We are a group of friends who have come together because we share the common bond of caring for someone who has Trisomy 21. We are here to share therapy tips, medical issues, laughs, accomplishments and yes, even frustrations. We embrace what Trisomy 21 has brought into our lives. We feel that it has taught us to appreciate the true meaning of life. We count our children as blessings! We will fiercely protect them and fight for their lives to be valued just as all other peoples' are. We share our pictures, our stories and our hearts here not only to provide friendship and support for each other, but also in the hopes that others will open their minds and their hearts to our unique children and, in turn, make a better world for everyone.

Welcome to our community photo album.  New pictures will be added to a given album each week.  We hope you enjoy looking at the pages that have already been put together.  Feel free to jump in and participate in future pages.  Note that you will get a chance each year to add your pictures so if you have pictures that belong in albums that are already done for the year be sure to mark them for the future!

Here is how it works:  You will find a post on the General Discussion Forum on the first day of the album (listed below) outlining the "Picture Theme" for that week.  If you have pictures that fit into that theme or have time to take pictures that will fit into the theme, simply post them in response to the original post.  An explanation of the pictures that can simply be cut and pasted into this album below the picture should also be included.  These do not have to be long as you can see by looking through albums that already have pictures in them.  On the last day of the album (usually), the pictures and any information posted will be transferred to the albums here. 

You will find here a list of all the themes that we have covered throughout the year.  We may change themes in future years or add in extras so if you have any ideas for themes simply e-mail them to Monica (monica@trisomy21online.com).

Please note the the completed albums are a ways down the page as we started this project later in the year!

• Favorite Pictures of Last Year (January 1-7)
  Find your favorite picture of you child from the previous year and post it this week.  This should be a pretty special picture week :).

  

• Primping and Grooming (January 8-14)
  This week is for us to post pictures of our children keeping themselves groomed.  You can post pictures of brushing teeth, washing, bathing, combing hair, applying make-up...etc.  Basically any "primping" or "grooming" picture will work - even ones where they are making someone else pretty.

Mikey Brushing His Teeth

• A Good Old Fashioned Temper Tantrum (January 15-21)
  Does anybody stop and pull out their camera while their child is having a tantrum?  This week is for posting pictures of your mad/angry child.  Share with us what has made your prince/princess so very angry that they are moved to tantrum mode.

Angry Jaden at 7 Months Old

• Family Vacations (January 22-28)
  This one is one of those self-explanatory ones.  This week is for sharing pictures of any vacations you have gone on with your family.

Binny with brothers Yakov and Dov and sisters
Leah and Shira on their Trip to Florida

• I Don't Feel So Good :( (January 29 - February 4)
  This one just might break all of our hearts.  Post pictures of your sick child here - chicken pox, hospital stays, medication pictures...etc.

Garrett With Chicken Pox

• Future Couples (February 5-11)
  Does your son/daughter have a boyfriend or a girlfriend?  Now is the time to post their "engagement" pictures - LOL.

Kayla with Ian

• Little Valentines (February 12-18)
  Our precious little valentines who inspire so much love.  Join in by posting a picture of you little valentine this week.

Brady Sending You Valentine's Kisses!

• Angelic Reflections (February 19-25)
  Who is that cute little one in the mirror?  Have you caught your child looking at themselves in the mirror on film?  If so, post your picture this week! 

Emma Sage checking out her angelic reflection!

• Young Scientists (February 26 - March 4)
  So, how does this work?  This weeks pictures should be of your children trying to figure out how something works.  The viewer should be able to see a little mind at work!

Mikey at 3 years old figuring out how the fountain works.
 Notice he has been at it for a while as his shorts are
 soaked from the water running down them.

• Winter Fun (March 5-11)
  Playing in the snow, going sledding, skiing, skating... any sport that involves you shivering!  Post your pictures of your children enjoying the cold this week!

Rhonda's Alex out enjoying the snow!
If you look real close, you will notice he is blowing a kiss.

• Preparing for a Career in the Circus (March 12-18)
  So what is your child's calling: a clown, an escape artist, a trapeze artist or perhaps a lion tamer?  If you have a picture that would be worth sending to the traveling circus as part of an application form, post it this week!

Jack is breaking out of the joint tonight!

• The Olympic Sport of TV Watching (March 19-25)
  Post pictures of you child watching their favorite shows here... The Wiggles, Tubbies, Barney... anything goes!  Try to cut out the section of mom or dad pulling their hair out in the background ;).

Dayton joining Barney while singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

• Water Babies (March 26-April 1)
  Swimming in the pool, running through the sprinkles, playing at the beach, taking a bath or even playing in the toilet!  If it involves your child playing with water, post it this week.

Ally cooling off in the pool.

