Do you save everything your child brings home from school? Do you save everything they make for you? I did until it started taking over my attic!
Six months ago my husband and I cleaned out our attic....It was a mess! What we found was an 8 x10 area of bags and bins filled with all things saved from my children starting when Anna Cate was 2! It was out of control to say the least!
Of course I had to wait for the right time to purge through everything as I did not want my children to think I didn't care about the things they made. I actually got "busted" once from Betsie last year for throwing something away of hers....her exact words were "Mom, I spent a lot of time I that"....I felt horrible! So I just started to save everything....knowing one day I would "organize" it all.
One family...three kids…one with special needs…trying to figure it all out…day by day, the ups and the downs and enjoying every minute! We truly are blessed! The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home. So go…have fun!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Picky Eaters
Do you have a picky eater or eaters in your house?
I feel like this is always a constant battle in our house. All my kids used to be GREAT eaters....then one day my middle daughter, Betsie, decided she didn't want to eat anything healthy. Of course, this was right around the time her little brother was playing "monkey see monkey do" and he decided to follow suit!
Lucky for me, Anna Cate, who has special needs, has always had an incredible appetite.
In the last year, Betsie has started to come around and she pretty much eats anything...as she really wants dessert. My rule is, no dinner, no dessert. If you get hungry after dinner, I will heat your dinner up, but after a certain time...still no dessert. Eli, has gone to bed many nights hungry.....I will not cook more than one dinner.
I find I sometimes get into ruts with cooking, as I care more about the kids eating than anything else. And not hearing them complain about dinner is also a factor! However, I like to try new dishes.
So one day, I decided to "try" and make our "kitchen" clean...and the kids had wake up call as to what foods they would be allowed to eat. I was surprised they didn't give me much complaining at all. I should have done this sooner!
Slowly, I introduced new foods into their diets and didn't bring the old foods back in. It was not until Monday night where....for the first time...my son tried something new and LOVED it. No fuss, no muss, ate the whole thing. I was so proud of him!
We had Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausage sautéd with onions in coconut oil (the onion were sliced in big piece as I know the kids do not like them and it is easier to pick out), Harvest Blend from Trader Joe's and a salad. This will be a keeper in our rotation for sure!
However, it didn't end there. Today, on our day home from school I tried two new items with them. For lunch we had Roasted Red Pepper Bisque from Trader Joe's with a couple of crackers on the side. Another hit! At snack time I tried something I had seen recently and I can not remember where...maybe pinterest....anyway...it was sliced bananas drizzled with honey and then sprinkled with cinnamon....yum...yum...yum!
I feel like this is always a constant battle in our house. All my kids used to be GREAT eaters....then one day my middle daughter, Betsie, decided she didn't want to eat anything healthy. Of course, this was right around the time her little brother was playing "monkey see monkey do" and he decided to follow suit!
Lucky for me, Anna Cate, who has special needs, has always had an incredible appetite.
In the last year, Betsie has started to come around and she pretty much eats anything...as she really wants dessert. My rule is, no dinner, no dessert. If you get hungry after dinner, I will heat your dinner up, but after a certain time...still no dessert. Eli, has gone to bed many nights hungry.....I will not cook more than one dinner.
I find I sometimes get into ruts with cooking, as I care more about the kids eating than anything else. And not hearing them complain about dinner is also a factor! However, I like to try new dishes.
So one day, I decided to "try" and make our "kitchen" clean...and the kids had wake up call as to what foods they would be allowed to eat. I was surprised they didn't give me much complaining at all. I should have done this sooner!
Slowly, I introduced new foods into their diets and didn't bring the old foods back in. It was not until Monday night where....for the first time...my son tried something new and LOVED it. No fuss, no muss, ate the whole thing. I was so proud of him!
We had Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausage sautéd with onions in coconut oil (the onion were sliced in big piece as I know the kids do not like them and it is easier to pick out), Harvest Blend from Trader Joe's and a salad. This will be a keeper in our rotation for sure!
