It's all in the Smile :)

October just happens to be Down Syndrome Awareness Month!  I would like to think of it as more of an opportunity to celebrate how far society has come with accepting people with Down Syndrome.  If you think about the great strides that have been made over the years it is just incredible.  People who have Down Syndrome today are offered early intervention services, go to regular schools, hold down jobs, get married, live independently.  The sky is the limit!  It is something to be excited about!

Our family was able to attend our first ever Buddy Walk which is an event that is held throughout the USA that promotes acceptance and awareness of Down Syndrome.  We loved it!  Our 5 year old had a fantastic time with all the games and bounce houses, lots of fantastic baskets and raffles, music and dancing!  I must say there are some excellent dancers that just happen to have Down Syndrome!  They have some great moves.  Preston is already starting to show that he is going to be a wild man on the dance floor!

We met some great people and were able to share the day with some of our awesome friends!  I loved seeing the older kids with DS and see how involved they were with sports, friendships, school and how much joy they brought to their families.  I am so excited to see what Preston's future holds for him.  It is going to be amazing!

As we were going out to our car, Kierstin says to me, "Mommy I saw a girl with Down Syndrome.  She was in the bounce house with me."  I replied, "Oh really that is nice, did you have fun playing with her?"  Kierstin said that she did.  I asked, "How did you know she had Down Syndrome?"  Kierstin said, "Because she had a special kind of smile."  

I love it!  There were so many wonderful people there with Down Syndrome at the walk and they did all have a special kind of smile.  Preston has that special kind of smile and we enjoy it oh so much!

Preston is with the "Tooth Fairy" at the Walk