Boat for Hope

This weekend we transformed ourselves into pirates for the annual Variety charity called Boat for Hope. 





People donate time, energy and their boats to take people with disabilities (and their families) for a boating adventure.  This year we got to ride in a Whale Watching Boat.  Our captain gave up a day of work to volunteer his time for this amazing charity.  There were whales out...and he was missing it...but he didn't care.  He took his two children along, and together they experienced the joy of coming together as a community for a great cause.



I told them how very important the charity was to our family.  How Variety Heart in Winnipeg helped us to get to Edmonton to get Aidan's heart fixed when he was only five months old.  How we'll always be grateful.

When we docked and were leaving.  Our Captain (wish I knew his name) gave Aidan a little pat on the shoulder and said, "take care of your mom, big guy."

I wanted to cry.  I guess I have a soft spot for pirates.

Hot off the Easel - The Knight's Gift

I think this little painting is finished, but after I live with it for a few days I might add/change some things.



For now, I'm quite proud of it!  I was inspired by a little clearing near where I live.  I stopped the vehicle on the roadside and took photos.  My lads thought I'd flipped my lid, but that seems to be my new normal. 



For some reason, I thought of a knight, a horse, and an apple.



Once I got going, I realized the big tree in the middle of the clearing would take away from the characters, so I'm saving that for another painting.

Sneaky plans and clever tricks...

I've been painting with acrylics since Christmas.  Have gifted six paintings to friends, and friends of friends.  I wandered into the local children's bookstore with Aidan one day....just so happened to have the Owl and Pussycat with me, and asked if they would be interested in selling them.

The first thing the owner asked was if I had a card.

Added that to the to-do list.

I took his card and gave him my e-mail address.  Thanked him.  Left.  Didn't really think I'd hear back.

One week later owner of said store e-mailed to say they would love to sell them.  The nursery-rhyme-inspired ones.

Not a rejection. 

Yay!

To-do list just got bigger.

Lovin' that music

Last month we worked at a booth at the mall to raise awareness about our local Down syndrome society.  There was live music, and Aidan grooved out:

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My only regret is that I talked during it...oh well.

Off the easel and pass the baby

I've been working on a painting for my friend's baby....see the cutie I got to cuddle?

 That's Reese.  The family in the yellow submarine is Reese's family:

Reese is one lucky baby to have such wonderful big sisters and amazing parents to boot.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable project...but now my easel is empty...

Life is good...except when it's not

Very emotional tonight thinking of a little girl I've never met.  Carly, age 8 passed away unexpectedly today.  Many of us in the Down syndrome community are heavy hearted tonight as we think about Carly's family.

It doesn't seem right,
it doesn't seem fair,
and it doesn't make sense.

This heaviness of grief,
should make time stop.
Should make the world hush...

but it never does,
and it never will,
life keeps moving all around us.

c.

Playdate...best part of our week

Good fortune to have a playdate yesterday at an acreage near the school.  It was a beautiful day, the kids all got along, we held three-day-old chicks, fed an old miniature horse, caught frogs by the pond, jumped on the trampoline, hit homeruns, and spun around in the fresh air. Truly blessed to have met such nice families here.... and for Aidan, even the lane was exciting!