However, it didn't end there. Today, on our day home from school I tried two new items with them. For lunch we had Roasted Red Pepper Bisque from Trader Joe's with a couple of crackers on the side. Another hit! At snack time I tried something I had seen recently and I can not remember where...maybe pinterest....anyway...it was sliced bananas drizzled with honey and then sprinkled with cinnamon....yum...yum...yum!
Getting my youngest to eat vegetables has been a challenge. Fruit he loves..veggies...not so much. This summer we got a juicer and it changed my world in getting vegetables into his diet. He will not eat many vegetables; however, if he drinks them it is a different story! I think it is the whole idea of him helping me make the juice which he likes. Whatever it takes...I'm game!
Last week a friend mentioned she made apple cider with her kids using their juicer. My kids LOVE apple cider, so today I thought would be the perfect day to try and make some with them. Anna Cate didn't want to get too close to the juicer when I offered for her put an apple in, she preferred to stay back and watch. I wasn't going to push her, as we were having a fun day together. Betsie and Eli took turns making apple cider for us. It turned out pretty good!
While Hurricane Sandy was trying to wash out our day, we were cookin' it up in the kitchen! And it was a huge success!
What are your children/grandchildren's favorite foods? What do they like to help you do in the kitchen?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Cha-Ryot
Anyone know what Cha-Ryot means?
ATTENTION....in Korean!
Yes, attention everyone....Eli passed his test tonight in Tae Kwon Do and received his Yellow Belt!
He was so proud of himself!!! I love seeing his expressions on his face which shows how excited his is of his hard work and dedication. Especially since at the beginning of our Tae Kwon Do journey he was not "loving" it. Honestly, it was torture to watch!
However, as time went on he started liking it more and more and then one day something "clicked" and now he loves it!
I love how he is not only learning Tae Kwon Do, but also some Korean!
Eli right before he gets his Yellow Belt....
Here is a video of him getting his belt....
ATTENTION....in Korean!
Yes, attention everyone....Eli passed his test tonight in Tae Kwon Do and received his Yellow Belt!
He was so proud of himself!!! I love seeing his expressions on his face which shows how excited his is of his hard work and dedication. Especially since at the beginning of our Tae Kwon Do journey he was not "loving" it. Honestly, it was torture to watch!
However, as time went on he started liking it more and more and then one day something "clicked" and now he loves it!
I love how he is not only learning Tae Kwon Do, but also some Korean!
Eli right before he gets his Yellow Belt....
Here is a video of him getting his belt....
And Eli with his new belt....
Congratulations Buddy....we are so proud of your hard work, dedication and focusing!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Little Surprises
Every morning when I ask my 8 year old daughter, Betsie, to make her bed, I also ask Eli, my 5 year old....only to hear "I don't know how". All I say, is "you can try".
Well, this morning...he tried...and succeeded!!! While it is not perfect....he still tried and this I am so thankful for....in so many ways! Four beds in the house....three I have been making....hopefully I am only down to two!!!
Not too bad for a 5 year old, is it......
Happy Tuesday to me!
Have your children surprised you today???
Well, this morning...he tried...and succeeded!!! While it is not perfect....he still tried and this I am so thankful for....in so many ways! Four beds in the house....three I have been making....hopefully I am only down to two!!!
Not too bad for a 5 year old, is it......
Happy Tuesday to me!
Have your children surprised you today???
Monday, October 22, 2012
New Title....
As you can see my blog has not only a new look, but a new title. Her Climb has been replaced by Our Everyday.
Having a child with special needs is a whole family effort...and I wanted to start blogging about my other two children too. They are also incredible kids I would like to share with you.
Some days I will have long posts, some short. Some days I will only post pictures and quotes which remind me of my family and how I am feeling on a particular day....or every day. I hope to post more laughs than tears, but I will not make any promises.
Having a child with special needs does add some grey to your life, but amidst the grey there is lots of color to share!
