Happy Holidays!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

29 years old again!

Missing Home

This is going to be a tough Holiday season for me. Peter just emailed me a bunch of photos of the old homestead! I am so glad that the lights are shinning brightly. Look at the snow! I hope that Peter, Katheryn and the kids can spend a lot of time in front of the fireplace and little time shoveling the snow. I know that Mom and Dad would have loved to have seen the house so well lit on dark, snowy lights.
Check out the rainbow sticker I put in my bedroom window (second floor, left-hand window) in elementary school in the 1970s! It's still there.

Is there a Doctor in the House?

Joe was alone in the playroom being very quiet (usually a bad sign). When we looked around the corner to check on him we saw him administering a number of shots to his cookie jar. When he was done, he moved on to his next patient, Teddy. I wonder if he is checking Teddy's heart and mentioning that according to the heart association kids and bears who have had open-heart surgery no longer need to take antibiotics before visiting the dentist. The news arrived just in time for our semi-annual dental visit next week.

MSU Children's Preparatory Choir

Some prep. choir members with director Ms. Mills (seated in center) and MSU Children's Choir director Mrs. Stollack.

Emma with her sitters Liz & Krista

Emma had her first concert this afternoon. The prep. choir sang 3 songs: "We'll Dress the House;" "O Chanukah;" and "On Christmas Night. The CMS Singers and the MSU Children's Choir also performed. All the kids sang well. Emma really enjoyed singing in front of a big crowd. Parents are not allowed to take photos during the performance so I shot a couple before and after the show.

Joy to the World!

Teddy Bear Tea

More sugar, please.

"I would like a kitten. So would Joe."

Emma & Molly...stunned by so much Holiday cheer

Stop crowding me, Mom!

On Sunday Emma and I brought Stacy & Molly to the annual Teddy Bear Tea to benefit the MSU Children's choir. This year it was at the Lansing Country Club (a first time for me!). There were treats, crafts, a meet-and-greet with Santa, and entertainment by the MSU Children's choir. Emma is looking forward to performing at her concert this Saturday afternoon.

Life with Anthony

Here's a recent article from Parenting magazine that examines the realities of the first 18 months raising a child with an extra chromosome. It reminded me of our first year with Joe. Click here to read it.

Still Working on the Holiday Photo.....

The Cousins Frilingos

Liam is 2 months old today! Here he is with big brother Evan (2 1/2 yrs). Look at the photo posted below of our 2 home-wreckers. There is definitely a family resemblance!

Punks with Poinsettias

Holiday DVD

“The Child King”, a holiday feature motion picture starring Peter Johnson, a teenage actor born with Down syndrome, has been released on DVD. The movie will be sold exclusively via the Internet at http:// www.thechildking.com

“The Child King” tells the story of Jeremy West (Johnson) who takes his skeptical younger brother, Jarret, on a journey to the North Pole to prove that Santa Claus is real. The film has been lauded as “inspirational” by Special Olympics International, “heartwarming” by Best Buddies International and “a new holiday classic” by the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles.

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I have noticed that a few of my blog friends are ordering this DVD for the holidays. It looks like a winner. I have just placed my order and I can't wait to watch this with the kids.

Making Lasagne for Dinner

Happy Thanksgiving!

First Snow!

We woke up this morning and saw our first snow of the season! What a fun way to begin Thanksgiving. I bundled the kids in coats, mittens, hats, snowpants, sweaters, turtlenecks, thick socks, boots, & coats (whew) and took them to Mickey Mouse hill for sledding while Chris prepared the turkey. Joe has grown out of his small blue sled and is now riding with Emma on the big sled, going down the big part of the hill. After climbing up the hill a dozen times, Emma & Joe were ready to kick back and watch the Macy's parade.

Yoga Joe

How Do Dinosaurs Read their Books?

Joe is really into dinosaurs right now and he can't get enough of the "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" books. Right now he is devoted to "How Do Dinosaurs eat their Food?" Emma is really into reading, especially to her brother. It's a perfect match!

Look Over Jordan, What Do You See?

The Detroit Free Press ran a story by Mitch Albom (author of Sundays with Morrie) about Jordan Kidder, son of Cynthia Kidder who is the founder of Band of Angels. Click HERE to read the story.

Joe Got Caught!

Joe got caught reading! Head over to Where There's a Will blog to see Joe and everyone else who has been caught reading.

Saturday Night Dinner