Date night with my favorite first grader ;)

I don't get many opportunities to take Justin out without any other siblings and wanted to spend some special one-on-one time with him before we bring Lina home.  We will be *hibernating* for a while after we bring her home to help her adjust and bond with us, so there won't be time for special outings and such.  Kaylin and I have had more opportunities for one-on-one time since she is at the age where she is enjoying to go shopping (cha-ching) and I recently took her out to get her ears pierced- super big moment! :)

So anyway, back to my little man!  Kaylin had an overnight trip with her Girl Scout troop, so this gave me the perfect opportunity to take Justin out without hearing the whole "That's not fair!" etc. etc. ;)  

First I let him choose whatever he wanted for dinner.  I was expecting to hear McDonald's or Burger King, but instead he excitedly shouts, "SPAGHETTI!!" Well that's easy enough!  Spaghetti it was.

After Mike got home from work, I surprised Justin by taking him out to the local amusements place.  I told him the day before that we would be doing something special but I didn't tell him what.  Well he was SUPER excited!  He had never been here before, either.

When we first walk in I noticed they were doing a fundraiser night for several organizations.  Instead of $7 or $8 per activity- it was all you can play for $10!! SWEET!! :)  Justin first headed to the inflatables.

And always looks away from the camera 2 seconds before I take the picture. ARGH! lol Oh well.  No chance for a re-take- someone came right behind him and he only went through both climbing ones just one time.  He bounced in the little bounce house inflatable a while but it was pitch black- no way I could get a pic. Ah well.

After a little while we headed to the bumper cars.  Weeeeeeeeee!!!  Just seeing the pure joy and excitement in his eyes was SO worth the $20 I paid for both of us (I figured I'd join him for a couple activities like golf and laser tag, so forked out the money for my own wrist band).

So cute.

Next stop, jungle gym.  

Yea, I know it's a crappy pic, but this surrounding area was quite crowded and that's the best I could get.

After the jungle gym we blew some money in the arcade games- lots of fun. :)  500 tickets later we printed our receipt and tucked it away until we were finished so we wouldn't have to carry his loot around.  Next stop- laser tag.

Or so we thought.  We waited a while in line but it wasn't budging.  The time was already 8:30 PM and the place closes at 9:00.  Justin opted for another activity- wise choice! :) Glo-Golf it was. 

We made it about halfway through when the announcements started coming on that they were closing soon.  At 8:52 we headed out to the prize booth to cash in his tickets.  Justin scored a blow-dart gun (the plastic suction cup variety of course), some slimy type toy, a light up plastic top, a sour patch kid, and a lollipop.  Totally worth the $10 in tokens, right? ;)

Justin was STOKED.  He has always been an easy-to-please kid.  While others (like certain sisters who shall remain nameless) may complain about only getting a couple pieces of candy, Justin is one of those who is ECSTATIC over those two pieces of candy.  Was he upset that he didn't get to play laser tag or finish our game of golf?  Not one little bit.  He savored the activities he did get to participate in.  He couldn't wait to tell Kaylin all about his awesome adventure when she got home the next morning.  But it was fun telling Daddy all about it when we walked in the door. 

And yes, when Justin woke up this morning- he kept asking when Kaylin would be home (they do always miss each other when they are separated no matter how much they bicker and fight sometimes <3 ) and the moment she stepped in the door he excitedly told her the whole story. :) 

Love you, sweet Justin!! xoxoxo

WDSD Follow up- CUTEST VIDEO EVER!!!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!! :))

March 21st is nationally known as World Down Syndrome Day, celebrated on this day in particular since those with Down syndrome carry three copies of the 21st chromosome, hence 3/21. :)  I got all technical and book smart last World Down Syndrome Day and blogged about all the technicalities of DS as well as how times have changed- you can find that post HERE.

I was hoping to have something profound to say today, but honestly I'm still coming down from the rush of our court trip in Lina's country- by the way, she is OURS!! :)) I have started blogging all the details of that adventure on our adoption blog.  I'll be writing more today after I finish this post. ;) So anywho... I'm just gonna write from my heart instead of trying to think too hard...

Down syndrome.... the first time those words were uttered shortly after Evan's birth I thought my world was crumbling down around me.  I had visions of old stereotypes going through my head, thinking life was over as I knew it.  Well you know what?  I was kind of right.... in a sense, my old life was over as I knew it.  Little did I know what a pure joy and complete blessing Evan would be to our family.

Little did I know I would be absolutely head over heels in love with this boy.... completely smitten.

 Little did I know I would be showing him off to the world every chance I could get.  Little did I know how many people would stop and comment how adorable and smart he is.

Little did I know he would be more like his siblings than he would be different.  He is funny, charming, ornery, mischievous, adorable, loving, and smart.  Just like them.

Little did I know I would savor this slower pace, that I get to hold on to my baby a little longer.

Little did I know his future is just as bright as his older brother and sister's.  College programs are opening up for people with disabilities and the doors are open wide to a world full of possibilities.

Little did I know that we would be so incredibly happy with life and happy with Evan that we would pursue expanding our family yet again, bringing another child into our home who wears designer genes.

We are SO incredibly blessed, and that extra little chromosome sure plays a big part in all our blessings.

I'm sporting my DS awareness shirt today:

Evan is wearing an equally appropriate shirt:

Yep, just like big brother for sure.  

He did wear his awesome designer genes shirt yesterday- I chose yesterday instead of today since we were going to storytime at the library, and I just can't resist bragging when I get the opportunity. ;)  Here's a pic of him wearing the shirt the day of our Buddy Walk this past October- I didn't get a pic of him wearing it yesterday. *Rockin' This Extra Chromosome* Oh yea, baby.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day, everyone!  Life is awesome and I couldn't be happier.  Go hug someone with DS today!!

Would you call my child a retard?

Homemade Model Magic Recipe

So I'm totally being lazy and linking you to another blog- one of my FB friends shared this link and raved about it, so I'm willing to share with y'all!! I definitely need to try this out.

http://www.southernasbiscuits.com/2011/11/homemade-model-magic.html

Also, if you are able, please consider helping the Bailey family raise money toward bringing sweet Carlton home.

He is scheduled to be transferred to an institution very soon and his family is in desperate need of funds.  Any amount big or small is greatly appreciated. <3 Thank you!!