Summer Vacation::2

Mount Agamenticus, York, ME

Gosh, you are beautiful.......

a fabulous little day hiking trip perfect for little kids....

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My brand new "Cozy little reading place"....

Summer Vacation::1
Fort Preble and Spring Point Lighthouse , South Portland, ME

Please pinch me--Do I really get to live HERE? Thanks to this list- we have a whole bunch of really cool places to visit this vacation week right near home and I finally got to try RED's soft serve for the first time......

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A family walk out to the Spring Point Lighthouse, South Portland, ME.

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The last day of Farm camp... a farm tour and catching some baby roosters!

celebrity sighting.

Today we headed over to farm camp early for Trevor's last day. I was getting the stroller out of the car for Breanna when I noticed another Mom with a 2 year old in a backpack fast asleep getting her son out of the car next to me. Her little boy was in farm camp this week with Trevor. As she walked away, I noticed she looked alot like Amanda Soule (who's blog I read daily!) Well I hope she didn't notice me staring, but I just had to make sure it was her before I said hello. I wondred if I should go up and introduce myself for fear of looking stupid. Then, I figured that I would regret it if I didn't. My heart was beating fast--a real celebrity (to me anyway) !! Anyway, I got the courage to go up to her and introduce myself and Trevor and tell her what a big fan I was of her blog and book. She was so nice and quietly humble about having, "fans". After I left (and had to go straight to work), I just kept thinking of all the things I wish I would have said to her like, "Thank You for inspiring me to be a better parent and to live a more peaceful, simple life everyday." I'm sure she would not read this little old blog, but if she ever did, Amanda, Thank you! (I still have goosebumps).

Thoughts.

i am: known as Cindy, Cin, Babe, Auntie, Mommy, Mom, Mama
i think: i can do anything with Josh by my side (it's true).
i know: raising my children will be my greatest accomplishment.
i want: to be able to eat whatever I want and still have a perfect body, for my kids to be happy all the time, F0r my kids to look back on their childhoods when they are grown and remember a Mom that loved them, For Breanna to be potty trained, for my whole family to be able to get together again sometime, to live long enough to see my kids grow up.
i have: everything I could ever want, a husband, lots of family time, 3 wonderful children and a family who loves me:)
i wish: that I could take away some of the negative effects Down syndrome has on my daughter (but not her personality.) That my kids would sleep at night.
i miss: my siblings ,my nieces and nephew and my parents ( I wish we could get together more!)
i hate: intolerance, rude people, clutter, laundry, emptying the dishwasher
i fear: something bad will happen to the people I love.
i feel: tired and pulled in a million different directions most of the time.
i hear: the rain, the Olympics on TV and Lucas yelling and Trevor calling
i smell: freshly cut grass
i crave: sleep, time to myself, peace and quiet and sweets....always
i search: for acceptance for the things I can not change
i wonder: about friends I have lost touch with, what life will be like when my kids grow up.
i regret: the way I have judged others at times when I wasn't walking in their shoes.
i love: suprises, organization, time with family & friends, eating things I have grown myself, sincerity, thoughtfulness, the feeling after I exercise, reading scrapbooking magazines, being inspired, watching my children grow, Taking pictures, blogging, scrapbooking, creativity, books and reading, seeing my kids learning something new, Trevor bringing me flowers, seeing my kids reach milestones, writing, scrapbooking supplies, adult conversation, hiking, camping, new blog comments, getting mailand e-mail, being outside, a nice hot cup of tea, fall, the smell of cinammon, great Mom days, baking, Christmas, lauging out loud, watching Josh be a Dad, cheesecake, being in the water on a hot summer day, the sound of the ocean, little kid hugs and kisses, hearing my family say I love you, campfires, sleeping in, traveling, a clean house, pedicures, being there for my my family....
i care: about my family, about the envionment
i always: try to be thoughtful
i am not: always happy
i believe: that with hard work, anything is possible.
i dance: with the kids to kids music at library story time
i sing: the little songs in my head after the song is over
i don’t: smoke or drink too much, always know the right way to say things, or write things.
i write: on my blog and in my journals and scrapbooks
i win: when the kids are well fed and happily snoozing away in their beds at the end of a day.
i lose: when I overreact or am dramatic
i never: stop thinking about how blessed I am
i listen: when asked
i can usually be found: at home or in the car--with at least one of my children (usually always Lucas)
i am scared: that my kids will grow up and not know how much I love them, of heights, someting bad happening to me or someone in my family
i need: a little exercise, sweets, an little me time every day and a little pampering every now and then.
i am happy about: the balance in my life right now.