Just to end the the post with a little humor....who doesn't like someecards??? This one reminds me so much of my children....always pointing the finger at someone else....
Having a child with special needs is a whole family effort...and I wanted to start blogging about my other two children too. They are also incredible kids I would like to share with you.
Some days I will have long posts, some short. Some days I will only post pictures and quotes which remind me of my family and how I am feeling on a particular day....or every day. I hope to post more laughs than tears, but I will not make any promises.
Having a child with special needs does add some grey to your life, but amidst the grey there is lots of color to share!
Just to end the the post with a little humor....who doesn't like someecards??? This one reminds me so much of my children....always pointing the finger at someone else....
Until next time....
-E
Monday, July 30, 2012
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
I have been wanting to write this post since this special day happened, but as usual, life happens and I had to get through two weeks of camp at my house. (If you haven't read about Camp Amica visit my other blog at www.campamica.blogspot.com).
What does every mom want for her daughter? To be loved, to be liked by her friends, to have friends, to enjoy life to the fullest, to explore, to enjoy every year as time goes by so fast, to have lots of memories, and the list can go on and on.
Before Anna Cate was diagnosed with Rett syndrome the list of hopes, wants and dreams for her was endless.....and it still is. However, all the hopes, wants and dreams have changed a little. I still want her to be loved, I still want her to have friends and friendships (yes there is a difference), I still want her to enjoy life to the fullest that she can, to explore the best that she can, to enjoy every year and to have lots of memories. In order for Anna Cate to have memories and explore we are involved with every aspect of these moments too!
Amy, Anna Cate's teacher and friend, does the BEST job of making Anna Cate feel just like any other 10 year old girl. From the way she talks TO her, to the way she gets other kids her age engaged, the way she helps US to do things differently (and better!) for Anna Cate, you name it....Amy is AWESOME!
Amy's dedication to Anna Cate is amazing to see! And I am not the only one who sees this connection the two of them have, but so does our school, the teachers, our friends, Anna Cate's friends, strangers....anyone! One area where Amy has paved the road for me, is with Anna Cate's friends. She has helped Anna Cate's peers realize that Anna Cate is just like them, but she is trapped inside her own body and sometimes things are difficult for her and sometimes things are easier.....depends on the day and her mood (kinda sounds like me too....lol!).
I love hearing Anna Cate's friends tell me that THEY want to come over to see Anna Cate. Noticed, I didn't call it a "play date"...I think now at this age, it is "having friends come over"....I need to get the lingo down! Anna Cate has had friends come over to hang out many times. We have taken her and her friends bowling, to a favorite frozen yogurt shop, to the pool, and they have just come to our house to be with Anna Cate and enjoy doing things that she likes to do here like play connect four, play ball, watch movies and listen to music. I love that Anna Cate can have these special times with HER friends just like her peers can and just like her sister, Betsie does with her friends. And she has two friends that really "get" her, where I feel comfortable enough to take a BIG step back to give them the age appropriate "girl time" that they need. I am sure that Anna Cate wants me to leave them alone too!
I often wondered to myself if Anna Cate would ever be able to enjoy one of life's biggest milestones--a sleepover! I am not talking about a sleepover at Mimi and Poppy's house...that doesn't really count, but a sleepover here with her friends or vice versa. There are so many unknowns and I didn't know if I wanted to go down this road. And I know that Will had some reservations too. We try to protect Anna Cate all the time, and we don't want her friends to see the "dark" side of Anna Cate when she is unhappy and frustrated and many times it is late night, in the middle of the night, or first thing in the morning, when these times are most prominent! But then, my voice of reason, or in this case Amy, tells me that it is ok, Anna Cate's true friends HAVE seen her upset and they get upset too, because they do not like to see her like this AND Anna Cate's true friends are just that, HER TRUE friends, and they KNOW she can not help situations like this. Amy is exactly right, and we have to realize that her true friends are genuine, understanding and patient with her and this is what is so beautiful to see. So why hold Anna Cate back on something that EVERY girl should experience.
