Play Date in Sweden

Sunday, 16 September 2012

I never imagined I would go all the way to Sweden and actually meet up with someone I've met through blogging and that our kids would have a play date. But that is exactly what happened!

Christina found my blog several years ago, soon after her son Vincent was born. Vincent has Down syndrome.

She used to live in Austria, but a few months ago they moved back to her home of Sweden. A fact I remembered when looking into taking the ferry to Sweden. I had no idea how far she was from Helsingborg, but I thought it was worth it to ask her if there was any possibility that we could meet up while we were in Sweden.

I think she said it was about a 2- 2.5 hrs drive for her and yes we could definitely plan to meet! I was so excited to be going to Sweden and meeting a friend that I've known online for several years. She was able to get some information from a friend of hers on what kid-friendly place we could meet at, that was also in walking distance for us from the ferry landing. There was this great pirate-themed playground near the water that the kids really enjoyed.

They had such fun playing with these handcuffs and yelling for 'help!'

Vincent signing 'crab'

My camera was on the wrong setting, but I still like how this picture turned out.

The only picture we managed to get of all us; minus Joe who took the picture :)

Thanks again Christina, for getting together with us!

 

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National DS Convention: DC

Monday, 6 August 2012

Our summer of traveling continued when, a few weeks ago, we went to our nation's capitol for the annual National Down Syndrome Congress convention. I really needed the positive distraction this provided for me and was looking forward to seeing old, and meeting new, friends. Love the 'family reunion' atmosphere of convention. Oh! And workshops! Lots of great information coming out of the workshops too ... but this post will be all about the wonderful blogging/online friends I was able to see that weekend.

 Emma Sage

The Bates Motel

Mutterings and Musings  

(this was our first time meeting and I'm so glad we were able to have dinner together and chat!)

 Our Roads Traveled

 

 The Zoromski Chronicles

At the generosity of Trial Run we had a fun party in her hotel room!

It's becoming an annual tradition to hang out with *Results Not Typical family ... fun watching our girls grow year after year!

  Lovin' on the newest addition to their family.

 She was covering his ears because she said it was too loud.

Baxter Sez, Trial Run, *Results Not Typical, Unringing the Bell, and me! 

A family from Roswell, NM that we met through the Buddy Walk when we used to live at Holloman AFB, NM. Now we get to see them every year at convention!

The next two pictures are with the adorable Zoromski girls!

Faulkner Family

 

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Morgan's Wonderland

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

While we were in San Antonio for the convention we were able to spend a day at Morgan's Wonderland - "the world's first family-friendly ultra accessible family fun park!"

The front entrance has a large world map with pins showing the visitors they've had from different states and countries; that was neat to see! Access is free to individuals with special needs and only $10 for family and friends with them. ($15 if you're not with someone who has special needs.)

They limit the number of guests (not sure what that number is) per day so it isn't overly crowded and over-stimulating. It was so nice to walk around and not be overwhelmed by crowds (and the heat probably kept a lot of people away!) They also give each guest a wristband locator. If you lose someone in your party you can go to any of the location stations, scan your wristband, and it will show you where everyone in your party is located.

I also like that there are giant sun shades over a majority of the park - especially the playground area. While it was still very hot (August in Texas!) it was nice that the sun wasn't beating directly down on us walking around. The kids really liked the playground area and probably would've stayed there all day if it weren't for us parents who kept pulling them away to go check out other areas of the park!

We spent our day there with Playette's family; I love that our kids are going to grow up together at these conventions!

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2011 NDSC Convention Pictures

Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Some pictures from the NDSC annual convention:

We met Kacey and Ella back in 2007 (look how little the girls were!) in Wichita Falls, TX

I met Penny, Cris, Jan, and Lisa on the "old" T21 board (which I started posting on when Kayla was about 4 months old!)

Kayla and Lucas with Jan's son Nash.

I think Nash was asking Kayla if she wanted to dance later :)

Friends from NM that we got to see at convention again!

Part of Shelley's crew: Kullen, Zoyi, Kayla, and Grifyn

Yay for hanging out with Playette's family again!

Kayla had some things in common with Emma: they are both 8 and both have Celiac Disease. And just looking through pictures from last year, I discovered this is the same Emma in one of the pictures (5th picture from the top)! I just didn't get a chance to meet her mom last year.

Cuteness overload!

Kayla with Mayson and Addie

Look who was at the convention: Carrington! So neat to see this little one I blogged about just a few months ago, when she arrived in the U.S. weighing only 11 lbs!

 Pictures above and below are with McKenna's girls

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