Christmas

Our holiday was defined by sickness this year, but thankfully it was the mildest version possible. And of any holiday season, this was the best one because we weren't traveling and no one was staying with us.

The first day of break found the kids and I at our annual holiday breakfast with the Marshalls. Halfway through the morning, Ruby came and sat on my lap. She still ate, but wanted to be close to me. This was an obvious giveaway that something was on the horizon since she had three of her favorite older friends there, two of them vying for her attention, yet she still wanted me. But nothing showed up until late that night.

Two or three fevers over the next few days (always gone with one dose of medicine, not to return for 24+ hours), and general fatigue were the only symptoms. I already had a well visit set up for Ruby for the day after Christmas, so while we were there, they checked her out for flu and strep. The flu test came back positive, which shocked me given the lack of 'big' sickness she'd been showing. Lots of naps and breathing treatments (to make sure nothing developed in her lungs) and LOTS of snuggles and movies got us through the two weeks and she returned to school, good as new, on schedule.

Back to our holiday week: Christmas Eve was a beautiful day with warm temperatures, so after breakfast I dragged the family to a nearby trail on the river for a walk. We pushed Ruby most of the way, but when she saw a friend and their new dog, she was out of the stroller and running.

We did sibling gift exchange around lunch and Ruby rallied a little to ride in her Cars car, which Eli had souped up with a new (faster!) battery.

Ruby also spent some time in her new reading 'teepee' that Maddux picked out for her. She was SO excited to see the windows and the doors. Maddux even stocked the book pockets before the big reveal.

We did not make it to Christmas Eve service though: I didn't want to chance it with her having a fever late the night before. We did go for our annual Christmas Eve sushi though, and we drove to see some holiday lights too.

Christmas Day was another beautiful one, but we still used the fireplace (that is just a 'must' for Christmas!). We exchanged gifts in the morning and also did the scavenger hunt for baby Jesus. This is something I usually plan, but Maddux asked to come up with the clues and 'hide' Him this year. I was definitely on-board with that!

We did our annual Christm-Olympics after lunch. This year Maddux asked to be the one in charge of that as well. For a week or so beforehand, she researched games and came up with the plan...I was so impressed and it was a huge help to me! Ruby did great with the games, participating in all of them, after a lunch-time nap.

We finished our night with homemade pasta and sauce and meatballs, and the birthday cake for Jesus. It was a very laid-back, not rushed year, and I loved it.

My favorite part is always the extra 'together time'. We made orange juice and Christmas cookies and pasta and meatballs and gingerbread houses. All of those times, even though each one is short, force us to be together in the kitchen: arguing, laughing and everything in-between.

wonder

you have so much wonder and awe this holiday season. the other night i drove you by a few streets with holiday displays. you had to roll down your window to get a better look and you just stared as you said, "That. Is. Awesome."

growth

as we were preparing to leave the house this morning, your dad was trying to find the avocados he bought at the store. i told him there was only one left because you ate two for an after school snack yesterday. he feigned frustration with you, to which I prompted you to tell him, "daddy, i had to eat them because i'm growing". you looked at him and said, "yeah, dad, i eat avocados cuz i growing. like flowers." love love love your speech and how it lets us get a peak into your thoughts, baby girl!

Thanksgiving Week

We changed things up a bit this year and headed to Florida for Thanksgiving break. We met up with Mom-Mom and Aunt Megan and Liz at a condo right on the shore! This allowed everyone to enjoy the sun and sand and scenery for a few days.

We ordered Thanksgiving dinner in to allow for more beach time. The kids loved finding shells and digging in the sand. On Thanksgiving day, Eli buried Ruby (at her request) and made her into a 'sand turkey'. She loved it.

And after dinner that day, we all took a long walk on the beach as the sun set. It was beautiful weather!

The kids were excited to meet their new cousin, who was very tolerant of all of the doting (especially by Ruby).

