Please Say Prayers for a Cure for AS

Mom learned about this article today.
http://spectrumpublications.com/index.php/April/May-2008/Spectrum-Magazine-Category/a-long-shot-pays-off.html
We just know there is going to be a cure for Angelman Syndrome. Please say prayers for this doctor as he continues his research into finding a cure for AS. How exciting will it be when I can talk and talk and talk and talk and talk! Better have your phone ready 'cause I'll be calling everyone! Also, if possible, please donate to the Angelman Sydrome Foundation through the Firstgiving link to the right of this posting. It is research such as this that the ASF helps to fund.

Forever Friends Festival

Today at preschool we had our Forever Friends Festival. In the morning, my friends and I decorated our playground with streamers and drew with chalk on the sidewalks. We made friendship necklaces and headbands. In the afternoon when our parents arrived, each class performed their favorite song. My class did the rap version of Humpty Dumpty in which my favorite line is "Now ain't that funky!" Then our parents all got up to dance with us! The most special part of the day was wishing good luck to our classmates who will be going to kindergarten next year. They all received diplomas and told us which kindergarten they will be going to. My friend Alejandro will be going to the same school that I'll go to in a year! How cool is that...I already have a friend at my new school and I haven't even been there yet! All of the rest of us got certificates of recognition for what we bring to the class. My award was for "outstanding achievement for being our 'cheerleader' in our classroom." The second most special part of the day was that we got to eat ice cream with sprinkles on it! I'm going to miss all of my friends who will be starting kindergarten in the fall.

Dinner Is At My House!

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I very much enjoy helping out around the house. I'm also a very good helper at school. I take turns with my classmates having different jobs around the classroom. Tonight I got to pick the side dish for dinner and helped make it. Check out my video of all the ways I helped with dinner tonight! Mom and Dad said someday I'll have my own house so I need to practice! Once I get my house...you're all invited over for dinner!

My First 5K!

Today I completed my first 5K! Mom and I walked in the Colorado State University - Pueblo Run that benefits the Athletic Department. We didn't set any world record times but I pedaled my trike the whole way! It was alot of fun. We walked with Mikenzie and her Mom. Plus, I got to see alot of my friends after the race. This picture is me stopping at the water station that Dad and the basketball team were running. It was at the top of a really big hill so I was definitely ready for a drink! With this 5K under my belt, I'm all ready for the upcoming Angelman Syndrome Walk-A-Thon!

Angel in the Corner - In Honor of Ashley

Mom and I made this video in honor of Ashley. Ashely is a little seven year old girl with Angelman Syndrome who went to heaven this week. This song is very special to me and Mom because it talks about how little kids see angels that protect them. In the video, the first quotes are from Ashley's mom that she shared on the Angelman Syndrome parent listserve awhile ago. The last quote is from Erin, Maggie's mom. Erin wrote a beautiful letter to Ashely that she shared on the listserve. Please keep Ashley's family in your prayers.

Future Artist or Author!

For a long time I have loved to draw...especially on my magna doodle. The past couple of weeks I have become a very serious drawer and writer. When I am drawing I get a very intent look on my face...anyway...that's what Mom tells me! Mom took a picture of one of my recent masterpieces. I have certain things I like to draw most...circles, m's and curlie-q's! Today in Speech Therapy I drew alot and used my Dynavox to talk about the shapes, colors and letters. My Speech Therapist and I have also started to work more on saying words with my mouth. So far I can say sounds like h, s, da, ba, la, f, ah and p. Not sure why, but Mom had tears in her eyes today during my Speech Therapy session...she called them "happy tears!" This morning I said a word that sounded like "grandpa" after Mom pushed my Grandpa button on my talker. I said it over and over again cause Mom kept wanting to hear it and then she called Dad into the living room to listen also. Guess that's another skill, like my jumping, that I could have saved to reveal just before bedtime...guess I got a little ahead of myself!

Jump! Shout! Dance It All Out!

Yesterday I surprised Mom and Dad by showing off my new skill they didn't know I could do...jumping! For awhile now I've been able to jump while holding on to my walker or someones hands...but now it's just me...all by myself! While Mom and Dad were both sitting in the living room I thought...what a great time to break out my secret. Plus, Mom had mentioned bedtime was coming soon so I just knew showing off my jumping would buy me at least another 30 minutes before I had to go to bed. Mom and Dad were so excited they forgot I was supposed to be in bed! (Note to self: Save all new things I'm learning to be revealed just prior to bedtime.) My vertical jump is just about as high as Mom's! Today she took a video of me dancing and jumping. Check it out!

Bonding in the Bathroom!

I've been having a great time pretending to do all of the things I see grown-ups do. Dad made me my very own razor like his (but without the sharp parts) so he and I can shave together. I especially like the part where I get to put my razor underneath the running water. And just in case you were wondering...shaving cream does not taste as good as it looks!

Huge Hugs & Kisses to my Aunt Michelle!

I am so excited for this year's Angelman Syndrome Walk-a-Thon. My Aunt Michelle will be running in her first half marathon on May 4 in Nebraska. The really cool thing is that she will be running in honor of me and is working to raise money for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. But wait...I haven't told you the best part of all!!! She and my cousins, Mason and Mikenzie, are going to Denver to come walk with Mom, Dad and me! I can't wait for Peanut's Peeps (that's the name of my walk-a-thon team)to hit the walking course. You can help Aunt Michelle and me raise money for the AS Foundation by clicking on the link to the right. This will take you to my fundraising page. It is really simple to give and it goes for a great cause! Just think how cool it would be if a cure for Angelman Syndrome is found and you could say "I helped that happen!"

My Blanket Still Rocks!

Two weeks now and I'm still lovin' my weighted blanket. Sleeping through the night is actually working out pretty good. This past week I've been fighting a cold so coughing sometimes has woken me up, but other than that...I'm saw'n logs the whole night through! A couple of times I didn't even need to cuddle with Mom to go to sleep...I think sometimes that's more of an adjustment for Mom than for me...but don't tell Mom I said so! Sweet dreams!