First Day of Kindergarten

So, how did we do?

We didn't make a big deal out of starting Kindergarten. She's been in public pre-K for 2 years already; AND, most importantly, I didn't want to trigger some inevitable anxiety meltdown about it being too early, or not liking the bus driver, or being shy, or new teacher, or [insert MD excuse here]. So the Night Before Kindergarten was just like any other night. No real issues.

Kindergarten Morning started off with crying in bed after being woken up. E said she was scared...of the bus driver, of being away from home, blah blah blah. I got out of that one by a little cuddling and then asking her if she wanted a white or purple and pink shirt to wear (purple and pink). Breakfast was a bowl full of tears (and some cheerios). I interrupted her weep session by asking her to smile--and I (sort-of) got one!



Then the morning started turning around. We talked about seeing friends again, wearing her new princess backpack. Wearing matching earrings for her outfit. I took E to wait outside for the bus, and look at this cutie!



We had a lot of gear to load on the bus: school supplies, packpack, lunch, crutches, sneakers (for the ride home). That's okay. I introduced myself to the new bus driver (the fact that it wasn't last year's driver was Meltdown-Inducible) and he was friendly. Elena was greeted with chimes of her name when she got on the bus; we have some friends on the same route and they were happy to see her--and I emphatically waved to them, and I swear their smiles were going to burst off their faces. I exited the bus, and kept waving until they drove out of view.

And then wondered about her all day...was she tired? Did she fall? Did she need help in the bathroom? Did anyone tease her? Did she make any new friends? How was navigating the playground? Could she manage the cafeteria?

The school PT called me after noon and told me E was doing GREAT. That was a relief.

I got home from work at about 530p. Everyone was sitting down to dinner. Without prompting, Elena says:

"I CANNOT WAIT TO GO BACK TO KINDERGARTEN!"

*fist pump* yessssssssssss!

First Day of Kindergarten is tomorrow...

Lots of preparation went into this day. I'm spent. I have lots I could write about...like her IEP meeting *the eve of the first day of school* for possible alterations...but I'm just too tired. Suffice it to say I have a (mostly) great team behind me and I have a lot of faith and respect for her educators. This year will be a "growing year"...physically, academically, and psychologically. Elena's self-awareness is coming to fruition and she continually sees herself different from others.

Let's hope she realizes there are lots of similarities, too.

Cross your fingers...it's gonna be a bumpy ride. But we're behind you all the way, Doodle.

Fan of the Game

Last night we all went out to dinner. A group of young women came in--the Colgate soccer team. E and I got to talking--about soccer and school, and she wanted to ask them a question. So, I stopped one of the ladies and let E ask her question.

"Do you play soccer every day?" E asked. The woman, named Avery, answered they normally play 6 days a week. They talked for a little while, and Avery invited us to come watch her game.

So we did! We dressed up in our best UVA colors (hey--even though we would cheer for Avery, we wanted UVA to win) and I made sure to pack E's best cheering gear--pom poms (we only have pink ones), and our "Go Hoos" banner that our fantastic Nanny Annette gave the girls. It was super hot out, and the stadium is a far cry from the parking lot--so I knew I'd need *the works*--stroller, crutches, packpack, etc. It's a super pain to lug all that stuff...but what other choice do I have, if I want to get E out and about?

Elena loves cheering people on. She loves sports and activity, too. Aside from the heat, it made for a pretty entertaining afternoon. E yelled "Go UVA! Let's go HOOS!" for about 5 minutes nonstop before anything even happened. Two gentleman came up to us 15 minutes after the game started, and told us that they would like to nominate E for the Fan Of The Game. That Fan gets a coupon to a soccer store, and gets to go on the field at halftime and accept a soccer ball autographed by the players!



I figured that E wouldn't last in the heat, even though I tried hard to keep her hydrated. I told her there was another 35 minutes to go before the game was over. She was terse:

"Mom...Real Fans don't leave until the game is over."

Well didn't I just get served!

