Walk On Lady

A Hippotherapy update.

Here is a video of Adeline getting on Lady. First, she pats the horse and then mounts using a stirrup. After she is comfortable, she tells the horse to, "Walk on." She sits so tall and appears very calm and confident while riding. I am very proud of her progress. Recently, our insurance stuck it to us with Hippotherapy and I momentarily questioned whether or not her weekly rides were worth nearly $2000 a year. I just have to watch this video and compare it where she was when she first started and I am a believer.

A Daddy Afternoon

The girls had a fun filled daddy day today. They spent hours at Monkey Joe's (Bounce House) and then headed to McDonald's for lunch. It sounded like the girls had a great time. Savannah and Lila were all over the place bouncing and climbing to their hearts' content. Savannah, also, took time to help Adeline navigate the different bounces and help her get comfortable but soon, Adeline was left to her own devices when having to overcome her insecurities about unstable ground. Before the afternoon ended, I am very proud to report that she climbed up the big slide and slid down all on her own. Pretty impressive when considering her delay in gross motor skills, not to mention her sensory issues. Very brave for the The Belle.

Please bare with the sideways video. Alex remembered halfway through that the SLR can only be used on its side when taking pictures and not while using the video function.

Pirate Day at School

Lila didn't know what a pirate was when her Pirate Day at school took place. I gave her a crash course on saying, "Arrgh," and put a bandanna on her head. Not so fierce but pretty cute instead!

A Very Serious Matter

Last year, we had really bad luck with mice. We couldn't seem to pick a ripe strawberry before a little chunk was taken out by a mouse. We never confirmed that they were mice, in fact our friends told us they were voles. Another friend saw one run through the garage and told me they were rats. I am pretty sure they were of the mouse variety because I saw their tiny bodies scurry through the grass in the back yard whenever I walked to the garden.

In any case, these creatures left some pretty serious trails through our grass. Now that the grass has thinned and gone dormant, it is easy to see the pathways of these mice. Savannah and her friends recently discovered these paths which catapulted them back into last summer's battle with the mice.

One one of our warmer days last week, Savannah and her friends observed, planned, and executed their mouse strategy.

The Plan. . .

1. Cover up the hole that is up against the house to prevent them from going to the basement. This required little rocks and dirt so that the debris would wedge down inside the hole.

2. Find another hole that isn't up against the house and lay bait outside of it. The bait was worms that girls dug for. They laid a path of worms that lured the mice away from the house.

I am not sure how the girls planned to keep the mice out of the hole once they exited. The play date ended before that part of the plan was in place.  The girls felt as though they accomplished something as they walked away. 

A green leaf and a caterpillar... Possibly a sign of spring?

Breakin' Out in Song

She is my musical one. . . .

Ernie, Ernie, Ernie

One would think Lila's love for Ernie was why we landed at Sesame Place last weekend. It was a contributing factor but the real reason was to kick off the March of Dimes, March for Babies walk. All the team captains were invited, which includes us. Yes, we are a one man team called, "Small but Mighty." Feel free to join our team and walk with us. We would love to feel the support. Just email me and I will explain how.

The girls watched a kick off a video which included shots of micro preemies in the NICU. They immediately thought it was them. It was cute but also a sad reminder of their rough start. They will never see cute hospital pictures where they are swaddled in my arms. Lila looked up at me and said, "I was a little baby Mommy." Yes she was! And so were many of the other children that surrounded us that afternoon. We were in a room of miracles.

Here is a picture of all the preemies and their siblings. I wanted to point out the March of Dimes button on the side of my blog in case you are interested in supporting the walk this year. We are excited to participate again, knowing the girls will remember walking this year and going forward. We have so much to give back to the March of Dimes!

To engage the kids, the Sesame Street characters came to play. Lila talked about it all day and could barely wait for their appearance. First came Cookie and Elmo which was exciting to Savannah and Adeline but disappointing for Miss Grace. I had to tell her to hug them as she was looking over their shoulder for her beloved Ernie. I was very worried he wasn't coming but a nod of Elmo's head told me he was on his way. While we waited, Savannah and Adeline enjoyed some Elmo time. Savannah sunk right into Elmo's arms, possibly the last time she will be able to hug him and truly believe.

Ernie, finally arrived and Lila was beside herself. She ran right into him for a big hug and broke away with a big pucker and head pointed up. She got many kisses from him but nearly as many as she was willing to give. It was one of those moments that brings tears to a parent's eyes. I wonder how that happens over an Ernie but for Lila, Ernie is a deep love. Seeing her feel as though the love is returned is priceless. I should mention that Lila has recently included Bert into her list of favorites. I think she notices that Ernie doesn't really exist without Bert. She was very excited to spend some time with the yellow guy too.

The characters spent much of the the time dancing with the kids. Since most of the children loved Elmo, I let Lila DOMINATE Ernie. If she didn't have his hand, she was reaching for it or hugging him. At the end of each song, she reached in for a hug and up for a kiss. She was too cute. I knew she would cry when he left and she proved me right. Every day since, she has asked to go see him again. Her first love!




The Belle bustin' a move

My Gym

Adeline was invited to a birthday party at My Gym. It was a classmate from her developmental classroom that was celebrating his birthday. I was curious to see how all the children would do in an unfamiliar environment, including The Belle. The children seem very typical in their IU classroom because it is very regimented and predictable which helps children who aren't neurotypical appear as if they are.

Adeline was hesitant at first and yelling, "No, No, Mommy's car." But after a quick trip the to the bathroom, she was on her game. She followed directions, was willing to try out all of the equipment and be cute and pleasant while doing so.

Alex and I were able to accompany Adeline without her sister's in tow, which was extremely exciting for us. Adeline is such a joy, always happy and willing. We received lots of compliments because she is that kid that draws people to her. She is quite but some how penetrates a group with her peaceful and joyful disposition.

What a treat it was to focus our undivided attention on Adeline and recognize and all she has to offer. She is one fantastic kid! I am one lucky Mommy!!