Michael's Run

Lars, Joa & I participated in Michael's Run, a benefit run for the Michael Carter Lisnow respite center in Hopkinton that Lars attends. It was great fun. And, as a bonus, remember the wonderful man who took Lars rollerblading? Well, he and his daughter Julia (middle photo) showed up to see Lars off at the race; they live in Hopkinton!

Here are some photos from the day. Joa made the whole 5K walk! Lars did too, sleeping in his stroller.

Lars & Mama's day with Elmo

So I got to make music with Elmo, Cookie Monster, "Jenny the Music Teacher," 35 preschoolers, 50 elders, 9 music therapy interns & numerous others yesterday morning! This is from the press release:
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"E" is for Everyone!!
Great Photo Opportunity Tomorrow!

WHAT: Everyone can make music, even when you don't have an instrument! Please join us tomorrow at the Notre Dame Long Term Care Center for an Intergenerational Music Therapy Session involving residents of Notre Dame, students from the Guild of St. Agnes Granite Street Preschool, and some very special friends from Sesame Street Live. Music therapists Lisa Kynvi and Chie Furukawa and their Anna Maria College music therapy student-assistants will use expressive songs and instruments to bridge the gap between the youngest and oldest generations of our community with a little help from Elmo, Cookie Monster and Jenny of Sesame Street Live!
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We had lots of fun--so much so that I decided I had to take Lars to Sesame Street Live at the DCU Center last night. We were at the 7:00 show, and he loved it! Lars was most excited when Elmo was on stage (he knows & loves Elmo's voice the best). It was very sweet to watch him listen to about the first half of each new song, and then join in with "da da da" or some nice gargle sounds for the rest of the song--always in the key they were singing in! Lars was so excited, in fact, that he didn't settle down and go to sleep until way after midnight, and then was awake every 15-20 minutes all night, even though he wasn't having visible seizure activity.

Lars goes rollerblading

Joa & Gannon were invited to a friend's birthday party yesterday at Roller Kingdom & by a couple of flukes--Andey sleeping, Joa feeling sensitive--Lars & I ended up being there. Last time he was there, Lars was very upset & cried the whole time, but this time he loved it. We were having a grand time & I was watching a dad-aged gentleman who was by far the best & most graceful skater on the rink. I wished out loud in front of Tamara that Lars could feel what it's like to glide around the rink with him, and she promptly said, "I'm going to ask him if he'll do it." After clearing it with management, he gladly accepted and held Lars while doing about ten laps around. Lars LOVED it, as you can imagine. The beautiful skater gentleman's daughters subsequently fell in love with Lars & essentially played with him the rest of our time there.... I kept humming one of Lars' theme songs that pops into my head with regularity: "That is why all the girls in town follow you all around. Just like me, they long to be close to you."