Our official start to summer
May 30, 2010
It’s that time of year again, the official changing of the seasons. Not because it's Memorial Day weekend, but the shifting of schedules and focus leading us from one set of activities to another. For instance, this evening we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. We had no less than two and a half extra hours without gymnastics. Tomorrow we gain another two as swimming is over to. Not that we can’t/won’t fill the time, it’s just the time for change.
We’re spending more time outside, especially in the old walker. He can be more securely strapped-in and monitored by only one person. It is heavier and more restrictive, to a degree, but it does allow Nathan more time to be outside, more time to build up those leg muscles and a better chance at getting closer to independent mobility.
We’re constantly reminded that Nathan’s battles are as much motivational as they are physical or psychological. We’re finding new ways to bait him to take his steps, inventing new games to play, or just finding experiences new to him. Things most other kids his age have already experienced. Tonight, I got the hose out and let him get a little wet. Whether he runs to, or from, the water, it’s a good spark to get him to run. He still has all his giggles and just loves being off the floor.
There’s no such thing as senioritis to a 4 year old
There's only three more days of traditional school to go, but don’t tell Nathan. The photo shows Nathan at the last day of school last year. This was actually the end of summer session which only made the wait longer for school to come again. All of the staff and other students' nurses said they'd never heard Nathan cry like that. He just loves his friends that much.
There’s an even greater motivation to get to summer session ASAP. Once again, one of his favorite college friends, Kylie will be his teacher. What a joyous day it will be as Nathan’s not seen her for all of spring quarter, as she’s been student teaching away from Nisonger.
Summer session, is always a little more fun for the kids as they have more activity and class time, without the OT, PT and Speech pulling them away as they do throughout the year. In the six-week, 18-day summer session, there’s also three special days thrown in as well. Two field trips, (one to the zoo and the other to Graeter’s Ice Cream to see how the favorite treat is made) as well as a day with the local library lady. (Now that I think about it, high school summer school wouldn’t get such a bad wrap if they had those days too.)
Summer brings it’s own activities. Equine-assisted therapy has completed its first 6-week session, but that gallops into full gear with more time outside, on the trails and outside of the arena. Hippotherapy will also start up soon for its session as well. There is the opportunity for more swimming classes, but our swim-friend is heading home for the summer, and I think we’ll enjoy having the night free as well. We’ll still have our OT, PT and speech throughout the summer, he can’t get away that easy.
This will mark the first extended time that Nathan will be home with just me. No scheduled time at the babysitter’s, however we may make an occasional appearance just to get together and see our old friends. I think they would be amazed at where he is now, compared to where he was five months ago. The more time Nathan and I have together reminds me of the spectator role I used to play when I was working full-time. I know that we’re both in a much better place now and have an even better place in each other’s lives.
One day this week, while Nathan was out walking, I had to go run an errand, out at the store. I pulled out of the driveway and slowly made my way down the street, saying good-bye to him and Annette as I passed. Nathan looked rather befuddled. I rarely seem to go anywhere without him, especially if he’s outside. I came back 15 minutes later to see him out of the walker, sitting with Annette on the porch, tired from working hard walking, but just glad I was home.
The next night, I had to pull my car out of the garage to get to the grill. Nathan, who had been slacking and just hanging in the walker, popped up and started heading towards me. When he stopped about halfway, I opened his car door. You should have seen those little feet go. He didn’t know where I was going (actually I didn’t have anywhere to go) but he walked straight over and uphill on the driveway stopping at the door. Where ever Dad was going was where he needed to be. (We went and get him his own order of fries for all of his hard work.) If I ever need a reminder of how he feels about me that would be it. We’re on this journey together, and together, oh the places we’ll go.
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