Kindness Advent

This year, we decided to do a "Kindness Advent" during the days leading up to Christmas. We decided on one intentionally kind thing to do each day for two weeks. We gave away gifts and treats, rang the bell for the Salvation Army, brought flowers to an assisted living center, made and gifted ornaments to friends, and mailed letters. Our Kindness Advent took the focus off of solely preparing for our family Christmas, and encouraged us to think of others. The kids were eager participants, and felt great joy in giving to others. I think this is a tradition we will continue!

Christmas

We had a sweet and simple Christmas celebration this year. We didn't travel, and no one was coming to visit, which minimized the busy-ness, and although we missed the family that we didn't see, it did allow us to enjoy our own family traditions and time together.

Christmas Eve we went to service at Red Rocks Church, and then to Grandma and Grandpa Schaefer's house. Siri and Raphael also joined for dinner and presents.

Brayden was so excited about all of his new clothes that he had to put them on...all at once!

Christmas morning the kids were very excited to see that Santa had arrived and didn't leave without eating their treats first. We opened stockings, Santa gifts, and then family gifts before having our traditional waffle breakfast, and preparing to host family for Christmas dinner. Santa brought the boys an electric racetrack and Sydney got twin Hatchimals!

We have a lot to be thankful for, and this (mostly) calm Christmas season gave us time to reflect on all of it. We are blessed.

Christmas Letter 2017

Dear Friends & Family ~

Happy Holidays! We hope this finds you enjoying the extra love & merriment this season can bring. The Gilberts have had a full 2017, and we continue to stay busy with all that having a young family brings.

Myles is in 3rd grade, continues with karate and soccer, enjoys school, and is having a great year. He remains *mostly* healthy, full of zest for life, and adores being with family. Sydney is in 2nd grade, loves school (especially reading), continues with soccer and gymnastics, and is truly the best sister. She is thoughtful, quirky, kind, and silly. She loves writing us notes, which we often find all over the house. Ryker is in pre-K, can't wait to be in kindergarten at his big sibs' school, and is truly at the best stage. He is our explorer, loves learning about dinosaurs, bugs, robots, etc, enjoys digging in the dirt, has taken to drawing/coloring, is so proud to have recently learned to write his name, and says the funniest things. He played his first soccer season this fall, and although he wasn't the most aggressive of the bunch, he was out there with the biggest smile, and a true love for game day snacks. Ryker is empathetic, generous, cuddly, and loving. The kids spend lots of time in the cul-de-sac out front on their bikes and scooters, which we are looking forward to trading in for skis this winter!

Gilby left his staff position at Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association in January 2016 to be a stay-at-home dad, but has kept busy on a contract basis with RMDSA and other small groups primarily providing tech and creative support under his own business - No Worries Digital Solutions. With grace and patience, he balances the schedule of a very full family calendar while maintaining a professional outlet. He even squeezed in time to help coach Sydney's soccer team this fall. I continue to work as a social worker at Children's Hospital Colorado primarily in the Down syndrome clinic, and spend any free time volunteering at the kids' school or running to their activities.

In January 2017, Gilby and I took a leap of faith, and became foster parents. We first brought a newborn baby girl home and had the honor of caring for her during her first 6 weeks of life. After she left us to live with a relative, we welcomed a 2-year-old boy into our home. He has been with us since May and we care deeply for him and his future. In just one year, foster care has brought unexpected challenges and heartache, but also more joy than we could have anticipated.

We are so thankful for God's continued provision in our lives. Wishing you and yours the best.

Love,
Jocelyn & Family

Thanksgiving

We had a really quiet Thanksgiving celebrating with just our family. It was an unseasonably warm day, so after watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning (the kids love it!), the kids and I went to the park and for a walk. Gilby did most of the cooking, but I chipped in a bit, and we had fun making a super yummy meal.