Two weeks ago Anna Cate had her FIRST friend sleepover! It was a sleepover by chance and I think that it couldn't of happened any better (and that it was meant to be!). During my first session of Camp Amica, one of Anna Cate's friend's mom emailed me to ask if her daughter could spend one night as she needed to be out of town for work. This friend is AMAZING with Anna Cate and is one of Anna Cate's friends where I feel 100% comfortable leaving the room and I know Anna Cate is going to be ok! When I told Anna Cate that her friend was going to spend the night, Anna Cate got a huge smile on her face. Wow, she was really excited and I am sure in her head, she was probably saying...FINALLY mom!
After camp we had a normal afternoon around the house, then dinner and bath/shower time. While the girls were hanging out while I was cooking dinner, Anna Cate's friend Face Timed one of their other friends so Anna Cate could see her too! Wow!!! What a way to connect Anna Cate to what her peers are doing and age appropriate! Anna Cate loved it!!!
When it came time for bed, I explained to Anna Cate's friend all the scenarios that could happen...Anna Cate could sleep all night with no problem; Anna Cate could get up in the middle of the night and be mad; Anna Cate could get up really early (4-5AM) and be up for the remainder of the day; Anna Cate could, Anna Cate could, Anna Cate could....I can keep going on and on. NONE of this worried Anna Cate's friend and she looked right at me and said, " I would like to sleep in Anna Cate's room right next to her bed." Just writing that again, I have tears in my eyes. This young lady truly is a gift! Then Betsie came running in and asked if she could sleep in her sleeping bag next to Anna Cate's bed too! Yes, you can!!!
We did our normal bedtime routine of reading Anna Cate a couple of stories (she usually falls asleep as we read to her), but I knew that this night getting her to sleep was going to be a little bit more difficult as she was excited and the girls on the floor were whispering and Anna Cate could hear them. As I was reading to Anna Cate, she would lean over the side of the bed and look at the girls and then pop back up. She did this about 5 times! So after the first book, I thought to myself....Emilie....take a deep breath, relax and let Anna Cate enjoy the moment. I told the girls that they could watch a movie in Anna Cate's room and I was going to go downstairs. I was hoping that Anna Cate would stay in bed and fall asleep watching tv like she sometimes does when she gets up with the birds!
As soon as I walked downstairs and turned on the tv to Anna Cate's room (all the kids have cameras in their rooms so I can see them at night), Anna Cate was already out of bed and Will was hinting to me that this was going to be a long night. I walked back upstairs to put Anna Cate in bed, but as I approached her door (it was cracked so I could peek in), I saw one of the most precious things in a long time. Anna Cate's friend was putting her back in bed! This melted my heart!
I went back downstairs to tell Will, but he had watched the whole thing on tv and we both said at the same time, "DID YOU SEE THAT!!!!" I didn't know at that moment (as we had our eyes glued to the tv watching what was to us one of the most amazing shows we have seen in a long time) who had the BIGGEST smile on their face...me, Will or Anna Cate. Anna Cate's smile was so big and she was doing the covers over the face trick which mean she is really happy. She would watch her movie and then get out of bed....watch her movie, then get out of bed.....then Anna Cate's friend and Betsie got in her bed with her for a little while....then they got back down on the floor....this went on and on for about an hour and a half, when I finally went upstairs as I didn't want Anna Cate to get her second wind and we also all had camp at the house in the morning and I didn't want tomorrow to be a day with three tired kids on my end!
I thanked Anna Cate's friend for being so loving and patient with her, but said I was going to get her to sleep and then she and Betsie could sneak into their sleeping bags when Anna Cate was finally asleep. As I crawled into bed with Anna Cate, Anna Cate looked up at me and said "Mommmmmmyyyyyy, Mommmmmyyyy", Mommy really long and drawn out, and says this when she is really happy! I said, Anna Cate I know you are happy tonight and I am so happy for you. I snuggled with her and read one last book and before I got to the 5th page, she was out like a light. I am sure she was dreaming about her first sleepover! The girls came back in and got into their sleeping bags!
