Q&A #157

Just wanted to say I'm just as OCD even with our kid's names. All 3 of our kids first names are 5 letters long and end in EN. There is definately an art to naming kids. :) Is Kellsey's middle name Jean?
Kellsey actually has 2 middle names... we wanted to keep with tradition and give her our family middle name of Jean, but we also wanted to let her keep a little of her heritage. Her birth name is Victoria, so her full name is Kellsey Jean-Victoria Garcia. Kind of long, but filled with meaning! :)

Thanks Renee for the supper ideas. I actually love to cook but always lookin for easy stuff too. Do you use a crockpot? That would be something nice for u to use since u have the kids and dont like cookin.
I DO actually... one of my favorite things to make in the crockpot is a pork roast... I throw in mushrooms and the little baby onions, red potatoes and celery... (no carrots because cooked carrots are NASTY) and Lipton onion soup mix. MMMMM I may have to make that soon. All my kids will eat that except Kameron. My picky child. LOL I also like corned beef and cabbage in the crockpot. However, neither Kass or Kam will eat that. *sigh* It's much more worth it to make those things when Frank is home... less leftovers. We're SO not good with eating leftovers!

Is Kennedy still handling it well that she's not going to school with Kassidy and Kameron anymore?
Some days yes, some days no. I think once we get involved with these homeschool groups, it will really help. Every day is a new adventure!

Glad you are back. Sorry that Kameron is sick. Guess he will not make perfect attendance this year? Tell him that it's okay and cheer up if he is upset about that. I remember striving for perfect attendance and getting sick and not getting it and been more upset over that than being sick. Give him a hug.
Actually he was not striving for that this year, thank goodness! His goal this year is to stay on "green" all year (good behavior), which means NO talking in class! LOL That's much harder than it sounds for him! I know he can do it if he sets his mind on it though! :)

I must admit....I was about to yell at you for coming to California and NOT letting me know so I could meet you guys BUT luckily common sense set in and I realized the reason for your trip wasn't for pleasure. And it sounds like you didn't even have the kids with you. I do hope you will all make it out this way someday though.
LOL I know, there were A LOT of people I didn't get to see (or meet) this time that I would have loved to, but it really was a quick trip. Kennedy was with me so we could do some school work, but the other kids were at home. We are hoping to make another trip out with everyone next Summer.

Perfect timing. I was just signing on to mention an amusement park I saw advertised in Budget Travel. Morgan's Wonderland is a 25 acre amusement park in San Antonio designed especially for special-needs children. It says free for those with special needs and $5 per person for everyone else.
Of course, it looks like yours do just fine with a regular amusement park. Still, I know you are always on the look-out for special needs info and someone else might not know about this opportunity.
What a cool place! I had heard about it before but had never checked out the website. Looks like an awesome park!! Thanks for sharing!

Hey Renee .. just wanted to let you know I just watched you on TLC over here in NORWAY... you are world famous girl! :-)
LOL That is so funny! Someone else saw it in Norway too a few months ago! So strange they show it there! :)

As long as Ive been reading your blog. I didnt know u had a brother.
LOL Yep! We don't see each other all that much. I have posted about him before. My brother, Brent, is 24 (seven years younger than me). He lives in Northern California and has a girlfriend named Ruth who we all LOVE and hope they will get married someday! He works for an accounting firm and is taking accounting classes. He and Ruth came out here a few years ago for Christmas, but mostly my mom goes out to visit them. Life is busy!

So does your family just like the letter K ;)? It's nice to see a smile on your Nonnie's face given the circumstances. Pretty amazing that the house still looks the same as when you were a kid. Mine does too, but my parents still live there, lol. Well, the inside has changed a lot over the years, but the outside still looks the same.
LOL Yes... my other cousin has a daughter named Mikayla (who goes by Kayla sometimes) and a son, Cody... and then a daughter Brittany who is so left out! haha My poor Nonnie has the hardest time mixing up everyone's names! :o) She held up really well throughout the week and my Bompie's service. We were all very proud of her. It's going to be hard now that everyone has gone home. It is pretty amazing about our house! LOL I was shocked to see even the color was the same!

Hi! Do all Chili's participate in the fundraiser?
Yes, I believe it is every Chili's nationwide. For more info though you can go to Create-A-Pepper and they have stuff about it on the left hand side. :) Thanks for asking!!

