31 for 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Well our county was a little ahead of schedule this year and we already walked last Saturday.  Our team raised $1,941.00 for St. Clair County Down Syndrome Group.

Jonathon started back to school in September.  He is continuing with his ECDD class and then he is mainstreamed the second half of the day in young 5's.

As we were walking through school last Thursday, I walked behind and watched.  I was/am so proud to be his mom.  I swear EVERYONE knows my son.  All you hear down the hall is "Hi Jonathon", "Hey Jonathon"  and some of the kids will say to me "Are you Jonathon's mom?"  " He is my friend".  My son knows alot of people.  From teachers to class room aides, to kitchen help, to principal and lots of kids.

I hope and pray that this never changes.  I hope that Jonathon is always treated equal.  I hope Jonathon is never bullied.

I am going to leave you with one known fact. Down Syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additonal genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down Syndrome.http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/Down-Syndrome-Facts/

Buddy Walk 2012

Today was our day for our annual Buddy Walk located in Port Huron Michigan!

It was a beautiful day outside.  The temps started out in the high 40's and by the time we were done it was 65 degrees outside.  We had a great turn out today.  We changed it up a little and had our walk in the morning instead of afternoon.  We served coffee, hot chocolate, water and donuts, instead of pizza.  This was a very positive change.  I think everyone involved enjoyed the donuts from Tim Hortons and Donut Girls.  We had water and ice donated from Sams Club.

We also held a raffle after the walk.  We were not able to get any big ticket items this year.  We did have a variety of smaller prizes which I think the crowd was pleased.

Team Fishy Cracker did not win Grand Marshall this year.  We were beat out by Team Ranger.  Congrats to Team Ranger!!!  They did a great job.  It was very close though.  Team Fishy Cracker raised $1,941.00 and Team Ranger raised $2,000.00.  A $59.00 difference.  Amazing!!  There were many other teams and donations.  I will not know the total count until our meeting in October.  Very excited to hear how much money we raised all together for St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group.

Team Fishy Cracker had a special gift for the Grand Marshall this year.  So we were actually kind of relieved that we did not win.  We wanted to show the board members of our group that its for the children and we feel that the Team that wins Grand Marshall should get some sort of prize.  We have been trying to get the board to listen since we joined.  Why?  Because we feel the child of the team that wins should get something.  Because its for the children.  When we won Grand Marshall in 2009 Jonathon received a medal to wear around his neck and some balloons.  In 2010 when we won Grand Marshall Jonathon received some balloons.  Team Fishy Cracker wanted something more.  And not because we won 2 years in a row, but because we felt Grand Marshall should have more.

So....with the help of my good friend Nik we came up with a gift for the Grand Marshall.  MC'S Garage (her husband) donated a $50.00 gift card from Toys R Us.  And I made a certificate stating Grand Marshall.  I just remembered that I did not take any pictures of this.  I wish I would have.  Anyway when Team Ranger received their gift they were very happy.  And thats all that matters.  Ranger(Tracy Hopp's son) aka Team Ranger will be able to hang his certificate on his wall and he will get a very special trip to the toy store!  So for that reason we are glad we did not win this year.

But....we will be taking back our title next year!!!!!!  "Go Team Fishy Cracker"

I am very proud of my team and our friends and family for raising $1,941.00 for my son and all of his friends in St. Clair County.  We couldn't have done it with out you.  We appreciate you more than you'll ever know!  Thank you as always for being a part of Jonathon's world.

Thank you to Donut Girls!  They donated over 600 donut holes today for our walk.  We received so many compliments on how good the donuts were.  And when I asked them to help us out, they did not even hesitate.  Thank you so much.

Here are some photos from our great day!!!!!

our team

Jonathon and his brothers

Buddy Walk 2012

Tomorrow is our day!

Jonathon is sound asleep, resting for the big day.

Our team did very well this year collecting donations.

As always we are very very proud to have all of our family, friends, and team help us.

I still have to get the Grand Marshall gift finished.

All shirts are sorted and ready

We are waiting for our special team shirts to get done.  Ran into a little snag today, but i was assured they would be on our doorstep at  7a.m. tomorrow morning.  Which I'm glad we did just a few to start with instead of the whole team.  This way we are able to fix the bugs and then make them perfect for next time.  Very excited to see finished product in the a.m.

