We packed up our little house monkeys and traveled to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to participate in the annual Walk for Williams Syndrome Awareness in Shoreview, Minnesota. It was particularly chilly for May, even in Minnesota standards, but at least there wasn’t snow.
The boys got a little restless so we found a place for them to run and climb.
They ran up and down this hill and I swear that just gave them more energy.
Mackie isn’t so sure about this one. Slight face of concern.
Mom’s fatal attempt at a group photo with a nice hilly background. Mackie’s angry cheese, refusing to smile… For those of you photo enthusiasts. I hill is an awesome green background, assuming your kiddos will cooperate.
However, I will smile if you give me a cheeseburger. Cheese-burger… – Mac No, it’s not a Big Mac.
We made it to the walk in time. This is the logo symbol for the Williams Syndrome Association (WSA).
Carter was a happy guy. Each year on this day, he feels very special and celebrated, as he should. He’s an incredible little person.
Once the walk was over, the boys played at the park. They were happy about this adventure.
He was real proud he climbed the chain ladder.
Hey ladies, look what I can do.
We decided to play ‘Hide and Seek’ and Mac told me where to hide. Somehow, he was still THIS shocked to find me.
Happy to run and play.
They got so dirty running up the hill at the first park by the time we got to the walk we probably should have changed them, but we just rolled with it. Dirty pants, kids don’t care.
Face painting! Make me a puppy! He was so inpatient waiting for Mac to get his face painted that I never thought he would settle down for his to be done. But once he was in the seat, he was happy as a clam. He knows what he wants and he fights for it. That’s not such a bad thing. Maybe he’ll be President someday.
Marshall and Chase from Paw Patrol made an appearance.
Paw Patrol is on a patrol!
Tongue and everything. You’re welcome.
Before they put the hat part on he looks like a little brown bear.
We made it to our hotel, which I would not stay at again, so it remains nameless, but the pool was fun (when it was open).
It opened at 9 a.m. the next day, what hotel does that?
The house monkeys (err hotel monkeys) were going wild by 6 a.m. Finally – they are let out of their hotel room cage.
Even this one was chomping at the bit to get out of the room. I think we’re growing out of the one room hotel rooms.
Mackie is definitely braver than the rest. That’s probably why he’s already had a broken bone before the age of 3. He didn’t want dad to catch him. He says that he’s a big boy.
On Sunday, after some much needed food and energy release, we made our way to Elaina’s house. Together, with the rest of the WSA Regional Committee Members, we discussed upcoming events and activities for individuals living with WS and family members who live with someone who has WS. Someone had spent a great deal of time chalking their driveway. It was quite impressive.
We enjoyed some pizza and Carter found Elaina’s stash of bouncy balls. He never fails to find the bouncy balls. He has over 700 himself.
Elaina’s mom, Andrea, had this neat antique Schwinn bike in front of their home. It looks like it is missing some flowers, which she will no doubt have time for now that the 2018 WS Walk is behind her.
Now, full of pizza and all played out. The house monkey’s found some rest. After I took this photo, I too, may have drifted off for a few minutes. Luckily, Paul stayed awake for the drive home. Yes, that green thing in the photo is a portable potty chair. The boys are not above a van poo if necessary!
Did she really just say van poo? You bet I did. Mom’s deal with a whole lot of poo, literally and figuratively. Real poo, fake poo, stories about poo, questions about poo, shapes of poo, poo that should never be seen by the human eye ever and the most dreaded, poo that got on a finger somehow. I’ve seen it all, at least I think I have. (Insert a nervous face here)
It’s just one of those things. We try not to sweat it. Just like the candy necklaces we bought for the boys on the way home. I helped Mac put his on, no problem. Coopers’s necklace wouldn’t stretch over his sweet watermelon head. We bought him another one, Oh yes we did, don’t judge us until you’ve met Cooper’s strong will personality! Remember, President!
Since I’m a planner, I bought a backup. Two more broken candy necklaces later, I have come to the conclusion that Coopers head is too big for candy necklaces. Either that, or they don’t make them as big as they used to.
Regardless, there was no shortage of candy. They enjoyed some Curious George the whole way home, the house monkey they truly aspire to become. Another great weekend in the books.
If you’re interested in learning more about Williams Syndrome, please visit: http://www.williams-syndrome.org
If you have any questions for me, please contact Kerri Kava at 1MinnesotaMom@gmail.com or on social media at:
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