As we checked the weather for the week, we noticed that it was predicted to be cooler (highs in the low 90s) earlier in the week. We decided to take advantage of the cooler weather with a trip to the Phoenix Zoo. In addition to observing the animals, the excursion included a train ride around the zoo and a trip to the snack bar.
We stopped by Great Gramma’s on the way home. It was great to see her. Karli picked up a new stuffed bear and Ryan loved the fruit that grows right in Great Gramma’s back yard.
Back at the condo, it was finally time for some swimming.
The children had expressed a bit of anxiety about their first time back in the pool. After all, it’s been many months and they feared they might have lost some of their skills. However, before long it was just as if they were swimming only yesterday. First Jay and the boys did some dancing to the music. Then Jen helped Drew and Ry with some “pool karate.”
While the family enjoyed the pool, the resort had a welcome party with free food and live music. Our first full day of vacation couldn’t have been better!
Nana Barb
After our long winter lock-down the Draz Fam has really looked forward to the first vacation of the year. On Saturday, May 5, we packed. We now have this down to a system. Jay packs all of Drew’s equipment, prescription meds and formula in bags we take on board. We use one (big) suitcase for everything else we take. Because we have a washer/dryer in our condo everyone takes only two or three outfits.
On Sunday, May 6, we headed for the airport. Once again, we now have going through security down to a system. Jen goes through with Karli and Ryan. I stay with Drew while he and his chair are checked by security agents. Jay stays with all of Drew’s equipment and supplies. Sometimes we get through security quickly; other times it takes longer. On this trip Jay spent a long time with the agents as they were very thorough. The children had a great time while we waited. You may be able to hear Jen in the following video as she comments that it is obvious that the children have been in lock-down.
When it’s time to board, our family is the first down the runway. Jay puts all the equipment in the overhead bins and then comes back to carry Drew onto the plane. On this trip we were able to watch Drew’s chair being loaded on a ramp to the plane.
The children did a great job. They used their iPads and enjoyed a small snack.
Once the plane lands we allow everyone else to depart. Then Jay unloads all the equipment and, finally, carries Drew off. By this time his chair is waiting for him on the runway. Luckily there was no damage to the chair on this trip!
We made our usual trip to WalMart for food and other supplies and, then checked into our condo. The children wanted to swim, but by now it was late and Jay still had to set up all of Drew’s equipment so Jen put on a movie.
The following video includes my favorite images of the day:
I know I’m way behind on posts; that’s because we’re having such a great time!
The children were so excited that Grandpa D came to celebrate his birthday. They planned a party complete with cake and candles. Drew wanted it to be a surprise, but finally agreed that if Grandpa knew about it ahead of time he could choose what kind of cake he wanted. As usual, Karli wasn’t shy about making her wishes known: she was very clear that when the cake was served she wanted a red flower!
Gramma and Grandpa shared lots of other activities during the weekend including some very rare and interesting coins that Grandpa brought.
A great time was had by all! The children hope to make Grandpa’s party an annual tradition!
Nana Barb
Life in the Draz home is always eventful, although you wouldn’t know it by the lack of blogs posted recently. We are currently vacationing in Phoenix, so that may give me some time to catch up. First, a few events since I last posted. Another day I’ll move on to our trip.
1. Kool-Aid Stand
Drew, his sibs and his cousins set up a Kool-Aid stand to benefit SMA. They raised $20. Their efforts actually raised $40 since an anonymous donor is matching all donations.
If you would like to help, no donation is too small. Just visit http://www.sophiascure.org/blog/gene-therapys-major-anonymous-donor-touched-by-averys-bucket-list
2. Ryan’s Shoes
Ryan burned his shoes. Yup, you read that right. You see, for some reason Ry is embarrassed to have people see his feet. When it came time for warmer weather shoes Jen managed to find some that cover his feet more that most sandals. At first he thought they were great. However, when it came time to wear them to school he became self-conscious even though his old shoes were literally falling apart. So, one night I offered Ry $10 if he would wear his new shoes to school the next day. He agreed and decided that the only way he wouldn’t change his mind would be if he had burned his old ones. So, Jay lit a fire and the rest is history. Not to be left out, Karli and Drew wanted to burn a piece of clothing so I grabbed a pair of Karli’s pants and a tee shirt for Drew. Yes, life at the Draz home is often weird!
3. Karli’s Clothes
Most of the winter Karli wore her PJs 24/7. Actually it didn’t make that much difference since we were confined to the house in lock-down. Also I admit that I didn’t set the best example since I was often in my nightgown and robe come noon. When Karli did get dressed she would wear only a few selected (somewhat ugly) clothes. If you have shopped for children’s clothes lately you know that the selection in the boy’s section is… boring. But, the little girl’s clothes; they are absolutely ADORABLE! So, finally I had a granddaughter and I couldn’t buy any clothes. Jen and I would walk through Target, look at the toddler clothes and shake our heads. On Easter Sunday I pleaded with Karli to wear a dress. I picked it out the night before and she agreed to wear it.
Predictably Karli had changed her mind by the next morning and she put on one of her three “acceptable” outfits.
At that point Jen and I decided that it was time for a change. We told Karli that each morning Jen would set out an outfit for her. We told her that she would wear that outfit for the day. Surprisingly, this worked. Each morning Karli runs to see what she will be wearing for the day. Some days she is pleased, some days not so much. But each day she dutifully dresses in the selected clothes. Needless to say, Jen and I have spent many happy hours in Target, Kohls, Carters, etc. Pictures of a few of Karli’s new outfits follow; you can watch future posts for more.
