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No sweat here ...

So I am pretty sure that Nika does not sweat. Now that the weather is getting really hot, I have noticed her turning really red. And this is not red as in sun burnt red, it is red as in overheating red. As soon as I bring her inside, she returns to her normal color.

I have heard that some kids with Down syndrome do not sweat, or do not sweat as much as they should. I know Payton sweats, although I'm not sure she sweats as much as the typical kid does. Alas ... it hasn't been an issue with her.

With Nika, however, we have a problem. I mean look at the picture of her ... that is not normal. This picture was taken after she played outside for maybe 30 minutes.

So you guessed it ... I need words of experience from those that are familiar with this. Guess we will be having some testing done.

Fun times.

Preschool Graduation

Mason graduated from preschool today and we are so proud of him! He has learned so much this year and we are so thankful for patient teachers that understand Mason and his crazy self.

Mason's class had a little graduation ceremony, during which they sang songs and received their diplomas. Prior to calling each child's name, his teacher described the child and showed us the child's self portrait that they made in the beginning of the year.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Here is what Mason's teacher had to say about him before he got his diploma ...

This friend is a very active learner.
He is really, really funny.
And he is also very creative in everything he does.
And he has lots of friends.

Teacher: Mason, what was your favorite thing about preschool?
Mason: Reading books.

************

For Mason's "graduation party", he wanted to go to McDonald's and then go play miniature golf ... so that is what we did. In attendance were Grandma Bosman, Auntie Kristie and Uncle Casey and Auntie Shay, Uncle Jeremy and Cousin Jaxson.

The kids and Ronald McDonald ... not an easy task to get these four to sit and smile ...

Uncle Jeremy wanted his turn with Ronald too ...

Mason opening graduation presents ...Nika playing in the tunnels at McDonald's ... she loved it up there and wouldn't come down!

Here we are after playing mini golf ... Casey thought he was the jolly green giant and ended up looking like he is two feet taller than the rest of us ... silly Uncle Casey!

Our happy girl ...

I took these pictures when we were in New York overlooking the city of Albany. I told Kyle to get Nika to laugh and boy did she ever. Isn't it amazing the changes she has made in the past six months?

It is amazing. She is amazing.

Quick, Little Getaway

This past weekend we took a quick, little trip to New York for my cousin's wedding. My father is one of seven children, so we have a really great time when we all get together.

Padric and Carrie tying the knot ...

Mason having fun at the wedding reception ...

We had a family picnic at a local state park. We played games ... softball, horseshoes, frisbee, softball ... ahem, what happened to my softball skills?

The state park had this city overlook ...

Here is half of the family ...

My sister and brother-in-law ...

My babies ...

Payton ... she is deep in thought ...

Mason ... he is deep in thought too ...

Nika throwing a volleyball ... go PT skills!

Kick it, Nika! Doesn't she look so dainty in this picture? So cute!

Playing with Daddy ...

"Give her a hug!"

Chicky running ... I love how she runs!

Chicky playing with Daddy ...

Kicking the ball ... go Chicky with your PT skills!

Mason playing frisbee ...

Little stinker!