New blog design and content!!

This weekend this little blog will be getting a new design and much needed update… It’ll be new and improved!  Content will be kept more current in an easy to navigate style. Stay tuned!

As always, if there’s something you’d like to see, topics, activities… let us know!!

Email problem resolved! Apologies!!

We had an unknown email problem the last several weeks, and it has just been found and corrected!  If you sent pictures or questions, please know they will be posted and/or answered this week! So sorry for the confusion!

Also, preschool playgroup dates are being set for this semester.  If you did not get the email today regarding this, please let me know so you can be added to the preschool list.

Have a great week!!

Webmaster revealed and blog list is up!

Ok, so maybe "revealed" is a bit too dramatic! As a means of explanation, let me say that the webmaster term is just a generic word to mean the person that's handling and managing the website, or in this case, the blog. My name is Randa-Kay, RK to many, and I have a 2 1/2-year-old daughter named Braska who has Down syndrome. We've been involved with the St. Charles group of the DSAGSL since returning to St. Charles in May of 2008, moving back here from Champaign, IL. So when you email the DownSyndromeStC@gmail.com with pictures or content ideas or when you make a comment here on the blog, it's coming to me. Now you know!

Our fearless leader, Adrienne, is also right along side me in this little venture, of course!

We've added the beginnings of a Blogroll, a list of family blogs done by the families in our group. The link list is in the right margin, so be sure to check out what's going on with these families as another way of getting to know each other.

So far, the feedback we're getting by email and via the polls in the margin here on the blog tells us that the families in our group would really like to connect more with each other, getting to know the children and parents more than what generally happens at meetings, especially since so many aren't able to regularly attend the meetings. This is what we're working toward, and if there are other things we can provide or help with, PLEASE let us know!

Some things in the works for our group include fun family outings, great relevant topics for the meetings, and playgroup opportunities for our younger kids. Keep watching for more details!

New features added: Chat box, links, and polls

As we are still in the development stage of this blog, things are being added each day.  The latest items are a chatbox in the margin to the right, a list of links to other discussion forums that might be of interest, and there are a couple of polls in the right margin, as well, that will help us create something that will really be useful for you!

The ChatBox is available to anyone, and it will tell you if others are online.  There is no need to sign up, just type in whatever name you would like to use where it assigns you guest number.  If you click “show all” at the top of the Chatbox, it will show you who else is online and ready to chat.  This is a great place to meet up with others and talk about…well, anything!  We may set up specific times to all meet and chat.  Again, we’re looking for ways to connect with each other and get to know our families.

There are a few links to discussion forums, some of which are favorites of a few people in our StC group, so if you check them out, you might see names you know!  These forums are a great way to learn and be encouraged by other parents of kids with DS.  More links to a variety of things will be added as we move forward.

And lastly, there are a couple of polls in the margin that will really help us build this blog to be what the group wants and needs it to be.  We’ve had GREAT feedback so far, and we want to continue to listen to what you have to say! So take a minute and vote in the polls!

More features and gadgets to come soon, along with alot of great resources for our area.  Stay tuned!

Do you have a family blog or website?

We'll be compiling a list of family blogs or websites to put links here (called a blogroll) on the group blog, for those who would like to be included. This is another way that we can connect with each other, get to know other families in our groups, and share helpful tips with each other when a need arises.

Leave a comment on this post with your blog or website address if you'd like to be included in the link list.

(And if you are interested in starting a free family blog, email the webmaster through the link in the right margin and we'll walk you through it. It's super easy and a great way to connect with friends and family who might not get to see you as often as they would like.)

Have a great day!

Keep the pictures coming!!

We've already received pictures from a few of you, so be sure to send us a couple shots of your kiddo! Check back in a few days for the beginning of our Superstar Parade!

Welcome to the new blog!

We hope you'll find this place helpful for info on upcoming meetings, resources, and a place to connect with other families in St. Charles County. If you have ideas on content or pictures you'd like to share, please email the webmaster.

This can be a place to share accomplishments of what your kids are doing, things happening that you'd like to let others know about, ideas for meetings or social get-togethers, or just ask others about resources in our area that they have found helpful. We'd love to hear your thoughts.

We're glad you're here!!!