Ashley enjoying winter the Koolway!

It has been a long and snowy Canadian winter.   Ashley is always itching to get outside despite the weather.   She is glued to the backdoor if Daddy is outback cooking on the barbeque.  I hate to tell her it's too cold get out there.  Now Ashley is sporting this  Koolway Sports custom made snowsuit. 

Ashley's Koolsuit is purple and hot pink. Koolways snowuits are custom made in Canada and come in many colours.  The best thing is the warmth Ashley legs are now nice and warm while on the ice or being pulled in a sled.  For someone on a slegde or in a chair it is very easy to get cold since your not moving around. We used to put on snow pants and  blankets on her legs but the blanket would  fall off.    Her Koolway leg blanket zips to the Koolway Jacket, plus both the jacket and leg blanket was made  for extra warmth and stays put.    

Koolway generously custom made Ashley  this suit  in-cordination with  ThreeToBe.org  PAL site.   Ashley is one very lucky girl! 

I can now quickly get her dressed and we are off and enjoying this never ending winter.  She has been skating three times since getting her Koolwaysuit  just over two weeks ago.   She is living life the Koolway!  Ashley and I both say Thank you Koolway Sports!!


Also exciting news...

Ashley  is starring in a video called "The Climb" and two photos "Walking on Sunshine" and Let's Play at this years Filmpossible 2013 compeition. 
If you have time it just takes a second to vote.  Jump over to Filmpossible to view and vote on all the amzing entires that are bringing visibility to disability.   All entries are submitted by people who believe in a world of possibility.

Look who is 7! - Party Video

March flew by and birthday season is in full swing at our house.  Ashley turned 7 last week and I'm amazed at all the progress she has made she's really moving about. She is crawling just a little,  she enjoys balancing on high knees and trying to stand up it's fabulous progress. She's also using her spoon to feed herself a few bites.  She really enjoys her days in grade one too.  I will follow up with a blog post on all her progress later this week.   This weekend we threw Ashley a rainbow gymnastics party at Gymalaya. What a fabulous place to have a party.  She enjoyed her birthday there last year too and perhaps we will do it again next year.  A big thank you to all of Ashley friends and family that came to make this day so special. 

Ashley's smile the entire day!

 Fun Brothers taking after Grampy.

 Rainbow treats - home made by Mom!

Now I have to plan something just as fun for Damon who will be double digits  next week closely followed by Taylor 3rd birthday in 2 weeks. 

Here's a link to last years 6th birthday video also celebrated at Gymalaya.   I did a better job with the video last year. I need to another photographer besides myself at the party.  

Ice Skating - So nice to be included!!

This morning I accompanied Ashley on a winter outing with her grade one class she went Ice Skating.  It felt wonderful to be there with her on the ice.   I  recall  when she was just two sending her older brother off to skate with his grade one class feeling sad that Ashley may have to miss out on such  fun.

Five years later and my outlook is so different.   I really see many doors opening for Ashley as long as we plan there is always a way to participate.  Ashley's wonderful grade one teacher and school therapist arranged for a sledge and  Ashley was on the ice and enjoyed herself so much.  Her friends were happy to see her there and a few asked  why she wasn't on skates.    That would be something I'd love to see one day too and I think is possible perhaps a seated walker and some skates.   I love how the other kids see her doing it all.   Go Ashley Go!!!!

I wish...

Ashley's wish for Christmas.

Ashley gets to speak at last nights holiday concert priceless and an early Christmas present for me.




This Christmas I'm so thankful for Ashley's amazing grade one teachers.  They go above and beyond each day to ensure Ashley is thriving at school and always included.

With walking comes other privileges

Like Trick or Treating!!

Ashley loved walking down the street bumping into friends from class,  she was very happy to be out and about collecting candy too. 

Here's Ashley with her brothers all very excited to get going this evening.  

By the way we have way too much candy here right now. 

Does summer fun really have to end?