After we drove Mom-Mom back home, we swung through our favorite açaí bowl cafe in Cocoa Beach for lunch, and then made our way to a putt-putt course. We played 18 holes and followed it up with go-karts, which was a blast. Random fun afternoon in the best weather ever! (It's not often you can play putt-putt in Florida in the middle of the day and have it be enjoyable, in regards to temperature.)

We finished our trip with dinner out with some 'old' friends. Ruby was asked by, get this, OUR flower girl to be a flower girl in her wedding next year. Such excitement!

Hi!

Ruby says "hi" to everyone she sees.

Seriously, EVERYone.

This happens as we walk from her school to our car, when we shop through Publix, even when we are driving and stop at a red light. (Seriously.) And she will pursue the people she is trying to connect with relentlessly until they meet her eyes and reciprocate. Hi. Hi. Hi! HHHIIII!

Because I'm not blessed with 47 chromosomes and because I'm a typical cynical person, too often I find myself trying to rush her through this process, especially when the subject does not appear to be receptive. I feel like I should apologize for Ruby overstepping or interrupting.

But that's just dumb. Because when she makes the connection, which is more times than not, the person on the receiving end of her greeting lights up in a huge smile and sometimes even engages back to her with a comment or question.

That often leads Ruby to grab/hold their hand, give a hug, or physically 'love' them in some way too. And they appear to be delighted by the interruption, glad for the overstepping. And who wouldn't? Life is hard and we too often find ourselves putting our heads down and just trying to push through. It's nice to have a reason to stop and look up.

And then I read this post from Heather Avis a few weeks ago. Love it, and she penned it better than I could hope to, so go read her take on this same phenomenon.

At the end of the day, this I know: our family hugs way more because of ruby. We say 'I love you' way more because of ruby. We look into each other's eyes way more because of ruby. She leads the way in connecting with each other and we are so lucky to follow along.

EP release

Big time.

Eli and his band, '99 Corolla (not HIS band, but the band he is in), released an EP this week on iTunes. Four original songs for the public's listening pleasure. To commemorate the event, they hosted an EP release party over the weekend. at said party, they performed about eight songs, only one of them not their original material. (Long live The Meters.)

I keep saying it, and I hope that I keep saying it: I love the opportunity and experience that Eli has in regards to '99 Corolla. The work ethic, the integrity, the passion, the collaborative effort, the friendships...it has all been in the black. I could not have picked a better 'first band' experience for him if I tried, and I have to believe that having the baseline experience set the bar so high will help with Eli's expectations for himself and those he works with in future endeavors.

I only got a few videos:
Song 1
New Beach Song (my new fave! Not on iTunes yet)
PK
Cissy Strut Intros (this is a cover)
Beach Song (the crowd fave!)

Halloween

Not too much to report: it was cold - COLD - and kinda wet, but we all participated and were rewarded with candy.

Lehr started showing Ruby little 3-5 minute clips of old Popeye cartoons several months ago. So when we talked about her costume this year, it was a no-brainer. And because I love the group costume, that meant Lehr and I were in too. It was the EASIEST of all the group costumes so far and definitely the cheapest. Ruby's sleeves and 'cape' were sewn on by me, so that shirt won't survive a machine wash, but it did the job.

Maddux had four friends come over to spent the evening with us. There was much back and forth on what they would actually be, but in the final 60 minuets before go-time, it was "Zombie Golfers" courtesy of some white and black eye shadow I found to use as stage make-up for them. They froze, but they had a good time.

Finally, Eli was a hot dog. This boy wants to dress up still, and I love love love that. He told us at least a month before Halloween that he would likely buy a one-piece hot dog costume for this year, and he assured us that it will work for the next several years. He wore it to school (twice!), and the night of, he hung out at a friend's house with several other boys and they even hit the houses for a few handfuls of candy.

wonder

this girl. 

every day she finds something new. even in 'old' things. 

and she reminds me of how to look at life. 

how to open my eyes and look around in awe of what is right in front of me. she reminds me to have wonder.