• A Trip to the Zoo (April 2-8)
  This one is pretty self-explanatory!  Its about that trip to the zoo that we all seem to make at sometimes.  Post pictures of past adventures at the zoo this week.

Renee showing off her walking skills at the zoo!

• Easter and Springtime (April 9-15)
  All dressed up in your Easter bonnet, painting Easter eggs, finding the chocolate or just enjoying the change of season.  Celebrate all that is associated with Springtime with your pictures this week.

Abby looking like the breath of spring that she is!

• Getting Down and Dirty (April 16-22)
  Playing in the mud, emptying the cupboards, those first attempts at eating... you got a mess or a messy kid, we want to see it!  Post them this week.

Happy First Birthday Ryan!
Looks like its a pretty good cake :).

• A Night on the Town (April 23-29)
  Those special events - going to see Sesame Street Live or the Wiggles, that special night out at the movies, a banquet for an activity a child is involved.  Post your precious once in a lifetime memories here.

Christine and Abby at Sesame Street Live

• Fashion Models (April 30 - May 6)
  This week is for posting those pictures that get you to thinking that your child might just have a career in modeling in his/her future.  Post pictures of them either all decked up or doing those wonderful model poses.

Garrett Modeling Mommy's Hat!

• Me and My Mommy (May 7-13)
  Lets honor all the wonderful mothers around the time of Mother's Day.  Post a picture of your child with his/her mommy.  It can be a posed picture of a picture of the two of you doing something together.

Riley and His Mommy

• A Trip to the Playground (May 14-20)
  On the swing, climbing the monkey bars or speeding down the slide.  The week is for posting pictures of your child enjoying the playground.

Amy's Joshua Enjoying the Swings!

• Signing Time (May 21-27)
  Have you caught any of the signs that your child is doing or has done on camera?  Lets see what kind of "sign language dictionary" we can put together with our child's pictures.

Courtney demonstrating the sign for Barney.

• Look What I Can Do! (May 28 - June 3)
  You know the look that comes across your child's face with his/her new accomplishments?  Have you caught it on camera?  This week is for sharing pictures of our children's excitement over the new things they have learned to do.

Adam showing off his walking skills!

• Amusement Parks and Fairs (June 4-10)
  Trips to Disneyland and other theme parks as well as local fairs are the highlight for this week's picture submissions.  Post pictures this week of your child and your family enjoying amusement parks and fairs.

Courtney and her friend Caleb on the train.

• It Wasn't Me! (June 11-17)
  Caught in the act or pictures of after the deed was done... Share those pictures that show the mischievous, explorative side of you child this week.

Marriah sampling the Valentine's Surprise.

• Me and My Daddy (June 18-24)
  Another self-explanatory one.  Remembering Father's Day, it is time for  daddy's turn.  Lets see those pictures of you child with his/her daddy.

Emma and Her Daddy

• Now That Can't Possibly Be Comfortable! (June 25-July 1)
  This week is to post those lovely sleeping and sitting positions that make your bones ache just to look at them.  Lets see what kind of knots our children can tie themselves in.

Chloe having a nap!

• "In Real Life" Meetings" (July 2-8)
  Have you gotten together with anybody you have met online?  This week is to share pictures of you and/or the kids getting together.

Binny and Debbie and Garrett and Melissa and
siblings get together February 17, 2004

• What Life is All About (July 9-15)
  A child throwing his/her head back in complete enjoyment, kisses and hugs, playing in the puddles and all those other moments when your heart stands still and you know there is something wonderful happening.  This week is for sharing that picture that makes you stop and re-evaluate what life is all about. 

A special brother/sister moment between
Courtney and Dayton

• Conference Pictures (July 16-22)
  This week is to share pictures from conferences you have been to through the years.  These pictures can be of you, your children or the entertainment/speakers at the conference.  If you met others from our board at the conference, please share pictures of you together as well!

Mikey and Buggie at the CDSS Conference in
 Vancouver (May 2003)

• On The Move (July 23-29)
  Rolling, Crawling, Walking, Riding toys, Bikes or Motorized transportation!  This week is to share pictures of your moving child.

Annette's Ryan Riding his Bike

• The Great Outdoors (July 30 - August 5)
  Any outdoor picture goes this week - camping, playing in the ocean, smelling the flowers... etc.  Let us see your child enjoying all that the natural world has to offer.

Rhonda's Alex and the Pheasant

• Ahhh... Peace At Last (August 6-12)
  Its been a long, hard day and your child has finally fallen asleep (either for the night or for his/her nap).  You sneak in and get a precious angel sleeping picture.  This is your week to share these wonderful pictures!

Look at this little gift under the tree!
Notice Garrett was able to get one sock off before calling it a day ;)

• Where I Live (August 13-19)
  This weeks theme should results in pictures of bedrooms, houses and/or neighborhoods.  Give us an idea of what you and your child call "home".

