Braska Bear

Braska reporting: Last week on Friday, Mommy and I took a trip with Coach Katie.  She went with us to talk to a bunch of 6th graders in another town a little far way from here about Down syndrome.  Mommy talked to 6 classes of them… she said the same thing every time and they watched a video.  Coach Katie talked, too. She told a little about my cheer squad that I was on last year.  After we talked, we went and had some lunch with the teachers. One of them is Mommy’s friend from a long time ago.  Me and Katie took some silly pictures, too.  Well, mostly I was silly… It was fun day.  This is our second year to go down there and talk to the kids. And we’ll probably go next year, too.

Flashback from Nov 2011… fun times.

Mommy reporting: Today we had an appointment with a PT who specializes in pelvic floor issues.  Typically that’s for older women who have bladder issues. But I took my almost-7-year-old to see her. Maybe I should back up a bit…  I’ll try to summarize as simply as possible. Braska is very verbal. We thought that since she could tell us “I need to go potty,” when she was 2 we would be knocking this potty training thing out with no problem. And it has not gone that way. At all. Braska will be 7 next month and, though she has success on the toilet sometimes, is no where near consistent.  We’ve tried scheduling, and every possible “sure-fire method” including those deemed as especially for kids with DS. I’ve been convinced for a while that something wasn’t clicking, either with the right sensory messages getting to her brain or something medical.  But then she’d do ok for a day or so, and I’d think we were past it. But as we approach her birthday and still s...

It’s great to have friends with fancy cars.

Braska reporting: Today I went to my old school, where Kinlee goes, and I got to visit my friends. I love going there!  On days when I don't have school at my school, I get to go have lunch and go to recess with my friends over there. My friend J is my favorite. He is always glad to see me.

Braska reporting : Last night my school had a fall festival.  I asked a lot if we could go. So finally it was time to go.  I looked for my friend Jacob. I didn’t see him, but I saw some other people, like one of my teachers, Mr. H.  We went to the book fair and Kinlee got a couple of books. We played a bowling game and got some candy. I gave mine to Daddy because I don’t like candy. And I saw Jack and Dashlyn . We rode the hayride together. Then it was time to go. I had a pretty good time!

Mommy reporting : Some of our good friends are moving tomorrow. Their girls and ours are just the best of buds…  they are like 4 peas in a very cute and sometimes dramatic pod, though each has their own beautiful little traits. I’m sad they’re leaving for a variety of reasons, though we are also so excited for them and this new ministry that God has clearly directed them toward.  It’s always hard to lose people that we like, of course. But I’ve found that when we connect with people who have the same values about parenting, see the importance of teaching things from an eternal perspective and not just the “easy way out” option, and who fully accept the fact that our family is a little different with the nuances that Braska brings to the mix and yet never blink at including her and us completely with open arms, it’s harder still. Braska is included in the fun with no hesitation. These silly girls (and the boys who are also around sometimes from other families in our life gr...

My class is going on a field trip today. And we get to ride the big bus from the high school!!  I love riding a bus so much! This is me and two of my friends. Both their names begin with A. I say they are awesome!

Today was my big fun birthday party!  I’m not quite 6 yet, but I will be on Wednesday. Auntie Cheryl decorated my cupcakes and they were SO cute! I had friends there from lot of different groups and places…  35 kids!  (A couple were missing from the picture…) Plus lots of parents and some teachers and grown-up friends. It was really nice that so many people came out for my party today.  Thanks, everyone!!!

We got to see Grandma C on her birthday this year! She usually goes to have a birthday visit with Miss Karen, but this time she stayed home.  So we went to have dinner with her and then we went around her neighborhood to a few places with nice people. Wanna peek at last year and the one before?? See if anything looks familiar? Here’s when KiKi was 1 1/2 and I was almost 4. (2010) And here’s when KiKi was 2 1/2 and I was almost 5. (2011) And here’s this year, KiKi’s 3 1/2 and I’m gonna be 6 in a few weeks!! I’ve worn the same bumblebee for 3 years!  The same one, not a bigger one.  And KiKi wanted a ladybug again, but she couldn’t fit in the one from before, so we found another one just like it only a little bit bigger.  Next year, we’re going to try something new… Hope you had a great day!

Almost every day I ask Mommy, “Can we go to Ella’s house?”  Usually she says, “Not today.”  But today was Tuesday, so we got to go!  We go play with our friends while the adults learn Bible stuff.  Next month everyone’s going to come to our house each week.  Now THAT will be fun! Tonight me and KiKi and Ella took some pictures outside.  We’re all pretty much the same size.  KiKi and Ella are 3, and I’m going to be 6 in a few weeks. KiKi was trying to get pictures later with Cody and Landon, but they kept going away from her.

First we started with some pictures in the backyard with the leaves. We didn’t want to take real pictures, so Mommy just got some of us being silly. But we’re still cute, I say. KiKi just kept wanting to pose. We did stand together. For just a second. But then we wanted to just throw leaves in the air. Then we went to the store and got a few last things we needed for the big picnic. It was the picnic for all my friends here who are “extra” cool like me.  KiKi tried to do monkey bars but Maddie had to help her.  She’s nice like that. We had to leave the picnic early to go to see Coach Sara and Coach Steve at their game.  They teach us to cheer so we wanted to see THEM cheer at the football game!  Go LU! KiKi sat with Coach Shannon, Coach Sara’s mommy.  I sat with Daddy. The cheerleaders did a little show at halftime. Coach Sara’s up in the air. Here’s a close shot of her. Then Coach Sara and Coach St...

First Daddy went to popcorn church early to help set things up. Then he came home and we all went back to popcorn church. (Have I ever told you why we call it that??) Then we came home for lunch and changed clothes to play clothes. Then Mommy went to meetings at work and Daddy took us to Jon’s birthday party at the new playground. It was a little chilly and we got rained on.  Miss Jenny was there and she took this picture of us trying to get warm. Then we came home and Mommy came home and we changed into cheer clothes super fast and got back in the car. Miss Linda came over and hopped in with us to go to cheer. She wanted to see how we practice. KiKi’s working on doing one-leg stunting. And I went all the way up tonight and didn’t get worried at all.  Then we went to dinner with Miss Linda. Then we came home and got ready for bed right away. Now we sleep. Phew!  That’s a lot in one day!

Here we are after it was over.