Music is Life

Let's just stick with the obsession theme.

This week it's music.

Brady P. loooooooooves music.  He'll come out of his room in the morning (sometimes too early for my taste), and run into my room.

"Hi-ee!" he'll shout in his breathy voice.  

"Good morning, sweetie!  Want to come up and snuggle with me?"

It always used to be, "Yes."  And we would snuggle our hearts out.

But lately, sometimes he shakes his head and says, "Music."  I roll my eyes, slightly offended.

"Okay, then.  Go turn on the speaker."

Then I play a song from my phone through bluetooth, hoping he'll approve.  And roll over.  Just a few more minutes of sleep, please.

But if he doesn't approve, he'll let me know.  I hear those determined footsteps run into my room and stop right where he gave me that sweet morning "hi."

"Next, please," he wines and signs to me.

"Thanks for using your words, Braeden," I squint through the morning light.  "Let's see what's next."

And when he likes it, he runs out with bells on.

This is every morning.  Every single morning.  And I do it because it ensures his good mood for the day.  It sets the tone in his brain.  He likes to feel purposeful, and expressing himself through music does the trick for him.  It does for him what coffee does for most people.

I'll let him tell you about it.

Hi.  I'm Braeden.

I'm really cool.

I like to listen to music.  I like it on all the time.  Except when we leave.  Or eat together.  Or read a book before bed.  Then I turn off the speaker.  The speaker is blue and it sits on the floor so I can reach it and hear it really good.

Mommy plays me music through her phone.  I don't know how it works, but it's like magic, and I hear it on the speaker.  Whenever I see her use her phone, I know she will be my DJ.

I really like Bounce Patrol and Cocomelon.  I like Halloween songs, finger family and EIEIO.  I like songs about animals and hearing animal sounds.  Sometimes I can use my words to tell Mommy just what I want to hear, but sometimes I can't say the word right, so she guesses.

She guesses a lot.  Sometimes she has to guess for a long time before I like a song.  She gets a little angry when I don't like any of the songs she plays, but I don't want to listen to the wrong song.

I like to dance to the right songs.  I know actions and words to a lot of the songs.  I practice a lot.  

I like it when someone new comes over because then I get to show them my dance to the song.  They always like my moves, and I make sure they are watching me the whole time.  

And Mommy can not sing along.  That ruins everything.  I get frustrated a lot because she likes to sing along a lot and I have to shush her so much.  Why can't she just remember that I don't want her to sing?  Those are my songs to sing.

Otherwise we have fun.  We have some songs that we both like, so sometimes we dance together.  I learn a lot by watching her because she really likes to dance and has some neat moves like handstands and one foot spins and cool kicks.  But she can only dance if I say so.  Otherwise I have to shush her again.  She is so dramatic.

Okay, well, I really like this song, so see ya.

Rock Star

Brady P. has a few obsessions...

Anything animals. Throwing rocks. Shooting a basketball.  Eating pizza.  Playing with Grammy. Listening to music over and over and over again.

... to name a few.

Today we will focus on rocks -- or the act of throwing them into the lake.

Now, I am not actually in his brain, but I see his reaction, his intensity, his passion and his talent for this particular sport. 

I watch him do it every day the weather allows.  I notice how the last rock gets thrown with the same gusto as the first.  I know that he never wants to leave the beach.  I feel his arms get stronger.

He is obsessed.

Now I'll let him tell you about it to the best of my ability.

 

Hauling a big one!

Hi, I'm Braeden.

I am really cool.

I like to throw rocks in the lake.  When it lands, it breaks the lake apart.  The lake pieces fly up to make all different kinds of patterns.  We call it a splash.

Sometimes the lake parts go way up high.  Sometimes they go under the water instead.  Sometimes they go out to the side.  Sometimes they even come back and get me wet.  Then my mommy yells, "Woo!"  She is silly.

Everytime a rock hits the lake, it makes a different pattern.  I have thrown truly a lot of rocks, and I have never seen the same pattern twice.  I have tried, but it hasn't happened yet.

The rocks also make different sounds when they break the lake apart.  

After listening to truly a lot of rocks, I would say that bigger rocks mostly make a deeper sound.  It's like a big gulp.  Some smaller rocks make a higher sound like a ting.  I like to throw different sizes of rocks because then I can hear all the sounds.

We throw three different sizes of rocks on the beach.  Little, medium and big.  Well, sometimes giant, but Mommy says we have to leaves those ones on the beach.  It's part of the earth sometimes.

