Clockwise from upper left: 1)Doll by Little Wonder and Co.; 2)This is Ella book by Krista Ewart; 3)Kids Like Me... Learn ABCs by Laura Ronay; 4)Quilt by Downright Charming; 5) T-shirt by Littlest Warrior; 6) Tote by Dance Happy Designs. As a parent, it's often a challenge to choose gifts that are both meaningful and... Continue Reading →
Rounding out The Extra Life’s First Year: a Big Thank You and a Glance Ahead
Let me lead with a thank you. Thank you to all of you who have read, commented, shared posts, and shared thoughts with me on what you’ve found here in the last year. This blog is a years-long dream of mine realized, but you (yes, you!) are the reason I continue. I’m proud to have... Continue Reading →
Creating “About Me” booklets for teachers and therapists
Grace "reading" the pictures in a book during virtual kindergarten What? A sheet or booklet with important information to familiarize staff with your child and facilitate interactions to maximize success. Why? For me, It makes me feel more comfortable having staff be familiar with GraceThey have always appreciated the insightWhen people know Grace better, it... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on an Unprecedented School Year
I had one item left on my very modest summer bucket list: a local hike-in swimming hole. It was the last day before school, and we finally got out of the house hours later than I’d planned. We ran into both obstacles I’d hoped to avoid: lots of people and a sky full of dark... Continue Reading →
Picture Books that Celebrate Uniqueness
About a year ago, my daughters started noticing other peoples' uniqueness: what does it mean to be blind? Why does he use a wheelchair? That friend looks like Grace! When they inevitably ask "Why?" after I address their inquiries, I have adopted a script to which they chime in on response: “Because we're all....” “Different!”... Continue Reading →
How to Get Your Child to Wear a Mask
Masks! Love them, hate them, or protest them, the CDC recommends that, in addition to keeping six feet of distance from others, people over the age of two should wear them to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Great! I wear a mask when I go to the grocery store (the only place I venture)... Continue Reading →
Yoga for all ages
I’ve been struggling to decide what, if anything, to post during these difficult times. So, please remember that if your family is just trying to get through the day, You do You! And if that does not in any form include yoga with your kids, ignore this post. I have always found physical and emotional... Continue Reading →
Music to get them moving
How are you hanging in there as you're hunkering down? I've been trying to start each day with some movement for my girls and weave it in throughout the day. Because, of course, it is healthy and builds good habits in their developing bodies and minds. And also, my sanity. As the weather has made... Continue Reading →
You do You
I have thought about writing this post many times, but I didn’t want to add to so much of what is entering my brain as noise these days. Namely: The virus which must not be named. Forced homeschooling.Toilet paper.The shoe-in for the words of the year (nevermind that it’s only March): social distancing. What the... Continue Reading →
How we prepare for doctor’s appointments
Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash “And It’s not going to hurt. Mama will be with me the whole time.” Grace repeated this line probably eight times at a recent audiology appointment, and I beamed with pride. We have attended innumerable physicians’ appointments over the years. If you have a loved one with DS,... Continue Reading →