Gymnastics!!!!!

AnnaKate started gymnastics last week.  We are so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive community. This amazing gym does this class for special needs kids and even has a Special Olympics Gymnastics Team for the older ones.

AnnaKate loved it so, so much!! She even had a temper tantrum when the class was over.

*These pictures aren’t that great since I was taking them through glass…sigh…

They started out with a warm up. AnnaKate did great following directions like, put the bean bag on your elbow.

Walking with the bean bag between her legs.

Now off to the gym…

AnnaKate did the floor trampoline once…it made her very nervous not to have a bar to hold on to.

Her coach did a great job trying to convince her to try it again….maybe next time!

It was great to see AnnaKate trying and LOVING something new. I know she can’t wait until next week.

Horse Show

Eden Farms had a horse show for their therapeutic riding program, Happy Hooves. It was such a great day for all of us!

AnnaKate anxiously awaiting the riders and the horses.

David is usually one of AnnaKate’s volunteers during her lessons. They have a special bond. He placed first today!

 

While we waited on her events AnnaKate played and ran and played and ran some more…

“Mary Rebecca” was one of my fourth graders years ago. She and her mom work at the barn now. I love that we get to see them.

AnnaKate and her friends from riding!

Getting ready to go in the ring.

Practicing jump seat…this will not be judged but you can’t blame her for being ready!

Rider number 112, assisted walk.

Hmmm….maybe if I wave to the judges that will get me some points.

 

Lining up in front of the judges. Fourth place for rider number 112!!

Clapping for fellow riders.

Wow…a ribbon!

We had such a special day! A huge thanks to all the volunteers for making the event possible.

Singing in the Rain!

One Lucky Community

Today our community just got a little bit luckier! We have the first Boundless Playground in our state. A Boundless Playground is an inclusive playground where children of all abilities are able to play and learn together in a fun and welcoming environment. One of the best things about this project is it the community teamed up with businesses to fund this project. In a time of government cut backs this is proof what a community can do when they work together towards a common goal.

Our governor spoke at the ceremony as well as other important local officials.

To me, the most important speaker was a parent. He is disabled as well as his child and he was very emotional talking about how wonderful it will be for him to be able to join in on the fun with his child instead of watching from the sidelines. It was very touching.

After the ribbon cutting the children charged the playground.

My cousin’s husband, Joe, was helping AnnaKate climb up the climbing wall.

My cousin’s daughter, Elise, loved playing with AnnaKate. It was truly special to see all the children playing together in such an inclusive environment.

Elise and AnnaKate go tandem down the slides and a sweet girl helps AnnaKate get up.

Whoa AnnaKate…I was shocked when she climbed up 3 steps on this ladder!

This sweet boy got off his swing and pushed AnnaKate. It made her day…she even signed thank you to him without me prompting her!!

AnnaKate and Elise catching some air!

Back for more fun…

AnnaKate really wanted to do the twisty slide but she was apprehensive. Elise patiently waited…

With a little coaxing…she made it!

More climbing…

Obviously her confidence was up and she tried the twisty slide on her belly…

Now that is impressive!

 

It was a very special day today for our community.
We can’t wait to go back!

A Heartfelt Thank You

This week is the last week AnnaKate will have with her speech therapist. Some therapist come and go but AnnaKate has only had one speech therapist, Melissa. Melissa began with AnnaKate in 2007 when she was one and continued on with her for the past for 4 years.

Melissa did speech in our home once a week with AnnaKate for the first year. I think her speech time was part therapy for me as well. Melissa helped me learn how to be a mom to a child with special needs, she listened to me as I dealt with issues related to AnnaKate and she cheered with us as AnnaKate made accomplishments. It is hard to believe when she first started with AnnaKate they were still doing tummy time and working on sitting up!

Summer 2007

Melissa also introduced us to AnnaKate’s very special school, the Meyer Center. She continued to work with AnnaKate there. She always communicated with me on how AnnaKate was progressing. She would even video her in sessions so I could see therapy. It would make my day to get a text message from her telling me the new sound that AnnaKate made that day.

October 2008

October 2009

Ladies’ Luncheon
December 2009

Playdate
January 2010

October 2010

AnnaKate has made so much progress over the last 4 years with Melissa. Our family is forever grateful for her love, encouragement, smiles and caring heart.

It is so hard to say good-bye but we are happy for her to make a career change that will help her be with her family more.

Melissa…we will miss you and we love you dearly!