Hello Everyone!

It's been a very busy year for me and my family!  Around this time last year, we were moving into and apartment after my parents sold our house.  Things were a little tight on space, but we managed to make it through the 8 months.  In April, we moved into our new house, where my bedroom closet is as big as my apartment room!  I love all the space I have, and I am now sleeping in a big-girl bed!

In February, I turned 3!  I am getting really big now!  I love running after Bobby, and everyone seems to call me a "parrot".  Maybe that is because I like to say (and do) everything that you say!  I think that is why my teachers always give me glowing reports on how well I am doing.  I owe a lot of that to my big brother, who I am trying really hard to be like.  Speaking of teachers, I started school this August!  I am in preschool with several other kids like me.  In fact, I am going to school with Bella from Bella's Buddies.  I go 4 days a week for 3 hours, and I love it!  I get to put on my backpack and walk into school like all of the other kids.  When Mommy comes to pick me up, I always have a big smile and a hug waiting for her.  I know it just makes her day!

Hope you like the picture.  Mommy, Daddy, Bobby, and I got to go on an airplane to NJ this summer.  As you can see, I got some photo time on the beach.  I love the water, and the day that we spent at the beach with Sito and Gidu was great.  Daddy took me out in the ocean and we got to ride the waves!  I want to go on vacation to the shore again!  It was great!

Now for the real reason for this site.  Please help me raise some money for the DSA of the Midlands.  They are a really cool organization that helps out families like ours.  They gave my Mom and Dad some good information about me when I was born.  It helped them understand that I am a lot like other kids my age, only I might need a little more help along the way.  They also bring families like ours together with other families through different events scheduled throughout the year.  It allows us to shares stories and interact with others that have had similar experiences.  DSA is also a good advocate for my future development.  They help promote inclusion in classrooms and equal rights as citizens for those of us with Down Syndrome.

I don't know a whole lot about money yet.  But, it sounds like it is getting harder for people to make donations.  Anything you an do to help out our organization would be greatly appreciated.  If you can't make a monetary contribution, maybe you can come out and walk with me on October 15th.  We will be out at the UNO Campus supporting the 350+ families that are part of our organization.  Hope to see you there!

Love,

Charlie