Family Bike Ride

Today's gift is a family bike ride.

It is that time of year again.  The time of year when the pollen is mostly gone, allergies are not that mad and the wike can come out again.

You are probably wondering, what is a wike.  A wike is a two person carriage that can either be pushed as a jogger or attached to the back of a bike and be pulled.  My daughter was given a wike two Christmases ago from her grandparents in Texas.  And she loves it!

We also call it her chariot!  Or her peddi-cab!

It was a family bike ride, with the exception of me, as I do not own a bike...yet.  And it was the first bike ride my son was able to ride the whole time too....as he has been on two wheels since the fall!  While they were riding, Midnight and I went for a walk.

She has never been interested in riding a bike.  However, she definitely loves being behind someone else who is doing all the work.  She is in the back with the breeze in her face, laughing and smiling.  Who has it better?!??!

I don't know who likes when the wike comes out more....my husband or my daughter.  It is one of their favorite activities to do together.   And I am so happy wike season is here!!!

I don't have any pictures of her wike ride from today, but this is the wike.  And this is her favorite place.  She loves the beach!!!

Here is a quote for today....

Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance you must keep moving- Albert Einstein

Here is a link to wike too...
http://www.wicycle.com


© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift

Her Artwork

Today's gift is her artwork.

I know I have mentioned my daughter has an amazing "Anne Sullivan", right?!?!?  Maybe once or twice.

She helps my daughter in so many ways throughout her school day.  One area I always think is so incredible is how she thinks "out of the box" for my daughter in art class.  First, I have to say "Anne Sullivan" created an art box for my daughter with all the tools she uses in art class....that are what she needs in order to participate.  She adapted an art box for my daughter!

As we know many things done in art class are not easy for my daughter.  Functional hand use which is always used is sometimes difficult for her.  "Anne Sullivan" knows this....so she "thinks out of the box".

She lets my daughter "color", "draw", "scribble", "paint", whatever it is the class is doing and then takes a step back to look at what my daughter has "created".  Since "Anne Sullivan" is artsy herself and extremely creative, she will find a picture within the picture my daughter has drawn and outline it....so you see a "picture".  Isn't this incredible?!?!?!

The work my daughter brings home is beautiful.  It is a team effort between her and "Anne Sullivan".  It  truly shows love and dedication and each piece is so special.  Each piece takes time to create just like any artist.  Some pieces she will work on for many weeks...but the finished product is well worth the wait!!!

Here are some pieces from her collection....

Here are two quotes for today....

If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach them the way they learn- Ignacio Estrada

Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else- Author Unknown

© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift

The Rose Dance

Today's gift is the rose dance.

Just yesterday I mentioned how much I enjoy reading about my daughter's day...didn't I??!?!  It truly is a highlight of mine.  But next to words, pictures and videos of her day are the priceless!

This afternoon on my way to get the girls from school I received a text.  When I pulled into the girls school to get into carpool line, I looked to see who it was from.  It was from one of the teachers in my daughter's class sending me two videos of her.

Today she had music with her mainstream class.  In class they were doing the Rose Dance.  Have you ever heard of it?  I had not, until today.  I don't know if there is a "story" to go with the Rose Dance (didn't find one online), or if it is something the music teacher made up.  But here is what I was told....you have three chairs at the top of the room and two lines facing the chairs.  There are three students (two girls and one boy/two boys and one girl).  The person in the middle will be choosing who he/she wants to dance with down the line in between the rest of the class.  The person they do not chose, gets the bouquet of roses and moves to the middle, while the one they choose gets the dance.  Make sense?!?!

My daughter was picked on both of her turns and she also picked someone on her turn.  She really enjoyed the "dance" too....all smiles.  I think she was a little shy too....she just had "that" look on her face!  I love how the kids always want to include her.  I love to see all the children have an interest in her and not just the girls.  I love how they treated her just like them today!

It was really bittersweet for me to get these videos today of her!

The word "dance" makes me sad....when I think of the future.   It does.  Cotillion, homecoming, prom, first father/daughter dance at weddings....they all make me a little sad for my daughter.  So seeing videos like these are bittersweet for me.  I love them dearly and pray and hope her future holds special dances.  You know the dances you always dream about when you are little.   

Deep in my heart, I know her future will have lots of dancing!

Here is a quote for today....

Sometimes the best you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess.  Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best- Author Unknown

© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift

iPodding with Friends

Today's gift is iPodding with friends.

Every day I get "Notes and News" home from my daughter's school.  I love reading about her day...it is always a highlight of my day.

This afternoon I was so excited when I read what it said!!!!!  Here was the note...."she had speech today with T using her PODD and the children used her PODD today to say various things to her!  AC sat with head phones on while watching a video after she requested an item using her PODD"!!!

Wow...just wow!!!

I don't even know what to say.  So much excitement in one note...and that was only part of her day.  I love how she wants to use her iPODD and sees how when she requests something, she is given it.  This helps her to realize...we understand...we hear her.

I love it even more that her friends want to communicate with her using her iPODD!  This is a huge bonus to my daughter...she sees them use it and thinks...wow....they can communicate to me using my communication book....which only makes her want to use it more too!  I would love to know what they talked about.  I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall.

Just like the speech therapist from NYC said...it will take baby steps for my daughter to start communicate with her iPODD, but once she "gets" it she will take off.  She is taking baby steps indeed, but I have to say she is further along in 10 days than I thought she would be.