HI, I don't think I've posted before, but I've been following your blog for a while. I thought you might be interested in this link for supporting soldiers.
Thanks!! Check it out everyone!

I have a complex situation so bare with me while I explain. My husbands uncle is diagnostically labeled mentally retarded. He had seizures from birth resulting in an IQ of around 60 or 70. Had he been a child growing up in today's he might have even been diagnosed as having an autistic like disorder (hand flapping, clapping, routines, can't read social cues, doesn't really have a filter ect). He does not acknowledge the fact that he is different which sometimes leads me to believe that maybe he doesn't realize it. He is loving sweet and wonderful man who I have grown close to over the last couple of years. He also suffers from MS.
Ok that being said every time he makes a mistake or can't do anything he does that thing that kids do when they are making fun of intellectually disabled people. Where they flop the wrist and hit it against their chest and say duh! Every time he makes a mistake he does it or he will refer to himself as a "retard". I know he was teased greatly as a child, probably in this way and maybe that is where it comes from. When you meet him you can tell there is something a little different about him. However, I don't think it coming from someone with an intellectual disability makes it any better. How should I deal with this situation? Do you tell him that's not appropriate? Do you let him know that everyone makes mistakes? I want him to know that he doesn't have to make fun of himself. He has accomplished so much while having to work so hard but he works really hard. I'm just curious how you would deal with this situation?
I think you're right on with letting him know that everyone makes mistakes and that it's ok. I'll be interested to hear what my other readers think, though.

POTD #1 - It's BACK!!!

In March, I did a whole month of Pictures of the Day where I posted at least one picture every day of something. It made me use my camera more and I captured a lot of memories that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Sometimes I even had some cute stories to go along with those pictures... other times I just posted a picture and nothing more. I decided that for the month of September, I would do POTD again since not all that much usually happens this month. We'll see how the month goes... hopefully I'll get some fun pictures. I'm going to start the month off with this cute girl... how can you not love this smile?!



More tomorrow! :)

PS. I ALSO have a post up on Kennedy's homeschool blog! It's not all fancy yet, but someday it will be. If you'd like to go check it out, here it is.

Are you wearing your gold?!

Today is September 1st which means that for the whole month I will be talking about Childhood Cancer Awareness. Why? Because my daughter is a survivor. Her little body went through SO much. We saw her get sick, lose her hair, receive countless blood transfusions and spinal taps and for months we watched as poison was pumped into her veins to try to kill the cancer cells in her blood. As she was fighting off the cancer, she smiled, she laughed, she loved, she even learned how to walk! She amazed me then and she amazes me now. But it's not just about her.

Today 46 children will be diagnosed with cancer. Tomorrow it will be 46 more... and 46 more the day after that, and the day after that. Cancer shows no prejudice to race, age or economic group. It can strike ANY child at any time... and not all children live through it. I have been to countless funerals for children in the last 3 years. I have seen families, some of them my dear friends, torn apart from the core as they say goodbye to their children. And that is the reality of cancer. It sucks. Bad. And so now, for the month of September, I bring awareness...

So what can YOU do?!

WEAR GOLD FOR OUR KIDS!!! When someone asks why you're wearing gold, TELL THEM! Tell them you're wearing gold for the MANY children fighting cancer and for the MANY children who have won that battle and have gone on to heaven. Tell them you will wear gold until someone listens and there is MORE research and a cure is FOUND so children no longer have to suffer.

On September 27th, DON'T COOK!!! Seriously! Go out to eat at Chili's!! They will be donating 100% of their profits that day to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital who is one of the leading developers of treatment plans (or road maps) for pediatric cancers. Here are pictures from our Chili's night last year. In the meantime, you can go Create-A-Pepper for Kennedy and email them to me at CAmommy2KJ@aol.com and I will post it on my blog! It's fun, free, and slightly addicting! ;)

Sign up to be a Bone Marrow Donor!!! Get on the registry and you could be matched with someone who needs a miracle! It's fast and easy. You can do it all through the mail.

Donate blood. Kids going through chemo need blood transfusions OFTEN. Your gift of blood is SO needed and appreciated!!

***Did you know???***

*Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer.

*On the average 12,500 children and teens will be diagnosed with some form of cancer each year in this country.

*One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.

*Although the 5 year survival rate is steadily increasing, one quarter of children will die 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

*Cancer remains the #1 disease killer of America's children - more than Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Asthma and AIDS combined.

