There's Just Something About the Fair...

We aren't a family who goes to the fair every year.  In fact, I am not a huge fan of the fair.  Okay, I'm not even sort-of a fan of the fair.   Actually, when I hear the word "fair" I immediately cringe at the thought of all of the germs, and then quickly go wash my hands.

I wasn't thinking we'd go to the fair this year.  Jordyn had spent several days there with friends (no, she didn't sleep overnight there -- which is what that last sentence totally sounded like) and she'd spent her money on all the rides that make me want to throw up just watching people ride them.  (Not a big fan of rides either, if you didn't catch that.)  So, I thought we'd just spend a lazy Sunday at home.

"Hey, we should take the kids to the fair today!"  Looking up from my toothbrush, I give Jeremy the "are you really serious because I don't know if I have enough hand sanitizer in my purse" look.  But, before I know it, he's talking about horses and cows and ice cream and smoothies... and he's won the kids over.

*****

But, in my quest to "Learn As I Go" through life, I did learn something.

I learned there's just something about the fair....

There's just something about little boys in backwards baseball caps following behind Daddy, trying to walk around walking through mud puddles.

There's just something about the giggle and smile your son gives you as he tries to chase you.

There's just something about 2-year-olds running between the pens of pigs and ducks, geese and cows, excited to see the animals, but never staying very long at any of the pens to actually see the animals.

There's just something about seeing your caring, mature teenager take the hand of your 5-year-old, who is sensitive to sounds and is not a fan of the very loud rooster "cock-a-doodle-do-ing" and take her away from the noise.

There's just something about the smell of corn dogs and BBQs and tractor grease and manure (I didn't say what the "something" was...)

There's just something about little faces in sunglasses hugging big sisters.

There's just something about paying $5 to play a game where you throw a ball and win a not-so-cute, very poorly sewn-together stuffed animal.

There's just something about the anticipation of a yummy strawberry smoothie as Dad pays  a ridiculous amount of money.

There's just something about eating ice cream, just after polishing off your strawberry smoothie, and not feeling the least bit guilty about it, because -- it's the fair.

There's just something about tired legs and full tummies and sticky hands and sweaty foreheads and dirty fingernails as you head to the car.

There's just something about a place where you can eat a "walking taco," pet a horse, go upside-down on a ride called the "Tornado," and register to win a hot tub.

There's just something about the fair.

Download Rylee's Letters to Share

Rylee's Letters are now available for download from my blog!  Thanks to a friend named Renee  I've "met" in "Blogland", (who then turned around and asked her friend Rebecca... don't we love networking??!! Thanks you two!) I was able to post Rylee's Letters in a format you can download.... (and for those of you computer geniuses who know how to do this and are thinking, "She actually had to ask someone how to do that?"... my answer is, "Yes -- yes, I had to ask.")

Here again, you computer gurus can just go ahead and download the letters...  if you are one (like me) who would like directions, here ya go...  

1. Scroll down on the right hand side of this blog and you will see Rylee's Letters... just click on the letter you'd like to download, and it will take you to a file-sharing site.

2. You will see the name of the Rylee Letter -- just under the name, click "Download Now."  It will then say, "Your download link will appear in five seconds... four seconds..." and so on.  I'm not sure what the purpose of this is... maybe it is to create the feeling that you are watching a space shuttle launch.  Or maybe it's to build your anticipation of downloading this wonderful file.  Or maybe it's so you can go grab a Snickers while you wait. 

3. When the countdown is over, you will see "Click to download file."  Whoever chose this phrase must have been thinking about those of us lower on the computer-guru totem pole, because that is exactly what you do.  Amazing.

4. The file should download to wherever things download on your computer... and there you have them!  

Thanks for sharing Rylee's Letters... (please remember to share the letters in their entirety) and of course, I'd love to hear any ways in which her letters were shared!

Wow.  I used "shared" a lot in that last paragraph.  But I guess I've been refereeing a 5-year-old and 2-year-old lately, so I've been discussing "sharing" a lot around here!!

Thanks for helping create awareness!  Rylee thanks you, too.  Well, she's not able to thank you right this moment, because I try to teach our kids manners, and she's eating a pear from our pear tree.  So I'll say thanks for her.

Thanks.

A Letter From Rylee (You Don't Know Me Until You Know Me)

Rylee's Letters about "People-First Language" and "The 'R' Word" have been so well-received... by family, friends, teachers, therapists, doctors, specialists, the mailman, the lady at the bank who doesn't mind that I never fill out a deposit slip in the drive-thru... you know, pretty much everyone I have shared Rylee's Letters with!!

Here is Rylee's 3rd letter, written last month. I am so happy to hear how many people are touched by her letters, and are passing them on... thank you!!

*****

You Don't Know Me Until You Know Me

July 2009

I wanted to tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Rylee.

I am 5 years old, and I am excited to start Kindergarten in the fall.

I like eating pretzels, raisins and cheese.

I do not like taking medicine when I am sick.

I am happy when I get to pretend I'm a teacher to my stuffed animals.

I am sad when I have to brush my teeth.

Do I sound like other kids you know?

And, there is something else that makes me, me...

I have Down syndrome.

When people see me, they often see my almond-shaped eyes

and my tongue that peeks out sometimes... and they think they know me.

People think that kids with Down syndrome are all alike --

the good and the not-so-good.

My parents sometimes hear, "Oh, 'they' are so loving",

"'they' are always happy" or "'they' tend to be stubborn."

I am loving. I like giving hugs and kisses,

but there are times when I don't feel very loving,

like when my brother takes a toy of mine.

I am happy -- especially when I ride my bike or get to eat my favorite snacks.

But there are times when I don't feel happy,

like when I have to come in from playing outside,

or when I have to go to bed when I don't really feel like it.

I am stubborn and want to do things my way,

but there are times when I am not stubborn and am really good at cooperating.

I have lots of friends... some have Down syndrome and some do not.

There are ways in which my friends and I are alike,

and there are ways in which we are different.

You see, I am a kid. I have all different kinds of feelings.

My extra chromosome doesn't change that.

So, when you see me, and you see my

almond-shaped eyes and peeking-out-tongue,

please don't generalize about all people with Down syndrome

by using 'they' statements.

Because, really, you don't know me... until you know me.

Thank you, Rylee!

*****

If you would like to pass Rylee's letter along, please email me
and I can email you her letter as a pdf document.
Thanks for helping to raise awareness!
© 2009 Carin Griffith • Disability Awareness Alliance™

Wordless Wednesday

What You Didn't See...

So, we got some great 4th of July images... you know, in August.

Well, what you didn't see was....

... Carter choosing to hide in the bushes instead of smile for me,

cover his face and scream,

and then put on his pouty face and walk away from me.

What you didn't see was Rylee holding her doll, assuming she could be in all the pictures,

and then look shocked to learn that I would like some pictures without her doll.

What you didn't see was my attempt at a picture of the two little kids together... the picture where Rylee wouldn't let go of her doll stroller, and nearly poked Carter's eye out with the stick she wouldn't put down.

And lastly, what you didn't see was the neat worn-looking bench my Aunt gave me for photo opportunities like this... the bench which now has chew marks on the arms because I accidentally left it in the yard with an unsupervised dog.  Not exactly the "neat worn-look" I was going for.

So, whenever you see pictures of smiling kids, just remember...

there are pictures that you didn't see.