CHUM Open House

It's a miracle! Joe is enjoying crafts. His OT would be proud.

Are these two related?

On Saturday we went to the annual Open House at C.H.U.M. Emma & Joe had fun riding horses and playing with all of the the other kids and various animals around the barn. Joe surprised me by volunteering to join in at the crafts table. That is a big change for him. Usually he refuses to participate in arts and crafts.

East Lansing Fire Station

Joe's class went on a field trip to the East Lansing Fire station. We walked from Red Cedar and listened to the captain talk about fire safety and demonstrate what a fire fighter looks like in full gear. After that we went outside for a brief tour of the fire truck and all of the equipment. We are all in safe hands with Joe holding the hose!

Never a Dull Moment

This week Emma began her safety patrol training at Marble School. She and Colleen are teamed up at the kindergarten crosswalk with Mrs. Ferguson. She is being trained by a fourth grader named Fritz. Emma is stationed at 8:25 AM and 3:30 PM. This will be her spot for fourth grade.

Joe is in the Lansing State Journal today! Click HERE to read the article and see the photos in the Lansing State Journal.

AND STILL MORE:
A photo of Joe riding Splash is on the East Lansing Public School page. Click through three photos to find Joe. Click HERE to see "Joe D."

Horse Performance

Once a month Joe's class goes to C.H.U.M. hippotherapy in Mason to ride horses with Bonnie. Joe has been riding with Bonnie since he was 13 months old (5 years). Emma started riding last summer. I was delighted when I learned that Joe would also ride with his class this year. To celebrate their achievements this year, Bonnie brought some of the horses to Red Cedar School and the whole school watched the Horse Performance this morning. It was so fun to see Joe riding with his classmates and to hear his school cheer for them. Joe is the smallest rider (and youngest in his class) wearing the oversized tee-shirt and brown pants. To read more about C.H.U.M. click the link on the right "Joe's Hippotherapy."

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Amy & Heather

Are these two related?

Ben's Graduation

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Special Olympics, East Lansing

Joe participated in Special Olympics today with his class. He was entered in two events, both involved throwing objects (bean bag toss & ball toss). The fourth grade students came to the MSU track to cheer on Joe's class. It was a very windy day but all of the kids did great.

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Farewell Concert

Tomorrow night Emma will perform in a Farewell Concert for her choir director Mary Alice Stollak. There has been a lot of publicity for this concert at the Wharton Center. Click HERE to listen to the local NPR program that will air tomorrow morning (WKAR--East Lansing)

Field Trip

Our docents and guides

Emma in the crowd

Looking for pioneer families

This morning I joined Emma's field trip to discover historical East Lansing. We piled on a bus with our 2 docents to learn about the Indian portage path, the early pioneer families, and the early history of MSU. Along the way we visited a few spots (including the old cemetery)where I have never been.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am remembering my Mom today as I celebrate with my family.

6-year-old Joe

Chris & Joe

Hippotherapy

Joe rides Daisy

Emma rides Missy

We usually spend Mother's Day week at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT. Life was too busy this year and we are all feeling blue to be missing the trip. This video, taken in a Belgium train station, brought a smile to my face. Next year in Stowe!

Choir concert

Emma

Kirsten and Emma

The MSU Prep Choir

Emma & Daniel

Emma had her spring concert last night at the MSU Community Music School. Her friend Daniel attended to hear her sing. After the concert we went out for ice cream. Next week she will sing in the farewell concert for her director, Mary Alice Stollock at the Wharton Center.

Stacy's Pics

Joe & Molly

The gang at Homecoming 2008

Aunt Beth's picks

The cousins Frilingos

Here are Aunt Beth's picks for best Joe photo. The picture with Blue came up on my computer sort of blurry so it is not included. Any others out there?

Times Square Buddy Walk Photo Contest

It's that time of year! Grab your best photos and submit them to the Times Square Video Contest.

This year I am asking friends and family for help. I have submitted photos of Joe & Emma for the past two years and they haven't been picked. If you have a photo of Joe taken over the past year that you think is a winner - please send it to me. The deadline isn't until July so there is still time to take the photo (I'm looking at you Uncle Pete and Cousin David). Graduations are perfect photo opportunities.

Enter your photo in the Times Square Video Contest

Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Buddy Walk® by entering the Times Square Video Contest. The video, which showcases individuals with Down syndrome from all over the world, will air on a jumbo screen in the heart of Times Square on September 26, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. The New York City Buddy Walk will immediately follow the video presentation at the Great Hill in Central Park.

For more information or to submit a photo, click here; the deadline is July 15, 2009.

If you would like to see the 2008 video click HERE

Local Couple Celebrates First Anniversary

Great story about a local Jackson couple. Click HERE.