*In the U.S. almost 3,000 children do not survive cancer each year.

*Over the past two decades, only ONE new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use.

*Currently there are between 30-40,000 children undergoing cancer treatment in the U.S.

*As a nation, we spend over $14 BILLION per year on the space program, but only $35 MILLION on Childhood Cancer Research each year.

*There are 15 children diagnosed with cancer for every one child diagnosed with pediatric AIDS. Yet, the U.S. invests approximiately $595,000 for research per victim of pediatric AIDS and only $20,000 for each victim of childhood cancer.

*Research funds are scarce as most money is diverted to well-publicized adult forms of cancer, such as breast and prostate.

*Right now, this second, somewhere in America, there are 7 children fighting for their lives who won't live through the day.

Who do YOU wear gold for?

Pictures from California

Here are a few pictures from our trip... like I said, I didn't take many. My camera just doesn't seem to be attached to me lately. I need to work on that! ;)

Kennedy and her friend Skyelynn
(pic thanks to Skye's mom, Brenda... who happens to be one of my high school teachers... which makes her... older than me. *ahem*) :o)

Goofy girls!

One of the tables at my Bompie's memorial service

My Nonnie and a picture of my Bompie from when he was in the Navy

Nonnie and Kennedy

The memory board that my cousin Becky and I made for Bompie's service... we had a good time making it... spent a lot of time together, laughed a lot, cried a bit, and remembered a lot of good times! I miss them!!





This is the house where my brother and I grew up. The day after my Bompie's service, he and I drove out to see it. It looks EXACTLY the same as when we lived there. Crazy!!! Lots more memories there!

They say you can't go home again, but it was sure nice to see everyone, even if it was for a sad reason. My Bompie's service was really nice. A lot of people shared some really great stories about him. He was a wonderful man and will be missed a lot.

I wish I would have gotten pictures of Kennedy with my cousin's daughter, Kylie. They are the same age and had so much fun together! I just didn't think about it. Next time, I guess. Anyway, that's it. Not much to show through photos, but lots of good memories, and I guess that's what counts! :)

Home!

Sorry I haven't been around, our trip to California was FAST and jam packed. I had a lot of good family time and made a lot of good memories. I didn't take ALL that many pictures because my brain was just fried, but I will share the few I did take soon. For now I am going to unpack and try to organize myself. I came home to a very sick Kameron. He is throwing up and feeling yucky, so he'll be home with me tomorrow. Hopefully the rest of us won't get his bug. Anyway, that's it for tonight. Back to real life tomorrow!

People Who 'ARE'

By: Dave Hingsburger

It's in the press again. I search to find out the context of the word. I see debates all over the web, people bemoaning the 'politically correct' and the 'word police' and making ridiculous claims about having to ban the concept of a 'fire retardant'. Last I looked there's never been a protest about products that protect from fire. Last I looked there's only ever been protests about the use of a word that demeans a group of people.

No matter what the fearless defenders of freedom of speech say, there is a huge difference between a word to describe something that slows fire and someone who learns differently. There's a huge difference between a thing and a person - but, no, maybe not. After reading their diatribes regarding their freedom to spit out hurtful words, they may, really, not see people with disabilities as fully human with a human heart capable human hurt.

People mock the concept of respectful language regarding disability. People make odd arguments about the latest gaffe by ... no, I won't say her name here ... they say 'she was saying that of herself not anyone else' - um, so? The word she used was one referring, not to a commercial product, but to an oppressed minority. Yet the debate rages on and the fierceness of the attack by those who are proponents of the use of hate language are both hysterical and who often purposely miss the point. One wonders what's at stake - their personal liberty to hurt others?

It's time to recognize that the 'R' word is an attack against who people with with intellectual disabilities 'are', it is an attack against the group that they belong to. It is like other words that exist to slur an entire people, unacceptable. The fact that people do not see the seriousness of the word and the attack it represents is simply a result of the fact that they do not take the 'people' who wear that label seriously. The concerns of those with intellectual disabilities have always been diminished and trivialized. There is a sneaking suspicion that they 'don't understand, poor dears', that they 'miss the point, little lambs' so therefore their anger need not be feared as justified.

The people who 'ARE' what the 'R' word refers to have a long history.

They have been torn from families and cast into institutions.

They have been beaten, hosed down, over medicated, under nourished, sterilized, brutalized, victimized.

They have been held captive, have been enslaved, have had their being given over to the state.