So.....until next time!

Jonathon sold these pumpkins for our Buddy Walk.
He raised $236.00
Go "Team Fishy Cracker"

Wordless Wednesday

Cool Contest

going on over at Saving Star and Cafe Mom.  Go check it out!

http://savingstar.com/blog/2012/09/win-6-months-of-groceries-from-savingstar-and-cafemom/

Have a great day friends!

Trying on the Zombie look!

So we went to a party today!

http://www.childrensdmc.org/openingcelebration

Jonathon enjoyed it for the most part, except for the fact that Radio Disney was on the premises and they were very loud.  I was very happy that I brought his school back pack, because his headphones were in there for him.

The new hospital is very very nice.  Therapy rooms are huge, lots of lighting and the colors were wonderful.  The children that will go there will be very happy.

Jonathon will not be going to this hospital for p.t, ot. or speech.  He gets his services right at our school.  We went for moral support.  The hospital that we visit on a regular basis is across the road.

Last year we went to a party and met Jake and Ellie.  A lady came up to us today and said that she remembered us from last year and thanked us for coming out again.  She also remembered that we don't live close.  That was very nice to be remembered.  Her saying that made all of us pretty happy.

Inside the hospital we went on a tour.  This tour did not go well at all, and I am still not sure why.  Jonathon freaked out and did not want to go into the first therapy room that we tried to visit.  I don't know what scared him.  I think he thought he was going to have to stay.  I tried to keep telling him that it was ok and we were just visiting, but my husband ending up picking him up and carrying him for safety.  When we visited the second part of the therapy room he did a little better, but when we went back out into the hall he once again froze.  He was really scared.

Jonathon had a dental procedure done less than a month ago at his hospital across the street, but this is a brand new hospital.  Brand new opening.  Why did he not like this hospital.....

We may never know.

So we went back outside.  He got a spider painted on his hand.  Amazing!  Last year he would not let anyone paint him.  Another milestone for Jonathon.  I was very very proud of him for letting the lady paint on his hand.  He received a free bicycle helmet, and a basketball player signed it.  Embarrassing, but I don't follow basketball and I'm not really sure who he was. (Sorry).  But it was still nice.  We did a contest with Radio Disney and some other children and parents.  We lost, but Jonathon received a prize.  He got alot of Jake and the Never Land Pirates gifts.

Overall a fun hour out of our day!

Getting some prizes

New ambulance, but Jonathon wouldn't go inside.

Checking out the therapy room

Getting hand painted

hand painted

playing a game

spider painted on

at home trying on his new helmet

School has started

Tuesday Sept 4, 2012 was our first day back to school.  Andrew is a Senior this year.  Kenny is a Sophomore and Jonathon entered the public school system as a student in Young 5's.

We have 3 very large Kindergarten rooms this year so I decided not to put Jonathon in Kindergarten.  Young 5's is a brand new program at Memphis this year and this is the program I decided to enroll him in after a lot of thought.

Jonathon will continue to see his ECDD teacher Mrs. Rhodes from 7:55a.m. - 10:30a.m.  Then he will go down and join the other students in Young 5's.  He is in Young 5's from 10:30a.m. - 2:40p.m.

During this time he will have recess, lunch, science, rest time, specials(music, library, computers and gym) along with another recess in the afternoon.  While this is a big adjustment for Jonathon he is doing okay so far.  I actually think it's harder on me than him.  Jonathon loves to go to school and I am very happy that he is.

Tuesday I sat with my good friend Nik and we just chatted all day.  All day until pick up time.  It was a great way to spend the first day.  Her daughter Rylee started Kindergarten.

Wednesday I sat around and tried to do paperwork and catch up.  But I just kept thinking about Jonathon and then I would tear up.  I did not like Wednesday.

Thursday - today was a little better.  I kept myself busy with paperwork about our upcoming Buddy Walk. (ST. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group)  I can't wait for this event to take place.  I had a little bit of anxiety off and on, but I survived.  And Jonathon had a great day.

So we will take one day at a time and see how it goes.  I am hoping for a very good year.