Thanks for the inspiration Irene!!

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31 Days::14

"Hmmm, What are we doing here?" You may ask. Well, we are trying to grow a rooster from an egg (out of the fridge). "We just need to keep it at 99 degrees for 21 days." So, "We'll keep it in the sun and protect it with a crate." I wish I could just bottle that six-year-old determination....

The BEST whoopie pies EVER!!

Cakeys:
2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening (I used butter flavored Crisco)
Cream together until smooth then add…
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Sift together:
4 cups flour
1 cup baking cocoa
½ tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
Add to sugar mixture alternately with 1 cup of buttermilk
Batter will be stiff
Spoon by tablespoon onto greased cookie sheet (you can make the cakes as small or large as you want by how much batter you put on)
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes (I baked mine for 9 minutes)
Remove from cookie sheet and cool on rack

Filling:
1 cup ( 2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1 17 oz jar marshmallow fluff
2 tsp vanilla
Beat until creamy and frost cooled cakeys J

Enjoy!! Love….Mom

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I was able to leave work a little early tonight....Just in time to read with you and tuck you in....sweet!

Fall is in the air.

The nights are turning cooler now, we have to close the windows. I'm ready, fall is my favorite season of the year. I love summer, but fall is my favorite season to be outdoors (NO BUGS!) There is just something about picking apples and the smell of the cool dry air. There is just something about getting the house organized for another school year. I'll miss the kids, but I'm ready for this school year to begin. I'm ready to move on to the next thing. I love seeing Trevor's happy face when he gets off that bus ready to tell me about what he has learned or done that day. We are both a little nervous for first grade. Just the other day I told Trevor that school would be starting in a couple of weeks. He said, " But Mom, I don't know how to read yet!". Today, we got a letter from his new teacher Mrs. LY about his appointment on the first day. I will be nice when those jittery first days are behind us and we settle back into routine. Yesterday, I went shopping at a local second hand children's clothing store and walked out with 3 bags full for VERY little money. They had great skirts and tights for Breanna and I picked up a new snowsuit and Jacket for Lucas. Another fun summer is almost behind us--I can't believe it! We are on vacation next week, and I can't wait. WE really don't have any plans, just waking up and seeing where the day brings us. Those kind of vacations are the best kind.

Tropic Thunder" Action Alert


Disability organizations throughout the nation including the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society are coming together to protest the newly released film “Tropic Thunder” starring actor Ben Stiller due to the films offensive speech toward people with intellectual disabilities. Significant media attention is gaining momentum in the U.S. and around the world:

ABC:

NY Times


Your help and action is needed!

The Arc of Massachusetts is coordinating with The Arc of the United States to establish a presence around theatres where the film is being shown (see below for a partial list). The film, a comedy/action/adventure produced by DreamWorks and distributed by Paramount, features popular Hollywood actors Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black.



Stiller plays a fading action star who earlier failed in his bid for an Oscar as "Simple Jack," a man with an intellectual disability. "Simple Jack" is featured as a film-within-a-film, with Stiller sporting a classic institutional bowl haircut and bad teeth. A promotional poster for the film within-a-film bore the subtitle, "Once upon a time there was a retard." A promotional website for the Simple Jack movie (which has since been withdrawn) bore the slogan, "What he doesn't have in his head, he makes up for in his heart." A satirical plot synopsis quotes a critic as saying that the portrayal of Jack was "one of the most retarded performances in cinema history."



Self-advocates and other representatives of the disability community, were given an opportunity to preview the movie. They concluded that the film’s depiction of people with intellectual disabilities is derogatory and demeaning.





RALLY FOR RESPECT:

In collaboration with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of Massachusetts is calling for a National Rally for Respect, beginning today, Wednesday, August 13, 2008 and continuing through Sunday, August, 17, 2008, with the goal of mobilizing our grassroots network of advocates to be present in large numbers at movie theaters showing this film.



A series of resources has been put together by The Arc of the United States, including a Chapter Action Kit, Local Press Kit, R-Word Flyer, Q&A on the abuse of children with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Poster Samples.



