My 100th post!!!

Latest TAisms and EQisms:

TA: Mom, I want a pet snail. (huh??? is that possible?)

TA: Was I sleeping fast? (we tell him he is fast asleep at night)

EQ: No! I do it myself!

EQ: I not yittle! I big!

They are both at different Camps - TA is at Camp Granny and EQ is at Camp Grandma Trish. I met Mom in Cary, NC for a quick visit. We found an amazing park called Kids Together. It was amazing and the kids loved it. There is a preschool area, a sensory area, a large structure that is wheelchair accessible, sand pits, swings and a tire swing and a big dragon!!!

Today TA went to the beach, jumped on a trampoline, baked cookies and ate chicken nuggets. EQ played in the garden, helped with laundry and doing dishes, and fell asleep at 8:30 tonight!!! She never goes to sleep that early!!!

We had a nice evening wandering Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy and getting ice cream.

My Medal Winner!!!



Tom sporting our friend, Carrie's, medal from the Paralympic PanAm games from August 2007.

Can someone explain? Scott was baptized (sprinkled) as an infant in a Lutheran Church. I was baptized (dunked) around 12 yo. The church we are currently attending has a stipulation for membership of "believer's baptism". In other words - no infant baptisms.

I have searched and searched in the bible and NO WHERE does it say how and at what age do you have to be baptized. When early Christian's were baptized, their entire family was also baptized - including servants and infants.

We attend this church regularly. Tithe to it. Are involved - I helped with VBS this past summer. But we aren't members. If Scott can't join, then I can't as his wife - our decision. So - now I can't help with the kids like I did last year. I am frustrated and feel like a second class citizen.

I would understand if it was biblical...And if it is, can someone show me where??

We went to Sesame Place just north of Philly this weekend. It was a blast. Everything is geared toward the under 7 crowd. The best part: admission was FREE. Sesame Place is owned by Anheuser-Busch and they have a Hero Salute program where you can get into one of their parks for free for the 'hero' (active duty military) and 3 dependents. The kids didn't know we were going until we pulled into the parking lot. I love surprises!!! We closed down the park and they slept well that night. Sesame Place was also great with the kids' albinism! We got a wristband and were able to use the exit to get on rides and sit on the front row of shows. Everyone was so kind. An excellent park to take kids with special needs.


The entrance. They finally realized where we were!

Of course she has a pink pony!

Elmo's World!!! Yes - Dorothy was there.

Mr. Noodle

The kids with the furry red monster himself!

Not so sure about 'Grover's World' spinning teacups! Especially when Daddy was in control of the wheel!




They all climbed through the net. There was a huge climbing structure. TA looked like spiderman!


Cookie Mountain was great fun! Monkey toes EQ didn't use the ropes to climb up. They both loved sliding down. I think she could have gone up and down for hours!

TA and Mr. Noodle

EQ being squeezed by Elmo.

The guys riding Elmo's flying fish

All of us on the steps of 123 Sesame Street. Watching the world go by.

TA started the summer being reluctant to put his face in the water. A little friend told him how to 'puff up his cheeks and just go under the water' and he got more and more comfortable in the water. Then there were two weeks of swim lessons and he just turned into a fish!!! These are some photos from swimming lessons. He even went off the diving board and tries to swim under the water. He wore the lifevest in the deep end (11 ft) some of the time. He did jump off the diving board without the life vest.

Please remember the family of Skip Caray in your prayers. He passed away Sunday at the age of 68.

To me, he was the voice of Atlanta Braves Baseball. Here is another article.

Hope this isn't a forecast of everyone's week!!! Watch out for Tuesday!



From this site...

Friday, July 11 - Vegas Day 3

Today was the first day of sessions. A very busy day - especially after taking nyquil and being jet lagged!!! I attended a session on the Genetics of Albinism. It was pretty basic genetics, but still informative. Confirmed something I thought - both parents have to be carriers for the same type of albinism to pass it along. S. went to a session on IDEIA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act). He said it was very informative but we haven't had much time to discuss them.

The kids went to their sessions as well and Grandma B was able to sit in on some sessions. We all went to the Albinism Research panel discussion. This was very interesting, but so much information. My brain was full!!!! I do know that some docs near DC are thinking of doing a research project beginning this fall. I hope the kids can participate. After lunch we went to a panel discussion called 'Ask the Doctors'. The most annoying thing were people who came in late and asked questions that had already been answered. If you want to research some Genetic Testing options, click here.

While the kids were with Grandma B., we attended The Visual System in Albinism and Space Camp. Apparently S is taking TA in 2 years - there is a week designed just for visually impaired children! The visual system was very interesting but hard to attend to since there were so many kids in there. I have a better understanding of their vision. But still need more input.

That night S and I went to see Cirque du Solei's LOVE It was AMAZING!!!! I recommend you go see it! The kids went to the AdventureDome at Circus Circus across the street from our hotel.





t-shirts made at the DC NOAH gathering... 'DC NOAH'

'Vegas, Baby!'

the Grand Canal at the Venetian. Gondola rides were $16 per person - we passed.

More of the canal. We did eat dinner here at Wolfgang Puck's Postrio. Excellent food! Great Sangria! Yum.



harrah's casino

everything is lit up at night

one of the ushers at LOVE

wonder what it costs to rent??? sure would be fun to drive!!!

There is a giveaway for a beautiful quilt here:

Old Red Barn Co.

The quilt is absolutely gorgeous!!!! You can enter between now and Tuesday, July 22.

TA had his 5 year check up today. He is
-- 45.5 inches tall (100% for Chinese and 90% for American)
-- 44.5 pounds (75% for American)

Poor baby had to get 4 shots: dTap, Varicella - again! VA requires it for kindergarten, HepA, and TB/ppd since he was born in China. He was given BCG in China for TB that will likely give a positive result so he has a chest x-ray in his future. We will use this to establish baselines.

Otherswise he is healthy and ready for kindergarten...where did my baby go????