Karsten Can Ride a Two-wheeler

Took Karsten outside today and told him it was time to take off the training wheels and ride like a big boy.  He was reluctant at first, but while a little reassurance and a little bribing, we took off the training wheels!

Blue Roses

After shopping I headed for checkout only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about 16.  I patiently waited for him to realize that I was there.  Then he waved his hands excitedly and
declared loudly, ‘Mommy, I’m over here.’ It was obvious now; he was mentally challenged and also startled to see me waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened with surprise as I said, ‘Hey buddy, what’s your name?’ ‘My name is Denny and I’m shopping with my mother,’ he responded proudly. ‘Wow,’ I said, ‘that’s a cool name; I
wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal.’ ‘Hal like Halloween?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ I answered. ‘How old
are you Denny? ‘How old am I now, Mommy?’ he asked his mother as she came from the next aisle. ‘You’re 15, Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass.’ I talked to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school, and I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center
of someone’s attention. Denny’s mom thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son.  I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in God’s garden. However, ‘Blue Roses’ are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a ‘Blue Rose’, and if someone doesn’t stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they’ve missed a blessing from God. (From the March/April 2010 Gathered View.)

As if you and I have nothing more to do in life!

I've created a blog focusing on PWS and Alex.  Feel free to come and read!  www.christinastaileypraderwillisyndrome.blogspot.com

Don't read this if you're squeamish!

We had our first experience with head lice. Luckily, it was only confined to one child.  But apparently it was going around the school and I didn't realize they sent a letter home about it.

I was combing Emily's hair yesterday morning and found a little critter stuck to her hair shaft.  I pulled it off, looked it up on the internet, and confirmed it was a blasted little louse! After further inspection, I did find several little eggs attached to hair shafts as well.  I pulled all those off.  We then shampooed everyone's hair with a great smelling shampoo (it's so weird, I remember the smell of it when we had to use it growing up the one time we got lice). I kept all the kids home except Alex because I didn't know who had it.  I found two more little buggers in Emily's hair while treating her hair, but no more.  The adults are about the size of a grain of rice.  And now I'm paranoid, I think.  I've washed all the bedding, towels, etc. and vacuumed everything.  I even threw away all the combs and brushes and bought new ones.  I hope it's over!  You always read about the cases that are like super lice and nothing will kill them!

The reason why I suspected head lice right away with Emily is that because the neighbor girl had it, who had gotten it from a friend at school.  Plus, a few nights before, Emily broke out in a weird rash that we couldn't explain.  Now I think it was just a reaction from the bites!  So, hopefully never again.  Technically, lice don't do anything to harm you, they can't give you any diseases or make you sick, they are just annoying.  Nevertheless, I don't like to share my hair with any other creatures.