For Rachel Lapidus

12/07/2025

Rachel was ready for a trip to Hobby Lobby. She had asked a few days ago if I would take her there today so she could give me ideas of some crafty things she was adding to her wish list for Christmas.
I think we looked at every craft kit, including mosaic stepping stones, and jigsaw puzzle that was on the shelf. She studied each one carefully and if it really sparked her interest she had me take a picture of it. She said thay way I wouldn't forget and if I decided to get her one I had a big list to choose from.
Early this evening, Rachel filled her coat pockets with some painted Rocks and we headed downtown. We visited the vendor area, and the food truck area where she placed all the rocks for others to find.
After grabbing a bite to eat Rachel and I headed home. We were both cold and really didn't want to stuck around for the parade. Rachel said there were to many people for her tonight.

We watched movies, and played a couple games before she finally headed to bed. She was up very late tonight because Dad ended up being at work very late tonight and she doesn't like going to bed until we are all home.
Im assuming she will sleep in tomorrow .

12/06/2025

Rachel was ready for a fun Friday at REACH. They had plans of going bowling and Rachel had her bowling bag sitting in the living room before breakfast.

When I picked Rachel up she came out with her arms full of things. She was also talking up a storm.
She said, "We didn't get to bowl again, there were too many kids. We didn't win the contest! Oh we did go to San Souci, and I got these things." I was about to tell her to take a breath. She seemed a little bummed about the bowling and the contest so I said, "I'm sure after the holidays you will have a chance to go bowling. It's OK that you guys didn't win, all those toys go to the same place and lots of kids will get them." She agreed, then was ready to start talking about what we are doing over the weekend.
I'm sure she will be up early tomorrow, she was out pretty quick tonight.

12/05/2025

Rachel had a bit of a rough day today. I think with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it just overwhelmed her today.
We were out running errands a d Rachel had a meltdown when we were finishing up at Kroger. Thankfully we didn't have much I. The cart and were able to check out quickly and get to the cat. Once we got home and she got in her room where it was quiet and Dad got home she was ablento get calmed down. It's been a while since she's had a meltdown but they are still exhausting.
We spent the rest of the day a d evening relaxing, watching movies and working on crafty projects.
Rachel headed to bed a little later than usual and after a millions questions she finally called it a night. Hopefully she gets a good night's rest a d tomorrow is a better day.

12/04/2025

Rachel had a fun day at REACH today. She said they had a board meeting during lunch and discussed things they would like to do in the upcoming months.
She also had a quarterly meeting with her team, and she got the m caught up on her surgery and our little vacation. She was able to remember a lot from both with little help.
This afternoon, they went to the library, and Rachel was able to use the stairs to go down to the group room. Staff said she moved pretty good going down, and they were very proud of her.
She did use the elevator to come back up, but it's a start.
This evening we relaxed and watched a movie before bed.
Rachel is itching to get her christmas shopping started and she asked a million times if we can do a little tomorrow. She was satisfied when I told her we may get a couple things tomorrow. I'm sure she will be asking as soon as she gets up in themro I g.

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12/03/2025

Rachel saw the snow this morning and said, "I'm not going anywhere! Let's paint rocks.", and that's what we did.

We also got the tree decorated and all the stockings hung.
Rachel said, "Now it feels like holiday time.", and she's ready to go shopping.
I did notice today that Rachel was more aware of things that needed to be done. For instance, she saw an empty cup on the table, and without hesitation, she took it to the sink and rinse it. Normally, one of us would have to ask her to take it and remind her to rinse it. It's the little things but still something that had reconnected.
Rachel had already headed to her room for the night. She said she needs lots of rest for REACH tomorrow. I'm sure they have fun things planned.

12/02/2025

Rachel was excited about REACH this morning and was quick with breakfast and getting ready. She headed out with a bag of squishmallows to add to the toys for Tots box and her lunch box.
She was tickled when she saw the box almost full, then when she added the squishmallows, it was over flowing. She said, "There will be some happy kids this year!"
Rachel said Zootopia 2 was good, and she would watch it again. They also had a visit from the book express, and she found a neat book of color by number dog and cat pictures that came with colored pencils. She hadnher hands full coming to the car because they also played games today and she won a little canvas paint by number christmas picture. She said shenwont be bored for a while because she has all these art things to keep busy with.

