Having some fun...

Every year, the Catholic Church in our neighborhood has something called The Italian Festival.
Just like every festival, there is loud music, food vendors, kids carnival, and lots of things to buy. It is so expensive and most of the people there have a booth of their own which they invite their friends, and have a private party!

The kids wanted to go anyway and we had a pretty good time. This festival happens at our neighborhood city park, where the kids love to plan, so a festival at THEIR park is just too irresitible! First thing we had to do was shell out $4.00 for my ticket. They didn't charge the kids (yeah!). Then we had to get tickets because you can't buy anything without tickets except in the arts and crafts boothes. I spent $10.00 on tickets and we used them up quick.

The kids wanted to play in the jump and slide thing. All three went up the steep stairs of the slidy thing. Then they slide down, bouncing, laughing ect. They did this over and over. Finally the energy it took to get up the steps took it's toll on Lakshmi. Everyone else could go up and down three times in the time it took Lakshmi to climb the steps (not included sliding down). But she kept on at it. I am amazed at the determination she has. She has mild CP and I could see how grueling it was for her to climb the stairs. Anyone else would have given up, but not Lakshmi. I wish I had a video camera with me. It was that amazing. I stood their crying, and feeling so thankful that she has this strong temperament. Sometimes it causes her to be defiant. Sometimes it helps her beat the odds. But it was such a pleasure to watch her overcome her difficulties. Eventually Ravi began to pull her up to the top so they could all go down together, and I cried about that. It was just so sweet.

Later that night everyone got sent to bed for fighting! But there are the special moments that count in the lives of my kids and me. I will forever hold the image of Lakshmi pulling herself up the stairs, and then Ravi coming to help her when he noticed that she was having a hard time. I have GREAT kids!

The rest of the festival wasn't nearly as good as that moment on that jump and slide thingy!

Jyotsna

Of course she has a nice diaper on there...what a chubby sweety! 

Here she is in her very own wool diaper wrap, made by me! Yep, she's three and a half there, and almost night time potty trained. 

Look at Lakshmi! She looks so cute here. She was just 9 months old. Don't you love those chubby legs? Gotta love that breastmilk! 

Ran like wild when the diaper was off! Freedom!