Hello to anyone who still reads or has found this thoroughly neglected blog!

I’m jumping back in to acknowledge World Down’s Syndrome Day, and I guess, to acknowledge where we are in 2026.

Audrey is 12 (13 in July!) and in year 7 at a mainstream secondary school. Rex has just turned 10 and is in year 5.

We have a puppy! (We’ve had her for over a year now). Barbara the French bulldog is very loved, but also a lot of hard work.

My blogging slipped away as I found short posts on instagram a lot easier, and even that has changed over the years as it can feel inappropriate to over share as the kids get older.

I remain committed to sharing aspects of our lives to broaden understanding of Down’s syndrome. So here I am, on World Down’s Syndrome Day no less, to check back in.

Audrey is still a joy. She has started puberty and so we see more of her stubborn streak, but she is still a lover of bedtime stories, CBeebies Pantos, Paddington, dolls, snuggles and salt and vinegar crisps.

There has been talk of boyfriends and crushes (her first celebrity crush is Dwayne the Rock Johnson).

She remains a keen dancer, attending a weekly SEND dance class on Saturday mornings and going to another SEND dance club in the holidays. She loves her yoga, putting on “shows” with her dolls.

She’s a big fan of Gladiators and Strictly Come Dancing and her favourite movie genre is action and adventure.

Secondly school has been a huge shift for us. The connection to the school is more arms length. I get some info via an online portal, some emails and of course, snippets from Audrey, but it’s not like primary school. Audrey gets home to school transport, so off she goes in a taxi at 8am and she returns in the taxi at just after 3pm.

She’s definitely more tired, describes some classes as “boring”, but is always happy to go. Her recent parents evening was a huge relief for me, as the teachers all seemed to love her and had lots of positive things to say. It is still a scary journey, but at this stage, it’s going well. So proud of her as always!