Last week Ashley attended her second session of Soccer camp it was fabulous even the second time around.  Special needs soccer camp was the summer highlight for Ashley.  It was top notch.  I blogged about this back in July when she attended the first session.  The august session was  just as wonderful. Up on her feet walking, running and scoring goals plus time with friends what could be better. 

These two high school girls  in green shirts were very sweet and received volunteer hours to help Ashley run and score goals.  YAY!!! 

 One of Ashley's new buddies...

 Ashley with all the boys .. there was a few girls but boys definitely out number the girls.  She does like boyfriends especially this little boy Sean in the chair next to her..

 Ashley has another medal and beautiful trophy. The girl needs a trophy shelf now! How great is that.

The boys even tagged along and enjoyed the beautiful park as well as cheering on their sister.

Getting ready for school with some haircuts all around, check out these new looks.

Too cool for school or what?  Miss Ashley is not a fan of hair cuts as you can see here.

 Our evening at the park was fabulous.  Even if we need to bundle up a bit now.

School starts in one week right after labour day and I'm so not ready for that.   Please tell me summer is going to go on for another month or so.   I  need to get into  that  daily routine of getting 3 of 4  kids up and off to school.  I'm trying to get the kids to bed early each evening which is easy for Ashley but her brothers would love to stay up all hours of the night.     Tell me are you ready for school?  What will Taylor and I do while Ashley and her brothers in School all day ever day?   Things are going to change around here oh my.  

Hanging out - video

and check this out Ashley also loves walking around with her iPad in her princess basket preferably while  Justin is singing  Never Say Never.

June already and lots has been happening around here.

Last week my oldest turned 11 I have a preteen.  We had some very special visitors Grammy and Grampy to celebrate his birthday.

Pancake breakfast for my 11 year old. OMG almost a teenager.

Check out this cake my mom made this for him it has boiled icing, tons of candy decorations, best of all according to my boys it was a money cake with loads of toonies ($2 coins) hidden inside.

Yummy!!!   Thanks Mom for making this it was a big hit!

Are you wondering what you get an 11 year old with loads of energy well?

A new POGO stick which he loves and gets a real work out on it too.  He also received some money which he used to buy a spy gear watch and the new Alex Rider Novel.  He was pretty happy with his presents.

Last week I also received these beautiful flowers for being a super mom from these ladies I adore.

I wish I had taken more pictures when Aunt Colleen and Aunt Betty dropped by for lunch which they even brought with them. I was totally spoiled for the day. Their visit was such a treat for me and the little ones look how happy Ashley was to see Auntie Betty and Taylor loved playing with Auntie Colleen. 

Unfortunately my older two were at school and husband working but it was short oh so sweet. 

What a day

Saturday afternoon I headed out with just 2 kids for a change Damon and Ashley. Two kids was a fun change of pace especially these two.  We headed over to the mall to exchange a duplicate Lego set Damon got for his birthday.   At the mall we were surprised to see that kids could decorate flower pots for easter.

It was fun to help Ashely and Damon make these ...

 It would have been nice to have her wheel chair for this activity.  But she sat on my lap and helped select her stickers.

Beautiful final product  and  so sweet that this was free of charge flowers and all!   Plants don't live long inside my house hopefully I can care for them long enough until they can be replanted outside.  Where they will do much better under my husbands green thumb. 

On the Move.

After the mall we headed out to a local community program for kids with disabilities called "On the move"  it was too much fun. Ashley actually laughed so hard she fell over backwards got back up and kept on laughing.  Just another sweet day for my girl who is truly too cute for words so you will have to just watch...

On the move! from Sherry C on Vimeo.
Love that the city offers gym time and activities for special needs kids so much fun was had.Hula Hoops, bubbles, stepping stones, balls and so much more.

Super Ashley

I realized today I like shopping at the shoe company a bit too much. Hey can you blame me? 

