So much learning going on

I have discovered that Landon learns things very quickly. Sometimes I don't even realize that he has learned something until he just randomly shows us. A couple of weeks ago I found a great site, www.letteroftheweek.com , that has some simple lesson plans for children from birth up through school age. It has simple ideas for working on the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. Here is a picture of the first week's learning poster. The poster shows all of the things we worked on during the first week.
Landon did the coloring and the placement of stickers. To put the macaroni on the "A" I put glue all over the letter and just pointed were I wanted him to place each piece. Of course the pieces that ended up not on the letter just didn't stick. The web site also gives a great list of books that go along with the theme and so each week we make a quick trip to the local library to pick some of them up. It has really been a lot of fun.

As most of you know I have done a lot of research dealing with children with DS and their ability to read. I have made Landon a few flash card containing some of the words Landon can sign. Each day we flip through the cards a couple of times just reading the words. It is amazing what he can already read. The following clip contains Landon finding the correct shape when asked and reading a few of his first words. He was not to into reading during the whole video but I think you'll get the picture that he can read a few words. I hope you are as proud of him as we are.



Last night Landon brought Travis his alphabet train ( just a little hand made book that looks like a train and has each letter of the alphabet on a separate train car). As Travis flipped through it he was surprised at how many letters Landon knew the sound of, I must say that I was surprised as well. All I can say is "Watch out world. Landon Kerr is here!"

Christmas, finally!

Yes, I know it is Jan 16 and I am just now posting pictures from Christmas. What can I say, I'm just a little behind but what's new. I did take Landon to see Santa. I was afraid that he would cry but instead he just looked at him. He was just so interested.

It was great to be in Knoxville with our family for the holidays. Landon and I make trips in often but Christmas time is special because Travis gets to come with us. As I grow older one of the things I cherish more and more is time spent with family and friends. God has so blessed us with such as supportive family and caring friends. We love them all.

This year "Santa" brought Landon a Little People race track. I thought he would like it but I just didn't know how much. Here Landon's cousin Megan is playing with him and the race track. He also got a tent/tunnel from his Uncle Brian, Caylin, and Megan. That's Caylin in the tent with him.


One of Landon's extra special gifts was from Gee. She has been working on the quilt for quite some time. She calls it a conversation quilt. Each 8 patch square is different which gives us something to talk about. Right now it is spread out in the floor and Landon points to pictures and tells me what they are. It is BEAUTIFUL! Thank you Gee.

The other special thing Landon had a Gee and Papaw's house was an outdoor Christmas Tree. Landon loved it. They would turn it on at night and when he got a glimpse of it you knew because he would sign tree over and over and point outside so that you could see too. Thanks Uncle Kevan and Caylin for hanging the lights in the holly tree.

We also had a great time with my family...though I don't have many pictures because my sister had her camera and I just let her take the pic and I'll get them from her later. Landon got his very first sit and spin....boy does he love that! His Aunt Jill was determined to find one and I'm glad she did. It has been a lot of fun.

As I said before, one thing Travis and I enjoy doing while we are home is visiting with friends. Travis enjoyed catching up with John Coatney and I loved watching them play with Landon. John and Helen don't think they have enough toys but who needs more than blocks and trains? The Coatney's have meant so much to Travis and I......Our first kiss was at the house you know!
We were also able to meet up with David and Mendy Henderson. It had been WAY to long since we had seen or spoken with them. I LOVED the dinner we had and can't wait until the next time.

This Christmas I spent some time thinking about Joseph. We always hear about what a faithful woman Mary had to have been to be chosen to be the mother of God's son but what about Joseph. As far as we know he loved Jesus like his own son. He agreed to lay his reputation on the line to marry Mary. Not only did God chose Mary but He also had to have also chosen Joseph. He couldn't just have anyone being the earthly father figure to Jesus. What a man he must have been. I just praise God for loving us so much that he was willing to send Jesus and give us a chance to be in fellowship with Him once more.