Mikey's Bedroom in Our "New" House (Summer 2002)

• Tender Moments (August 20-26)
  Share you pictures of precious moments between your child and his/her siblings or other family members or his/her friends.  If you have captured moments of your child with his stuffed animals or baby dolls or with live animals that show their tenderness, post those as well!

Aaron and his Brother Jacob

• You Do The Hokey Pokey (August 27 - September 2)
  Let the music move you!  This week post pictures of your child feeling the music - dancing in the house or participating in recitals and/or classes.  Lets see the kids "get down".

Courtney Ready for her Ballet Recital

• Back to School (September 3-9)
  Every body has them - the "all dressed up for the first day of school" pictures.  We want to see these but we also want to see professional pictures taken at school and action shots of your child at school.

Lisa's Alex (Buggie) ready for his first day of school.

• Grandma and Grandpa (September 10-16)
  This one means exactly what the names says!  Lets celebrate "National Grandparents Day" (perhaps a little late) this week and share pictures of your child with grandparents or great-grandparents.

Amy's Joshua sleeping with his Grandma and her cat Tubby

• Group Activities (September 17-23)
  Share you pictures of your child participating in group activities like bowling, t-ball, Kindermusik, mommy and me classes, swimming lessons, playgroups, Gymtastics or Gymboree classes.  We want to see our kids out and about and getting involved this week!

Mikey Performing a Seat Drop in Gymnastics Class

• Future Careers (September 24-30)
  Has your child done something or been dressed up a certain way that you get to thinking of a specific career for their future?  This week, share the pictures where you have captured a future career for your child - this can be serious or not so serious!

Move Over!  There is a new Sheriff in Town!  (Ali)

• Smiles from the Bottom of One's Toes (October 1-7)
  The name kind of says it all :).  Lets reach into other's hearts with pictures of our children smiling this week!

Dayton Reminding You to Enjoy Life!

• Favorite Toy (October 8-14)
  Lets see those pictures of you child playing with their favorite indoor or outdoor toys.

Mikey Playing With His Train on Christmas Morning

• Horses and Other Barnyard Animals (October 15-21)
  Encounters with barnyard animals from petting zoos to visits to the farm to horse riding therapy sessions.  Post pictures of your child with those traditional barnyard animals here.

Garrett, Thomas and Kaleigh Pose for a Picture in the Country!

• Aspiring Athletes (October 22-28)
  This week is to share pictures of your child as an athlete.  This could be involvement in organized sports, Special Olympics, on sporting outings (skiing, skating, biking) or just playing with toys associated with sports (balls, baskets...etc.).

Aaron at his First Swim Lesson

• Ghosts and Goblins: Halloween Pictures (October 29 - November 4)
  Halloween pictures - past and present.  Lets see how many different costumes we can showcase this week!

Cynthia's Joshua Ready for Halloween

• Little Artists (November 5-11)
  Painting with pudding, first time with crayons, drawing with chalk... lets see your little artists in the process of creating their masterpieces.  Feel free to share the masterpieces as well :).

Annette's Ryan and His Work of Art

• Buddy Walks (November 12-18)
  Buddy Walk pictures - past and present.  Lets see all the kids with their friends and families out to support them.  Would love to see pictures of people who managed to get together in real life at these events too!

Christine's Abby Ready to Go!

• This is the Life! (November 19-25)
  This week is to post pictures of you child kicking back and taking it easy.

Emma Kicking Back and Watching the Tube

• The Best of Friends (November 26 - December 2)
  This week is for posting pictures of your child with his/her friends.  These can be posed pictures or pictures of them in action playing/working together.

Amy's Joshua with his friend Kate who also has
trisomy 21 and is 18 months older than him.

• Who Does He/She Take After (December 3-9)
  You are asked to post either a single picture or a set of pictures that shows how your child with Trisomy 21 looks like his/her parents this week (if, in fact, he/she does).

This is a picture of Courtney at 7 years old.
The pictures in the background are of Cynthia
(Courtney's mom) when she is 5 years old.

• Graduation, Commencement Ceremony and/or Prom Pictures (December 10-16)
  This is a place to post pictures of all those "leaving" ceremonies that our children celebrate - from graduation of birth-to-three programs to high school proms - we want to see it all here!

Mikey and his friend Braden at Kindergarten
Year End Ceremonies (June 2003)

• Our Crazy Children (December 17-23)
  Now is the time to post those pictures of the crazy things our children do that just make us laugh to the bottom of our tummies!  Bring it on!

Lisa Asked for More Support at the Last IEP ;)
Lisa's Buggie Trying on Mommy's Clothes

• December Celebrations (December 24-31)
  This week is for posting pictures of Christmas, Hanukah, New Years or any other winter celebration.  Share with us how your family celebrates this time of year.

Rhonda's Alex Posing for Christmas Pictures