And then the big thunderstorm started!!!!! The only one who slept through the whole thing was ANNA CATE! After about 30 minutes Anna Cate's friend and Betsie finally went back to bed and were out instantly, as I know they were so tired.
This is the picture I took to remember this special night by!
The next morning Anna Cate woke up as happy as could be and was so excited to see her friend first thing in the morning!
We survived the first sleepover and it truly was one of the best memories I will remember for a long time! Anna Cate's friend and Amy taught me that it IS ok, relax and let Anna Cate enjoy what others her age are enjoying and what happens, happens.
Anna Cate had so much fun and she was so happy, that Anna Cate is going to have her SECOND sleepover as part of her birthday celebration in September, but this time with more friends AND Amy!!!! I know that I will be a little nervous as the day approaches, but I know this is what I have to do for Anna Cate. After all, what makes Anna Cate's friends so special, is that they like her for exactly who she is and I couldn't be happier for Anna Cate!
P.S. I named this blog in honor of my one of my favorite sleepover songs growing up and one of my favorite movies!!!
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What does every mom want for her daughter? To be loved, to be liked by her friends, to have friends, to enjoy life to the fullest, to explore, to enjoy every year as time goes by so fast, to have lots of memories, and the list can go on and on.
Before Anna Cate was diagnosed with Rett syndrome the list of hopes, wants and dreams for her was endless.....and it still is. However, all the hopes, wants and dreams have changed a little. I still want her to be loved, I still want her to have friends and friendships (yes there is a difference), I still want her to enjoy life to the fullest that she can, to explore the best that she can, to enjoy every year and to have lots of memories. In order for Anna Cate to have memories and explore we are involved with every aspect of these moments too!
Amy, Anna Cate's teacher and friend, does the BEST job of making Anna Cate feel just like any other 10 year old girl. From the way she talks TO her, to the way she gets other kids her age engaged, the way she helps US to do things differently (and better!) for Anna Cate, you name it....Amy is AWESOME!
Amy's dedication to Anna Cate is amazing to see! And I am not the only one who sees this connection the two of them have, but so does our school, the teachers, our friends, Anna Cate's friends, strangers....anyone! One area where Amy has paved the road for me, is with Anna Cate's friends. She has helped Anna Cate's peers realize that Anna Cate is just like them, but she is trapped inside her own body and sometimes things are difficult for her and sometimes things are easier.....depends on the day and her mood (kinda sounds like me too....lol!).
I love hearing Anna Cate's friends tell me that THEY want to come over to see Anna Cate. Noticed, I didn't call it a "play date"...I think now at this age, it is "having friends come over"....I need to get the lingo down! Anna Cate has had friends come over to hang out many times. We have taken her and her friends bowling, to a favorite frozen yogurt shop, to the pool, and they have just come to our house to be with Anna Cate and enjoy doing things that she likes to do here like play connect four, play ball, watch movies and listen to music. I love that Anna Cate can have these special times with HER friends just like her peers can and just like her sister, Betsie does with her friends. And she has two friends that really "get" her, where I feel comfortable enough to take a BIG step back to give them the age appropriate "girl time" that they need. I am sure that Anna Cate wants me to leave them alone too!
I often wondered to myself if Anna Cate would ever be able to enjoy one of life's biggest milestones--a sleepover! I am not talking about a sleepover at Mimi and Poppy's house...that doesn't really count, but a sleepover here with her friends or vice versa. There are so many unknowns and I didn't know if I wanted to go down this road. And I know that Will had some reservations too. We try to protect Anna Cate all the time, and we don't want her friends to see the "dark" side of Anna Cate when she is unhappy and frustrated and many times it is late night, in the middle of the night, or first thing in the morning, when these times are most prominent! But then, my voice of reason, or in this case Amy, tells me that it is ok, Anna Cate's true friends HAVE seen her upset and they get upset too, because they do not like to see her like this AND Anna Cate's true friends are just that, HER TRUE friends, and they KNOW she can not help situations like this. Amy is exactly right, and we have to realize that her true friends are genuine, understanding and patient with her and this is what is so beautiful to see. So why hold Anna Cate back on something that EVERY girl should experience.
