What's Been Happening

So many things going on around here lately. I'll try to keep them short so I can get everything in. 😊

Diana and Peter bought Adelaide a water table and she loves playing in it! That girl has such a happy heart.

Sharaya sent us this picture of some crepes that my granddaughter Allison (14) made! We all decided we want her to make them for us when we're all together this summer!

The Junkos are expanding their family this spring. Built a great nest in the wreath on our porch again and have 4 tiny eggs!

Beth had a party at the bowling alley today. They have them about once a month and last night she and I were up until 10:00 dipping these pretzels. The leaders keep asking everyone to bring 'healthy' desserts and this was the easiest thing I could think of that didn't need to be refrigerated and would travel well on a bus.

I've been talking to her about the kinds of foods she eats. I truly believe she's addicted to sugar. Every single week she buys a large bag of marshmallows, the family share size of m&ms, two big bags of red vines, pop tarts, chocolate... she gets angry when I ask her to put something back. She's gotten so heavy and I'm concerned not only about her health, but also her stamina when we go to Disneyland this summer. I talked with her last week and told her my concerns, then asked her if I could help her learn to eat healthier. She said yes. I asked her, "If we're at the grocery store and you put something in your cart that isn't healthy, will you get mad if I put it back?" "No." So... a couple days later we're at the store, I put a small veggie tray in the cart and she did too. She put in orange juice, fresh fruit... and no junk food! I told her it's not Friday (we have a 'junk food Friday' tradition that has gotten way out of hand) so none today. I checked out first and I happen to see her put a candy bar on the conveyor belt. I told her again we weren't buying junk food today and I put it back. She was NOT happy! Walked about 20 feet behind me out to the car; s-l-o-w-l-y got into the car and just sat there. I asked her if she was going to get buckled, she shook her head. I said, "Okay" and I took off my belt, turned off the engine and we sat there about 30 seconds before she s-l-o-w-l-y got buckled... something has to change. For years I've tried to let her make her own decisions in life of course, with guidance and advice, (I wouldn't dare tell my other daughters what they can and cannot eat) but it's getting to a point where I'm going to step in. I'm going to try my best to teach her how to eat healthy. 

Snoqualmie Falls

We all had President's Day off (Sharaya worked a couple hours) so we drove up to Snoqualmie Falls. It had been such a long time since we'd been there! I think Sharaya was about 8. It's changed so much! We remember it being way out in the middle of the mountains, but we were there pretty quick on Monday. It's not far from the heart of the city of Snoqualmie now, mainly because it's been built up so much. Chuck dropped us off, then went to park the car, it was so crowded! Course, it was a holiday and sunny out, so I guess we weren't the only ones with this idea. :)

The falls are fairly close to the highway so the walk is easy. Down a few steps and you have this gorgeous view! Usually during February there's snow on the ground up here, but we've had such a mild winter (here on the west coast, anyway) this year, our mountains have very little snow at all. The ski resorts opened for about 2 weeks but then had to close again. People who did go up ended up ruining their skis and boards from hitting too many rocks.

It was a gorgeous day and I hope we don't wait another 10 years before going again!

 

 

Blast

Seattle has had a blast of hot weather the last few days. We're known for our rain, but during the summer, temps can get into the 90's. Our main defense is water and oscillating fans. In San Diego, everyone has air conditioners. That's one sound I missed when we moved here, you never hear air conditioners here in Seattle. In SD they run all day every day during the summer. In Seattle, everyone just goes outside.

On Sunday, that's exactly what we did! First to a park that had some fun water features, then back to our house so Allie could play in the pool. It was fun to spend the whole day with family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Purple Marker

Do other kids with Down Syndrome show tendencies toward OCD?

A few years ago Beth was collecting hoarding water bottles. Back when plastic water bottles were popular we'd buy them by the case at Costco. Beth would never throw them away. They'd be half full, partially full, empty and she'd put them around her room, on her bed, on the floor. She'd have dozens of them and no matter how often I'd go in to throw them away, she'd get more. It bothered her when they weren't there.

Then, without warning she stopped collecting water bottles and started on batteries. Those scared me. If a battery leaks, that acid is dangerous. She'd have so many batteries all over her room! In baggies, in drawers. She was always buying them and when we told her she couldn't she'd get so mad.

Eventually the battery thing ended and now... it's markers. Although I must say, she's not collecting them, she's just very... obsessed with them. She has to have a certain brand and style of marker. Even if one begins to dry slightly, she buys a whole new package and throws the old package away. Even if all the other markers work fine! She spends SO much money on markers!

Today she brought up her jar of coins and said she wanted to count them so she could walk to Bartells and buy new markers. Considering she just bought new markers last week, I went downstairs and she showed me one purple marker. She took the tip off in her hand and said, "It's broken." I was able to put the tip back in and pressed hard on it. It stayed fine. I tried it a few times and it worked perfectly.

I tried all the other markers and they were fine. I told her she was gonna have to use those markers because she doesn't get paid until next week. I put all the markers back in the box and explained that because she didn't have a job, she was gonna have to make these work. I told her that my hours have been cut at work and I'm not making as much money either so dad and I are having to cut back on things too. That's what you have to do when you're not working.

I don't think she was listening though because she had taken the markers back out of the box and was putting them back in the right way. The black one first, then the red....  

Fun Photo Friday!

This is our dog Buddy. He's a 10 year old black lab.

Labs love the water.

I think I see him smiling in the final picture!