Ski Trip

Since the kids have the whole week of Thanksgiving off of school, we decided to take advantage of it, and spent four days and nights in Winter Park for our first ski days of the season. We left Brayden, our foster son, with another foster family to make it easier for us to all ski, and for some time to regroup with just the five of us. We stayed at the Iron Horse Lodge, and our room was a suite complete with a kitchen, and just barely large enough to sleep all of us. It also had a fun game room, an indoor/outdoor heated pool, and outdoor hot tubs that were really popular with all of us! We spent each day skiing, swimming, playing in the game room, and cooking all of our meals. The closest we got to even eating out was ordering a pizza! We met up with Raum and Siri for a day while they were snowboarding, and they were able to come back to our place to swim. Of course there are moments where kids get ornery, and adults wish everyone would sleep in just a bit, but overall, it was a sweet time away with our little fam.

Halloween

Unfortunately all four kids had a stomach bug the days leading up to Halloween, but that didn't keep them from Trick-or-Treating!

Robot Ryker, Fairy Sydney, Ninjago Myles, Lion Brayden, and Mad Scientist Gilby

A mad scientist and his robot.

Dearest Sydney

Sydney is known for writing us little notes around the house. When she writes to us, she has an expectation that we will respond. Gilby found this one after school one day this fall.

Dear: Dad

I want some alone time and the boys are all bothering me. Ryker was walking toward me and I asked him to play over there somewhere not by me but he kept walking toward me. 

Love: Sydney

And Gilby's response -

My dearest Sydney,

Welcome to my world! Get over it! All the best.

Love,
Daddy

And some of her artwork, just because I think it's really good. Myles and Sydney have a great art teacher (Mrs. Mitchell), who walks them through step-by-step how to paint different things. Sydney really enjoys it and does really well, at least to me since neither Gilby nor I are very artistic!

Fall Soccer Season

Myles, Sydney, and Ryker all played soccer this Fall, which made for busy weeknights and really busy Saturdays. Sydney had practice 3 nights a week, and Ryker one night a week, and all three had games on Saturdays.

Myles played with the TOPS soccer program again, which is geared toward individuals with disabilities. He is showing improvement each season, both in his skills, and in his ability to attend to and follow directions, and understand the game. He really liked it this season, and was really proud to have his own soccer team.

Sydney was again on the Rainbow Rockstars. Gilby joined Coach Ian as the assistant coach this year, which was fun for him and Sydney. Their team ended up pretty decent, and Sydney has some natural talent, although not much of a competitive nature.

Coach Ian, Olivia, Sydney, Coach Gilby

Olivia and Sydney have been in the same class for three years, and are best friends, so it was fun to have their dads coaching together.

Ryker was on his first true team this season - The Avengers! He ended up with a great team and coach, and had a lot of fun. They plan to stay together for spring season, and hopefully more years to come. Ryker will end up going to the same school as 4 of the 6 players. He is the second to youngest on his team, and it showed a bit in his ability and attention. He still has promise to be a good soccer player, but just needs a little more growth. He had fun and definitely loves game day snacks!

 Ryker scores!

And Brayden here was a trooper through it all. He watched lots and lots of games, and when anyone was gone in the evening he would ask, "Soccer practice?"

First Days of School

Sydney and Myles had their first day on August 17, 2017. They are both still at Franklin Elementary, which we still think is great. Sydney is in 2nd grade and has Mrs. Gilbert (she LOVES that her teacher has her same last name). Myles is in 3rd grade and has Mr. Mayer, and switched to a new special education teacher this year, Mrs. Sheehan.

 

 Ryker and Brayden waving goodbye to the bus.

Brayden started his first day of preschool on August 21, 2017. He is in a 2-3 year-old classroom at Goodson Rec Center and his teacher is Mrs. Shadee. He goes Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-12.

 

And finally, Ryker started on August 23, 2017. He is a pre-K student this year returning to The Village at Ames, which is a preschool affiliated with Littleton Public Schools. He has Mrs. White and Mrs. K, and goes from 8:45-11:45 Monday through Thursday. 

 It was a good start to the year!