Hawaii

We just got back from a really fun trip to Hawaii with Don and Diane. Don's grandma has a time share in Laie so, with a place to stay at the Hukilau house, we couldn't resist going and spending time as a family. We played on the beach, swam in the water, went to the Polynesian Cultural Center and got to see Pearl Harbor. The best part though was just being there together without the distractions of daily life. Great memories!

BEACH

Elle and Easton LOVED playing in the water and jumping the waves

Don got to do some boogie boarding

Jayne had so much fun playing in the sand and kept trying to eat it

We had fun building sandcastles with the kids

Digging for crabs with Grandpa

Swimming with Grandma

Burying Easton in the sand

Easton and I had fun burying Don in the sand

Elle was so excited to get a grass skirt

Funny faces

We love Matsumotos snow cones!!!

LUAU AT THE POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER

Don and Diane were so nice and watched Jayne one night so we could take Elle and Easton to the Luau and night show at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was fun to have some time with just them.

The Pig at the Luau

Luau Dancer

We go all the way to Hawaii and what do Elle and Easton choose for their souvenirs? Light sabers

The night show at the PCC

We all went back to the Polynesian Cultural Center the next day to visit all the different villages and shows. It was so much fun!

In the Samoan show, a guy climbed up a coconut tree

WAIMEA FALLS PARK

We went and walked around Waimea Falls Park. Even though the Falls were really small, it was still really pretty.

Palm Tree fish

Looking for fish in the Tidepools at Shark's Cove

PEARL HARBOR

Don and Diane watched the kids for us and Don and I got to go to Pearl Harbor. It was an amazing sight and so moving.

It is crazy to see part of the ship above the water and oil still floating on the surface

On our way back to the kids, we stopped at a beach by Turtle Bay

Little Boy, Big Example

As a parent, it is my job to try and teach my kids the best that I can. The funny thing is, I'm pretty sure I learn more from them than they do from me...

We just got back from a family trip to Hawaii and had a great time. We were there over a Sunday so we planned to go to Sacrament Meeting at a ward there and then go back to the house. Elle kept asking over and over, "We aren't staying for Primary,right?" She was really nervous about being with kids she didn't know. We told her no but that we wanted to make sure we got the Sacrament. While sitting in Sacrament meeting, Easton leaned over and said, "I want to go to Primary and meet new friends." Don and I looked at each other and realized that we were having a "teaching moment" and we were the ones being taught by our sweet 4-year-old boy. That is where we needed to be. Elle still didn't want to stay but thanks to a sweet teacher, she decided to try. We didn't plan on staying for classes, but thanks to the example of a little boy, we stayed. Elle and Easton both did great and thought it was so neat that it was just like Primary in Utah. They were so excited to have made new friends in Hawaii too.

"Cheese!"

Jayne has learned to say "Cheese" and she couldn't be any cuter!

Easton starts Preschool

Easton started preschool again a couple of weeks ago and he couldn't wait. He got to go a couple of days before to meet his teachers and even saw his friend, Will. I'm so glad he loves school, but I will definitely miss him while he is gone. He is such a fun little guy!

First day of school

With his teachers

Easton with his friend, Will

A Harsh Reality...

I decided to do a Gymboree class with Jayne. I have done Gymboree "mom and tot" classes with both Elle and Easton and wanted to have that opportunity with Jayne too. The therapists that come to work with her said it would be great for her--all the climbing and playing and just having dedicated one-on-one time. I called Gymboree, knowing what class she should be in for her age, but because Jayne isn't quite walking I wanted to find out if that class would be OK for her still. I told the man on the phone that Jayne has Down Syndrome and wasn't quite walking yet. He was very nice and said, "For our delayed children..." Ouch. My child is delayed. I know that. It hurts though when you hear it out loud. After realizing that the only time that would work is a class with kids ages 16-22 months, I decided to try it out. I figured Jayne is 21 months so she should be fine. The class started in one hour...

We got to the class with all the other moms and kids. First activity-- having the kids push a big rolling cushion while walking. Jayne can't walk on her own so I tried carrying her and helping her push but eventually I just backed away and watched. The tears tried to come but I held them back. This is for Jayne, I kept telling myself. It doesn't matter what anyone else does. Then it was time to let the kids just play on all the equipment. Jayne took off crawling up the stairs and then went down the slide head first, on her belly. She loved it! She was having so much fun exploring everything. I helped her climb up a ladder and then climb back down. Then she took off army crawling right through a group of moms watching their kids run around. I could feel their stare on Jayne, probably wondering why she wasn't walking. The tears started to come again. I almost wanted to yell out, "She has Down Syndrome" Most of them probably could tell and just didn't know what to say. Why is it so hard being different? It hurt seeing her with all these kids that were mostly younger doing so much more. Our friends have kids that are Jayne's age and we know that she isn't doing everything that most kids her age are. It stings a little sometimes but friends and family know Jayne and they are so sweet with her so it makes it easier. I know she will do it all eventually. This was different. These people don't know Jayne and because of the nature of the class, Jayne's inability to do things was very obvious. My child is delayed. Is this how it will feel her whole life? Reality is setting in and it can be harsh...

Then I looked at Jayne--my sweet little girl that I absolutely adore! She was already across the room climbing up on a big cushion laughing and having the time of her life! She loved this class! She didn't care that she couldn't walk or climb a ladder. She would wave and smile at the other kids and she was happy just being there. It hit me. Jayne is happy so why is this so hard for me? Why do I want to cry and run out? Jayne's inability to do certain things yet doesn't matter to her. Jayne doesn't know she has Down Syndrome. Neither do the other kids. It isn't hard for her. It is hard for us because we want her to be like everyone else. Somewhere between being a kid and growing into an adult we all get this funny idea that being different is bad. Everyone is different. We all have different abilities and disabilities. Jayne is Jayne and she is amazing! People always tell us how lucky Jayne is to be part of our family. I believe the opposite. We are the lucky ones to have Jayne a part of our family. She has already taught us so much and continues to teach me every day. She loves totally unconditionally and can turn anyone's day around just by giving them a hug.

Will I continue the class? Of course I will! Jayne giggled and laughed and had the time of her life. She loved the bubbles and the parachute and singing the silly songs. Jayne will do great things! She already has...

Summer comes to an end

Elle and Jayne on the glider together

All the kids

Easton loves puzzles and is pretty excited that he can do them all by himself lately

Jayne woke up from a nap and I fed her lunch. I took off her clothes because they were a mess and got distracted helping Elle with her homework. I looked back to see what Jayne was doing and she had taken off her diaper and was waving it around in the air. Funny little girl! I'm glad it was a clean diaper.

Easton made his bed all by himself for the first time and was so excited to show me

Playing Star Wars

We went to a play group with other kids that have Down Syndrome. Jayne had a lot of fun playing with all the new toys. It was nice to visit with the other moms and share ideas. These kids couldn't be any cuter!

Don and I went to the Sundance Theatre with our friends, Jill and Alan Fletcher, to see Big River. It was a great play and so fun to be out with Fletchers!