Vernon was so sweet today. On his way to get Sophie he had the idea to start a tradition to get her flowers on the 2nd day of school. Why the 2nd day? Well, everything is new and fun and scary on the first day, but then the second day....nothing. So, he picked them up and gave them to her when she came out to the car. Isn't he thoughtful?
I think they look like the trees from the Lorax!
Sophie's Teacher sent home this poem today. Made me tear up:
Whose Child Is This?
Author Unknown
'Whose child is this? ' I asked one day
Seeing a little one out at play
'Mine', said the parent with a tender smile
'Mine to keep a little while
To bathe her hands and comb her hair
To tell her what she is to wear
To prepare her that she may always be good
And each day do the things she should'
'Whose child is this? ' I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in
'Mine', said the teacher with the same tender smile
'Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach her how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct her dear little mind
To help her live by every rule
And get the best she can from school'
'Whose child is this? ' I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door
'Ours' said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child
'Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever.'
This is the beginning of a wonderful year together.
These are the business cards that I have printed up to give to people as a way to say what I want to say passively, by just handing them this card. Here is what the back says:
This is Vollen. He is loving, funny, intelligent, sweet, cuddly and……. he has Down syndrome.
When you use the words ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’ as synonyms for stupid or idiot, you are saying that all people with intellectual disabilities are stupid, and that’s definitely not true. Regardless if you meant it that way or not, using those terms doesn’t just hurt people with intellectual disabilities, but it is also heartbreaking to us, as their family and friends. Next time you have the urge to use those words, look at his beautiful face and hopefully it will make you think twice. Thank you
So, I had to share this awesome news. My incredible babysitter (who absolutely adores anyone with special needs) goes to Westside High School. This past weekend when she sat for us, I gave her a box of these cards to hand out ...to people at her school either who she overheard using the 'r' word or just to get awareness out. She texted me this today: everybody found out about the business cards and people I don't even know have been asking for some!!! People have even posted on twitter and Facebook about them. They all are saying how cute he is and how lucky I am that I'm his babysitter : )
Isn't that so awesome that awareness is being spread in her high school? I could not be more proud! When she wrote me that, all I could think about was that if one or two people did that in each high school here and other places how much better our future generations would be and how accepted people with Down syndrome and special needs would be....AWESOME!!!
Sophie L.O.V.E.D. school. Just loved it. She was beaming every time she talked about it. She was miss chatter box from the second she jumped in the car until she went to bed tonight. She had nothing but great things to say about her teacher and the kids in the class and everything they did. She can not wait to go back tomorrow!
Our friend Melanie snapped this pict of daddy and his little girl when he picked her up from school. I was at home with the boys who were supposed to be napping, but weren't. : (
Daddy took his little girl out for tea to celebrate her first day!
She loved that too!
I showed her the video I made of her first day of school and as we were watching it together, I of course started crying (again) and the sweetest thing ever...she started tearing up. I have never seen this authentic emotion before. She was trying to hide it and wipe away her tears real quick. She really, really liked the video. A little later she was telling me about an idea she had. They had taken a picture of the entire grade today and she wanted to know if we could put that picture of all her classmates from her class and the other Kindergarten class in the video too. As she was telling me this, she was tearing up again. It was a very emotional day around here. We could not be more excited for her and it warms our heart to know that she is so ecstatic about school. Before she went up to bed out of the blue she thanked me for making the video, taking the pictures, and putting the note in her lunch box. How sweet is she? Ugh, I love her so much!!!!
She started school this morning,
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the Kindergarten hall.
And as she took her place
Beside the others in class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first five years can pass.
Remembering, I saw her
As she first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When she began to talk.
This little girl so much absorbed
In learning how to write.
It seems as though she must have grown
To girlhood overnight.
Oh how I longed to stay with her
And keep her by the hand
To lead her through the places
That she couldn't understand.
And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
A baby by my side.
But she must have her chance to live,
To work her problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.
And I must share my little girl
With friends and work and play;
She’s not a baby anymore ~
She’s in Kindergarten today.
What my mom wrote: We are grandparents again No. 7.....we have a new granddaughter-Camryn Grace Lindeman. Born at 12:37 this afternoon. 7 lbs. 2 oz. 20 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great. Her due date was Sept. 12th but she decided it was time to come today.
Derrick called this morning about 8 and said that Abby woke up with a few contractions. I went over about 8:30 to watch the three girls. They went to the hospital and Derrick called about 10:30 and said they broke her water. He called again at 12:20 and she was dilated to 10 and could push. She was here at 12:37. Fast. When Russ got the camera out-she just opened her eyes and was ready for her first pictures.
Ronan had to stay in the lobby. He is still not feeling well and we didn't want new baby to get it.
