End of Summer Wrap-Up

Time has flown by again. So here's the recap (I have a lot to write about since school started!).

Solar Eclipse
We all enjoyed the solar eclipse from our front porch. The kids had friends over, and they kept darting in and out, watching through our shields/solar glasses. My family loves astronomy, so this was a special treat!

Eclipsin'

First day of school! 

Vivian: 3rd Grade

Elena: 7th Grade

The beginning of school is always a rough transition...the girls felt like they were ready for school (they were) but not ready for the summer to end (we were pretty busy, in the best way--but maybe not enough lazy time?). More on that later.


Kayaking
We were lucky to spend a spur-of-the-moment kayaking day with our friends the N family! I snagged a spot for myself and the girls (Jason was out of town) on tandem kayaks (Viv went with TN). It was PERFECT. The weather was great, the kayak outfitters were so kind and helpful, there was transportation to/from the boat launch, and everyone had their fair share of paddling, swimming, wildlife watching, ropeswinging, getting stuck on rocks, and riding "rapids". Seriously it was perfect. We cannot wait to go again (the kids are begging to kayak again)--but there hasn't been enough rain.

Viv swam to our boat for a picture

Sherando Lake
The following day we joined our friends the S-R family during their annual camping weekend. It rained most of that weekend, so we declined camping (hence the kayaking) but managed to spend the nicest day of the weekend out there. The girls were excited to play with friends, especially in the (COLD) lake.

Makeshift rowboat is much harder than paddling a kayak

We also met a very nice gentleman, Bill, volunteering at the campgrounds, who helped our girls fish.
After everyone caught a fish, we finally headed home.

Clyde
As we were getting in the van on our way to school, I found this little guy in the grass right before the lawn mowers came through! We named him (her?) Clyde.

Box Turtle hatchling!

We've never seen a box turtle so tiny! We released him close to where we found him--but without the threat of giant cutting machines. Good luck buddy!

End of Summer 2014 Recap!

I have so much to write about!  I wanted to wrap up the summer stuff, but then school started, and E's knee hurt...so here I am, a few months late.

The biggest thing we worked on this summer was independence.  Things like getting dressed (everything except putting on her kiddiegaits, which can be tricky), brushing teeth, brushing her hair.  If she forgot something upstairs, she had to get it herself.  Carrying books and toys and things.  Elena can already undress herself completely and get into the tub; this summer she was able to wash herself (including her hair), get out (wet and slippery), dry off, and then get dressed for bed.  We worked on doing these things in a timely manner, as to prepare for school mornings and evenings.  We still get a lot of complaining, but overall Elena has made a lot of progress being self-sufficient.

When we did special events, we let Elena try things herself--getting in and out of cars/carts/rides/doors, navigating steps/trails/water, figuring out how to carry/build/transfer items--and then, as always, how to balance doing these things in a reasonable amount of time.  Our biggest issue right now is making Elena start something early; she knows it takes her a certain amount of time, but she procrastinates a lot and then complains tons about being rushed (hooray for age appropriate behavior, right?).

All of this work on independence is scratching the surface of an essential skill:  problem-solving.  It's a long, arduous struggle--but we are making progress!

So, here is the end of our summer, in recap form:

W e went to Busch Gardens with our friends, the Rs.  I brought Elena's wheelchair.  Elena used it when we were going longer distances, and she had enough energy to climb the huge playground--even the rope bridge (!) and stay up late for fireworks!  Vivian hitched a ride whenever she could. As always, Elena is the adventure seeker.  Vivian is getting braver every day, but not as adventurous as her big sis.

Water Play

That's E, white shirt--did all those steps herself, no crutches!

She couldn't do this last year!

I love that Viv is big enough so they can ride together! 

Monster Shirt Girls

Awesome Fireworks with Friends

Roller Skating at the local community center is always a fun, free (!) time.  Vivian is an independent skater (and working on going backwards!).  Elena needs a lot of help, and grown-up backs need a lot of breaks--but it's still great fun.  

Dad and E

Aren't they adorable?

We spent several afternoons in parks/playgrounds, and biking when we could.  Vivian is an independent biker.  Elena's upright bike is small for her.  The larger bike frame seems too big for her to put her feet down quickly, but the smaller one she tips with the small training wheels.  I think the solution is to get the bigger bike frame, and extra large training wheels.  In any case, she has spent more time on her recumbent pink trike.  

Art in the park

Walk Bike Play Day

We went camping with our friends, the S-R family.  We met some great new people, and the weather was really nice this time (not much rain!).  We played games, sang songs, rode bikes, and broke in our new tent!