They are the group in society most likely to be physically, sexually and financially abused.

They are the group least likely to see justice, experience fair play, receive accommodation or support within the justice system.

They are the group most likely to be bullied, most likely to be tyrannized, most likely to be the target of taunts.

They are the least likely to have their hurt taken seriously, physical hurt, emotional hurt, spiritual hurt.

They are most likely to be ignored when they speak of pain, have their words diminished by an assumption of diminished capacity.

They are the least likely to ever be seen as equal, as equivalent and entirely whole.

They are the victim of some of the most widespread and pervasive prejudices imaginable.

They are those that the Nazi's thought unworthy of life, they are those targeted by geneticists for non-existence, they need fear those who wear black hats and those who wear white coats.

They are educated only under protest, they are included as a concession rather than a right, they are neighbours only because petitions failed to keep them out.

They are kept from the leadership of their own movement, they are ignored by the media, their stories are told to glorify Gods that they do not worship.

That they are a 'people' is questioned even though they have a unique history, a unique voice, a unique perception of the world.

That they are a 'community' is questioned even though they have commonality, they have mutual goals, they have a collective vision of the future.

That they are have a legitimate place at the table is questioned simply because no one's ever offered a seat.

They are a people.

They ask for respect and receive pity.

They ask for fair play and are offered charity.

They ask for justice and wipe spittle off their face.

They ask to silence words that brutalize them and their concerns are trivialized.

They ask to walk safely through their communities and yet bullies go unpunished.

They ask to participate fully and they are denied access and accommodation and acceptance.

And this is NOW.

This is the people who have walked the land of the long corridor, who have waited at the frontier of our bias to finally be here, now. They have survived. They have come home. They have continued, silently and without fanfare, to take hold of freedom and live with dignity. They have given everything they have for what others take for granted. Their civil liberties are perceived as 'gifts' as 'tokens' and as 'charity'. Their rights are seen as privileges. Their movement is, as of yet, unacknowledged. They are a people recently emancipated, new citizens, who are tentatively discovering their voice.

It is a voice not yet heard.

It is a voice not yet respected.

It is a voice not yet understood.

But it is speaking.

And when it is finally heard. The world will change.

The 'R' word is an attack on a people who know discrimination. Tremble when you say it. Because those who should know better will be held accountable to those who know best.

Well Worth the Read

(Stolen from my friend Michelle's blog).

Paul Daugherty's 2009 Keynote Address at the Remarkable Families Symposium should be required reading for all who work with children who have special needs...including parents!

It's a great reminder to "Expect. Don't accept."

Mr Daugherty has a daughter with Down syndrome. Here are a few excerpts from his keynote address, but you really should read the whole thing.

People look, but they don't see. People, and I'm talking qualified professionals, people trained in special education, too often don't look at Jillian and see possibility. They look at a child with Down Syndrome. They don't see who she can be. They conjure a stereotype. It's easier that way.

We never say never. Never is not a word. It's a self-defeating state of mind.

We have to change the way people think before we can change the way they act. Altering perceptions is like breaking a stone with drops of water. It can be done, if you're willing to take the time.

And a reminder for parents:

All any of it required, at base, was a disbelief in limitations. She can't learn? No, you're not willing to let her try. As parents, we cannot let that go unchallenged, not ever. We owe our kids that much. Expect, don't accept.

Do not give in to those who would ignore their better natures, because it's easier to retain a stereotype than change it. Change requires work, but it's the only way we improve as human beings. When people resist change, protest. Scream real loud. Give 'em hell. Don't let them tell you what your kid can do. Expect, don't accept.

Q&A #156

I can't believe Kam actually allows that spider shirt in your house :)
I know, right?! LOL Ironically, that's Keeghan's most favorite shirt ever. He calls it his Itsy Bitsy Spider shirt. LOL

Last year about halfway through the year I had to write out a morning routine with times I expected it to be done by. I'm a little surprised you haven't done that. Anyways, it worked for a little while, but then we would forget.
Well, I actually HAD a chart for last year too, but it wasn't as specific and, like you, half way through the year we kind of stopped using it. This year, we will stick to it. Dang it. LOL Kass and Kam actually really seem to like it!

