Time for a vacation

Over the last few weeks, during the drive to Vanessa’s therapy sessions, she becomes very verbal about how much she doesn’t want to go. It has never been like this before. Previously, she was always happy and willing to go and was very excited about getting a lollipop or sticker afterwards. But now, she cries all the way over there and repeats “No therapy”; “Go home”; “No play with friends” (although with much less pronunciation). Once she gets there, she has a good time and comes out happy and without tears. It just pulls on my heart stings to see her upset about something that should be a positive experience.

What’s changed to make her so unhappy about going?
I'm in there with her during her sessions and know what's going on and it's not overly pressured or stressful.

Is she afraid that she might miss out on something fun?
She knows Katelyn is not in school right now, but we always wait until after her session is over to go somewhere so she isn't being left behind.

Is she mentally exhausted from the steady therapy sessions?
Perhaps.

I don’t second-guess any of our decisions about reaching out for help when we realized she needed it. Since we started this process, we’ve seen enormous improvements and leaps and bounds in her development. I would not want to imagine where she would be without the assistance she has received so far. But when is enough enough? When does a two year old know that she needs a break? When do you trust and respect the opinion and feelings of your child? I am not saying that I am willing to give up on her therapy completely, because in many ways, that would be a disservice to her. But perhaps an extended vacation is what she needs.

As different as...

I often get the question, since having two daughters who are close in age, if they are similar in personality and preferences. Umm…no. No, not at all, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, there are some similarities between them, like they are both girls and came from the same two parents. But other than that, they are as different as night and day, salt and pepper, apples and oranges. And I’m not talking developmental differences. I’m describing differences of what they like, how they do things, what they prefer. Here’s what I’m talking about…(Sorry these columns are not lined up nice and straights. I have been working to get them that way and have been having some problems, but figured you'd get my point anyways)

Katelyn -------------------------Vanessa
Deli sandwiches ------------------ Chicken Nuggets
Apples without the skin ---------- Skin of an apple only, no apple flesh
Milk ----------------------------- Water
Curious George ------------------ Clifford
Doesn’t mind her hair in her eyes -- Does not like her hair in her eyes
Headband or nothing in her hair --Clips or ponytail in her hair
Tomatoes ------------------------Carrots
Experiences the entire playground -- Will swing for the entire trip to the park
Fresh fruit ------------------------Freeze-dried fruit
Books -----------------------------Movies
Fudgesicles -----------------------Juice popsicles
Poses for the camera --------------Shy for the camera
Ready to start her day as soon as
her eyes open in the morning ------Takes her time waking up in the morning
Skittles ----------------------------Red Vines
Does not like gummy worms -------Loves gummy worms
Raisins ----------------------------Dried Blueberries
Eats potatoes ----------------------Wants potatoes on her plate, but won’t eat them
Nothing spicy ---------------------- Everything spicy

Summer is here

Summer is here! Well, it’s really not “Summer” for a few more days, but school is out and our wonderful relaxed schedule is here. The month of May was EXTREMELY busy – busier than normal, it felt – as I attended my sister’s bachelorette weekend getaway, my sister got married and all that that wonderful occasion brings to the family, we spent some time with extended family for a long weekend, I organized Katelyn’s end-of-year school picnic (which approximately 400 people attended!), and Bill traveled on-and-off throughout all of this.

So once school was out, I decided that I deserved a much needed break, not a "real" vacation, but just time off from life, if there can even be such a thing. I haven’t been glued to my computer as I usually am, but instead I’ve been gluing sprinkles onto colored paper with my girls. We visited several fun children’s stores and stocked up on some new games, puzzles, and craft supplies. I make it a goal to take a walk every day and spend time outside sitting in the driveway drawing beautiful chalk pictures.

I thought a lot about putting Katelyn into summer camps or classes this summer, as a parent there is so much pressure to have your children in the right activities and continuously busy – or at least it feels like there is so much pressure. When people ask what you are doing with your child this summer and you respond with, “nothing structured or planned”, you get a blank look back, like I am depriving my child of the unforgettable experience of summer camp. But she is only four years old and has lots of summers ahead of here. So I opted not to. Instead, except for a half-hour swim lesson in the morning, she is a free girl. And since Vanessa’s schedule will remain consistent during the summer months, she will be in sessions in the morning three days per week, but unscheduled the rest of the days. This is perfect, because it gives us the time and opportunity to take day trips and explore the world around us.

I bought a book last week of activities around the area, all specifically gears towards children. Katelyn and I made a list, prior to purchasing the book, of places we want to visit and things we want to do (like making popsicles, which we’ve done twice now!). So now our adventures are endless. And what I’m most excited about is getting in the car after swim lessons and therapy have finished for the morning and asking the girls “what should we do today?” And being open-minded about our outings and not setting limits or worrying about every little detail. So we buy lunch out…so what? As long as we have a diaper, and maybe a sun hat and sunscreen, we’re ready. Whether it’s a trip to the aquarium, making a craft project or taking a picnic in the park, I cannot wait to see where we go, what we learn, and the memories we will make over these next few months.