Busch Garden and Water Country 2010

We had the pleasure of going to BG/WC with our good friends again this year! A and E went together last year, and had a blast. What a difference a year makes! First of all, it was a billion times hotter this year--each day it was close to 100 degrees. Second, both A and E's younger siblings also came, which made for some serious multitasking. Viv and ER didn't seem to like as many attractions as their older siblings, and both tired out quickly in the heat. Still--despite all the work and exhaustion, it was a great trip.

We brought the Beach Walker to Water Country USA. This turned out not to be a good idea. E's Beach Walker is pretty small--any water over a foot deep makes the wheels start to float. So, we ended up lugging it around (not the biggest deal, as we all had giant double strollers and gear) and not really using it. We did get a few people asking us about it, and saw two children with CP (one was much older, navigating the park independently, wearing AFOs and crocs). I saw a few other children with disabilities, but as you know--they're a minority. I feel this difference is strongly accentuated in a place like a water park. Still--I am proud that we're out there, doing our best, having a great time, no matter how challenging it may be.

The best part was the Hubba Hubba Highway. No lines, just ride along with the current. Last year, E couldn't right herself in a life vest (any type). This year--not only could she stay upright, she could doggie paddle across the water and ride along the current with her good friend A. That is a HUGE CHANGE. I still had to stay close--she tipped twice and I helped--but it didn't freak her out.

E and Mommy getting ready to float away

G'ma and Viv--Viv only liked it if you were holding on to her tightly

We rode some rides--E would try to stand in line, with her feet down while we waited. She moved along the line sometimes while holding a handrail, other times I carried her. It was a full-time job, seeing that the kids were safe, having fun, staying fed and hydrated and cool (ish). A pretty tiring day.

The next day we woke up ready for Busch Gardens! We love it. Both families pushed kids in double strollers. Occasionally, the kids (not Elena) got out and walked. That stung--too many hills, too hot, for Elena to do much on her own. We did bring her crutches, and she did use them. Elena is an adventure-seeker--she LOVES rides, even scary ones. She rode her first roller coaster in the Sesame play area. WOW did she like that!

As always--the highlight of BG was The Festhaus!! Vivian went bananas when the band came out...



E danced a lot too--but I only have pictures. She liked to have a "launching point" from a bench--she'd dance around and then come back to the bench and do it again.



Here is E doing the Chicken Dance! Last year I had to hold her up. This year, she did everything!



Viv also had her first "big girl ride". She didn't really enjoy the rides (not even the carousel!), she preferred to play on playgrounds and watch shows.



Elena loves them, though. Grandma, not so much. E loves the "scream" part when you're up high.



Here's the group, near the end of our day, around "Italy".




What a great time. A big special thanks to our friends, the Rs. Thank you so much for your fun company! A big thank you to Mr. Ben, since he did most of the planning for this trip. And another big ups to Grandma and Grandpa--I literally could not have done this without you.

PT recap: See Saw

This is a late post; I had started it and then got distracted by preparing for kindergarten.

So, without spending too much time on the words, here's some footage of E at PT.

The See-Saw is my favorite CME exercise; I love the weight shifts. I don't like the fact that it takes two operators. Still, E is moving well here!

Part 1 of 3: Double leg raises



Part 2 of 3: Single leg raises, alternating individually



Part 3 of 3: Single leg raises, alternating simultaneously



And after that, E was thirsty, so she took a walk to get a drink. Lookin' good, Doodle!

Pool Swimmage

This isn't her best showing, but here is E swimming by herself in the pool--using her swim vest, of course. Earlier this summer, she could not right herself in the water while wearing the vest. I don't know what made that change--but whatever it is/was, I'm happy about it.



Now we're working toward getting her to get her feet closer to the surface behind her, so she can swim more parallel to the surface. Elena loves to put her face in the water, and seriously wants goggles. I told her we can do that, once we get a little more confident in the water.

*update: In just four more sessions, E can now swim for 40 minutes, and rights herself almost consistently. She can start, stop, turn both directions, and bring her feet in front of her (knees to chest, more or less) and behind her (feet out of the water). Our new plan is to get in the pool once a week! So far, so good!