Merry Christmas - From Ours to Yours

This year we've really enjoyed the holidays to the fullest. We were beaming with pride while Colin performed his first church Christmas musical singing "Jingle Jingle Happy Bells". Cannon's preschool also put on a musical called Christmas Around the World and Cannon's class represented Japan singing "Away in the Manger" wearing their cute hats and rocking baby Jesus in their arms. We enjoyed Christmas Eve candlelight service and when Pastor Mark asked who was the baby in the manger, Cannon loudly proclaimed "BABY JESUS". It was adorable. He also enjoyed the candles... again, boys and fire! Grandma and Pop Pop were here for a few days and the kids thoroughly enjoyed torturing Pop Pop with light sabers, drum sticks, etc! For Christmas, I think we have successfully attained just about every new techno gadget on the market. Grandma Ruby got a Wii and has already beaten Rob in a game of bowling. I got a new blackberry and a new Nikon SLR digital camera. I have already started to learn so much about how to use it and I can't wipe the smile off my face. I've wanted one of these for years. Rob got a Nano and has probably already spent his $45 in iTunes gift cards filling it up! Chance got a Radio Flyer Liberty ride on spring mounted horse and an mp3 player. He loves horses and he loves videos, so he's tickled. Cannon got spy gear so he can do secret missions and a Smart Cycle to stay active over the long winter. Colin got a puppet theater and puppets to put on some shows for us. Oh, and Santa brought The Brothers Three a new 4-wheeler that was a big hit. The Brothers Three is a series of bedtime stories that Rob started telling the kids and somehow I got roped into doing too. It's a bunch of stories that we make up as we go about three brothers on adventures! It was a relaxing couple of days topped off by probably the best meal I've ever eaten. And based on the "mmmmmms" and "oh wows" I heard during dinner, I think it was well received. Mom brought a whole filet and I used Aunt Mar's recipe with lots of olive oil and garlic! I really do love Christmas!

25 Years of Service - Happy Retirement Mom!

Well hallelujah, the day has finally come. Mom retired after 25 years at Johns Hopkins University in the Molecular Biology and Genetics department. I have to say, I'll miss the personal link to the latest science, being the mom of a special needs child with a genetic condition, but alas, I guess I'll have to let it go, since Mom certainly deserves her retirement.
The department threw her a beautifully orchestrated retirement party with lots of food, drink and people. It was a wonderfully special day for Mom and I was so glad to be there to share in her joy. I'm so proud of her.
It was a especially nice that so many of our family was able to be there, except for poor Dad who had the stomach flu and wasn't able to come. He had a date with the toilet! Aunt Dar showed up unannounced on Thursday night and was welcomed with tears from Mom and Grams. And then Chip surprised Mom by showing up at JHU for the party.
After all the partying and presents, we headed back to Mom's to visit for a bit before heading home.

Horses With Hearts Awards Banquet 2008

Last night Chance, and all the other riders in Horses With Hearts, were recognized for their accomplishments. It was a wonderful evening, celebrating diversity and volunteerism. We had a fantastic dinner and enjoyed watching each child and adult with special needs accept their trophees and share in their excitement. Chance was particularly proud and just couldn't wait to get up on stage. I couldn't believe it. I thought he'd be resistant, but he just about ran up to the stairs of the stage, calmly walked up and accepted his trophee. I wasn't sure if he was going to throw it in excitement or not, so I kept a close hand, but he did great. I prompted him to say thank you in sign language and I thought maybe he would use his device to say something into the microphone to the audience, but instead, he leaned into the microphone and let out a huge cheerful squeal! It was super funny and the crowd erupted in cheer and clapping. What a special moment. I've already put up a shelf in Chance's room for his trophee and I have big plans for redecorating his room with all horse stuff. He just loves the horses and is so proud to be a part of it!

Horses With Hearts has over 40 volunteers and a faith-centered vision. It was truly a pleasure for all of us to watch Chance ride each week and he was so proud. He just loves the horses and the people and I know each year he will continue to be blessed by this wonderful program. Visit their website for more information http://www.horseswithhearts.com/

Thanksgiving with the Fam!

What a joy it was to have the whole family here for Thanksgiving. Chip was able to make the trip over from Delaware with Keegan and Ellie. Plus Mom, Dad, Aunt Deb, Uncle Jeff, Joey, and of course our troop and Grandma Ruby were all here. It was a blast. We spent Thursday playing outside until dinner. The kids had tons of fun riding the electric motorcycle and jeep. The grown ups lounged around until turkey time. On Friday we made a trip down to Fun Express in Winchester and enjoyed the rock wall, bowling, lazer tag, mini golf, video games, soft play and pizza. What more could any kid ask for!? I was sad to see them go on Friday night, but we kept busy on Saturday and Sunday decorating for Christmas! One holiday down, one on the way! I love this time of year!

TRICK OR TREAT!

