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

T21 Holiday Gifts

Looking for that perfect T21 gift? Thanks to Jess at Raising Joey for locating these sites. Click on the following links to purchase tee-shirts with these excellent statements:

Am I Rocking My Extra Chromosome or What?
What's an Extra Chromosome Among Friends?
My Kid Has More Chromosomes than Yours!
T21: A Designer Gene Original
Friends Don't Count Chromosomes
Chromosomally-enhanced
Looking Cute in My Designer Genes

H.D.S.: The Next Generation?

Emma doesn't have any interest in attending Harvard Divinity School like her Mom, but she has a great interest in dressing as twins!

Trick-or-Treat

Trick-or-Treating at our neighbor's home

The 2 Pippis!

The Marble School Parade. The teachers & staff dressed up as characters from the Wizard of Oz. Principal Preston was a flying monkey!

Carving the Pumpkin

Emma named our pumpkin Alexandra.

Front Page of the Lansing State Journal!

Emma made the front page of the Lansing State Journal this morning. This photo was taken last night at the annual East Lansing Pumpkin Walk. Our friends Daniel (as lego man) and Molly (puppy) also were in the paper.

Annual Pumpkin Walk

Joe the Spider, Emma as Pippi, and Mr. Neilson, Pippi's monkey

Molly & Joe

Lauren, Grace & Emma

Grace, Lauren, Daniel, & Emma

Pumpkin Patch

I went with Joe's class to a pumpkin farm this morning. It was the first chilly day in Michigan this fall. Joe spent most of his time with his pal Audrey. They sat next to each other on the hay ride, they chased the farm animals, and they picked out their pumpkins together. Later today Joe will have his swim class and then we will all go to downtown East Lansing for the annual Pumpkin Walk!

Mom's Memorial Service

We went to Boston this weekend for Mom's memorial service. It was a beautiful service, and a gorgeous weekend. We spent the weekend with family and friends celebrating Mom's long life. Here are some photos that Kamila and I took over the past couple of days. Emma & Joe LOVED spending time with all of their cousins in Boston. And... the Sox won. Mom would have enjoyed the weekend.

Halloween is Coming!

This year Emma will be Pippi Longstocking and Joe will be a spider.

At the Playground

Visit with Maria, Norm, Natalie, & Anna

I went to the American Studies Association conference in Philly this past week. Besides the conference, I walked around to local religious sites, took a train to Baltimore to have dinner with Chris and Anna and then back to a suburb of Philly the next day to hang out with Maria and her family. Below our photos of the Dahl family in their fabulous new home!

Joe & Nate

Joe has begun swimming lessons with the MSU Sports Skills program. He is paired with Nate who is a kinesiology major. Every Thursday afternoon they swim together for about 1 hour. There are 25 people ranging from the ages 4 yrs (Joe!) - 59 years coupled with MSU students. This Thursday was the third class and Joe began to swim without a life jacket! He absolutely adores Nate.

Welcome Liam Daniel!

Emma & Joe's newest cousin born today.

Prince Vince Meets the World

Prince Vince's mom is celebrating Down Syndrome awareness month with a groovy boot give-away. Click HERE to sign up.