After REACH mom had a dentist appointment and Rachel kept me company, then we headed to Walmart to get the Garland for the tree. We decided on red and white this year and can't wait to see what it looks like.
By the time we got home it was time for supper. Rachel was worried that Dad would have to have cold food since he was at work when we sat down to eat, but he made it home before we were finished and got to enjoy supper together like we always do.
Tomorrow Rachel said she wants to decorate the tree, paint, and check out the dog and cat color by numbers book. I'm sure she will have a plan on what she does first as soon as she finishes breakfast.

12/01/2025

Rachel was excited about going to get our Christmas tree today. While Dad made breakfast, Rachel helped get the living room ready for where we put the tree.
It was very cold when we went to the tree farm, so we made a very quick decision on which tree we were getting. While Randy took the tree to be shook, drilled, and bundled, Rachel and I went into the barn where it was warm. While Rachel looked around at all the crafted items, we enjoyed chatting with the ladies inside. Even tho last year was their first year back in business after several years, they remembered us from last year. After our chat Rachel found a cute pair of earrings she wanted. She got little Christmas trees last year, and this year, she got little Santa's. She can't wait to wear them to Christmas parties.

After getting the tree, running to Kroger for a few things, Rachel was ready to get home and get into some cozy pj's. We enjoyed some movies and started a few more Christmas rocks. Rachel plans on hiding them around town while we Christmas shop.

Rachel can't wait for REACH tomorrow. She is hoping the squishmallows we are taking for Toys for Tots helps to finish filling their bag so they can have a pizza party. She's also looking forward to going to see Zootopia 2 with her friends tomorrow.

11/30/2025

Rachel wasn't up real early this morning, but when she did get up, she was ready to get her day started.
She knew we had to run to Walmart for a few things, and she said she may do a little Christmas shopping. When we got to Walmart and got inside, she quickly changed her mind and said, "Let's just get our list. It's too crazy." I guess she wasn't in the mood to people today. We made our way through as quickly as possible .
This evening, we finished up some rock painting. Rachel loves painting these rocks and can't wait to hide them around town when we start our Christmas shopping.
Although Rachel was tired tonight she wouldn't go to bed until Dad got home from work. The minute he walked in she said, "OK I can go to bed now, Dads home." Of course we then still had about 30 minutes of questions before she finally called it a night.
Tomorrow we are getting our Christmas tree and Rachel is excited. She's NOT excited about how cold it's going to be though.

11/30/2025

11/29/2025

Rachel did, in fact, make it out this morning for her first ever Black Friday shopping experience.
My alarm went off at 6 a.m. and she was up by 6:02 am.
We only had one store we ended to go to, which is one of Rachel's favorite places, 5 Below.
We were 4th in line, which Rachel was very excited about. Rachel had a blast. She picked Lion King characters, Aladdin characters, buddy the elf, and HelloKitty. Baby Yoda, an axolotl, and some I can't remember.
Thankfully, we had a plan when we went in. I would grab one and show Rachel, and she would say yes or no. After I filled my bag, she switched bags with me, and we filled hers.
We were in the door at 7 am, snagged 10 squishmallows each, and were back in the car headed home b 7:15 am. Rachel was amazed how quickly we got through there. She did say it was a little crazy with people reaching over each other. Now we just have to decide which ones go for Toys for Tots and which ones we keep for Cami, and of course Rachel said she wants to keep one, which may be the axolotl.
The rest of the day we stayed in and stayed warm. Rachel finished some painting she's been doing and then we painted some Christmas rocks. They are currently drying so we will get pictures of those tomorrow.

Rachel must have been worn out tonight because we didn't hear much from her after she went to bed other than the typical ,"What are we doing tomorrow?" question.

11/28/2025

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Rachel was up in time to watch the beginning of the parade this morning.
Rachel had a very relaxing day. She helped get things ready for our Thanksgiving meal, painted a craft she's been working on, and enjoyed watching movies and playing games in her tablet. OH and she also did some browsing Amazon so she could add to her christmas list.
Rachel headed to her room a little early tonight. She and Iiand braving the cold and craziness for the first time ever tomorrow and are headed out for Black Friday Shopping. Thankfully we know exactly what we are going for and will hopefully be in and out. I can't believe she asked to AND said she will get up at 6 a.m.

11/27/2025

Rachel had a fun day at REACH as usual. She loves hanging out with her friends, cooking, playing games, and making memories.
She did say there weren't very many people there today, though.
This evening Rachel helped prep some things for tomorrow. Even though she doesn't eat then she helped get the eggs ready for deviled eggs. She also worked on a project she is making for some friends and was determined to get it finished before she went to bed.
She went to bed a lot later than normal, but said she's still getting up early to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
I hear her in her room yawning so hopefully she will get to sleep soon.