Two weeks ago Anna Cate had her FIRST friend sleepover! It was a sleepover by chance and I think that it couldn't of happened any better (and that it was meant to be!). During my first session of Camp Amica, one of Anna Cate's friend's mom emailed me to ask if her daughter could spend one night as she needed to be out of town for work. This friend is AMAZING with Anna Cate and is one of Anna Cate's friends where I feel 100% comfortable leaving the room and I know Anna Cate is going to be ok! When I told Anna Cate that her friend was going to spend the night, Anna Cate got a huge smile on her face. Wow, she was really excited and I am sure in her head, she was probably saying...FINALLY mom!
After camp we had a normal afternoon around the house, then dinner and bath/shower time. While the girls were hanging out while I was cooking dinner, Anna Cate's friend Face Timed one of their other friends so Anna Cate could see her too! Wow!!! What a way to connect Anna Cate to what her peers are doing and age appropriate! Anna Cate loved it!!!
When it came time for bed, I explained to Anna Cate's friend all the scenarios that could happen...Anna Cate could sleep all night with no problem; Anna Cate could get up in the middle of the night and be mad; Anna Cate could get up really early (4-5AM) and be up for the remainder of the day; Anna Cate could, Anna Cate could, Anna Cate could....I can keep going on and on. NONE of this worried Anna Cate's friend and she looked right at me and said, " I would like to sleep in Anna Cate's room right next to her bed." Just writing that again, I have tears in my eyes. This young lady truly is a gift! Then Betsie came running in and asked if she could sleep in her sleeping bag next to Anna Cate's bed too! Yes, you can!!!
We did our normal bedtime routine of reading Anna Cate a couple of stories (she usually falls asleep as we read to her), but I knew that this night getting her to sleep was going to be a little bit more difficult as she was excited and the girls on the floor were whispering and Anna Cate could hear them. As I was reading to Anna Cate, she would lean over the side of the bed and look at the girls and then pop back up. She did this about 5 times! So after the first book, I thought to myself....Emilie....take a deep breath, relax and let Anna Cate enjoy the moment. I told the girls that they could watch a movie in Anna Cate's room and I was going to go downstairs. I was hoping that Anna Cate would stay in bed and fall asleep watching tv like she sometimes does when she gets up with the birds!
As soon as I walked downstairs and turned on the tv to Anna Cate's room (all the kids have cameras in their rooms so I can see them at night), Anna Cate was already out of bed and Will was hinting to me that this was going to be a long night. I walked back upstairs to put Anna Cate in bed, but as I approached her door (it was cracked so I could peek in), I saw one of the most precious things in a long time. Anna Cate's friend was putting her back in bed! This melted my heart!
I went back downstairs to tell Will, but he had watched the whole thing on tv and we both said at the same time, "DID YOU SEE THAT!!!!" I didn't know at that moment (as we had our eyes glued to the tv watching what was to us one of the most amazing shows we have seen in a long time) who had the BIGGEST smile on their face...me, Will or Anna Cate. Anna Cate's smile was so big and she was doing the covers over the face trick which mean she is really happy. She would watch her movie and then get out of bed....watch her movie, then get out of bed.....then Anna Cate's friend and Betsie got in her bed with her for a little while....then they got back down on the floor....this went on and on for about an hour and a half, when I finally went upstairs as I didn't want Anna Cate to get her second wind and we also all had camp at the house in the morning and I didn't want tomorrow to be a day with three tired kids on my end!