I like to tell her when I find different sizes of rocks.  Sometimes she corrects me and says that a big one is actually medium or medium-big.  We have good talks on the beach.

We also like to talk about how the rock lands in the water.  When I find a flat rock, I give it to Mommy, so she can skip it, but she isn't very good, so a lot of times we just say, "Not a skipper!"  Haha.  It's funny.

If I get hungry and we ate all the snacks, then I want to go home.  If I want to watch computer, then I blow the lake a kiss and start to walk home.  Sometimes it gets cold, and Mommy says we have to go. And if I throw a rock at her, then we have to go in a hurry.  I can tell she gets mad, but I still love her.

We always blow the lake a kiss and say, "Thank you beautiful lake!"  Mommy really likes the lake, too.  I'm glad because then we go out everyday.  We have some cool spots to go to.

I really like to throw rocks, and I can feel my arms getting stronger.  

Okay, see ya!

Basketball Jones

Braeden learned something new at recess today.  I'll let him tell you about it.

Hi.  I'm Brady P.

I am really cool.  I went to school today with my friends.  It was fun.  Guess what I learned at recess. The basketball hoop!

Rocking the little hoop

It was really fun.  Mr. North watched me do it a bunch of times.  He made me feel really proud like I was good at it.  I am.

I don't make it through the hoop every time, but I still like to throw and throw and throw and throw.  Sometimes I get it through the backboard!  Sometimes I knock the hoop, so it falls down.  Mr. North helps me put it back up.  He is nice.

Then my mom came.  I took her hand and pulled her close to the hoop, so she could watch me throw.  I stood really close underneath, so I would hopefully make another hoop to show her.  It took a while, but I made one, and they both cheered!

Mommy asked if I was ready to go because we had to go to town, but I just wanted to keep throwing the ball at the hoop.  I made it three times in a row even!  My mommy cheered cuz she was really proud, and I was proud too. 

After a while, I got a little bit hot, so I threw three more times then put the ball bye-bye.  I remember where it is, so probably next time I go to school, I will throw some more.  My mom will be mad because she thinks I have to get to school on time every time, but if I see the ball, I am going to throw it.

I hope we go back there before school next week.  I'll have to practice saying the word "basketball," so Mommy knows what I'm saying, and she can take me there.  She isn't very good at making it through the hoop, but I like to watch her try too.

Okay, see ya!

Back to the Blog Roots

Hey!

I feel like we've got some cool things happening here.

I might be jumping the gun (because some mornings I drink too much coffee and get excited like a puppy about new ideas and life in general), but I'm going say it anyway.  Then you can hold me to it.

Or I'll just blame the coffee.

As you well know, this blog contains a smorgasbord of ideas, experiences, events and whatnot.  Well, I'm going to try to streamline things a bit.

I'm going to reel this river back in to the "Downs by the Bay" roots.  Remember what that topic is?  

A little boy with Down syndrome grows up on the shores of Lake Superior: throwing rocks, sniffing flowers and following his curiosity.

Well, now.  We have not stuck to that theme.  It still gets a little bit "A Little Slice of da Harbor" and a little bit Copper Harbor Vitality and a little bit of my own obsessions.

So I am making a new place for all those wandering streams.  It can be found here at Copper Harbor Vitality central!

Yup!  Back to adventures and Copper Harbor, baby!  Those stories will be mostly "A Little Slice of da Harbor" with a Copper Harbor Vitality twist.  If you have been reading my words since my first blog, then, here is some tissue paper.  You might have just peed your pants!  I get it.  I might pee mine too!

If you have joined "Downs by the Bay," you are also in luck!  Because, oh man.  Guess what...

Brady P. is going to write some of these blogs!

Whaaaaat???

Brady P. can't type!

But, you know what?  He can't hide his emotions either, and I can read him like a book, so I may as well write it down.  I mean, that's what I'm here for!

Okay, Brady P. lover, now here is some tissue for you.  Cuz, well, you know.  I can tell you're excited, too!

 

Chucking rocks toward the lighthouse 

To prove that our habits have not changed during this blog, here is a recent shot from our favorite place to chuck rocks.  

Note the fisherman to the left standing on the rock.  They are out there everyday!  Catching mostly too small of fish, from what I've noticed, but there have been a few keepers!

Just like Brady P.  He's a keeper.  Wink!

Emergence

Hi!