Ruby's Cheerleader

Ruby has been doing a soccer program on Friday nights for the last month or so. While she enjoys playing soccer in general, her main love of these Friday night sessions has been spending time with a new friend. Blair is a 5th grader who volunteers at the soccer nights, and she connected with Ruby the first time she met her. Since then, when they are both at soccer, they are inseparable. 

Blair is also a junior cheerleader and has taught Ruby some of her cheers. That quickly moved into Blair's mom arranging for Ruby to participate with Blair's cheer squad at the homecoming game; she even lent us an official uniform!

A little backstory on Blair: her mom works in Special Education, which has obviously had an effect on Blair. She connects with people, and has an amazing heart for and patience with everyone. It has been really neat to watch her with Ruby (and without!) over the last month!

Today was the big day: Ruby was beyond excited when we arrived; she could not take her eyes off of Blair (and it was mutual!). Once the girls were introduced, Blair pulled Ruby on the field to get the game started and then they cheered next to each other on the side lines. 

Blair was so amazing, never taking her eyes off Ruby and trying to explain all of the cheers as they came up. (There were a LOT of cheers!) 

She high-fived and encouraged Ruby at every turn, and never left her sight or let her feel alone. She even carried her back after they all ran down the field for an important play.

Just before half-time, Ruby told Blair she was tired and came to sit with me for the last 1-2 minutes of the half. I'm very impressed she lasted that long given all that she was taking in while she was participating.

We are so grateful for Blair and her mom, and everyone who let Ruby participate. These opportunities are ones that seriously just land in our lap sometimes and I have to believe they are intentionally given to us so that we can own our influence (Ruby's influence!). Maybe now one of the girls on the squad, or someone in the stands that saw Ruby will interact differently when they meet someone who looks a little like her, or maybe they'll even feel comfortable enough to say 'hi'. The world needs more Blairs, but I know that she doesn't exist without first knowing some Rubys.

homework

one would think with all of the extra therapies and work and intentional 'play' that we you do, that the last  thing you would choose with your free time is homework.

but even in an afternoon full of play, you'll find a pocket of time between making food in your kitchen and packing for yet another sleepover to sit down and write or draw. always.

confidence

in some areas you've always had it. in others, you take your risks quietly. last week i watched you slowly work to standing on the stand-up-paddle board when you thought no one was looking. when you straightened your legs, you lifted your fists and quietly said, 'yes!'. then last night you shared the skateboard with your dad for ten minutes before sneaking in a few tries yourself. you weren't quite ready to stand without assistance, but you kept thinking about it. 

keep on, big girl. you've got this.

you

there is rarely a quiet moment when you are around. you are always talking, always asking, always connecting.

you have many bruises. likely because you are always jumping, always dancing, always moving. 

you are so many things to our family. you are light. you are music. you are joy. 

Buddy Walk

This event is one of our family's favorite annual celebrations. We gather with oodles of other Atlanta area families connected with Down syndrome in some way and just enjoy our community. We have always invited some of our 'typical' community to join us as well; two years in a row we had over 100 people representing Team Ruby! The last few years we have done less 'promoting', opting for a smaller gathering that day, in an effort to be able to hang out with the T21 family as well. There has still been much Team Ruby representation though, because you can't deter the love these people have for our girl!

That was so obvious in our team this year: over 1/3 of our Team Ruby participants were part of her teaching team at school. Amazing! These women spent the bulk of their Saturday with us, supporting Ruby because of two things: they are AWESOME and they love Ruby!

The weather was perfect, the setting was green and grassy and ideal for just hanging out, and everything except for our tent blowing away (twice) was perfect. Ruby thoroughly exhausted herself climbing up and down and through the bouncy houses and inflatable slides as much as possible leading up to the 'walk' at the halfway point.

She then obliged us and walked (or rode on shoulders) for the short processional. Her receiving her medal was a highlight for me!

And then she and her best 5th grade friend tackled all of the inflatables again (and again and again).

We shut the place down, finally packing up our tent after most of the official event clean up was complete. We just didn't want it to end! So much love for such a great reminder of the reach of Ruby.