Ashley got new SMO's I will just call them super for short.  Super expensive god forbid you should lose one as your insurance company will only fund one pair a year and at $1300 ..oh sorry I'm exaggerating these were actually  $1291. They could also be called Super for Super Standing and Super Walking with these on.   I think I'll go with that one.  But notice her beautiful pink and glittery shoes only $33 from Shoe Company and the prettiest shoes yet. 

These shoes go perfectly with her new Barbie helmet and princess scooter too...now just bring on the warm weather. I can't take the cold any longer.

Damon is 9!!

Damon's 9th birthday party from Sherry C on Vimeo.


I can barely believe another year  has  gone by for  Damon.  Damon  always puts a smile on my face each day.   He is  king of video games, sporty and fun. Yet the most caring gentle boy around. He is so good natured and reminds me of my Dad and if you know my Dad that's saying a lot.

With four kids it's hard  having parties for each so we take turns.. this year Ashley and Damon benefited however now I'm thinking perhaps James will get one too.  Okay it's hard for this Mom to say no.  I love celebrating birthday's (as long as it's not mine)

Birthday Party Video!

This weekend was pretty special Ashley had a big gymnastics party at Gymalaya. I'm pretty sure all her friends had a great time.  Ashley was giggling she loved gymnastics as much as dancing. She even enjoyed the pizza, cake and thought the cheesies were just for her and dug right into those too.  It was so special to have all her friends celebrating with her.  Big thank you to my Mom, Dad and Sarah for coming to celebrate and help with the party.   Ian and I couldn't have done it without you.

 Extra special thank you to all of Ashley friends too!

 Here's a video of all the fun we had.

Ashley's 6th birthday from Sherry C on Vimeo.
Gymalaya! Ashley is 6 and loving life!!! Thanks to all her friends for making this day so great!

Ashley is 6... what a birthday!

I can not believe my little girl is 6 years old.  She has come so far and there is nothing stopping this little girl she sure can shine!  She is in love with Barbie and now Justin Bieber. I mean who can blame her.  Love me, Love me say that you Love me!

She is having a big party with 16 friends next weekend okay I got a little carried away with the guest list  but it's a gymnastics party at Gymalaya even I won't have been able to image my girl doing gymnastics a few short years ago.  We went to a classmates party there earlier this year and she was all giggles and running to keep up with her friends.  The staff were warm and had no reservations about helping her to participate in everything even climbing up a rock wall or swinging from a bar.   I'm so excited for her.    Just happen to believe that my girl turning six is more then a miracle and needs to be celebrated in a big way.   I feel so blessed for each day I have with the sweetest girl in the entire world. I'm not at all biased am I. Love this girl!

My girl is much improved today - Parlee Beach

Ashley was still a little itchy today but her swelling is down and her eye is looking much better.  Late afternoon we took all the kids to the beach for a short walk and swim in the water as it very hot here.  Ashley loved the waves and the feel of the sand.   We went to Parlee Beach which is in Shediac, New Brunswick it was beautiful here's a few pictures.

Hermit crabs hiding in small shells the boys were very excited to find these on the beach and wanted me to take these pictures.

It was very hot today but overcast and it had rained just before we arrived close to four so the beach was pretty much ours.

These cottages have a great location steps from the sea.  

Weekend photo story

This weekend by the lake playing with my new Sony Cybershot TX7.  Any mom would love this fun camera.  I took a number of  panoramic photo's and I was surprised to learn I can even post them on blogger.

Our little cottage at the lake

the boys couldn't wait to dive in ... 

once in the water they were happy for hours..

We eat dinner here looking out at the lake

 on all sides as we are on a point. 

 Then the boys beg us to play monoploy. 

Ashley hang out here with Taylor while I was cleaning all around.

How do you like the authentic wall to wall flooring?
Do you want to see the panoramic picture of the inside too?  It's not as pretty as the lake.

Lunch at Balsam Lake

Taylor liked it all

Daddy closing up till next weekend in the sun.