We've been out of town with no computer, so I'm late.  Life happens!

Since it is so ingrained in me, I have to tell you about the coolest thing happening right now.

THE WILDFLOWERS ARE STARTING TO BLOOM!!!

If you live anywhere south of here, you're probably like, "Yeah, yeah, Amanda.  Seen them for weeks now."

But we have not.

Here's a quick list of the bloomers I've feasted my eyes (and nose) on:

- Trout lilies (Not in da harbor)

- Arbutus

- Hepatica

- Daffodils everywhere (not wild, but lovely!)

Okay, so that's a short list.  The trees are budding braver as well.  

I mean, spring is just arriving here.  There is still snow in my yard, I am wearing socks that go up to my knees most days.  

But new life is starting!!!  It's emerging from the earth!!!

I am so grateful.  And want to know what?  I've set a few dates that I will be walking through the meadow, along the trail and next to the lakes, to take a peek at what's blooming.

Want to come?  You are invited! 

Click this link to my new blog to learn more.

Brady P. is doing well.  We get to throw rocks everyday, and I have to say that nearly every person (including his physical therapists) who sees him throw a rock or ball say, "What an arm!  He could be a baseball pitcher!"

And they are right.  He can be a pitcher if he wants to be.  He can do anything he wants to do -- except throw things in the house!

Little School Boy

Happy Hump Day!

We'll help you over that hump with some really cool news.

Braeden had his first FULL day of school today.  Just to try it out before he goes to five full days of kindergarten next year.

I have to admit that I didn't think he would last all day.  I thought he would turn into a crab sack and need to be sent home.  Perhaps he only gets like that around his family.  Ha!

So I was wrong.  Here's how it went from all that I know.

The bus pulled up, and he crawled right up those giant steps.  All the girls on the bus yelled, "Braeden, come sit by me!"  "I want to sit by you, Braeden!"  "Braeden, come sit back here!" and I was so flattered.

Instead, he plopped down in the front seat all by himself (and knowing him, that will be his seat for the rest of his life).  I buckled him in, kissed his head and waved to the girls.  Grammy waved from outside the bus.

All day long I stayed close to home, ready for that "Come get him!" call.  But I never got it.  Instead, I pedaled to pick him up at 2:30pm.  

As I coasted into the lot, the girls shouted, "Braeden did so good today!"  "We got extra Braeden hugs because he was here all day!"  "Yeah!  Braeden did awesome!"

And my heart began to swell.

Surprisingly, I got the same report from all the staff as well.  He was focused and stayed on task pretty much all day.  He even consented to a half hour rest on the cot.  And he didn't ask for me until 15 minutes before I came to get him.

What a trooper!  I was so proud of him!  My heart was ready to burst, and I held back my tears (but nobody would have judged).

The staff members from all angles have been amazingly supportive, positive and full of great ideas to get Brady P. to this point.  I am humbly grateful and severely impressed with everyone -- even the students.

So there you have it, my friend.  Little Brady P. is helping to pave the way for special education in the one room schoolhouse in Copper Harbor, Michigan... and I don't think anyone would have it any other way.

"You Are so Beautiful"

Hey!

All is well on our end.

But we are traveling, so I'll just let you watch this video we made a few weeks ago.

For a little background, I'll say this:  Every time I would sing him a song like "You Are My Sunshine" or something else all lovey, he would say, "Ehh!" meaning, stop that mushy song.

Sometimes I would just keep singing while he would squirm and whine in protest.

But one day, as my heart melted in the presence of his absolute beauty and wonder, I started singing "You Are so Beautiful."

To my surprise and delight, he let me sing it, and he actually seemed to like it!

Each time I would sing it to him after that, I noticed he liked to sing along with me.  So, he pretty much learned our little version of the song.

One morning when we woke up from snuggling, I recorded it for you.  He did pretty well for first thing in the morning!  Enjoy!

(Sorry it’s sideways. We were laying down!)

Jump!

Oh, hey!  How are you?

Well, all we can do is our best, right?

Good.  Keep it up.  You've got a lot to live for.

Now back to Brady P. who loves to do his best. 

Yesterday we stopped at the general store for an ice cream after our rock throwing session by the mouth of Fanny Hooe Creek which is probably the most raging I have ever seen it.  All the waterfalls are off the hook right now.  If you've got time for a drive, get it.

After we were done mucking on their porch in the sunshine, little man decided to get down from the porch via the highest drop.  I didn't measure it, but it's about 16-18" which is approximately half his height.