Do they get that dirty at school that they need a second shower :)
LOL No, that's why I put "If needed". Sometimes they shower at night and sometimes in the morning, depending on how busy we are and their mood. They asked me too what was going to happen to their rooms to get it messy between the time they go to bed and the time they wake up in the morning, but HEY, you'd be surprised! LOL

I love some of these back to school ideas & may use them if thats ok with u. Its just me and my 2 girls cause daddys always on the rd working.Im gonna have the whole day to myself and need to get organzied a lil but...
TY Renee... What types of suppers do u find easy to fix for the kids during the school yr so u r not standin in the kitchen for hrs.
Don't mind at all! We do a lot of Schwan's stuff. I am NOT a good cook... I hate to cook. I hate the time and mess it takes to cook. I don't buy meat from Schwan's because it's quite expensive, but I love some of their other meals. We do their Six Cheese Tortellini (then I just buy marinara sauce to go over it), and they just brought out a new cheese ravioli that the kids just tried and LOVED! We like their 5 cheese garlic bread, their chicken enchiladas, they have a great spinach and mushroom pasta which only Kennedy and Keeghan and I will eat. (Kass and Kam liked it until they figured out they were eating spinach, and Kellsey can't have it because of the tomato sauce) so that's become a lunch time food for us now! LOL We buy their chicken fries, their mini corn dogs, and a lot of their breakfast stuff. Their toaster waffles, mini pancakes, and apple french toast sticks are all really good... or so my kids say! We also love their veggies. They come in a ziplock bag and you pour out just the amount you need. Their corn is delicious and so sweet! My kids also love their peas and they have broccoli and cheese that's really good. Their asparagus is awesome too, but that's something I only buy when Frank is home. If you scroll back through my Q&As there are a lot of other Schwan's recommendations as well. With Frank gone, I find we do a lot of quick and easy kid friendly food. I'm sure that will all change once he comes home! ;)

so how is all of the special ks doing with school? how's Kennedy? have u started the homeschooling yet? do u have her sit there for six hours like school or is the homeschooling day gonna be shorter? just wondering...love ur blog (:
They are doing great!
Kassidy and Kameron both love their teachers and have had a great start to their year. Kassidy, being a 5th grader, gets a "job" being a 5th grade helper. She had to choose a job and interview for it and she now helps one of the Kindergarten teachers every morning as soon as she gets to school. She is thrilled! She's been talking about doing this since last year. :) I went to school and had lunch with both of them last week, which is always fun. I'm just glad they like me to come eat with them! :o)
Keeghan is enjoying Mother's Day Out. A spot opened up in the 3 day program so he is now going Monday, Wednesday and Friday instead of Tuesday and Thursday. This gives me more time to focus on Kennedy's schooling. He really likes his teachers and is enjoying the "jobs" he gets each day too... last week he was the line leader. :)
Kellsey is still enjoying school as well. She really likes her teacher and is warming up to the kids there. She is happy to go to school each day and happy to be picked up when I go to get her. Her teachers always talk about how sweet she is and she's becoming more and more vocal there... but no one knows what she's saying! haha She's FINALLY napping at school, which is a good thing because before she wouldn't sleep at all!
Kennedy is doing well, we have done some introductory stuff and gotten ourselves organized. I have my lesson plans done up till October now and we are ready to go! I was planning on starting this week, but our trip to California has thrown that just a little. I AM taking some school work with us so we're unofficially starting, but I'm not going to adhere to the strict schedule that I will once we are at home. Our homeschooling day will most likely be shorter, by law we have to do school for 4 hours every day and we should easily be able to get all our work done in that time. It goes by MUCH faster when you're one on one. :) I plan on blogging about a lot (but not all of course) of what we do with pictures and/or video once we really get going.

oh & one more question, when does frank get home for R&R? im sure the kids will be excited to see him! srry for all the questions!!! :)
He'll be home the beginning of November for R&R which is 2 weeks. He will be here for Kassidy, Kameron and Kellsey's birthdays! :) We are very excited about that and can't wait for him to get here!!!