I thanked Anna Cate's friend for being so loving and patient with her, but said I was going to get her to sleep and then she and Betsie could sneak into their sleeping bags when Anna Cate was finally asleep. As I crawled into bed with Anna Cate, Anna Cate looked up at me and said "Mommmmmmyyyyyy, Mommmmmyyyy", Mommy really long and drawn out, and says this when she is really happy! I said, Anna Cate I know you are happy tonight and I am so happy for you. I snuggled with her and read one last book and before I got to the 5th page, she was out like a light. I am sure she was dreaming about her first sleepover! The girls came back in and got into their sleeping bags!
And then the big thunderstorm started!!!!! The only one who slept through the whole thing was ANNA CATE! After about 30 minutes Anna Cate's friend and Betsie finally went back to bed and were out instantly, as I know they were so tired.
This is the picture I took to remember this special night by!
The next morning Anna Cate woke up as happy as could be and was so excited to see her friend first thing in the morning!
We survived the first sleepover and it truly was one of the best memories I will remember for a long time! Anna Cate's friend and Amy taught me that it IS ok, relax and let Anna Cate enjoy what others her age are enjoying and what happens, happens.
Anna Cate had so much fun and she was so happy, that Anna Cate is going to have her SECOND sleepover as part of her birthday celebration in September, but this time with more friends AND Amy!!!! I know that I will be a little nervous as the day approaches, but I know this is what I have to do for Anna Cate. After all, what makes Anna Cate's friends so special, is that they like her for exactly who she is and I couldn't be happier for Anna Cate!
P.S. I named this blog in honor of my one of my favorite sleepover songs growing up and one of my favorite movies!!!
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Thursday, June 14, 2012
A great school year!
As I put Anna Cate to bed tonight and watched her after she fell asleep, I can't believe that tonight was the last night she will go to bed as a 3rd grader! Where has the time gone?
While I was looking down at her I also started to think about what would Anna Cate be like and what would she be into if she didn't have Rett Syndrome. Looking at all the kids run off the bus asking their friends to sign their yearbooks, talking about the summer camps that they are going to, how they are doing swim team, where they are going on vacation always makes me sad for Anna Cate. I wish so badly that she could be like her friends and run off the bus laughing and giggling with no cares in the world! I have these thoughts just about every day.
But then I thought, Anna Cate has friends running up to HER to want to sign HER yearbook, Anna Cate has a camp at HER house where HER friends come to be with HER (this summer Camp Amica is FULL all three sessions with a total of 31 girls over three weeks!), Anna Cate doesn't participate in swim team, but she will be at the pool all summer, and Anna Cate is going on vacation to the beach TWICE this summer! In a way she is just like them, or she is just like them as much as she can be with Rett Syndrome and that is all I have wanted!
The quote, "Enjoy the little things in life...for one day you'l look back and realize they were the big things", really hit me tonight and what prompted me to write.
I replayed in my head the year we just had and what a GREAT year it was! To me a great school year for Anna Cate isn't about the academics, but about her having the most typical school experiences she can have like her peers.
I remember when we first started at her school in first grade with her initial IEP meeting, I told her team, teaching her academics wasn't important to me, that was a bonus. What was important to me for Anna Cate was that I wanted to her to not only have friends, but friendships. I didn't want her growing up and going to school without friends by her side. If the academics come, awesome, but creating friendships was a top priority to me.
In first and second grade Anna Cate definitely had friends, lots of them. And a couple in second grade turned into true friendships. But third grade, I can honestly say friendships were made! It was so beautiful to see! Anna Cate had two great friends at the beginning of the year and these two girls really bonded with Anna Cate. The rest of the girls in the class over time watched how they interacted with Anna Cate and wanted to learn from their friends. Anna Cate was teaching them about her and her friends were teaching other students about Anna Cate!
Today was Anna Cate's end of the year party for her typical 3rd grade class and it was so touching to see the girls surround her with love. You can tell that they truly care for her and want to be her friend. And the smile on Anna Cate's face that she gets from them can light up a room! I hope that Anna Cate will be in the same class as many of these sweet girls next year! They truly made 3rd grade extra special for Anna Cate!
