There’s a fair amount of street hockey that goes on in our driveway. Last night, Ella decided to put her goalie pads on Aaron. Here is the result. Yes, he’s standing up!

Does anybody know where to find goalie pads for a kid with extremely short legs who happens to have Down syndrome? (I’m sure there must be a hockey store that sells equipment for people with Down syndrome somewhere).

Ha. Probably not. We have ongoing trouble finding shirts and pants for him - all pant legs and sleeves are rolled up at the bottom. As Kermit said, It is not easy being green.

Aaron does have very short arms and legs. I find them endearing. He also has a little neck, broad shoulders and a big belly. He weighs a whole 34 pounds - each of those pounds are hard-fought. He’s 50% on the Down syndrome charts for weight, and 70% for height. So despite his stature, he’s actually tall and skinny amongst his peers.

That’s because he never stops moving, not even for a millisecond, until he’s fast asleep at night. He’s like a shark all day - always moving and looking for new trouble to get into. He’s the antithesis of the classic Down syndrome cliche of a docile person who sits on the couch. Aaron does not ever sit on the couch. He runs laps up and down the sectional, but his butt never actually stays put on the couch.

Right now he’s yelling, Daddy! Daddy! and pulling frozen waffles and pizza out of the fridge and demanding breakfast. He’s a real handful, this kid, but he’s also worth every single ounce of effort because he gives back so much. He’s taught me patience and humility and the real value of unconditional love.