Egg Carton Shredder

Anyone need an egg carton shredder? This is Jon's favorite way of doing it. Picking up..not so much.

About the hat? Don't ask:)

Horseback Riding Adventure

What's that expression about? Wondering what he got himself into? Let me tell you..it was excitement about getting to ride a horse!
Notice the straw in his hand? Was he going to feed the horse? I'm thinking it's a souvenir that's going home with him.

His expression is hard to tell but I think he's liking it.

Toga Party??

This silly boy makes me smile. Is he off to a toga party? I really do wonder why he does certain things although I do love the ideas he comes up with.

Marble Maze Repairs

Hardly any words needed:) Jon once again managed to take apart a marble maze. We've lost count how many that is. And his Dad faithfully and lovingly puts them together the best he can. Often there are parts missing as they have been flung in the bush and are not to be found. So bits and pieces from a few mazes become one.
Someday our dear friend will quit making marble mazes..and then what??

Deck Repairs

Jon decided it was time for deck repairs. He loves his wood projects! He went to the garden shed and carried all the different pieces of wood that he could find to the deck. There must be at least one piece that will fit!
In the meantime he is making sure that all loose pieces of wood are removed before he moves on to the next step. Once all was done to his liking, he helped load up the rest of the wood on the wheelbarrow to take back to the shed. I love watching him as he works on his projects:)

A Carpenter..sort of!

While Jon loves destruction more than anything, he really seems to like 'building things' with wood as well. Not sure what it all represents but it means something to him. He also likes working in the area where people walk, at the bottom of the stairs and close to the door.

Latest Photo of Jon

For so long I have wanted to get a photo of Jon smiling while looking at the camera. Finally!! It took a visit to see a former staff of his that brought on this beautiful smile. Love it.

Country Life

Ok. So it's no secret that our family kinda loves the country.  And...ummm...it's probably no surprise that Jon is intrigued by animals that roam his land out in the country. But not in the '2-year-old-let's-grab-and-pull-at-their-hair' kind of way. This dude...respects the furry creatures. Respect.

So it was super exciting (for both of us) when a friendly Golden Retriever stopped by to say hello as we were enjoying a Peanut Butter (Reese Cup) Blizzard. (That was us planting the seed to go get one)

 

What did Kayla do? She acted like a '2-year-old-let's-snuggle-till-we-die!' wierdo and ran outside to greet him. And what did Jon do? He stood back and just took in the beauty of the canine running around in the cool Winter air. 

 Let's all take a moment to learn a lesson. I mean...REALLY...absorb what Jon already knows. 

“The beauty of the natural world lies in the details and observing.”

Tree Decorating

Jon is into the Christmas spirit..he was so excited when he saw the Christmas tree being hauled out of storage. We made sure that the tree would be decorated on the day he came to visit. Without much coaxing he pitched in to help.
He starts listening to Christmas carols early November..he knows his seasons!

Fall Cleaning

Oh Jon you are a hoot!  This photo makes me laugh!

Hedge Trimming

Taking a break from shed renos and doing a little hedge trimming with Dad.

Getting his attention..

Dad asking for help..

Jon is willing to help, he likes these tools.

Back to the Shed..

I think Jon is building something..

Watching intently..he would love to be up there helping!

Time for a rest..

I know that wheelbarrow holds treasures..what should I choose??

Mom and Dad join Jon to check out the new view.

The Fair

*I'm sorry Grandma for buttin' in! I know you were on a shed journey but I just had to tell the tale of Jon at the fair, I just had to!  I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't get the story out. * 

It's no secret that we are inspired by balloons and ice-cream. So what's to stop us from combining the two and going to the fair?

We believe that no one, and I mean NO ONE is too old for the carousel.

 

We like to channel our Mary Poppins every now and then.

 ( Minus the part about taking medication with sugar, YUCKA!) And minus the flying umbrella part. Who needs a flying umbrella when you have a wheelchair? Annnnd minus the cute Dick Van Dyke, wait...we are beginning to feel less and less like we are in Mary Poppins here....

Jon begged me to take a selfie. 

Which was such a great idea, because it just made the day that much more awesomer. (Yep, that's a word) 

Because really, can you have too many selfies? I think not. 

Clearly Jon does not agree.

Jon loves rides just as much today as he did yesterday. Forever fun. 

Umbrella or Wheelchair? Exactly Jon. Way cooler. Poppin's ain't got nothin' on that. 

If you don't agree, we'll just be here, swatting anyone that dares to argue with fact. 

So I think that's it. Are you enjoying your summer like we told you to?

*Kaila out - Grandma back in*

More on the Shed

Waiting for the carpenter.

This will be Jon's view. He will be able to see who's coming down his driveway and his house and yard.

This is the view from behind the shed.

A good start on the outside.

Another view..to the bush.

The inside is getting a nice finish. Jon is loving every minute of sawing, hammering and drilling. I think he will be a little sad when it's all finished.

Shed Renos

Jon loves hanging out in his shed as I have mentioned before..well now some renos are happening and Jon is really excited!  We just hope he gives the carpenter room to work. He hovers nearby watching his every move.

Here you can see him listening to every word, he wants to know what is being discussed about his shed.

This will be the new siding and will be used for the inside walls as well.

Finding bits of scrap wood, he especially loves smelling it.

Keep checking for shed reno updates!

A Glamping We Will Go

So, I'm really really, realllllllly tardy on writing on this blog. But I am going to go with the 'fashionably late'excuse. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. For now.....

My latest Jon story is a lot of fun, because, well, there were animals and balloons involved. 

Animals + Balloons = awesome. 

You know what else is awesome? Annoying nieces who try to take selfies. 

But we have our secrets. I have a feeling Jon will never tell you what they are ;) 

And well your busy trying to figure them out, we'll be here. Tossing rocks down drains. 

Anyway, 

Summer. The season is upon us. Get out there and find some animals, balloons, and drainage holes. 

Kaila. 

Jon's T-Shirt

Schmaunt fat is such a big part of Jon's food 'likes' that I just couldn't help but buy this t-shirt..it is the best find! We happened to go to a local restaurant and when I saw these t-shirts for sale I happily dished out the money. Jon's look doesn't say whether he likes it or not but the rest of us sure do!

It makes us smile:)

Jon came to visit us tonight and he was in a really good mood. We do not take these moods lightly and enjoy all the happy moments with him. His seizures are still well controlled, we are so thankful for that.

But one thing he just won't do and that is smile for the camera, how I wish he would, he has just the bestest smile!!

Pizza, Shmaunt Fat, Being Silly, and Good News

Who says pizza and shmaunt fat doesn't go together?? Don't knock it until you try it:)

Jon stuck his nose into the bowl just to be silly. I laughed and he smiled. But the minute he saw the camera he wiped the smile right off his face.

The good news I want to share is that another med has been added to help decrease Jon's seizures. The name of the med is mylan topiramate. It was started almost 2 months ago and since then Jon has not had any seizures!! He used to have at least a longer one once a week and often many little 'dropsie' type.  Staff has noticed he is more alert and we have noticed the same.

When he was younger I taught him to point to his heart when I asked him 'where does Jesus live?' In the last number of years when I would ask him he would ignore me. Thursday when he was home for a visit I asked him again 'where does Jesus live?' Immediately he pointed to his heart. I was so pleased! I said you remember..and he smiled.