Variety Adventure Camp

This week Andrew spent every day with a new adventure at one of Variety's summer camps.  The theme of this week's camp is "Journey to the Olympics."  They had so many activities planned for the kids - gym, swimming, art, music, martial arts, dance, ice skating, baseball, stories, circus & clown, talent show, cooking...the list just goes on!!  Andrew had a BLAST!!  His individual counselor was perfect and Andrew warmed up to her in no time flat.  He couldn't wait for each day of camp and now wants to go to camp all of the time - good thing he has two more camps this summer!!

Andrew & Caroline :)

School Placement Meeting

This morning Steve and I met with two area coordinator's for Ladue Early Childhood Center - one for Special Education and one for Hearing Impairment, along with his preschool teacher and current teacher of the deaf.  We had requested that we meet again in order to discuss Nathan's placement in a hearing impaired classroom this coming school year. 

It was decided to move Nathan from Parkway to Ladue in order to hopefully get ALL of his needs properly met.  This meeting was only to discuss school placement and we did not discuss Nathan's actual IEP nor which type of classroom he will be in, however being at Ladue, Nathan will have everything under one roof.  Unfortunately this means we have yet another meeting before school starts to look forward to :)  We will have another all-inclusive IEP meeting for Nathan.  This will entail his current teachers, therapists and coordinators from Parkway along with all of the new teachers, therapists and coordinators from Ladue to hash out all of Nathan's individual education needs. 

Steve and I are standing firm with our opinion that Nathan needs to be in a hearing impaired classroom.  We will be prepared for the meeting and hope for the best outcome.  We are fortunate that these two districts are wonderful and are working to get Nathan everything he needs.  It is just a very LONG and SLOW process!! 

7-Eleven!!

Who doesn't love July 11th and FREE slurpees from 7-Eleven!?!?

Hawaiian Punch Slurpee!!

VIP Day at MDA Camp

Andrew and I were invited to the VIP Day of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's summer camp.  Every year the MDA sponsors a week-long summer camp for children battling MD.  The campers must be at least six years old to attend, so Andrew will not be able to go until the summer of 2014 :( 

This year it was held at Babler State Park and Andrew and I were able to experience an exciting afternoon - one we found out that is the campers' favorite day every year.  I took way too many pictures that really doesn't do much justice, but what an amazing scene!!  Over 40 fire trucks and emergency vehicles arrived with their lights beaming and sirens blaring.  They came from all over and we had to play Firefighter Bingo to make our way around all of the trucks and meet all of the firefighters!! 

And the best part, we were able to ride in an old fire truck that was modified for passengers seated up top on benches.  Andrew couldn't wait to ride!!  I was overwhelmed when the firefighters and volunteers started lifting children out of their wheelchairs and seated them on the fire truck.  I was fighting back tears and couldn't believe the amount of support by so many.  The smiles on all of the children's faces were incredible.  And then for the actual ride...this fire truck was speeding through the winding roads of the park.  It was such a thrill.  I actually had to hold on to Andrew and the little girl sitting next to me so we wouldn't slide off the bench.  Afterwards we found out that the truck hit 50 MPH at some points in the ride!!

We had a GREAT afternoon and Andrew couldn't stop talking about the fire trucks.  This camp is absolutely AMAZING and know that Andrew will love every minute of it when he's old enough to go :) 

All of the fire trucks parading into the parking lot. 

The BIGGEST fire truck.

Honking the horn :)

Using one of the hoses.

Trying on a fire fighter's coat.

Wearing a helmet (they are super heavy!!)

A Dalmatian even showed up!!

Trying on boots and making a funny face :)

Waiting patiently for a ride on the fire truck.

This fire truck was AWESOME!!  They were throwing paint from up high on the ladder onto some canvases on the ground - neat art!!

Andrew getting his hand painted...

A ladybug!!

T-Ball Award Ceremony

Tonight was Andrew's last t-ball game and award ceremony.  He finished the season with a great game and was super excited for his first trophy!!  Gigi and PaPa were able to celebrate with us and treated Andrew with ice cream afterwards :)

Listening to the coach's speech (Andrew's on the far left).

Waiting patiently for his trophy :)

Yea Andrew!!

So proud!!

SLACKER!!

I have totally let this blog pass me by and am doing my very best to catch up for the past two months!!  We have been busy little bees and have so much to share...sorry for the negligence!!

Play Time!!

Andrew is always wanting to play with Nathan.  Lately, Nathan is starting to engage with Andrew and it's been so much fun watching them interact!!

Cooking up something good at the kitchen.

Brotherly love :)

Chesterfield Aquatic Center

We have been spending a lot of weekends at the Chesterfield Aquatic Center.  This is the first year that both boys are really able to enjoy it and Steve and I can let go and relax for a bit :)  The boys LOVE the water and we are taking advantage of wearing them out!!

Splash pad.

Andrew in all the fountains.

Nathan not quite sure just yet :)

Andrew coming down the tunnel slide!!

Making his exit.

Nathan splashing next to the slide.

Last of the Construction

Our retaining wall was completed around our front porch today!!  This was the finishing touch to all of the work we have had done the past couple of weeks.  Lets keep our fingers crossed all of the landscaping survives and that we are able to grow grass in the dead heat of summer!!

From the side before all the plants.

Finished retaining wall.

And, I just had to add a cute pic of the boys at their water table - they LOVE playing in it!!

Busy boys :)

Andrew caught a FROG!!

Hanging out on the deck tonight after dinner, Andrew spotted a FROG and couldn't get enough!!  We had quite a few laughs this evening...

Checking the frog out :)

Chasing the frog down!!