Later the same day...how do you top a train ride?

Well, he is a boy after all.  What can you do to top a train ride?  On the level of importance, what is more important than a train?  OK...not much but this sure was fun!

Ty had a lesson in ULS based on tools.  One of the pages spoke of using hand tools and a drill.  And working with Dad to build a window box.  I thought that would be a wonderful thing to do and use during recovery.  We are going to mount it under his window and put plants in it...maybe the bird feeder can go outside his window.  Maybe some bird will like the whole set up and build a nest nearby!! Wow...something to watch during recovery and on into the summer!  Cool!

 

Anyway...on with the work.  Dads tools looked like more fun than his, so...

Look at dad's smile.  We love daddy!

 

Here it is!  First side! 

 

Now to start building it...driving a few nails for hammer practice!

 

Finishing up the flower box!  Looking good!  Good work guys!

Measuring for the ends!

And finally, putting the screws in to secure it!

 

Is someone tired?

Painting at last!  And the finished product!  It will look beautiful outside Ty's window...

Is it dry yet?

 



 

 

 

Beautiful Satuday countdown fever...

Its the last weekend. 
The last "well" weekend for a little while.  We have had cabin fever for a while because all the fun that can be had in the play room has happened.  What the heck.  Three days to go... Let's party! 

Thinking, thinking, thinking...

 

 

Oh, I know!  Lets play with Suzie a while!

Dad shows him mulitasking skills!  LOL!

Get the ball, Suzie! 

 

Then we started "choo chooing" around the yard...what an idea!

Lets go look at a train! 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, loves this! 

 

 

 

 Then he sees the train!  WOW!  

 

And my sweet boy went for a ride! 

And he waived at everyone he saw!  His smile was infectious and he was so happy, others couldnt help but catch it and reflect it back.  Pure joy!

Loving the ride.  After he calmed down, he was so relaxed, enjoying the ride!

 

 

And then he got to sit in THE seat!  LOL!  It was hard to get him back down from there! 

 

After two rides, it was time to go.  We had other adventures and things to do...

 

Its safe to say, he loved getting out and having some fun!   Next week is a million years away.  For one segment of time, for one afternoon, for one moment there was just a boy and a train. 

So wish I could freeze time.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Math...Party at the end of the page!

Easy math work sheets...or not.  Work sheets are not his favorite.   But to foster independent work, there has to be a paycheck, a reward, a motivation.  Independent work needs to stem from self gratification or a paycheck!

There has to be a party at the end of the page! 

 

We use markers because he can't really bear down on a pencil.  He makes the lightest of marks.  I guess it's all related to the weaker muscles in his back. weak grip and muscle tone.  Anyway, the markers work!  Of course there is less control due to less drag, but I can at least see what he is doing!

You are kidding ma...more math?  Didn't we do this last week too?

Attitude shows, and boys get grumpy.  He knows he is supposed to be counting these...but he knows the answer.  So what do we do?  Take a moment to point out that one plus two does equal three! 

 

Now, he is counting.  Its more than 5 so he can't just glance and recongnize the number of items.

Making him think early on a Monday morning!  Not fair!

Is there a little interest here?  Tiny spark?  Effort to get it right?

 

And we have an answer!  TA DA!!

 

 

I almost think I need two worksheets.  One for the attitude in the beginning and a second one for him to turn in and keep in his file.  *sigh* This however is real life and unless we leave an honest trail, how can we see where we came from? 

 

 

At last, the party at the end of the page!  :)  

 

We have come a long way.  Independent work on a less desired task shows progress.  Mom is partying too!  LOL!  Home school rocks!  

He was so little!

 

 

 

 

Learning while we prepare...

 

This month we learned about community helpers...you know, the doctor, baker, grocer and more.

 

Ty baked cupcakes, mailed letters, delivered the mail and experimented.  One thing we talked about a lot was the doctor.  Ty was the doctor for his toys.  He enjoyed making his medical bag. 

He put his supplies in. He fixed up lots of "ouches" on the dinosaurs and and cars.

 

He was the doctor.  Learning that doctors are good for you... 

 

He learned about truck drivers!  Wow that was fun! 

It was fun!  A warm day, an empty truck and lots to learn!

 

It was a pretty exciting month, even if we did have to stay away from friends and play dates. 

11 days to go.

The smiles make it all worth it!

Right now, Ty Christian is doing well. 

I can tell the curve has progressed and that he is off balance.  His right lung has reduced capacity and I see the buldge in the small of his back. 

 I see the knot on his left shoulder and the Kyphosis is increased. 

 

I keep thinking how we do not want this surgery again. 

 

I also know what the outcome would be without it. 

 

 

A couple of months ago, I was tricked into bringing a little car home. I tried very hard to pass it on to someone else, after all, Ty would hurt his back in it. It wasnt something I wanted to risk.

He has so much pain.

 

I tried to put it in the yard sale, sell it online and even give it away.

 

Each time I was blocked by the giver.  "If you are going to get rid of it, I want it back". 

Somehow they never came to get it.  I guess thats the trick, right? 

 

Then, one warm day, dad takes the car outside and encourages lil man to give it a try. 

I said "hey, you can't do that!"   Dad grinned and said there wouldnt be anyone around. 

No people, no crowds.  He would be safe, after all, so close to surgery and he can't be in crowds...

? 

I was concerned. 

Ty can't walk very far on concrete without being in great pain.

Ty can't sustain active play that bounces him around with out suffering later.

Ty can't even travel in a car very far without pain meds.  He can't tolerate cold or rainy weather. 

He can't run, jump, go down the slide or ride a bike...

He can't...

 

But he wants to. 

So dad let him take it for a spin.  The smiles, oh, the smiles! And the giggles! 

And the victory cheers! 

 

 

 The "can'ts" are thrown out the door and the day is his! 

 

Lesson learned...again!  Quality is better than quanity. 

Did he hurt after? 

Sad to say, yes.  But oh the smiles and joy he had riding around that afternoon.  So much fun for him. 

I am thinking Disney World...



Our adventures! Baker Ty and the cupcakes!

Ty loves Curious George. 

Anyone who does knows the story of George and baking the cake. 

Dad was home today and decided to let Ty bake some cupcakes...mixer and all. 

Ty enjoyed putting the cupcake liners in...

 

And in the pattern of George, Ty wanted Suzie to get to taste the batter. 

Convincing him and dad that was not a good idea took a while. 

But they gave in and Ty enjoyed stirring and pouring the batter. 

He loved doing this. 

My lil Chef!

 

Very serious about his cupcakes!

 

Ty knows the oven is "hot" and totally respects that. 

He could not wait for the buzzer to go off...he wanted those cupcakes! 

He was excited to watch them in the oven as they cooked...and he thought the mitts were fabulous!

 

And the buzzer goes off!  Victory! 

 

He had so much fun cooking!  Think I will let him make breakfast! 

Just an update...we were lost!

We have been so busy with homeschool, therapies and well, life.  I wanted to update and let others know we are on our way back into surgery very soon.  I just cant get used to that.  To know that it has to keep happening.  One day I hope it will stop.  I want to see that smile every day.  I hope one day it does not require surgery of the magnitude he has to undergo for him to live.  Too much.  Sweet boy.