Okay - now this is what I'm talking about! This Halloween was just so much fun! Colin was old enough to really get into it. Cannon was psyched up for it for weeks. And now that Chance has his communication device, he was able to really trick or treat.
We started the day off at school like normal, then headed to Rob's work for a party at Valley College for lunch. Can you guess who Rob is? Such a cute and original costume! Off to bed for a nap, dinner and then trick or treating. Grandma dressed up in her camos and gave out candy. She was such a trooper to sit out there for all that time, but I do think she had fun... and she nibbled a bit (chocolate freak that she is)! And it was such a treat for us to be able to go out together with the kids. The last couple of years we had to take turns while the other gave out candy. So this was nice!
Chance was the Incredible Hulk. Cannon was a Ninja Turtle and Colin was Woody from Toy Story. We had to laugh trying to put that god awful green face paint on Chance. He kept wanting to wipe it off. If we could just keep his hands off his face long enough for it to dry we'd be okay. Overall, it didn't look bad! Cannon didn't want to wear his mask that went with the costume, so we did his face green too. We were out trick or treating for about an hour and a half and the kids were great. Chance started doing the "I've had too much fun" sideways walk after a while and Rob let him take a few breaks and have a treat. He was pretty worn out when it was all said and done. Colin actually said, "Okay Mommy, I want to go home now!" ha ha ha ha... I wonder if I was having more fun than them?!
Here's a few pictures and a video of the boys getting some candy and Chance using his device to participate just like everyone else. Oh, it was so great! just made my heart sing to see Chance enjoying himself so much!
After bath, Daddy decided to turn off all the lights and make the house pitch black and the kids played with their light sticks for like an hour. Swinging them around, make shapes in the dark. I think Colin hit himself in the face with his enough times that he finally quit! It was lots of fun.
Let me tell you though, I'm glad Halloween only comes along once a year. They were so juiced up on sugar, it took me an hour to get Colin to sleep, Chance was up at least an hour and a half after his bed time meds (which usually kick in in 20-30 minutes) and Cannon, oh yeah, he was up until... are you ready for this?... MIDNIGHT! I had to nearly hold him down in bed to fall asleep! GRACIOUS.... once a year, that's all we can handle! :)

Halloween at Our Little Preschool

Yup, we're back at Our Little Preschool! So things didn't work out so well for Cannon at the VA preschool, much to our disappointment. Let's just say that the "learning through play" philosophy didn' t go over too well with this former classroom teacher. Not to mention, the unstructured play was too hard for Cannon to handle. He needs structure, praise, and active learning. So, after several incidents, we decided it would be better to put him back in his old preschool. He loved it there, and actually cried to me for several weeks that he wanted to go back. So, THANK GOD, there was a space open. Let me just tell you, that's a God thing! When we first enrolled there, Katie Brinkley and I camped out bright and early in the morning to wait in line in what has become known in this country as the hunt for the spot in the best preschool! So to find out there was a spot open and Cannon could return, we were thrilled! Right away he got back into the swing of things and seriously, overnight, he just did a 180 in his behavior. He was sweet, obedient, and excited about going to school. Much to our surprise, his first week back he had a field trip, to... you guessed it... Ridgefield Farms! Twice in one week, man, he was a lucky kid! Then the third week back, it's time for a costume parade and a party! Here are a few pictures of Cannon back at the wonderful wonderful wonderful, Our Little Preschool! Oh, and isn't it so cute how Colin managed to slip into the class picture? He's so ready for school!

Dinosaur Land!

So when you're looking for something fun to do with three boys, how could you possibly go wrong with dinosaurland? We went once last year, but Colin was too little to really enjoy it. This time, it was GREAT! Cannon wanted me to read every sign along the path about each and every dinosaur. He was really into learning about which ones were meat eaters and which ones were vegetable eaters. Chance just loved the freedom of running around (poor daddy got a work out!) Colin seemed a bit scared at first, but as soon as he realized they weren't going to come to life and bite him, he settled in. I think the mammoth was his favorite!

"I Wanna Be a Firefighter When I Grow Up!"

Today was a walking field trip on the ground of the VA to the VA firehouse with Cannon's preschool. The kids were treated to the sounds of sirens and sights galore. They each got to sit in the driver's seat of the firetruck, walk through an ambulance and hold the firehouse. We got to tour where the firefighters rest, sleep and eat. When it was all done, each child got a goodie bag full of life saving tips and treats. It was a fun afternoon for all and the kids were all so good.

Pumpkinfest at Ridgefield Farm

Cannon's preschool took a trip to Ridgefield Farms this year. I took Colin along and we had a super time. When I asked Cannon what his favorite part was, he said picking a pumpkin in the patch, going on a hay ride and the pirate ship. The kids were adorable and we had a lot of fun.

2008 Martinsburg Air Show

We had a super great day at the 2008 Air Show. We enjoyed beautiful weather and lots of fun activities. When we first got there, Rob was reunited with a high school buddy who just happened to be the pilot of the largest aircraft in the US Airforce! It was so cool. Cannon and Daddy got a special tour. Then we headed off to some fighter planes where Cannon and Daddy geared up for battle. Colin was too little and Chance didn't want to get in. We stopped for a little snack break before hitting the inflatables! Cannon decided to take on a bigger boy in the pugle stick battle grounds. He got his butt kicked... poor thing, but it was funny! Then while Daddy and Chance went off for some funnel cakes, Cannon and Colin hit the moon bounces and worked off some wiggles. We ended our fun day watching the F16 fighter jet soar by at 650 miles per hour. We had a really great time.

Saddle Up Your Horses, We've Got a Trail to Blaze!

Chance started his very first session of therapeudic horseback riding by fighting us tooth and nail to put that darn helmet on. But much to my surprise, he walked right up the ramp, stuck his foot in the stirrup and mounted his horse like he had done it a hundred times already! He was so confident and so happy up there, I just couldn't have been more proud. And when they had Bonnie go into a trot, Chance absolutely lit up the ring with his giggles. Check out this video below.
We are so grateful to Horses With Hearts and all the local businesses that donated money to allow families like ours to participate without cost. My desire is that horseback riding could be something special that Chance someday can do independently, if he chooses. So far, he seems to love it, and if he wants, we'll keep coming back.