For now, as The Arc of the U.S. suggests, you may wish to:

1. Protest the Showing of the Film: You may want to actively picket the theater with signs of protest, urging patrons not to attend the movie.



2. Leaflet Moviegoers with Education/Awareness Materials in front of Theaters: You may want to have self-advocates and family members present to meet and greet theater patrons and share information with them outside of the theater.



3. Distribute Education/Awareness Materials while Meeting Moviegoers inside Theaters: You may wish to approach the managers of local theaters and ask them to allow you to set up a table inside the theater lobby and then meet and greet theater patrons and share information with them.



In all three cases, providing movie patrons with the opportunity to see, meet and greet members of their own community that are self-advocates and family members is critical.

And to conquer that mud.....

Trevor got some new rain boots...

And Lucas wanted to try them on too..... (and by the way he's 17 months today and smiles purposefully for the camera now when he's not crying from his teething pain...)

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Another rainy (and MUDDY!) day at Farm camp...

One of the worst moments of my life came yesterday. Josh and I were out in the garage trying to clean up a little after the party so we could move in there. Lately we have been letting Breanna go out back for VERY short bursts by herself to play with the dog, when we are VERY nearby (usually supervising the other kids playing on big wheels in the driveway). It is just a HUGE job watching all the kids outside unless the little ones are confined. I had Lucas on my back in the backpack and Josh was in the garage with the doors open. I went inside to fill up the dog's water and came back out not even 3 minutes later. I went out back-Where's Breanna?!?! It seemed like an eternity passed int the next few minutes when we didn't know where our child was. I literally froze and it seemed like life was going in slow motion. We were all looking (even Trevor) for her, where was she?? Then Josh took the keys to the car and drove down the street a short way and just around the bend, there she was, walking on the side of the road. Thank god, but how bad parents are we!! It only took her literally less than 3 minutes to walk down the driveway and dissapear out of sight. How scary. Time to fence in the yard. I have heard other parents tell the tales of their child with DS getting lost (one in DC!) , but I never thought it would happen to us.

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excited about my second week of Farm camp!

Hello front.

First day riding forward-Lucas LOVES his new view!!

this weekend's harvest.

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Just helping my Dad....

Trevor's 6th Birthday party

This year Trevor had his first "real " kid party with all his friends. Most of his his best buddies from Kindergarten came. Max, Zach, Sarah, Joseph, Lucas, Evan, Nick, Aiden, Audrey, Russ, Will, Janelle, Veronica, and Sam all came to celebrate Trevor. Except for a small rainshower, the day went off withour a hitch. The kids all played really well together and had a blast with flag football, the pinata and finally the sprinklers. These kids are growing up way too fast! It is so nice to have such a nice group of kids (and parents) going to school with Trevor. What a lucky little boy! After the party, we had a nice evening gathering, dinner and a campfire with the Day family--what a day to remember! Enjoy the pics!!

Trevor's Favorites at six

Movie: Pokeman
Food: PB&J, fruit snacks
Activity: playing sports, riding bikes and his scooter
Animal: puppies and cats
Color: Red

TV show: Cyberchase
Thing to say: "Sweet!" "Actually....." " REDICULOUS!"

Season: Fall "Because it's football season"

Book: Pirates
Game: Battleship, Jenga, checkers
Song: anything by Matchbox 20
Place: Funtown/splastown, the beach,pirate and farm camp
Friend: Zach and Max
Shirt: Tie Dye
Toy: Webkins, my football
Superhero: Spiderman
Superpower: Weshooter

Letter: T Number: 2,460
Drink: soda "because I'm not allowed to have it"
Dessert: chocolate shake
Things on the playground: monkey bars

Shoes: crocs with the skull and crossbones, sketchers sneakers

Sport: Football, then baseball basketball, and swimming (in that order)

Height: 45 inches

Weight:46.6 lbs.

Bedtime 8:30 PM

size: 5-6 boys clothes, 12.5-13 shoes

just starting to read

still has all his baby teeth

almost a first grader!

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Having a BLAST with my friends at my 6th birthday party. What a day to remember.....

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Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were big things.

Robert Brault

The law of attraction.

little boy + puddle= fun!

The year of the eights.