I knew he could make it, but he stood there going over his plan in his mind.  Finally, I showed him that I could do it, then told him it was his turn.

He took a deep breath, imagined his landing, then.... jumped!

He put his hands to the ground the first time, but that was not his last.  I think he jumped down about 50 more times.  

Not kidding.

He jumped down, stuck his landing, turned around and crawled back up.  What a workout!  And what a way to work off that Oreo ice cream bar.

With all that repetition, I had to get a video.  A slow motion one, in fact, so you can see what he's thinking as he perpetuates his movements.

(If you are reading this on the email,

you'll have to open the blog page to see the video.  It's worth it!)

Look at him stick that landing!

That's how superheroes are made, my friend.  They try something new everyday and do it till they got it down.  There is always more to learn and give and be grateful for.

Addicted to Rocks

There's no turning back now, baby!

It's rock throwing season!

This weekend Brady P. and I took our first bike cruise of the year to the lighthouse lookout.  I pedal and he rides in the "Chariot" behind me.  With his whip.  Yelling, "Faster!  Faster!"

And yesterday we took our second trek on the bike.  I gotta tell ya.  I love riding a bike.  Even pulling Braeden the dictator.  I just think it's such a smooth, quiet, fun, fulfilling way to get around this town.

So the mouth of Fanny Hooe Creek and the harbor are open enough where we don't have to sit on snow or icy rocks anymore.  It's pretty great right now, actually.  I never thought to start out at the mouth of the creek before, but the shore line certainly isn't giving in yet.

Down by the Harbor Haus beach, we've got a little spot.  It's pretty sandy and wet still, but for a quick fix, I'm down.

And yesterday B-man got his fix all right.  We went to the Harbor Haus beach on our way home from school and threw for about half an hour.  Then around 3pm I spun us to the lookout.

Luckily I brought the Bike Instructor Certification manual for the class I'm taking next month (to get certified as an intermediate level instructor!!!) cuz I got a third of the way through that.

Then I took a little rest lying in the rocks and daydreaming... in the glorious sunshine...

Then I decided to look for rocks myself because I have new art projects to work on.

During all this time, I asked Braeden intermittently, "Are you ready to go home?"

"Uh-uh," he said.  That means no.

He was having a ball.  I honestly don't know how he does it because my arm rebels after like 15-20 minutes of throwing rocks full bore.

 

Rocking my sunglasses

But three hours later...

Yeah, three hours later my tummy started to rumble, and I knew he was getting hungry because he ate three fruit strips in a row and wanted another.

I say no to that.  Time to go home for dinner.

"Three more rocks, Braeden."

"Uh-uh.  Ten!"

"Okay then.  Ten more rocks."

But ten was still not enough.  He would not budge from the beach.  So I picked him up and carried him up the snowy trail and plopped him into the Chariot, so he wouldn't run away.

Then we rode home singing one of the Sesame Street ABC songs.

What a lovely afternoon.  Our faces are sun burnt!

Flashback!

Watch out, Harbor lover.  I'm 'bout to go old school on yo' behind!

Because...

That the that the that that that lake
That the that the that that that lake 

That the that the that that that lake 

She's open!  She's open!

Yeah, boyeeee!

Okay, I don't really mean old school like that... more like reminiscent of  the Little Slice of da Harbor days.  You know, when I was excited about every little thing that meant spring was coming.  Or the buoy was back.  Or the berries were out.  Etc.

Here we go.

On Sunday evening, I took the M-26 Lakeshore Drive on my way back from a weekend in my hometown.  On a whim, I turned off in Phoenix thinking, Okay, lemme just see what's out there.  Even though last time I was severely disappointed.

But this time Eagle River Falls was ripping.  I should have stopped.  Jacob's Falls was getting there.  Great Sand Bay and Eagle Harbor were still pretty ice locked.  I decided not to get my hopes up.

But just before Eagle Rock Studio and the Lizzadro Preserve, I saw splashes near the shore.

Wha-- whaaaaat???

I stared in disbelief.  

I should have stopped driving, but then Brady P. and I would never have gotten home.

I rolled the window down to try to hear Her Majesty's voice whispering in my ear and feel her breath on my face.  I began to tremble and weep.

You might think I'm crazy, but I don't care.  I was under her spell.

At Hebard Park, I pulled off the road, told Brady P. I'll be right back and skipped a few yards toward the shore.

