Howl-O-Scream 2013

                                                               

Friday, the kids played a little hookie from school, and we visited Busch Gardens Amusement Park, for Howl-O-Scream 2013! We decided to visit the park during the day, because the scare factor was basically non-existent, making our day more enjoyable for Thomas and his girlfriend. When we first got into the park, we visited Elmo's Forest of Fun, where Thomas got to see Elmo and Count Dracula :) They then stopped for ice slushies or what I like to call "slurpee's" before walking onto the next attraction. We made our way into Italy, were we rode the Teacups, Battering Ram, and visited the Arcade. 

Next, we made our way into Oktoberfest, where we stopped to few one of the games along the way, a soccer shoot out contest. Thomas was very eager to participate, so money gave him $5 and he entered. And this is how it went.....

                              

Thomas had three shots, 2 out of 3 meant a small prize and 3 out of 3 meant the larger prize! Thomas played two times and won a prize both times for making 2 out of the 3 soccer balls in the goal!!! So proud of our sweet man :) 

After the excitement of soccer, we worked up quite an appetite for a snack and something to drink. We made our way in the Fest Haus, where we grabbed some yummy french fries and a coke to chow down on, until the show "Night Beats" would shortly begin. We saw dancing, singing, and a live band play during our time in the show. 

Our final activities in the park included: Riding the ride Darkastle and the Carousel. Then stopping to watch Thomas's girlfriend get face painted. Watching the show Fiends, and taking a train ride all the way around the park, seeing lights, animals, and Halloween decorations. Needless to say our day was jam packed with many exciting treats! Thomas very much enjoyed himself and spending time with his girlfriend on their date <3 

Celebrating Ral's Birthday!

God blessed me with another year of life on this Earth! I was so happy and overjoyed to share it with all of my loved ones and dear friends! My competition cheering girls came over for dinner and cake, and helped in making my day one to remember :)  Thomas especially helped in making my day extra wonderful, by giving me a beautiful vase of flowers and an engraved necklace, that read: "Loves you Ral" and "Woobitz loves Ral." Both of those engravings are statements in which Thomas makes to me, and words in which I deeply cherish <3 

Thomas helped in the singing of "Happy Birthday" by queuing everyone with a 1...2...3! He also assisted in helping me blow out my candles, making my birthday wish extra special, and sure to come true! 

Watering Some Plants!

Simple things like watering plants, turn into helping Thomas learn basic skills and fine tuning his fine motor skills! So I first asked Thomas to turn on the water, from the knob attached to the side of the house (also another fine motor skill ) Then I handed him the water hose and instructed him to begin watering all the plants. He started out a little slow, but then got the hang of gripping the sprayer! By the time Thomas got to the fifth plant in the flower bed, he decided it would be funny to spray his sister! Now consider this, it's Fall, the water isn't warm, and I have a cast on that is NOT water proof! Needless to say, he thought it was the funniest thing in the world, as I am shouting "STOP!" So he begins to water another plant, slowly pretending to of listened to me. And yet again, he turns the water hose on me, laughing all the while! By this time, I'm already soaked from the knees down, and I cannot help but laugh along too! He tried three more times to soak me some more!

After watering the plants and his sister, his task was complete :)   

Pumpkin Time!

Last night at church, we had a pumpkin carving, gathering everyone together in God's house to carve up some beautiful pumpkins! Thomas of course, wanted to turn his pumpkin into an Angry Bird :) I gladly obliged and went straight to carving away! I used Thomas's Angry Bird sweatshirt as a template of sorts, and sketched out the bird. Of course carving a pumpkin means hollowing out the inside...not my favorite part! But however, I took it like a champ for my brother! 

After carving out the Angry Bird, we had to pose with our masterpiece :)

Thomas Signs Ral's Cast!

As soon as I got my cast put on, a little over two weeks ago, Thomas was one of the first people to sign my bright orange cast! Of course, when Thomas signs/writes his name, the "S" at the end of his name, is dramatically exaggerated. I believe this is so, not only to uniquely set his name apart from others, but to show a sense of importance and specialty! 

When I first came, crutching through the door, he was looking very intensely at my leg. The look he portrayed was that of curiosity and intrigue. He has done a GREAT job helping me out over these past couple of weeks, considering ordinary tasks have been rather difficult to complete. Thomas loves to be needed, and I love him for it <3

I added a little gold heart by the "T" - for Thomas's heart is made of GOLD to me <3

And a blue and gold, Down Syndrome, ribbon to complete his signature :)

A Stroll With The Dogs!

