Happy Thirteenth Birthday, Isaac!

 Just look at him...thirteen years old! 

I have to say, I am really enjoying this age.  Isaac is funny and engaging and has opinions on topics I did not know existed; he can help me with projects (and not just "help") and can give details and is teaching others how to use a talker like his.  He is LOVING middle school and I am so very thankful, after years of frustration and struggle, for the amazing school that he is at.  In his Performing Arts class he got an A+ in Comedic Fight Sequence and in Karaoke Ensamble!  (I laughed myself to sleep when I got that parent report!) There is NO GREATER PERFECT MATCH for my son, than this class!! 

What's more important is that he has meaningful engagement in all his classes with his general education peers--Science, Social Studies, Art, homeroom, Math and English--just like everyone else. This is the way it is supposed to be...for all students. <3   

Isaac has the sweetest of hearts and simply will not tolerate his Mom, sister or Gramma being sad, hurt or ill---blankets will be applied, fluids will be brought, hands will be held.  And despite the mores of middle school, he yells "Mom! I love you!" down the hallway after drop off every morning. I love you too, Isaac. SO. VERY. MUCH. 

 

We spent his special day exploring space with a special IMAX movie about the James Webb Space Telescope--my planet-loving boy was out of his mind excited!

Followed by pizza...because you know, teenager. 

Then came home to celebrate:

A telescope and a new basketball hoop--it doesn't get any better <3

What a joy to have a spontaneous Happy Birthday sing at church on Sunday!  Isaac grinned from ear to ear then absolutely "clutched his pearls"! (that's how I know he is genuinely happy 💖)

Isaac J, you are an endless ball of energy and joy and excitement. You are a gift to all to know you. I am so proud of not only who you will become but of who you are right now.  Happy Birthday, sweet boy...I mean young man.  You are loved <3 

Fall Funness 2023

Between starting school and emptying boxes and getting settled into our new house, we were able to squeeze in some fun fall activities...

Third Annual Hope Harvest Hootenanny

What a delight to spend the day with our Hope Church friends. <3 Even better that Mila thinks 'hoop-a-nin-a-ninny" is the best word ever! 

Tumwater Falls

Just 20 min from our house and such a beautiful wonder, especially when the salmon are jumping up stream!

"It's a beautiful day kids. Let's take a nice family photo..." 🙄🤪  Famous last words of every mother on the planet...

Goofballs!

Birdy Looky Cafe

I received a video birdfeeder for my birthday and it is bringing me SO MUCH JOY!  I get notifications every time a new (same?) little friend arrives for a snack and now my whole staff at work is watching live feed of my birdy cafe with me over the lunch hour and the kids are fighting over who gets to watch the 'crazy birds' first!😁🐦

Spooner Pun'kin Patch

The rules are simple: if you can carry it, you can have it. 

Our porch decor 🍂🧡

Down Syndrome Community Halloween Dance

This will forever be knows as 'the dance we didn't dance at' aka 'we had fun getting dressed up, mom drove us an hour, we didn't understand the scary halloween themed music, ate pizza (specifically SEVEN pieces of pizza for my son), and drove an hour home".   Oh well. 

Best leggings ever for my Little Mermaid!

Annual Pun'kin Party

A gift of the COVID shutdown that we now look forward to every year. 

Time for Thanksgiving and full blast into Christmas!!