Daddy daughter dash

Our whole family had a blast at the Daddy Daughter Dash! John ran with both kids and WON the 5 k event - pushing both kids in the double stroller! There was a huge BBQ and dance after the run. Juliette loved being around all the people and got so dirty! She dumped a cup full of dirt on her head! She keeps up laughing! So glad this Daddy has a daughter! Thanks for Mari, Veronica and Rebecca for organing the event! We will see you next year at the Daddy Daughter Dash!

Zoo camper and curly top

Zoo camp day 3 is going on right now. Luca took a fall off the steps yesterday and hit his head and is ok. Juliette is so cute with all her curly hair!

Zoo camp

First Day of Zoo camp was a smashing success for the whole family! Luca had a blast and John and I got some much needed breaks. He is so ready for school to start and so are we!!!
I am very thankful he can be there this week. Today he learned about (and saw) bats and lions....that is all we know;) And apparently, he is ready to become a zookeeper.

Rest time

Luca made this circle time with his coins during rest time. He told me he was one of the teachers. I think it may have been inspired by the playgarden cirlce time this week:)

 Juliette getting in the mix.

playgarden and summer camps

Luca got a scholarship to one of the most amazing camps in Seattle, particularly, for kids with sp. needs. They have an inclusion model which means they try to have kids with or without special needs in the classes and help All the kids seriously PLAY and have fun! Luca had so much fun there from making ti-dye shirts to sawing, planting, making mud pies, scavenger hunts, circle time and much much more (he doesn't tell us much). He also had a lot of great counselors too. He especially bonded with Hannah and Noah shown in the pictures above!

Grateful for such a special week at the playgarden!

Last week he also got to go to a morning day camp through Alki Community Center. Teacher Kerri was awesome and Luca made quick friends with the other 10 students. They allowed him to be in their program and he had a blast. I am feeling less nervous already for next summer since I have a better idea of the camps he can do. This Alki camp runs for 7 weeks in the summer and it is for kids 3-5 which means he could be in it again next summer with Teacher Kerri!

At the end of the week with Teacher Kerri, she said, "I have really enjoyed getting to know Luca this week. I have never met someone with arthrogryposis before. Luca is so confident, and capable. I don't know what you guys have done in the last four years of his life but you did it right for him to be who he is today." 

It was so affirming to have a new teacher, and a new person in our lives, embrace him, enjoy him and affirm all the hard work that has been poured into Luca by John and I, our family, friends, therapists, teachers, etc. We are proud of Luca and thankful for the God given personality he has!

Adams Family Reunion

We had such a great time being all together with the cousins and everyone! What a blast! Besides being in four different houses several miles apart and Betsy and Eric in the middle of an international move and Josh and Meagan in the middle of remodeling and an cross city move, it went remarkably well. I and the kids had really meaningful times with someone everyday and it was so special to be together!!! I am not planning on flying again by myself with both kids for a LONG time though....at least till Juliette is interested in sitting for more than 1 min! It was worth it for sure! Thanks everyone for having us!
Highlight included going to the pool, bowling (Luca got to use an awesome ramp), playing soccer, seeing the cousins play together and evenings helping Betsy pack and a special mother-daughter time, sibling evening, Juliette playing with the bunny and doggie at Josh and Meg's, trail run with Meagan, time with Popeye and Cozy Nana time, and the meals all together! Luca, Juliette and I are in serious family withdrawal this week! Miss you all!

Tysuchia send off

We had to say good-bye to our dear friends, Kimi, Jess, Layna and Jonah, on July 20th. They are off on an adventure to Kigali, Rwanda, where Kimi and Jess will be working at an international school. I miss them already and feel the weight of their absence. Here are a few pictures of some of our last time hanging out together.
I know that I will see Jess again, we have been friends since we were 11 years old. After high school, we went to different colleges and vowed to never be roomates for the sake of our friendship:) I could never have imagined that we would spend the year before and then the first four years of motherhood within a 2 mile radias of eachother. I had no clue that our husbands would become good friends and our families would spend much time together. I guess I am hoping that just like I couldn't have forseen that, I am now not able to see into our lives overlapping again. Who knows what city or country it will be in but I am sure we will see each other again. And I am looking forward to that family reunion already! Love you Jess, Kimi, Layna and Jonah!

Luca's first kayaking trip

I took the opportunity to go kayaking with Luca while Juliette could hang out with my parents a few weeks ago. Luca really enjoyed being out on the Sound and kayaking! It was special to get to do this together. As I was paddling back to the shore, I told Luca that my arms were so sore. Luca said, "do worry mom, we can get you a cast for your arm when we get to the shore." made me laugh.

Orcas Island

John and I had a great time on our 4 day trip to Orcas Island two weeks ago! My parents graciously watched the kids and we had an excellent time relaxing, running, swimming in the lake, watching the sunsets and eat long delious meals.
ahhh, such a wonderful and needed break as well as time together. Just writing this makes me feel relaxed:)

Mountain Lake where we went running