I love your blog and your kids' names. How did you pick them? DId you start out with having a pattern for all their names or did it just happen? Sorry if this is a repeat(i.e. it's been asked and answered).
I actually did a series of posts on this... You can find them here:
The Art of Naming My Kids Part 1
The Art of Naming My Kids Part 2
The Art of Naming My Kids Part 3
The Art of Naming My Kids Part 4
I guess I need to add a Part 5 now, though Part 4 really explains it all! haha

And Renee, as far as Kellsey's fear of characters I have an idea of how it might help her to get over that. As you might know I'm a professional clown. I don't get to do it all that much because of the kids, but I've done it at a few school events. One of the teacher's granddaughter was terrified of clowns. So what I did was show her a picture of myself dressed as a clown and told her that it's just me with makeup on. I showed her the makeup and let her touch it. She is no longer terrified of clowns. She goes right up to them. So if you can I'd find someone who dresses in costume and let them show her it's just dress up. Halloween might be a scary time for her this year if you don't find a way to make her more comfortable with it ;). She might still be too young though to really get it, but it is worth a try. Then again it might be a good thing that she's so afraid of people in costume ;). Someone else I knew I had offered to do the same thing for and she refused because she liked her child being afraid so he wouldn't go off with a stranger just because they were dressed up in a costume. Personally I thought that was a bit extreme, but to each his own, right?
That's a good idea... she's never seen a clown. Frank is scared of them too! haha I imagine Kellsey wouldn't like them much. I wish I knew someone who dressed up... If I remember right, she didn't even like Santa last year. I KNOW she didn't like the Easter Bunny. I'm more worried about her going off with strangers not in costumes than ones in costumes. She really would go off with just about anyone, especially men. So scary.

Hi there! I have been following your blog for some time and finally decided to write... :-) Your family is beautiful and I love the way you respond to questions. So, I have one for you! Do both of your daughters have "full" Downs Syndrome or does your little one have a mosaic form? I ask because everyone that meets my little girl asks if she has Downs (even Drs.). Genetics test indicate that she doesn't but they didn't test enough cells to determine if she has a mosaic form... I can't decide if I want to put her through that test. She has mild ataxic Cerebral Palsy and the delays that happen with that are similar to those with Downs....
Anyway - I was just curious! Thanks so much for sharing your family! Sesame place looks like fun and we are planning a trip there soon!
Kennedy and Kellsey both have regular Trisomy 21. We too wondered if Kellsey might have Mosaic Down syndrome, but we had her Karyotype done not long after she came home and it came back the same as Kennedy's. I was glad to know, for no other reason that just knowing... and I think it's so neat to see the chromosome studies on paper. I have both of the girls karyotypes saved in case they ever want to see them some day. Good question! :)

When do you leave for your grandfather's funeral?
Tomorrow afternoon.

Renee I am cracking up! There are photos of my little brother in the same pose as Kameron, arms cross, standing on the outside of the characters. Hilarious! I might have to send you a picture.
LOL That's the, "I want to think I'm too cool for characters, but I really still want to meet them" pose! hehehehe

Love the pics of Sesame Place! I am wondering about Kennedy's swim dress. I noticed it one other time and just wonder if it is a fashion thing or if there's any other reason she wears that rather than a regular swim suit?
I just saw it and thought it was cute. :) Came from Target. She actually has a few others too, but that one's her favorite... because it makes her look like a Sincess. :)

Note: Hey Jemma, I did get your question, but my answer became REALLY long, so I'm going to dedicate a whole post to it soon. Watch for it!

Pics from Philly

Here are pictures from when we went to Philadelphia for Kennedy and Kellsey's appointments at Shriner's. We kept with tradition and took a trip to Sesame Place, made possible by the Here's to the Heroes program.

The kids love Sesame Place, even Kass and Kam still love it because of all the water areas! My mom talked them into going onto the roller coaster this year, and I think they liked it. :) Kassidy TRIED to talk Kennedy into going down one of the little water slides, but they got to the top and Kennedy chickened out. LOL Maybe next year! Kellsey was terrified of the characters, but loved the rides... the faster the better for her. I think she is going to be my thrill seeker! She was too little to go on the big roller coaster, of course! Keeghan refused to go on any rides for some reason. Wouldn't even try them... he usually likes them, so who knows what THAT was about. All the kids loved the water of course! Our friends Megan and Olivia joined us for the afternoon. They live close by and have season passes, so we were excited to hang out with them. :)























These pictures were at our friend Marlene's house... we love spending time with her and her family. Here are pictures of the little kids with Marlene's daughter Aleena. This was at the end of the night... they were all a little tired and goofy! :)


And that's it. We did A LOT more in Philly... saw lots more friends and ate a TON, but I didn't have my camera readily snapping this time... we were just enjoying the break from every day life and having fun... and trying to stay cool. It was HOT! We look forward to going back again in January... no water parks then, though! ;)