This year on 1-1-08 Grandpa turned 88. On 8-8-08 Grandma turns 80! (and this just happens to be my 880th post on this blog- go figure!) Happy Birthday Grandma--WE love you!

Today.

It rained again! At least our lawn is looking pretty good. I hope God is saving up all the sunshine for our vacation in just over a week:) Trevor and I took a really fun trip to the Southworth planetarium for a matinee, we hit the library (again!) and managed a short bikeride (the shirts were adorable!).

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"help your brother's boat accross and your own will reach the shore."

lessons learned.

A couple days ago we had to let our support worker Anne go. Her inconsistency was just getting to be too much. If it wasn't one thing it would be something else, and I didn't sign up for this to have something else to constantly manage. This service is supposed to make my life easier and give our family the help we need. I feel bad, b/c when a support worker comes into our home, we feel like we take them in as a part of the family. It is hard to keep them separate esp. since Breanna is so important to us. So, lesson learned--when it comes to my kids, I can't always expect to make friends along the way of doing what is best for them. That is that.

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Well, it has rained at least some (if not ALL) of 15 out of the last 17 days. We've used up all of our rainy day activities like the library, bowling, play-doh, crafts and even PLAYING out in the rain, etc.... Today, movie and popcorn day:)

Just discovered this. so cool!







(click on the thumbnails too see larger.)

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Just passing the time during Breanna's PT session....

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Today, I kept myself busy with old and new games...

The party.

There is just something to be said about getting to spend a weekend with most of your family. Plus, when the adults actually out number the kids we could actually sit down for a moment (when Breanna wasn't trying to sneak up into the bedroom). I couldn't believe that we actually pulled off the surprise. It was so fun and so good to see everyone. Here are the memorable moments of the weekend:

• Having a cake and presents for Trevor
• Trevor and Veronica yelling. "MOTOR BOAT."
• the view and the lake (when it wasn't raining)
• the food (Barb REALLY knows how to throw a party!)
• Breanna playing with her special friends (Thanks Michelle and Jason!)
• Josh carrying Lucas in the backpack.
• The kids playing
• Seeing Grandma's face when she saw everyone she loved all in one room (esp. her sister and Diane)
• Mom's whoopie pies!
• Talking with Diane, Mark and Paul
• Josh and Kevin's balloon excursion (I hope Steve and Rene don't mind that we borrowed theirs!)
• Hearing Grandma and Aunt Joan's stories about growing up and their mother (who apparently was a really well dressed woman who could dance well).
• Carl Barbecuing in the thunderstorm with an umbrella
• the kids and their tattoo parlor
• Josh and Michael's pool game (I'm sure there will be a rematch)
• the kids playing pool
• Grandma's cake (with the apple pie on it!)
• Trevor snuggling with Jessie on the couch (and getting to stay up until 11PM and getting to drink SODA!)
• Carl's Margaritas
• Watching Mark S. try the different beers (I don't think he liked beer).

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SURPRISE!! Great-Grandma!

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Getting to spend my birthday with my aunts, uncles, cousins, great-aunts and uncles, great-great aunts and uncles, second cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents....pretty special!

Trevor's sixth year.


Enjoy!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

10K

Running YOUR 3rd annual beach to beacon 10K. We're so proud of you daddy!!

Six Years.


As I look at this picture, I suddenly see how much you have grown over the last year. I was just getting used to five, I REALLY was getting to like five...now you are SIX!! In the blink of my eye, a year has passed. You have just blown through the milestones over the last year. You have finished Kindergarten and passed with flying colors. You have a favorite song, a best friend---you are your own person! Just the other day when I dropped you off at camp, you seemed a little embarrassed to have me hugging you in front of your friends. Already? You say words like, "ridiculous", "actually" and "sweet"?!? And just about every problem can be solved with a little rock, paper and scissors. Pretty soon, you will start FIRST grade, your first tooth will come out. No matter how hard it is to watch the time go by so quickly, I have LOVED every minute of watching you grow and become your own person. You and I have a soul connection, and I'm so happy that I got to spend another year loving you. I'm so proud of you Trevor! Happy Birthday Guy (and thanks for making me a Mom)--I love you! Mommy

Some favorite recent pictures....

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31 Days of Trevor::1

All dressed up for the last day of PIRATE camp (and REALLY excited about my birthday tommorrow!)....