That's my boo boo?

We were going around the house and looking at pictures today and Nick stopped at this one

He said, that's Katheryn, and that's me. Is that the boo boo on my back?
And it was like he just realized. Because of course he can't see his back so he has no idea what it looks like. Other than this abstract idea that there was a boo boo there.

Why is it there mommy?

We've talked about it before, and I'm sure we will talk about it again.

Me: Nick, when you were born you had a hole on your back. And that doctors fixed it and left this scar
Nick: Yes and that's my boo boo
Me: That is the scar from your boo boo. It is all fixed now.
Nick: And that is my scar. When will it go away?
Me: Well, it won't go away. It will always be there.
Nick: OK. When I was in the hospital you are Katheryn were there?

Why was I in the hospital?
Was I a baby?
Was Katheryn there?

When he was asking questions, Katheryn piped in.
Because you had a hole in your back when you were born.

I'm glad he's asking questions.
Just hope I'm answering them right!

First Day of School... For real

We had some big first day of school this year!

Katheryn started SK last Tuesday, and she was nervous at first, we only found out who her teacher was and who were in her class the Friday before.

 

 

And Nick started JK today.

 

 

Oh my! They look so big!

And for being so good and posing for first day of school pictures.

I get to take some funny face ones too!

 

 

We've done lots of talking with Nick about school, and how he was going to have his teacher, and other students. And it would be fun.

So he has started to get excited about going.

 

 

(After the initial pictures I let Nick put his sweater on, it was kinda cool out)

Then it was time to wait for the school bus!

 

 

When we did our tour of the school in June we got to go on the bus, but Nick had been in his walker, so he didn't get to go on the ramp. But Nick will be taking his wheelchair on the bus (and leaving his walker at school for now).

So we got him all buckled on and ready.

He got a little jumpy when it first started moving, just it goes super slow and I even got a wave! 

 

We got him into his seat and then all of the tying up and seat belts and everything came in.

(notice the canes on the back - yeah I got in trouble for that, apparently it isn't safe to have canes on the back of the wheelchair)

 

 

More straps, nice and secure, and closer to leaving...

And then Jennifer (his daycare) and I were going to be going, and he was going to be on his way to his first full day of school!

 

 

And Nick started to get nervous, I could still get a smile out of him.

But this is definitely his nervous face...

We talked about his teacher, and the classroom and that he got to ride a bus. So he knew he was going to be having fun, but he was still nervous about the change.

No tears (Nick or mommy). And then he was ready to go

Got another wave through the window.
And my little boy was off to his first full day of school.

I have a year to prepare for this day, and I did my research and know how important this is for him (besides which I have no desire to homeschool).

But it's that milestone.

Now he is going to school, all day, every day.

This is it!

 

It seems like we have worked hard to get this place, but also that it wasn't that long ago that we were here

 

 

 

 

First Day of school... kind of

Nick's first day of school was  today.

For an hour.

 

We got to go for a parent-teacher interview, and Nick got the chance to explore a bit on his own time

 

 

 Yes Nick I'm still coming.

 



 

They had a time for us, and we were all welcomed!

 

 

Nick got to go and explore and I got to have the interview.

I sat with his teacher, 2 EAs, and then also the PT, OT, and S/L. And we talked for an hour.

We went over where we are, what goals we have, what to expect. Communication plan and also talk about therapy plans and parental involvement.

We covered bathroom and equipment and orthodics.





Nickolas in the meantime had disappeared and was off exploring.
When I tracked him down and asked him if he was excited to start school next week

 He said yes

A countdown to school...

Camp is done, so now comes the next big event - we can only be excited for one thing at a time.

Now it is the first day of school

 

So I pulled out all of the material we got in June and thought I should probably start reading it.

 

We got the picture book for Nick to look at.
To start to get a little more excited about school

I hadn't actually realized that Nick thought that I (or Daddy or Jennifer) was going to school with him. And he's been getting upset when we tell him that we aren't going with him.
We talk about the bus, the new friends, the teacher (her picture is in the book)

We have a parent/teacher interview next week and then the following Monday school is in!

There is a whole binder full of stuff that I should probably look more closely at (I see labour day reading in my future)

And there is a dozen  pages or so for me to fill out

And I'll include my school passport as well



A lot of this post is a review of information I already posted. But now we are in the final countdown and this is actually happening.

In 13 days

I think I'm ready. I'm not sure how to get Nick more ready.
I hope he adjusts well.
I guess we'll see.

13 days.

Easter Seals Camp - Day 6 - Heading Home

Good Morning! 

 

We got our camp clothes on (nice and bright of course) and packed up.

Grandma and Nick had fun chasing/running with each other!

We got our last flag raising

Our camp song of the day

And then the Woodeden song and flag raising
They asked Nick if he wanted to do it, but he said no.

After breakfast we had lots of help to bring all of our stuff out and pack the car.
Then we packed up the kids

And everyone came and sang us off!

Our Easter Seals Camp was done for 2013!

Our highlights of the week!

628 pictures of everything

Swimming in the pool every day (with water always over 80 degrees)

Doing things we wouldn't otherwise do

Reaching new heights

Challenging ourselves

Checking out some new adaptive sports

And of course, the time together as a family

Talking and meeting other families

Having an acute case of deja vu with a family I have never met before, sitting in a room I've never been in before having a conversation

 

 

What would we do next time?

#1 - bring a mattress topper (they have hospital beds with old hospital-bed mattresses and that NOT comfortable)

Also bed-related - make sure you have a sleeping bag and pillows (they do provide sheets and pillows, but not like home)
Also something (materials or ideas of just the time) to do something to thank your counselors. We wanted to make a card for everyone, but ran out of time once I thought about it. So next time
Ideas for the talent show
Also don't forget batteries, chargers

Don't count on the Internet - it's hard to get bars

(and you shouldn't be on your phone/Internet anyways - except for pictures of course)

Take naps when you need to

Be prepared for some crabby kids if you don't do the above

There is lots of walking, and hills

I could have done it with by myself if I had to, the cabin counsellors were incredible

But I would have felt more stretched

Bring snacks

Bring chocolate sauce if your child only drinks chocolate milk (like Nick - we did this)

If you wear your 3E Love shirts, bring their card for all the people who ask where it came from

Don't count on keeping with your routine - it won't work

 

Be ready for a week that is full from 8am flag-raising to 10pm

 

 

Just as I'm finishing this post, I noticed a video posting on Easter Seals about Woodeden. I think it was video taken from last year, even though it says 2013 (everyone is wearing 2012 shirts)

 I just hope we can go again next year!