To be included

There will come a time when the inclusion model may not be the right choice for Owen. Each year will be a decision. To be included is a controversial choice. Will the other kids be too far ahead of him? Will they be able to adapt the assignments to be at his level? Will he keep up? Will they notice a difference? Will he notice a difference?

For Kindergarten it seemed like an easy choice. But we were still realistic and knew it would take work. Work for Owen. Work for his kindergarten teacher. Work for his para. Work for his Special ed teacher.  Work for his classmates.Work for Owen. Yes, lots of work for Owen.

His first conferences were on Friday. A discussion that could have gone either way. Most times these meetings are hard to take because it usually points out all the things he is struggling with. But instead we left with a bigger appreciation (if there could be such a thing) for his team.

We heard about his day. Talked about his work. Thought through some ideas on how to adapt and help guide him through difficult tasks so he doesn't get frustrated. Talked about the friendships he is forming and learned about how Owen is being included.

Mrs. Schnackenberg wanted to remind us again that Owen is her student. Even if he has a para there to support him, she is the one doing the teaching. I love that.

The overall message is he is doing great. He is making great friends, he is being guided by amazing teachers and he is growing each day he is there.

He has made a sweet connection with a little girl named Olivia. Here they are working on their whiteboards together. Pictures like this = tears in mommies eyes.

He is following instructions and working on tasks. This is during individual reading time. I am glad to see that this has carried over from home to school. We LOVE books at home.

Another great bond has been made with a little boy named Reece. This is one like no other. Reece may end up being the captain of the high school football team but he is a gentle role model for Owen. One day a picture came home in Owen's folder that said "From Reece" on it. I can't wait for Owen to be able to draw a picture and send it home to Reece.

They have 5th grade buddies as well. Owen has 2.
Another one of those pictures that brought tears to my eyes.

We also learned that Owen has been the topic of most of the conferences. Most of the parents have asked about him and how he is doing. Wow. How great is that! He is making a difference in the lives around him.

I sent a letter home to all the parents of Owen's classmates the first week of school. I asked them to talk to their kids about Owen, told them about Down Syndrome, told them about Owen. I think that is making a difference!

We ran into a classmate at the pumpkin patch today. A little girl came running up yelling "OWEN". He looked at her and said hi. Her mom then caught up and said oh is this Owen? The Owen? The girl replied yup. It was Riley one the girls in Owen's class. We said goodbye and Owen turned waved and said, "Bye Riley".

To be included is magical.

A birthday. A wish

Turning 3 is a big deal. She has been waiting and waiting to say she was three. Friday the day finally came. My little sweet girl is now a big girl.

Being a big girl means you can get your ears pierced. So that is what we did on her birthday. She wanted dora earrings but she settled for some pink sparkly flowers.

She was very excited. I reminded her to "be brave" and she showed us.

A few purple dots to mark where the earrings would go.

And away she went. Not a single tear. Just a little squeak of "ouch". 

Her face was a little sad from the pain but her words proved her otherwise.

She just kept saying, "mom they're beautiful".

Afterwards we celebrated with a few cupcakes with the Thorsens. Her "big" party will be next weekend.

 Her other wish has been a bike.

She got her wish. 

Another year that has gone by too quickly but we are reminded every day how lucky we are to have Olivia in our lives. She is an amazing little girl and we are so proud of her. She is a loving sister, a thoughtful friend and sweet daughter.

A few randoms

A lot of randomness into one big post. It is the only way I can get this done!

We took a trip to a local apple orchard with our DS parent group a few weeks ago. Owen and Olivia had a great time. We had the place to ourselves so it was nice to just let them explore and not be too worried Owen would get lost in the crowd. A tractor hay ride, picking apples, climbing mountains of hay bails, riding little tractors and playing with friends. We could not have asked for a better way to spend a Monday night!

Owen with his buddy Andrew and his sister Kate

Olivia with Kate. 

*****

We had the opportunity to go to a wedding last month for one of my cousins. The kids did fantastic, had fun and best of all the place was filled with family.

Grandpa, you are missing 1 grandkid!

*****

It's been a year since we lost my Aunt Jana to ovarian cancer. In honor of her and to continue to raise awareness for this disease my uncle and family hosted a Nana Jana fun run on their farm. It was the same weekend as our buddy walk but I felt it was too important to miss it. So Owen and I loaded up the car with a few Thorsens and made the journey down.

Here is the philben family that was at the walk. Just a "couple" of us.

Owen was excited to be at the farm. Owen was trying to tell this cow to stay in his "cage".

The cow was not happy about it.

Owen and I didn't actually get to participate in the walk, we stayed back to cheer on the runners, chat with the animals and play on the tractors.
It was quite an obstacle course through the corn maze, over a pond, through some slides, over some tractor tiles and a few other challenges.
He did manage to cross the finish line though

*****

Someone has a birthday this week...I warned you, random post.

*****

Fall Miracle League has come to an end this week. It was another wonderful opportunity for Owen to practice the game. The game of listening, taking turns, participating. I have seen a huge change in his "ways" since he started at the beginning of the summer. Jason still needs to be close by to keep him on task but it is still getting better. Better is all we can ask for.

This week we were lucky enough to have a familiar face as a buddy. NIC! Thank you Peterson's for making it to the game and having Nic participate.

A few more random things for the coming week including home improvement projects, a special announcement (which most of you already know about thanks to Jason), conferences, and a birthday.

Have a great week!

Why we walk.

Sometimes an explaination isn't about the words.

It's about a purpose.

It's about the support.

It's about hopes and dreams.

It's about family.

It's about a little boy.

A boy who believes everyone deserves a smile and a hello.

A boy who dances whenever he wants.

A boy who is who he is.

A boy we are thankful for.