Yesterday I took Wes and Carissa on a mini-outing. We had ice cream first.

Wes ate (nearly) the whole shake. It was a beautiful afternoon to sit outside.

Then we went bowling. Wesley’s first time. Surely not his last.

Wes played two games (just him). I missed the score of his first game, but he bowled a 66 the second time around.

In retrospect, I should have maybe saved the ice cream sugar-load for AFTER bowling.

The music in the background is “Livin’ the Good Life.” And so we do.

Wesley’s first attempt at photography. He had a good subject.

Some of his shots.

Carissa turned one last month on August 15th.

Speaking of birthdays… Four years ago at this time I was deep in labor and didn’t even realize it. John and I were just starting to think that maybe this could be it, but I was only 36 weeks pregnant, didn’t have a hospital bag packed, and in fact didn’t even know where the hospital was.

But we threw a bag together, sped off and found the hospital by about 11 pm, and Wesley John came quickly into the world a little after 1:30 am weighing 3 lbs 15 oz.

My last night with a three-year-old son.

Sure love these guys.

So last month I said goodbye to my twenties and entered a new decade of life.

I wanted a party to celebrate, and a party that involved Zumba–one of my favorite things–but I wanted a party that wasn’t just for me. I rented some black lights and disco laser lights, and threw a few black light Zumba parties for my students and their friends. We raised a little money to help a family that’s adopting a little girl from Russia who has Down syndrome.

(And if you want to see the amazing web site that helps families adopt children with DS and other special needs from Eastern Europe, go here. Can’t say enough good about the program. Just to think that if Wesley had been born in Russia or Ukraine to some other parents, he would have likely been given up by them, put in an orphanage to be cared for by nurses with little stimulation until he was five or six, and then placed in an adult institution for the rest of his life. Many kids only live to age 18 or so because of the conditions. I’m so glad we have Wes, and that families are going out of their way to make better homes for these kids!)

The parties were fun, but a lot of work for me! Possibly the most tiring but rewarding birthday I’ve had so far.

Lots of neon is the key to showing up under the light. Since I was leading a room full of students, my arms and feet needed to be highly visible.

The kids liked the glow bracelets.

Same kids, same pose, just in the dark.

I made cupcakes.

Friends/fellow instructors.

I held three different parties in three different places. Two blacklights was enough for even the giant gymnasium for my class at BYU. In this smaller room, two was a little bright.

And this is about the only video I have, from our first black light party in my Springville class. The song is “5 Letras,” a reggaeton rhythm.

Wes drinks more milk than just about anyone I know, with the possible exception of his baby sister. I usually give him 2%, although he’ll take it in all forms–skim, whole, chocolate, strawberry… He’s a big fan of the chocolate weight-loss shakes.

Milk mustache.

Wes goes back for his second year of preschool this week. I met with his teacher and speech therapist to review our goals for him this year. His teacher surprised me by saying that last year Wes would only count up to four with her. He’s been holding out! Because he counts all the time, and I know he can count to ten, and even sometimes gets up into the teens, although it’s less discernible (because I’m pretty sure he’s making it up as he goes). The only problem I had noticed with him counting to ten is that he frequently skips over three. “One, two, four…”

Wes is very smart, as far as I can tell. I think, because of the Down syndrome, his intelligence is manifest a little more mutely. He knows his numbers, shapes, letters, and colors, and he can say and sign a lot of words. Recently he has started using possessives: “Wesley’s shirt.” “Mommy’s shoes.” Snd his favorites: “Amma, Ampa’s house” and “Tawa’s house” (translation: he wants to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, or his Aunt Tara’s house. He gets quite mad when I try to take him back to our own house).

His teacher also pointed out that Wes plays really well by himself, and that one of her goals for him is to initiate and engage in more social play for a sustained period of time. Wes is content to stand on the sidelines and watch kids play. If they involve him, he’s usually happy to join them. But he doesn’t really initiate that himself.

They’re also going to work on initiating and engaging in conversations. He’s doing really well at saying “hi” and “bye” to people. But conversations? Well, that will be a good goal to work on. Talking with Wesley is usually one-sided. Everything you say to him goes in. But what comes back to you in return is very limited. I don’t think it comes as naturally to him as to other kids his age.

I’m excited for him to get back into school. He loves playing with other kids, and I know he will love being back in school.

We are very lucky parents.

Carissa turned one year old August 15th. Her doctor stats say she is a little over 18 lbs, tall and lean, with kind of a big head.

She is a chameleon, quickly changing from this:

to this:

That’s because she insists on feeding herself. It keeps her busy and quiet for several minutes at a time, which I appreciate. But wow, the paper towels we go through.

She likes draping things over her head.

Also a fan of balloons.

And today, a new skill! Two new skills, actually.

I saw her climb up the slide all by herself. And, then, ta-dah! Go down, all by herself. I didn’t even see it coming. I happened to have a camera in my hand to catch her coming down for the first time. (In my defense, I was on the phone with my folks at the time, which accounts for my chattering and laughing to seemingly no one.)

Check out her look of wonder as she goes down. She loves it.