E's gorgeous fairy house

Our "Taj MaTent"

Lake Exploration

Great way to end the summer.  Huge thanks to our friends for making these little trips possible and super fun!  Next up...return to school!

Bonus Vivian:  washing my car

Third Grade Campout

Elena's school has an overnight camping trip every year for the third graders.  This year, it was almost 50 kids.  I can't say enough how great these young people are.

I went as an overnight chaperone; it was unspoken, but understood, that I would be there mostly to help Elena.  There were plenty of other parents there, and almost everyone knows us (Elena is hard to miss).

Camping is not an easy task for us; Elena can't carry her gear, she requires extra help, and is slow on difficult terrain.  But she loves it.  I love that she loves it.  This site has cabins and bathrooms, which was a huge bonus for me.  But it rained A LOT.

The kids had a great time despite the weather.  They played all sorts of tag/chase games (not a good fit for Elena), had board games, crafts, and general outside time when not structured with school activities.  Elena's favorite was dissecting owl pellets--hers actually had a very large rodent skull, and she was super excited to show and tell us all about it!

I arrived in the late afternoon (after everyone had been there a few hours).  I dressed Elena in her Muddy Buddy outfit--since she's prone to falling in slippery/uneven terrain, and it's waterproof.  She loves it, as it basically gives her permission to get as messy as possible.  The only wet part of her was her shoes--a big difference from her waterlogged classmates (and other chaperones, including me).

Rainy Day Action Wear!

Bunkmates

The evening activity, after dinner, revolved around the campfire--which, amazingly, did take place thanks to SB keeping the firewood dry during the rain.  Prior to the fire start, the students were put into groups to think of a name for themselves and perform a skit.  I loved them all--they were very creative, and was pleased how happy Elena was to be in her performance!  Earlier in the day each student drew a name of a classmate; they made a bracelet for them, and had to write something (positive things) about that person.  There was a campfire ceremony where the kids read aloud their message about a classmate.  We sang songs and made s'mores.

Pre-Campfire Conga Line

Throughout the day and into the next, Elena was tired; her stance was poor most of the time.  I had a log for her to sit on, or I knelt beside her and she used me as a chair.  She wasn't the only one; there were a lot of yawners, and I was actually quite comforted when Q fell asleep during the bracelet ceremony, sprawled all over his dad.  When nine o'clock rolled around, the girls in our cabin fell asleep fast.

We had a fabulous time.  These kids are amazing--it is obvious they care about each other.  I am always surprised by this.  I shouldn't be--it's a discredit to Elena's classmates, educators, and their families.  Maybe in a world where I hear about so much bullying on the news, or emails where inclusion is a constant fight, it's hard to believe our experience is real.  That's a testament to this school, staff, students, parents, and neighbors--a good reality check.  Thanks everyone!

Summer Roundup, beginning of school

This has been an eventful month.  It continues to be (more on that later), so this recap will have to be relatively brief if I ever have the hope of "catching up".

After we got back from our beach trip (end of July) we decided to get new kittens.  We've had this as part of our plan since the beginning of this year.  The pictures we have of our new additions seem ancient now, as they grow so fast.

KITTY PICTURE of S and T

Vivan reading to Shirley

Both Shirley and Temple are loving, playful, patient, mischievous felines.  They enjoy playing with the kids, and have integrated themselves perfectly into the family.

I was fortunate to take a day off work so SW and I could take the kids to Busch Gardens with our family friends, the Rs.  SW and I talked about how we would get around the park this year; we all decided that we would attempt the entire day on foot (our double stroller was in the car trunk if we had to go back for it).  The Rs were game, and helped work some long-range transport (skytram, park train) into our day.  Elena is a thrill-seeker, and enjoys roller coasters and other big kid/grown up rides (Viv not so much) and we all had a great time.  The weather was perfect (unlike last year, where it was unbearably hot) and the park wasn't super crowded.

Elena and Vivian take on Busch Gardens

Elena got some stares, that's nothing new.  We got lots of smiles too; strangers proud of Elena for going the distance.  I was too...she lasted ALL DAY.  As in, until the park closed.  She never fell.  We ended up being in the kid area at closing time, which happened to be at the farthest point from the park entrance.  She tried to walk back, but ran out of energy; SW and I gave Vivian and Elena piggyback rides to the car.

