B & N Event

Amy reading "We'll Paint the Octopus Red."

Eva

What is Joe doing?

Emma & Julia

Joe & Bennet

Joe and Bennet

We had a good time at the Barnes & Noble event this afternoon. Emma's friends Julia, Grace, and Kelsey came with their families. We also met some new people (including Eva in the picture). I read the book "We'll Paint the Octopus Red" and the kids colored octopus pictures and ate cupcakes and cookies. Overall, it was a fun afternoon.

Snowy Day

Emma & Joe were home from school again today. We made rice krispie treats, visited the public library, played hide-&-seek, and finally I agreed to go with them outside to play in the snow. It took us about 15 minutes to put on snow pants, boots, hats, mittens (it is so aggravating trying to get Joe's little thumbs into mittens!), coats and scarves. Joe was outside less than two minutes when he put his boot in the snow and said, "Oh no, no, no!" We asked him if he wanted to sled, he answered, "no, thank you!" And then, "bye, bye, mama, bye, bye, Emma," and he walked back inside, took off his boots, mittens, coat, hat (not snow pants), and marched downstairs to play with his cars in the warm, dry playroom. Emma tried out her sled in the backyard and built a snow girl. Hurray! Public school is back in session tomorrow.

Barnes & Noble Event

This Sunday, 2 PM at the East Lansing Barnes & Noble our family will be helping out with the first annual Down Syndrome awareness event. It is inspired by Melissa Riggio, the 18-year-old daughter of B & N's CEO Steve Riggio. She wrote an article for National Geographic Kids about living a full life with DS and she is also an accomplished musician. At the event we will read the book, We'll Paint the Octopus Red, and do a craft. USA Today published an article this week about Melissa. Click HERE to read the article.

Speedy, Spotty, & Ariel

Emma had a great day yesterday. In the morning we purchased a fish bowl and 3 gold fish. The newest members of our family are named Speedy Lucky DeRogatis-Frilingos, Spotty Lucky DeRogatis-Frilingos, and Ariel Lucky DeRogatis-Frilingos. We were very happy to find that all three fish were with us this morning. In the afternoon Emma and her pal Annie went to the kid's theatre production "Sleeping Beauty and the 12 Dancing Princesses." Above is a photo of Emma with fish and Emma waiting for Annie to arrive at our house.

Fun with Photos

Cool Slideshows

Prince Joseph Attends a Princess Party!

No Time to Read

This month it is my turn to choose the book for the "No Time to Read" bookclub. My choice is Mark Slazman's, Lying Awake. Click here to order from Amazon and read the reviews.

Daddy & Daughter Valentine's Day Dance

Emma & Chris went to the daddy-daughter dance tonight. Emma bought Chris 4 truffles to celebrate the special night. I am happy to report that the double heart tattoo that she hoped to wear this evening didn't work when we tried to rub it on her cheek. As I type they are dancing the night away at the Hannah Community Center.

Lucy is Learning

Beverly Beckham writes about her 3-year-old granddaughter and the persistent misinformation given to parents about children with DS. The article "Lucy is Learning. But Are the Doctors?" was recently published in the Boston Globe. Click here to read the article. The article promotes the book Gifts, recently republished by Woodbine Press. Many of my blog friends (see links on right) have contributed essays in this book.