Wow, I can't even believe it has only been TEN DAYS since we introduced PODD to her and she is doing so well.  I can't wait to see where we will be in TEN WEEKS!!!

I am one happy mom tonight and couldn't be more proud of my daughter and her friends. The iPODD took on a new meaning to them today.  I hope they understand the importance of this iPODD....while it doesn't play music and you can't watch movies on it....it opens up a way for their friend to communicate to them with her voice.

Here is a quote for today....

I thank you for your part in my journey- Author Unknown


© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift

Walking Machine

Today's gift is she was a walking machine.

Wow!  She got her groove back!!!  It is so good to see.

As you know my daughter's walking hasn't been the best lately.  I know it was bothering her just as much as it was killing me to see her walk with difficulty.  However, over the past couple of days she has been getting better and better.

If her walking was good, her sitting up straight was off.  If she was sitting upright better, her walking was off.  But today....everything was great!  Everything was working like it is supposed to.

She started her morning with physical therapy.  I have to say she wasn't the happiest camper when we got there, but she pulled through (as we know she is a rock star!) and had a great session!  She was walking, running, jumping, and dribbling a ball that was easily four times her size!

Then she went to school with all smiles where overall she had a good day.  The best part of her day for me was watching her walk out to the car!!!!  I couldn't believe my eyes!!!  It has been a long time since I have seen her do this.  In between taking pictures, I was giving her thumbs up through the window!

Her busy day didn't stop after school, as she also went to the chiropractor today.  She really enjoys going and I have to say I truly believe she must feel so much better from going, otherwise she would not want to go one more place after school.

So why is her walking better?  I have no idea.  Is it the fact she went through a growth spurt and now her body has adjusted?  Is it the fact she added a chiropractor to her list of specialists?  Is it a combination of growth spurt evening out, chiropractor and physical therapy?

I do not know.

What I do know is she loves being back in her old body again.  She loves being able to walk and run freely.  I love being able to watch her go with no worries of her falling over.  I love having her sit at the table and not have to keep adjusting her as she leans to the side.  I love having her be herself again....herself... with the way we have lived with Rett Syndrome for 6 years.

As she has taught me, there are always going to be bumps in the road and mountains to climb.  This was a little bump we took, but hopefully one we can put behind us.  Thanks to the bumps and the mountains we are stronger individually and stronger as a family.

Here is a quote for today....

Sometimes God pushes us to our limits.  It's because he has greater faith in us than we have in ourselves- Author Unknown

© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift

Backyard Fun

Today's gift is backyard fun.

Happy Memorial Day.  Let's us not forget why we are able to spend this day with our family and friends.  Thank you to all who served and who continue to serve our country.

Today we had a very relaxed day.  My daughter slept in (till 10AM!!) and my husband let me sleep in too!  Thanks honey.  I can't believe I am still tired...maybe too much sleep.  We hung around the house and then went to get frozen yogurt for the kids afternoon snack.  When we got back the sun was starting to come back out....so we headed to the backyard.

We haven't spent many afternoons back there yet, as many of us in the house suffer from allergies.  So it was really nice to get back outside again.  The best part, we were all outside together.

My oldest daughter and son were swinging together, while my husband and middle daughter played golf toss.  Then we would rotate in playing the winner.  Then we played girls against boys.  This is a new game to our family (thanks Mimi and Poppy) and the kids love it!  Actually we all love it!

We had such a busy weekend, it was really nice to have a catch up day before the busy week started.  I loved having all of us, (even the dog) outside enjoying the beautiful day playing together.  It was super fun and the perfect way to end a fun filled weekend.  And a perfect way to kick off the start of the week!

Here are two quotes for today....in honor of Memorial Day....

Gratitude....how do you thank those who most bear the burden of ultimate sacrifice? 

While only one day of the year is dedicated solely to honoring our veterans, Americans must never forget the sacrifices that many of our fellow countrymen have made to defend our country and protect our freedoms- Randy Neugebauer




© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift

Playing a Little Football

Today's gift is playing a little football.

We have been really lucky this weekend.  We have had incredible weather and two fun days in a row with the kids and family.  Today we tried a new vineyard that was having an event for the local SPCA chapter...the one where we got Midnight.  So we thought...why not...

I think we found another fun place for our family.  Another place that is low key.  Another place where we can bring our own fun while listening to music and enjoying delicious food from local food trucks.  One of the same food trucks we enjoyed on Mother's Day weekend was at this vineyard today too, and I think has become our family's favorite!  Between the crepes and the amazing homemade ice cream....I don't know which one is better.

While we were enjoying the beautiful weather and listening to music my husband and middle daughter were throwing a football back and forth.  After about five minutes my oldest daughter jumped up out of her chair and walked over to my husband.  She indicated she wanted to play too.  Of course she did!  They were playing ball!

We know she loves to kick the ball.  We know she loves to dribble a ball.  We know she loves to throw the ball.  And today she caught the ball!

It was so cute watching the three of them throw the football.  She was having the best time.  I was so proud of her for catching the ball.....for throwing the ball....and for standing and walking so great!!!!

They were having so much fun I had to jump in too!  In between my turns I was snapping pictures!!!  

After perfecting a new skill today I think it is safe to say she will sleep well!  There is nothing like watching her have so much fun.  Knowing she is happy makes me happy!

Here is a quote for today...

Life is Good!

first catch...

second catch

daddy teaching her to "really" throw the football

© copyright 2012 – All rights reserved
365 Days Gift