In "Italy"

Carousel Kids

Ring toss, team-style

E rode kiddie rides with Viv

We went camping with some friends.  Elena LOVES camping (I do not)--which I feel might be the worst fit for a kid with cerebral palsy, but we always have a good time--even in heavy rain, even in a leaky tent, even with large bears (that was last year, but I feel like I still have to mention it).  Big thanks to the R-S family, who continue to invite us even though I am always a camping novice and have no idea what I am doing out there!

Walking by the lake

At the dock

Some baseball before the rain

E pitching

Swing Batter!

Jason's pillow during the rain.  Note the Sleepian, oblivious to her non-resting parents

Elena sleeping.  That's my drenched pillow next to her.

And even though I will write a post about it separately, here is E on her first day of 3rd grade!

Looking good, girl

Modeling the homemade backpack strap that keeps her bag from slipping down her shoulders

More on Third Grade up next!

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Bears, OH MY!

Last week was CRAZY.

Virginia had an earthquake (5.9 on the Richter scale)--my first experience. It was scary and fascinating. No one was hurt around here, and very little damage to buildings. Elena was scared--but kept her "brave face on", so proud of that girl! We've had several aftershocks--I'm ready to be done with quakes in general, though.

Elena started First Grade.

We had about a billion Hurricane Irene warnings--it was going to miss us, for the most part. We got some rain and some wind--again, nothing major. I feel bad for our neighbors South, and up North who got lots of wind and water. Hope you all are okay.

I had planned to attend a camping trip with some friends a long time ago. They are seasoned campers--as I've written before, I dislike camping, but I had promised Elena that I would take her and Vivian if they wanted to go. So, amid the arrival of Irene, we went. (And on the way, the car died--nice way to start the trip, no?)

Camping with a disabled 6 yr-old can have its challenges--but camping with a fiesty almost 3-yr old is HARDER. A giant bear (not kidding, HUGE!) greeted us at the campsite--I WAS PETRIFIED--but both Elena and our friends were okay with it (!!!), so we stayed (and, obviously, lived to tell the tale). It rained, as expected. We just dealt with being damp most of the time. It was actually quite pleasant while we biked, hiked, and fished the following day (we managed to do all those things inbetween buckets of rain).

Morning hot chocolate


Viv readies the line


Fishing (we even caught three fish!)


Hiking


Biking during a break from the rain


This week our Fantastic Nanny Annette is on a well-earned vacation, so we're piecing things together. And with Jason going overseas for school in two weeks, I'll have more than ever to juggle. C'est la vie, non?

Daisy Camping

We had a pretty busy Memorial Day Weekend! Elena's Daisy Troop had a camping day planned. Not all the girls were able (or wanted) to go--after all, they are pretty young, and it was HOT. Like, over 95 degrees HOT. To quote the troop leader: "Relentless Heat". So, maybe not the best camping weather.

And, did I mention CAMPING? The troop had decided on their activities--which included creek wading, hiking, tree climbing--not to mention all the other issues related to being outside (uneven terrain, carrying, heat, fatigue, long distances between handholds, etc). I am also NOT A FAN of camping. My husband is--so off he and E went.

Elena made sure to pack her bag herself (it's the Daisy Way). She was encouraged to carry her own backpack (which was heavy; she did, but Jason was definitely holding some of it up for her, as she was crouching pretty badly under the weight by the time they made it to the campsite). The campsite was relatively flat, but there is a big difference between flooring and grass/gravel/mulch/etc. Elena wore her sneakers (without braces) a lot of the time b/c it was simply SO HOT, her feet were soaking wet and Jason was worried about blistering her feet in her AFOs. Both Jason and I were worried Elena would "wilt" in a short amount of time in the heat. All the Daisies were expected to be friendly, helpful (everyone had a job) and supportive. Erin is an amazing troop leader, so I was hopeful things would go well...but, there were a lot of new obstacles and challenges for Elena.

E's first camping trip. Jason warned me he was NOT taking his phone. So I got zero updates. I didn't necessarily *worry*, but I did want a little information while they were gone...but I had to wait until they got home the following afternoon.


E's first words to me:

"Mom, YOU MISSED OUT!"

E and Daddy looking for firewood


Cleaning up the fire circle


Wading in the creek (wearing water shoes)


Knotting the Dishline


Dinner


Washing Dishes (they had an assembly line)


Walking Across the campground (sneakers, no braces, no crutches, no help)


Setting the breakfast table


Hiking (definitely braces and crutches; she went about 1/4 mile "the way out"; Jason gave her a ride back)


Sample walking distance--from the latrine (blue rectangle in the background) to where E is sitting--no help, sometimes no braces/crutches