July Highlights

Well, as it is now August, I look back at the last few weeks. We have had a summer filled with various activities! We have enjoyed 2 county fairs so far, Eaton and Ingham, and one local Ox fest here in Eaton Rapids. Cody loves "carnivals" and the rides, elephant ears and of course playing the games.

Zoos among us. We have visited John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Toledo Zoo, Detroit Zoo, and Potter Park Zoo. Our Zoo pass is definitely paying for itself. I hope before the summer is over we make to the Binder Park Zoo as this is where we usually go on Cody's actual birthday as a tradition (he will be 3 on Aug. 10).

Birthday parties: Gabe our nephew, 6, which was a water theme. Then Grandpa Andy turned 78 and we enjoyed a yummy cake! Cody wanted to get Grandpa a toy for his birthday, and ended up buying him a John Deere tractor toy. Even today as we were talking about birthdays Cody mentioned how he got grandpa tractor and that when he goes over there he will be able to play with grandpa and his tractor! Speaking of birthdays as we celebrate Cody's 3rd birthday and our nephew David's 7th Cody is very excited about his Monster Truck Pinata and tractor cake. He also is excited about having it at a water park! Stay tuned for more pictures!

Brady has now learned to climb up the stairs thanks to being at Aunt Evie's house! He did great and now we just have to work on his balance and going down the stairs! We went to our first Down syndrome picnic with the Capital Area Down Syndrome Association group. We are enjoying meeting other families and gaining a new network of friends. We did some play time with a another family at the Impression 5 Science center in Lansing as well as a farewell party for a family who moved to Wyoming. We will miss Barbara, Kevin and Keiran and wish them well in their new home. We hope to stay in touch with them and just have more friends with children with Ds to network with.

Cody learned that it is fun to play with water balloons! Then he also likes riding his bike or playing outside when ever he gets a chance. He is also helpful around the yard in picking up sticks and putting them in the fire pit at Larry's house. Cody went to his first sports skills class and loved it. He has some true talent and hopefully will be able to play some baseball or soccer soon.

Brady enjoyed camping and hanging out with his friends. He got a taste of sand, but seemed to be ok with it. Yuck! He also loves to play ball and bubbles or watch any action taking place around him. He is starting to like the water more and more!

So enjoy the pictures from July as we enjoyed having fun and seeing lots of new things.