Summer Roundup

We've been out and about this summer!  As soon as I put up banners with Summer Activities, Elena's been asking about some of them each day.  So, in no particular order:

Run A Race
In June, there was the Summer Track Series where there was a kid's track races (with/without sibiling/adult participation), run by some local running gurus.  I had inquired before about training programs, but got a lukewarm response.  The tagline for these races was "runners of all abililites welcome"--which, I guess, meant kids that could run.  Well, Elena CAN run.  Needless to say, we weren't what they were expecting.  We showed up and registered.  Everyone would get a ribbon at the finish of each race.  My only request was that Elena and Vivian ran in different heats (I didn't want competition between siblings).  They ran by age.  That's no big deal--in all honesty, Elena would be last in almost any age range.  That is okay.  I just wanted to her to finish, and be proud of herself.

Viv's 100m dash!

Elena's 100m dash!

In the past, E has normally taken 5-6x as long as her peers.  Her 100m dash time is 3-4x, so that's a huge improvement!!

We also entered the parent/child 2x400.  I thought it was a 2x200 when I signed up for it, so I panicked at race time--we ended up doing a special race where Jason and I (paired with Vivian and E, respectively) did a 600/200 race, with the kids doing the second leg.  Needless to say Jason and I were the slowest adults at the meet.  But, I thought, that was a good example for the kids--we had a great time, no matter the place.  Having E and Viv do 200m vs. 400m was a good move--they ended up finishing just behind there peers, but they could still see them and were obviously in the same race.  Everyone got a ribbon, and the girls were very happy!  And a special thanks to the kids who came up to Elena after her race(s) and told her "hey, good race!".  Class acts, those kids!

Play in a Sprinkler

Elena has never been through a sprinkler until now.  The difficulty with water, no shoes, grass, and no handholds is enough of a problem--never mind the fact that we don't have a sprinkler.  Thanks to Pinterest--we decided to make one--and make an event of it.  Introducing...

The Kid Wash!

inaugural wash

E likes it!

everyone wants a turn through the wash (even parents)

After phase one, we broke out the slip n' slide!  Most of the kids liked it--it was hard for Elena to take a running start, so she had help.

big thanks to Antonio to keeping the slide smooth

Phase three was popsicles...total success!

Summer PT

Elena is learning more of the actual riding portion during hippotherapy--here is E's most recent development--posting!

At the end of her lesson, Viv normally gets a short ride.  This time, they got to ride tandem...what a sweet treat!

Viv is beside herself

smiling the whole time

The Sprayground: The Beach Walker Strikes Again!

Last year, we went to one of our local spraygrounds (sprinkler + playground) for a birthday party. It was heartbreaking. All the kids were running around like crazy, having a fantastic time, and I'm unhappily wet, holding my girl's hands, trying to have her enjoy the fun while the other moms chat and eat cake. It was a rough day.

Well, one year and one Beach Walker later, how about THIS!!

Plowing through the sprinkler


Wet Face


E and mom in "mushroom fountain"


E runs through the sprinkler


Viv is soaked


E on the fountain before it erupts


E sprayground run


V sprayground


Without the Beach Walker, E would need one or two hands held at all times. She's so stimulated, and on her toes, that I'm sure she couldn't balance upright for more than two seconds. She wouldn't be safe with her wrist crutches either, for the same reason. I don't want her to wear her AFOs, b/c she can't stand in them without shoes, and we only have one pair of shoes. Before the Beach Walker, I hesitated to use her DME (walkers, loftstrands) in wet conditions b/c I was afraid they would rust (and most were loaners), and/or they would get slippery and dangerous when wet. And NOW--I can play with both kids at once! It's a miracle!

So far, my only complaint using the Beach Walker is that if she's going down a steep-ish hill, she can't stop herself--especially in bare feet. FYI--she also used it in the mulch playground, next to the spray area (picture not shown). She has not rolled it up curbs--I think a stronger, older child might be able to.

Bday Weekend: Happy E, Cranky Mommy

Last weekend E was invited to A's birthday party. She was so excited, they were all going to Build-A-Bear Workshop and then to a park for the bday picnic. It sounded great! E was very excited about the stuffed animal process. She picked a lamb, and after a lot of jokes from Mommy as to what to name him, she actually insisted on keeping one of the suggestions.

Ch operates the blower while E "air-washes" Delicious


E wanted Delicious to have a baby carrier; I thought it was a fine idea--mainly b/c Elena does not have any backpacks, and she's never tried to move with one. Here goes--note her right heel is up (I'm pretty sure she's out of her shoe there) and that her weight is constantly on her left.



E and M-E at the computers


After the BaBW, the kids met up at one of the parks around town. I've written about how difficult it can be to handle Elena on grass...but this upped the difficulty by adding a "splayground", a sprinkler-splash playground. Uh-oh.

INSERT PICTURE OF PARK HERE (I don't have one yet)

I knew about it--but hadn't ever been there. I didn't know the playground would be a little "downhill"--but she navigated it okay with her crutches (with contact guarding)--but it took a lot out of her (and me, since I have to be rightthere when she's climbing a playground). I brought E's bathing suit, her crutches and her rain boots, hoping that *maybe* she could keep her braces on under the boots around the sprinklers. After I got there...NO WAY. She couldn't wear her braces in the splayground--they'd get soaked, and give her blisters--and she can't use her crutches without her AFOs/shoes. We currently don't have any walkers. Even with holding hands, it would be a challenge, and there were TOO MANY KIDS to just let her crawl around. I had a friend watch E while I surveyed the scene...there was NO WAY to work this playground other than for me to be her permanent attachment. I was very pouty, and I got very wet. Lately, when E is around her peers I have been noticing how similar they act--NOT HERE. It was a shock to me how very different, how very behind E is motor-wise during this part of the party. I left very frustrated, which was NOT my intention. *sigh*

But--the very most important thing, E had a great time. Honestly--never once said how slow she was, or she didn't want me to be around, or that she was always last or everyone had already left for the next activity. So, I must be doing something right. She had a BLAST, and loved seeing everyone at the party. We're thankful to be invited, and so glad that everyone is so nice to E. Happy Bday A!