learned a valuable lesson.
Fundraising is rather easy with the social media tools available to us.
While Team Travis' mission is to
Honor the Fallen by Challenging the Living
Best Buddies aims to
Create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, employment, and leadership for people with developmental disabilities.
And to
Now who does not want to stand behind this?
It's personal, it's a commitment, it's harder in your mind than reality.
"Be the Change you want to see"
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