Yesterday we headed down to New River Beach for the big sand sculpture contest - it was a nice day, not too hot with a slight breeze. We loved looking at all the sculptures (although Kennedy just wanted to get down and play in the sand...) and we had a picnic on the beach. Afterward we went down to the blueberry stand to visit Nana B and have some ice cream. On the way home, we stopped at a few places I've always wanted to photograph and I got some great photos. Here are a few, starring Ms. Kennedy of course most of the time...
We started out yesterday with a trip to Rockwood Park to feed squirrels, go on a nature walk, play in the sand at the beach and go to the playground: Kennedy & Daddy feed the hungry squirrels! We have been feeding those squirrels for ages - they will eat right out of your hand at times. Kennedy loves feeding them and gets extremely aggravated when the pigeons fly in to try and get some food, she claps and chases them away! Holding onto Daddy's hand with both hands - he keeps her safe from all the bugs!
Higher Dad, higher!!!
Today was Kennedy's flower-planting and GIANT BUBBLES Day!
"Look at that!"
This is Kennedy getting frustrated when the bubbles don't work!
"Watch this! Cool!"
Here she is planting her impatiens and geraniums:
Poor Kennedy, she picked the wrong mommy to have to be interested in gardening - my thumb is BLACK!!
She is very proud of her beautiful flowers and we are very proud of our beautiful flower.
CHARGE syndrome is a recognizable (genetic) pattern of birth defects which occurs in about one in every 9-10,000 births worldwide. It is an extremely complex syndrome, involving extensive medical and physical difficulties that differ from child to child. The vast majority of the time, there is no history of CHARGE syndrome or any other similar conditions in the family. Babies with CHARGE syndrome are often born with life-threatening birth defects, including complex heart defects and breathing problems. They spend many months in the hospital and undergo many surgeries and other treatments. Swallowing and breathing problems make life difficult even when they come home. Most have hearing loss, vision loss, and balance problems which delay their development and communication. All are likely to require medical and educational intervention for many years. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, children with CHARGE syndrome often far surpass their medical, physical, educational, and social expectations.
Continued research is needed to help us understand the medical and developmental challenges facing individuals with CHARGE. Better understanding will lead the way to interventions, therapies and educational strategies which can help people with CHARGE syndrome overcome many of the obstacles in their lives.
One of the hidden features of CHARGE syndrome is the determination and strong character these children display.