We've been enjoying summer as usual and it's holding quite true that the gifts you weren't expecting are that much better. Summer's been all about good times and good people and living in a place many are clamoring to get to.
As a former camp counselor (below in 1989), I have a bevy of tricks and structure in my life that aid in managing small people day in and day out in the summer without television.
One of those key elements that helps me out most days we are home is "rest hour". Sometimes the girls are in the house or outside, but always separated. And always for an hour.
My girls are also getting to experience camp life as I took the Big 3 to camp for our annual "Mother Daughter Weekend" in June. After witnessing friends and kids play guitar, sing songs, and experience activities requiring true creativity and resourcefulness, I can tell you camp made quite an impression on Izzy, Lucy, and Sadie.
I will also preface this story by telling you that the girls are getting much better to tuning into my conversations with other adults. They hear me on the phone talking about activities and fundraising for our local Down Syndrome Association of Northwest Michigan. We had our big Jr. Royale Parade entry during the National Cherry Festival this year where many of our members showed off their "designer genes" to the community. It's always a proud and welcoming experience.
Let's combine the aforementioned elements of the story: a guitar, some knowledge of fundraising, rest hour, resourcefulness, and a willingness to advocate for a special cause and you may find yourself smiling.
Life was fairly peaceful at rest hour one day at Camp Smith. So as the mom enjoying a moment, why not extend the time just slightly? Apparently Izzy felt the need to do a little more with her time. While I was in the house, she grabbed her toy guitar, a chair from the playhouse, and a can from the recycling and headed out the end of the driveway. She commences to sing with some passion to anyone willing to listen as you may be able to surmise from this video clip taken last summer:
A car drives up and sees her playing. The driver gives her a dollar for her can. She proudly explains that she's "raising for Down syndrome" and what important work our association does.
I was in the house at the time of this exchange, but Izzy races in to tell me all about it. After a brief discussion on making sure she notifies me about her efforts to interact with potential strangers, I had to ask, "What did you do with the dollar?"
"Well I gave it to Bernie!" as if I could not have already guessed. I never saw the dollar, but Bernie must have squirreled it away somewhere.
After our last post, many have asked "What's next?" for Bernie. She will head back to Ann Arbor in mid-September for another sedated echo. At that point, we will again consider putting another open heart surgery on the books or waiting a bit longer to deal with this stenosis. It will be then that we fly our new "Bernie Prayer Flags" hoping for further blessings of continued health and happiness. Thanks for the great find, Auntie Annie!
We've also been cleared on all food allergies! So that is very good news. Bernie also passed her yearly eye exam and still compensates well for any eye crossing that is typical in children with Down syndrome. She does not need any surgical intervention here or glasses at this time. Yeah!
On a more exciting note, the University of Michigan Health System commercial will begin airing on national television September 7. We received word that Bernie and I made the cut and will appear for about 3 seconds. We are proud to represent the U and if you see it, let me know where and when you saw the commercial on my Facebook page. Other still shots from the campaign may also be in print in Elle Decor, Parents Magazine, and/or Delta's in flight magazine in coming months. Please let me know if you see us in any of those places as well. Thanks! Here's a refresher on those images you may see in case you missed it on the initial care page post to know what the heck I am talking about.
And lastly, a quick movie of some of our summer smiles and antics. As you can see, it's much more fun than recovering from heart surgery! Thanks for all of your words of encouragement, continued support, and reminding us of all the great triumphs on the other side of our great trials. It hasn't all been easy, especially in that first year or so, but it sure has been worth it!!
