Lillian and Camilla Date Day February 2016

**THROWBACK POST**

February 23 2016:

Lillian and Camilla February 2016 Date Day – A game of Old Maid with the princess folk and then dessert of a fancy snicker doodle and chocolate cheesecake. Part 1

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Bubbles … And Lillian’s version of pool – Hand pool. What a great end to date day. My last one with her as a 45 year old!!!

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Sibshop for Thomas and Royal Package and Marmite and Calligraphy and The Universe and Finished

March 5 2017:

Thank you Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) andJUSTin HOPE Foundation for another great Sibshop for Thomas!! Looking forward to the May event! Yay!

Thomas Sibshop 3.5.17

March 7 2017:

We received a Royal Mail package yesterday. Thank you Melissa Susan Sheard for the care package. Now we can say we’ve tasted Marmite! WOW!!! It’s salty, for sure!

Royal Mail Package Marmite 3.7.17 #1 Royal Mail Package Marmite 3.7.17 #2

March 8 2017:

Physical therapy day for Lillian. As I was getting back in the car I was moved by the books she’s reading. How did she know I want to learn calligraphy? The other is mine, but she got to it first!

April will be our last month for physical therapy. So much excited about this! We may return to physical therapy after summer, yet not here as I don’t feel she needs weekly appointments. We’ve been coming here for about 6 years.

Plus, I will try to talk Lillian into something different to pinpoint the areas that still need developing … yoga or some kind of dance? We shall see. Hallelujah for endings, new beginnings and new adventures! xoxo

Lillian Books 3.8.17

March 9 2017:

This afternoon was our bi-weekly library visit! This time with a twist. Thomas got to take part in the South Valleys Coding Club at 4:00. It was very basic using Scratch; which he already knows. Yet, they will progress from there. We LOVE the library!!

Cool and Fun Moments at the Park

**THROWBACK POST**

February 23 2014:

Cool, fun moments at the park yesterday! Thomas and Lillian wrote poems today and began poetry notebooks.

From Thomas,

Camilla ○ Nice, Kind ○ The best Mom ○ Love, Kindness”

From Lillian,

“Blue feels like an ocean ○ Blue tastes like blueberry ○ Blue looks like a pool ○ Blue smells like berry ○Blue sounds like a fan”

So happy I get to be their Mama! ♡

Park 2.23.14 #8 Park 2.23.14 #7 Park 2.23.14 #6 Park 2.23.14 #5 Park 2.23.14 #4 Park 2.23.14 #3 Park 2.23.14 #2 Park 2.23.14 #1

Lillian and Camilla February 2017 Date Day

March 1 2017:

Lillian and Camilla February 2017 Date Day ….. First, lunch with a view. One of our favorite car picnic spots!!! Part 1

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Lillian and Camilla February 2017 Date Day  … First, lunch with a view. One of our favorite car picnic spots!!!

Next, a trip to the library to search for books and documentaries about trees, per Lillian’s request.

Then, for some studying of trees in the library garden. And taking a few FUN and creative photos through the magnifying glass! Part 2

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Lillian and Camilla February 2017 Date Day …. First, lunch with a view. One of our favorite car picnic spots!!!

Next, a trip to the library to search for books and documentaries about trees, per Lillian’s request.

Then, for some studying of trees in the library garden. And taking a few FUN and creative photos through the magnifying glass! We thought the one of the bud was cool, as the magnifying glass caught the reflection of the tree behind me! Part 3

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Lillian and Camilla February 2017 Date Day ….. last stop! Dessert!

First, lunch with a view. One of our favorite car picnic spots!!!

Next, a trip to the library to search for books and documentaries about trees, per Lillian’s request.

Then, for some studying of trees in the library garden. And taking a few FUN and creative photos through the magnifying glass! Last set of pics

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Happy Birthday to Camilla

February 26, 2017 … Happy Birthday Camilla!!

Happy Birthday to me! Team TLC enjoyed a late breakfast.

Courageous Cappuccino and Vegan Hash for me. Breakfast sandwich for Thomas and Liege Waffle for Lillian. And for desert for all of us …… Raw and Vegan Triple Chocolate cake …. So incredibly delicious!

Thank you Great Full Gardens South Meadows Reno for the birthday discount, the amazing, loving environment, and delicious food! Love does indeed live here!

Courageous Cappuccino Grateful Gardens 2.26.17 #1 Love Lives Here Grateful Gardens 2.26.17 #2 Vegan Triple Chocolate Grateful Gardens 2.26.17 #3

“How do you freeze a bubble?” –Thomas … He still continues to ask some amazing questions. I have no idea the answer to this one!!

He sang “Happy Birthday” to me first thing this morning. He also created a huge hidden happy face and happy-birthday-playing-notes on mine craft!

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Birthday dinner! Baked potato medallions, sautéed portobello mushrooms with sweet onion, and arugula, beet, and cucumber salad. And for dessert … fresh mango! Yum!! xoxo

Birthday Dinner 2.26.17

Beautiful animated birthday message Lillian made for me using Scratch programming. Look at that beautiful blue and green cake!!! Aqua is my favorite color. Followed by any variations of blue and green. xoxo

Birthday Present from Lillian 2.26.17

Happy Birthday to Baby Camilla! WoW! I’ve lived so many lives since these pictures!! I began my love affair with chocolate at a very early age!

All the adventures, experiences, joy, love, laughter, sadness, hurt, and uncomfortable moments ….. Lifetimes of LEARNING!! ….. Learning and heading back Home …

Here’s to the beginning of the 47th year of learning. I’m all in. I’m not turning back. This is the year of The Shift … xoxo

Momma and Me Camilla Collage as Baby

Thomas and Camilla February 2017 Date Day

February 20 2017:

Thomas and Camilla February 2017 Date Day …..

For me: Hyderabad Veg Dum Biryani with Naan.

For Thomas: Shrimp Pepper Masala with Naan and Chickoo Milk Shake to wash it down.

For both of us: Dessert: Gulab Jamun

Yum!! I’m so full!!!

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Part 2: Monopoly!

Date Day with Thomas February 2017 2.20.17 Monopoly

 

Sharing Life Stories With Your Kids

**THROWBACK POST**

February 18 2016:

Team TLC at Vintage Oktoberfest 8.21.16

For many years now I’ve been sharing a “life story” with Thomas and Lillian before bed. They take turns choosing a topic or word and I share what comes to mind from my past. Tonight Thomas chose the word “Panama”.

The first thing that came to mind was Van Halen’s song, “Panama“, and thoughts of watching the music video on MTV. We looked it up afterwards so they could hear the song. I don’t think Lillian was impressed that I know all the words.

I deeply love this tradition we began so many years ago. It brings much laughter, silliness, and sometimes tears (on my part).

Love, sweet love … xoxo

**Update** March 9 2017: We are still doing this! With one twist. I have now brought Thomas and Lillian into the story telling. We take turns telling a life story and also take turns with who gives the clue word.

Can’t Even Describe How Fun It Was

**THROWBACK POST**

February 18 2016:

“It was so fun! If I could have stayed in for recess to keep working on it, I would have. I loved it! I can’t even describe how fun it was.” -Thomas says to me me during our afternoon walk today.

He had a lesson today on degrees, angles, and fractions ….

I find this one named Thomas so interesting …

On another note, it began hailing during our walk. The wind was blowing too. When wind blows hail into your face, it hurts a little! Yet, it was a GREAT walk!

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