As I was leaving today, I thanked her teacher for believing in Anna Cate and for a wonderful year. She told me that it was wonderful having Anna Cate in the class and how the kids learned so much from her. She also said she has to often tell the girls to give Anna Cate space as they fight over her! Right after she said this, we looked over and there were 5 girls all around Anna Cate....and she said, you see what I mean....she is one popular little girl!
Of course Anna Cate rocked the academics this year too! She started to learn how to read and spell words independently by typing them out on her computer! And this was the first year she had to take standardized tests and rocked ALL of them!
Here's to Anna Cate having a fantastic 3rd grade year one that I will remember forever. The year Anna Cate found true friends who believed in her and helped others to believe in her too! Kyla, Maddie, Alexis, Ellie, and Susie thank you for bringing so much joy to Anna Cate's life!
While I was looking down at her I also started to think about what would Anna Cate be like and what would she be into if she didn't have Rett Syndrome. Looking at all the kids run off the bus asking their friends to sign their yearbooks, talking about the summer camps that they are going to, how they are doing swim team, where they are going on vacation always makes me sad for Anna Cate. I wish so badly that she could be like her friends and run off the bus laughing and giggling with no cares in the world! I have these thoughts just about every day.
But then I thought, Anna Cate has friends running up to HER to want to sign HER yearbook, Anna Cate has a camp at HER house where HER friends come to be with HER (this summer Camp Amica is FULL all three sessions with a total of 31 girls over three weeks!), Anna Cate doesn't participate in swim team, but she will be at the pool all summer, and Anna Cate is going on vacation to the beach TWICE this summer! In a way she is just like them, or she is just like them as much as she can be with Rett Syndrome and that is all I have wanted!
The quote, "Enjoy the little things in life...for one day you'l look back and realize they were the big things", really hit me tonight and what prompted me to write.
I replayed in my head the year we just had and what a GREAT year it was! To me a great school year for Anna Cate isn't about the academics, but about her having the most typical school experiences she can have like her peers.
I remember when we first started at her school in first grade with her initial IEP meeting, I told her team, teaching her academics wasn't important to me, that was a bonus. What was important to me for Anna Cate was that I wanted to her to not only have friends, but friendships. I didn't want her growing up and going to school without friends by her side. If the academics come, awesome, but creating friendships was a top priority to me.
In first and second grade Anna Cate definitely had friends, lots of them. And a couple in second grade turned into true friendships. But third grade, I can honestly say friendships were made! It was so beautiful to see! Anna Cate had two great friends at the beginning of the year and these two girls really bonded with Anna Cate. The rest of the girls in the class over time watched how they interacted with Anna Cate and wanted to learn from their friends. Anna Cate was teaching them about her and her friends were teaching other students about Anna Cate!
Today was Anna Cate's end of the year party for her typical 3rd grade class and it was so touching to see the girls surround her with love. You can tell that they truly care for her and want to be her friend. And the smile on Anna Cate's face that she gets from them can light up a room! I hope that Anna Cate will be in the same class as many of these sweet girls next year! They truly made 3rd grade extra special for Anna Cate!
As I was leaving today, I thanked her teacher for believing in Anna Cate and for a wonderful year. She told me that it was wonderful having Anna Cate in the class and how the kids learned so much from her. She also said she has to often tell the girls to give Anna Cate space as they fight over her! Right after she said this, we looked over and there were 5 girls all around Anna Cate....and she said, you see what I mean....she is one popular little girl!
Of course Anna Cate rocked the academics this year too! She started to learn how to read and spell words independently by typing them out on her computer! And this was the first year she had to take standardized tests and rocked ALL of them!
Here's to Anna Cate having a fantastic 3rd grade year one that I will remember forever. The year Anna Cate found true friends who believed in her and helped others to believe in her too! Kyla, Maddie, Alexis, Ellie, and Susie thank you for bringing so much joy to Anna Cate's life!
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