Oh my gosh golly gee whiz.  I was home.

I flung my hands in the air Titanic movie-style and bawled.  Thank you, Lake!  I missed you!  Oh my God, it's so wonderful to see you again!  Oh, thank you!  Thank you!

After a few moments of that, I had the mind to shut my wailing trap and listen for a bit.  Just listen -- still trembling, mind you -- but listening.

It was almost as revitalizing as actually jumping in.  Now, if I didn't have to drive Wee Man home and there wasn't still ice chunks floating around, I probably would have.  But one brain cell still worked in my mesmerized mind, so I did the smart thing.

Still weeping (Braeden thought I was nuts), I drove back to da Harbor.  The harbor itself was still frozen.  Oh well.  I was coming down from my first open water experience of the year, so I could handle it.

But then, guess what???

The.  Very.  Next.  Day... 

The very next day, the harbor was open!!!

My brain tricked me into thinking it was still frozen when I took Braeden to school that morning, so when I got home, I fluttered about getting ready to start as many projects as I could in my two-and-a-half hours of B-less-ness.

Then, on my way up the front stairs, my eyes registered waves down the road.  I stopped in my tracks and stared again, squinting in disbelief.

The harbor is open!!!  I must go!!!

So I plunked my screw gun onto the stairs, yanked my bike off the hook and coasted down the road with my heart beaming out of my chest. 

I dropped my bike in the snow and ran to the edge at the rock line (somewhere under all that snow!).

But within seconds, I said, screw it, and walked down to the very edge of the ice.  The pieces floating by were at least a foot thick, so I figured I'd be fine.  Besides, I was two blocks away from a warm house and dry clothes.

I crept to the edge on my knees and took a big scoop of that holy water.  I rubbed it all over my face and squealed.

Spring has sprung, baby.  And my heart is light.  I am grateful. Yee haw!

Today I went down to get a couple pictures for you.  The sun was beaming, but the NNE winds blew lots of the ice pack back toward the shore.  I did my best to show you it's really open.

 Shot from the edge of the ice

 

 

Trying to show the open water towards Porter's Island

Alright, homie.  Peace out!

Trickle by Trickle

Brady P. is born again.

With spring approaching and the harbor starting to open at the mouths, his favorite pass time is creeping back into our lives.

Throwing rocks!!!

During my alone time last week, I scouted the area by the lighthouse overlook.  It's where Fanny Hooe Creek enters Lake Superior.  And right along the edges of the rushing creek, I saw those smooth beach stones poking their little noses out, begging, "Bring us Brady P!"

Monday, though I was ill-prepared, I took him to the rocks with our friend Stacia and local puppy Fern.  We walked to the lookout area and hobbled down to the "lake" which is still a frozen tundra into the distance.  

(However, her shimmering blue majesty is writhing on the horizon.  Oh, am I trying to be patient!)

As we plodded along the crusted snow, hand in hand, I remembered about the rocks along the ice line.  Fern was already in the creek, so we headed toward her.

When we got to the edge, little Brady P. caught sight of the rocks in the water.  Remember, he was hanging on to my hand, so not only did I see his body straighten out of the corner of my eye, I felt his energy rise through his mitten.

You may as well have told him he was getting a pony or a kitty cat.  He was so excited!  He perked right up at the sight of those rocks, and my heart just beamed at the thought of how much he likes being out there.

I fished out a pile of rocks, so the boy didn't fall in the creek.  He had to stand to throw them because he had nowhere dry to sit in his jeans.  

Our only other conundrum was that Fern loooooves to catch rocks --  just like Duce did!  But we weren't going to subject her to that, so we practiced throwing to this side and that.

Yesterday the four of us set out again.  This time with a seat for Braeden and a change of mittens.  He was pumped all day to get out there and throw rocks.  Man, he was really in his element.

And so was Fernie girl.  We actually had to separate those two, so we didn't bring her back to her mama with fat lips and missing teeth.  Those rock hounds, I tell ya!

 

Look at that boy beam!

Note the ripples in the open water and the ice fishermen perched at the edge of the harbor ice.  I don't think I would even go out there!

But as the runoff continues, and the sun beams and the rain sprinkles through the porous snow, our rock beaches will open up.

Spring is coming... trickle by trickle.

Paint Break

Hey, you!

I am painting my laundry room today.  Brady P. is with his dad and grandparents.

So we will see you next week.  Enjoy the sunshine!