Dynamic Duo

We ended October with a visit from Batman and Robin. This was the first year that Noah could really appreciate Halloween. (Last year’s staph infection and subsequent hospital stay put a damper on the holiday.) This year, he was ready to be Andrew’s sidekick. Turns out, Noah loves to dress up! He couldn’t wait to get his costume on, practically running to Taylor’s lap when it was time. Our first stop was the Holy Rosary Halloween party. It’s basically semi-controlled chaos, with superheroes, witches, princesses, and pirates running all over the gym. The older kids set up carnival-like games for the little ones, who go from station to station trying to win toys and candy. The kids love it. As it turns out, Noah also loves giant, inflatable snow globes.

Back at home, there were pumpkins to carve. We go for the traditional pumpkin face, nothing fancy.  Andrew added ears this year. Luckily, the weather was cool so our pumpkin made it to Halloween before getting moldy and gross.

The kids were excited about trick-or-treating, so we loaded up the car to hit up the full-size candy bars that NKB and LS were passing out. Andrew and Taylor trick-or-treated back to our house while Noah and I went straight home to pass out candy. .

 

Noah waited and waited, but we didn’t have many visitors this year. We called it a night. 

Even superheroes need to sleep

Nitro Noah

The day began with Agnes explaining, to a jealous older brother, the reason why we had a box full of t-shirts bearing Noah's Step Up for Down Syndrome team name and did not have an equally large box containing shirts displaying the name of a team with Andrew in the title. Agnes explained that Noah gets a team because we are going to a party that celebrates Noah and people like him that have Down Syndrome. Andrew listened, paused for a moment and then proclaimed loudly that it wasn't fair and he wanted to have Down Syndrome also so that he could have a team. We tried to tell him that it is something you're born with, but he would hear none of it because he was too angry at the injustice of it all. Later, as we arrived at the event bathed in generous amounts of sunshine and moderate temps, Andrew's hurt feelings were assuaged with hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches and bouncy houses.

We, of course, had loads of family and friends out to support Noah. We had promised everyone that Noah would be walking with his team this year. As per usual, he had other plans and was only happy while being pulled around in his wagon.

Although the day began with Andrew being jealous that the attention was focused on Noah, he seemed to find plenty to do.

Hopefully next year Noah will have a better attitude and ditch the wagon.

Micro Soccer

Andrew’s first experience with organized sports was the Fall 2012 season of Micro Soccer at Holy Rosary. We weren’t really sure how it would go, but he seemed enthusiastic, so we were optimistic. Andrew is a goofy kid, who loves to run, jump, and bounce. What better way to use all that energy, than chasing after a soccer ball? Unfortunately, a week into the season, he broke his arm in a completely non-soccer related fall off the porch swing. The cast subdued his enthusiasm significantly.

Throughout most of the season, Andrew enjoyed practice but was content to be a somewhat passive observer during the actual games. While the other kids frantically chased after the ball, he stumbled along behind, not wanting to get in on the action. I was surprised, considering his usual energetic personality. As the season went on, his cast got smaller and he became a little more comfortable on the field. I think the turning point was the parent-kid scrimmage during the last practice. He enjoyed chasing Taylor and even scored three goals. He was so proud of himself and talked about those three goals for a week.

 What, I scored a goal? No big deal...

 Practicing with three balls has to be better than one

Noah enjoyed the season too, from the sidelines. And sometimes from the field, if he was quick enough and got out there before one of us could catch him.

Andrew with Evan, one of his buds from class

For the final game, Andrew was cast-free and I couldn't believe the difference. The child who for all the other games had hung back shyly and was uninterested in the competition suddenly was in the middle of the action, kicking and chasing. He even scored a goal!

After the final game, the Micro League had pizza for all the teams, followed by the trophy presentation. Andrew knew there would be trophies and he was so excited to get one.

The kids proudly showed off their trophies to one another, even though all the trophies were the same! He even posed for pictures, which usually never happens. All in all, everyone had a great time. I hope he wants to play again next year.