Fourth of July Celebration
This weekend we celebrated America's birthday. In our home it was more than just Independence Day. For big kid, it was INDEPENDENCE. Big kid made some major growing on the 4th. Big kid went to Legoland with his brother and cousin. Big kid likes Legos and he likes the idea of rides. He's not a big fan of most rides as he has a fear of heights and prefers to watch from the ground. Well on this day, he decided that "there's nothing to fear but fear itself" and conquered his fear. He got on a ride that had him several feet up in the air.
Later that day, we took them to the playground. If any of you are familiar with the playground at Ridge Hill, you know that the slide has a steep climb in a tunnel like ladder to go up to the slide. In the past, big kid would just sit on the sidelines and watch the kids climb and go up and down the slide. He decided to give it a try. His legs are weak as well as his arms but he did not give up. He took his time climbing up as we all cheered him on. He had us cheering, his aunt, uncle and nana. We were so proud of him. Other parents looked at us like we were "odd" after all, this big kid should be able to climb and go down a slide. What was so special about this moment? I looked around to see if anyone was going to say something. No one did. But as a mom of a special needs child, I knew what they were thinking. I continued to cheer my kid on loud and proud. There was no need to explain to anyone that he was born with spina bifida which makes his limbs weak or that he also has autism. It was on a need to know basis, and they didn't need to know.
He just kept shocking us all afternoon! For dinner we ate at a new Japanese restaurant and had a hibachi dinner. Well, the picky eater that he is, he actually ate some rice, noodles and soup! Those who know us, know that big kid never steers far from hot dogs and vienna sausages. So this, my friends, is MAJOR. July 4th will always be Independence day on the calendar. But it will also be an epic independence moment for big kid.
Yesterday we took the boys to Field Station: Dinosaurs. Big kid was uber excited once we pulled up. I've never seen him so excited. You see, dinosaurs are his thing. He can name most dinosaurs, can tell you which era they belonged to and tell you if they are carnivores or herbivores. He's a walking dino encyclopedia. As soon as we got in, he wanted to to run to each dino and figure out what they were. There was a lot of walking involved and it was a bit hot, but that didn't stop him. He was on a roll.
Big kid, we love you. Keep reaching for the stars and don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't. The word "can't" does not exist in our vocabulary. We can do all things, just differently.
Later that day, we took them to the playground. If any of you are familiar with the playground at Ridge Hill, you know that the slide has a steep climb in a tunnel like ladder to go up to the slide. In the past, big kid would just sit on the sidelines and watch the kids climb and go up and down the slide. He decided to give it a try. His legs are weak as well as his arms but he did not give up. He took his time climbing up as we all cheered him on. He had us cheering, his aunt, uncle and nana. We were so proud of him. Other parents looked at us like we were "odd" after all, this big kid should be able to climb and go down a slide. What was so special about this moment? I looked around to see if anyone was going to say something. No one did. But as a mom of a special needs child, I knew what they were thinking. I continued to cheer my kid on loud and proud. There was no need to explain to anyone that he was born with spina bifida which makes his limbs weak or that he also has autism. It was on a need to know basis, and they didn't need to know.
He just kept shocking us all afternoon! For dinner we ate at a new Japanese restaurant and had a hibachi dinner. Well, the picky eater that he is, he actually ate some rice, noodles and soup! Those who know us, know that big kid never steers far from hot dogs and vienna sausages. So this, my friends, is MAJOR. July 4th will always be Independence day on the calendar. But it will also be an epic independence moment for big kid.
Yesterday we took the boys to Field Station: Dinosaurs. Big kid was uber excited once we pulled up. I've never seen him so excited. You see, dinosaurs are his thing. He can name most dinosaurs, can tell you which era they belonged to and tell you if they are carnivores or herbivores. He's a walking dino encyclopedia. As soon as we got in, he wanted to to run to each dino and figure out what they were. There was a lot of walking involved and it was a bit hot, but that didn't stop him. He was on a roll.
Big kid, we love you. Keep reaching for the stars and don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't. The word "can't" does not exist in our vocabulary. We can do all things, just differently.
Congrats to Big Kid!! He reached some great milestones. Wishing him many more!!
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