Lately, it's been a bit hard for me to walk the dogs, due to the bright orange cast I have been fashionably wearing on my left leg/foot! So during our afternoons together, Thomas helps me walk the dogs as soon as he gets off the van. This task gives Thomas a responsibility, one of which is very important to him! We thankfully walk our gorgeous down town area, which displays a view of the river and shore scenery. Thomas is proud to walk, Penny and Cindy, each step of the way :)  

Pumpkin Photoshoot!

A day after school turned into, a pumpkin photoshoot with my handsome man! I had just pulled out my  camera, saw the bright orange pumpkin and thought....great opportunity to photograph my buddy! 

He was adorable as I imagined, pumpkin in all :) 

It's hard not to take pictures of him, he's so darn cute! But again, I am bias just a tad bit!

Thomas was so excited to have his picture taken with a pumpkin! He would say "Halloween" and "Scary," things he relates to pumpkins! The second to last picture above, in which Thomas is rubbing his hands together, that's the look he makes when he is interested in something. Or when he simply is intensely thinking about something. In those moments, I wish I knew what was going on inside that beautiful head of his, because he makes noises and smiles! 

Tape Delivery!

Have I mentioned VHS Tapes are like finding gold at the end of a rainbow or the equivalent of Christmas morning!?! 

Well for Thomas, receiving VHS tapes in the mail, is ALL of the above! Especially when it's something he truly loves to watch, such as: Barney, The Land of The Lost, The Big Comfy Couch, or Dukes of Hazzard. He gets really giddy, which includes clapping, laughing, smiling, and shouting "OPEN IT!"  It's hard not to get excited with him! This week, Thomas received two out of the four tapes he ordered on Amazon, which included two Land of the Lost tapes! He tells me, their are dinosaurs and "Chaka", which of course I already know this, but he loves to remind me anyways! 

Two more tapes are expected to arrive this week, and I am more than sure he will remind me every day to "check the mail" in hopes for a new arrival! I always love his enthusiasm, and love for life, found even in the smallest things!   

Birthday Shots!

Crab Carnival

Today, marked the second day of our town's Crab Carnival! We got up bright and early to grab breakfast and showers, in order to make our way around town again! Today we would be walking through the streets to visit vendors and see more entertainment! Of course carnival treats and food would be experienced! I had already planned to enjoy a fresh squeezed lemonade and corn-dog, and Thomas wanted a Cheeseburger and coke :) We accomplished both of our food desires, and enjoyed them too! 

Walking around, we spotted more people we knew, and explored all the cool vendors camped on the streets! Christmas gifts were purchased and crafty art was admired! After walking around we ventured back to the house, to hang out and rest a bit until the parade started. 

Right before parade time, we walked over to see my cheering girls and gather them for the parade walk! Thomas is spotted with the girls again in another team photo, which of course made the blog! We enjoyed watching the girls cheer with the band, and all the beautiful timeless cars and participants in the parade! Thomas especially enjoyed the marching bands and the kids showing off their karate moves! He was practicing his karate on the sidewalk and shouting "Jackie Chan!" He loves Jackie Chan movies, particularly because of the karate scenes! 

Over all our Crab Carnival weekend was a success :)

Street Dance / Fireman's Parade

We have this festival/tradition in our little town, called Crab Carnival! It consists of two days, in which celebrate our town, crabs, and gathering people together with good food, crafts, vendors, and entertainment! Friday starts the carnival off with a street dance, fireman's parade, and ends with a fireworks show on the river! 

Thomas, myself, and my husband enjoyed Friday night out on the town starting off first with the Fireman's parade. Thomas likes watching all the fire-trucks parade through, but doesn't so much like the loud sounds and noises they make. So in conclusion to previous experiences, we now watch all fireman's parades with head phones, to help muffle the sound! I still like to hold the headphones tightly to his hears, just to keep any excess sounds out! 

After the parade, we walked around town, greeting people we knew and checking out the food vendors! Thomas and I spotted an ice cream truck, and made our way over for a delicious treat! A cup of chocolate for him and a strawberry for me...YUMM! 

We visited a local thrift store to let Thomas check out their VHS tape selection, in hopes of spotting some Barney :) He walked away with three new movies as happy as can be! 

We finally made our way to the end of our street, to get in a good viewing spot for the fireworks show! Camped out on the ground, we eagerly awaited the illuminating light show! And so it began, a beautiful and colorful display of many fireworks to end our fun night out on the town!