4. Photo Shoots
As you probably know, we’ve taken a picture of Karli each and every day since she was born. Some days there is just one picture; however, often we take a photo shoot for the day. The following video contains some of the photo shoots from the months of March and April, 2012.
The next post will have images from Grandpa John’s birthday party in Woodbury. After that I’ll post about our trip to Phoenix; stay tuned!
Nana Barb
“It’s not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?” ~Henry David Thoreau
When does a plaid shirt look good with plaid shorts? The answer is never, but Jay’s been rocking some interesting outfits since the weather turned warm. After the fifth eyebrow-raising ensemble in as many days, I asked the Hubs if perhaps he needed some new clothes? He said yes, and preferably button down shirts, but only if the fabric was the right ‘thickness feel’, meaning not too thick but not too thin and slightly stiff yet not too flimsy. Huh? So I went to a store, bought every button down shirt, and brought them home so he could conduct a ‘thickness feel’ assessment. Weird. Jay did a comprehensive feel test on every shirt and then did a fashion show for all the shirts that were in his Yes or Maybe pile. The kids voted thumbs up or thumbs down, and Jay ended up with a new wardrobe of shirts that had the just the right thickness feel. (At this point the plaid on plaid didn’t seem so weird anymore after watching him rub the fabric of 20 shirts, ha!) But I’m happy that he has some new duds and can strut in fashion around the neighborhood and wave at all the other Woodbury husbands whose wives have recently bought them a bunch of new summer shirts too.
Enjoy the slideshow:
The actual video follows:
Jen
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”
― Mark Twain
I mentioned in the last post that on Sunday the cousins invited us to enjoy their fire pit. It is very beautiful; in fact, it was even featured in the local suburban magazine. It was a beautiful afternoon to enjoy a fire by the lake. This was the day that we asked if Drew could borrow the special gun. At the end of the afternoon Auntie carefully wrapped it in a bag and Drew proudly drove home.
Once Drew arrived home he shared his new prized possession with his dad.
While we were at the cousins the boys created a “band” using a duck call and some swords. Drew was proud to be the “lead singer”.
The children had such a good time that they asked for a fire in their yard when they got home.
Nana Barb
“There is no place more delightful than one’s own fireplace.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero
(Ancient Roman Lawyer, Writer, Scholar, Orator and Statesman, 106 BC-43 BC)
There were two videos shot on Easter at the cousin’s house that I didn’t include on the Easter post. First is one of Karli and daddy having fun:
The other video shows a very proud Drew who finds he is able to pull the trigger on a toy gun:
Personally I am not a fan of guns. I have asked the boys to refrain from “shooting” toy guns at each other when I’m on duty. I recognize, however, that the boys have reached an age where they can understand the devastating consequences when guns are misused. So, when we visited the cousin’s house again last weekend I asked if Drew could borrow the gun.
It has become his most prized possession.
Although I’m not thrilled with the frequent sounds from the gun, I am thrilled with the “can do” look of determination on Drew’s face. Time will tell which part of Drew will win: the animal lover or the hunter.
Nana Barb
“There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.” ~Don Miguel Ruiz
The children had been counting the days until Easter. When it finally arrived, it certainly lived up to the high expectations.
The preparations began long before the big day as the children dyed eggs and did Easter crafts.
On Sunday afternoon everyone headed to the cousins’ house. The next video includes images–in random order–from the day.
The highlights of the day included an Easter pinata…
and an Easter egg hunt.
A huge thank you to Auntie Kirstin and Uncle Mark for hosting this special day. The only way it could have been better would have been if John and Mary could have joined us as they have in the past.
Nana Barb
Rather than a quote at the end of this blog I want to write something personal. I have watched the video of the pinata more times than I can count. The reason? I am so immensely proud of my two oldest grandchildren. I am proud of the way Drew finds joy in virtually every part of his life, despite his extreme physical disability. I am proud of the way Tommy encourages and praises Drew for the things Drew is able to do, no matter how limited these things may be. I am a very lucky nana, indeed, to have such special grandchildren!
Yesterday morning at about 9:30 Drew, Karli and I headed for Gillette to see three of Drew’s docs and one technician. Ryan was distraught that he couldn’t come with us, but we felt he shouldn’t miss school since he’ll be missing two weeks in May when we go to Phoenix. We were scheduled to be done about four; however, we didn’t leave until after 6:00. The children enjoyed the crafts, toys, TV and lunch. Gillette has a great sandwich/coffee shop. I always order the veggie panini and share it with Karli. Yesterday we were both hungry so I ordered a half panini for Karli; she ate the whole thing. Both of the children were so cooperative and patient during our long day. I was very proud of them!
As usual Drew’s docs were amazing. You can see them with the children in the following video:
Nana Barb
The great advantage of living in a large family is that early lesson of life’s essential unfairness.~ Nancy Mitford
The smencils (scented pencils) arrived! The grippies have been officially replaced. After Ry opened the package I received a big hug. Then he shared the scents with his sibs. Most of Ryan’s precious possessions are either writing utensils or have something to do with writing. I find this very interesting since his small motor coordination is quite poor. Most of us avoid things that are difficult for us–not Ry. Actually his printing is much improved from the beginning of first grade. Don’t worry, Ry. Soon most of your writing will be done on a computer.
The other day Jen captured a race between father and daughter on video. You’ll probably have to turn up the volume since they were far from the camera.
Nana Barb
By profession, I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder, infinitely prouder, to be a father. – General Douglas MacArthur
