Single Plan of Care - Fall Video of Ashley's Progress

Today my husband and I attended Ashley's Single Plan of Care team meeting. It is always amazing  to me to see just how many people help and care for my little girl.

 Ashley's  making great progress across the board  in communication she is reaching for her picture cards rather then using eye gaze, she making lines on the page now and holding a pencil better compared to just dabbing with the marker last year,  she is doing some feeding with a spoon and fork at times, and slowly and steadily progressing with her  motor skills.  I prepared this video to show her team how much work she is doing outside of school in therapy have a look.  I'm so proud of her.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ashley's fabulous Team!

Yesterday Ashley also received her PODD!


Ashley also was given this new voice a communication book... pretty impressive and it has to travel with her at all times.  A lot of thought was put into this and we are going to do out best to help her learn to communicate with it.  It has many sections to give her lots of reason to talk to us.

fyi PODD is a Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display
This book isn't exactly Dynamic like the Dynavox or iPad but hopefully if she learns this system well an iPad will be in her future.  Someday she will be giving speeches just like Stephen Hawkings!   Wish me luck this task is just a bit overwhelming to say the least but I can't let her down and her voice is so valuable. 

Ashley's fall fun

I'm having trouble finding time to keep my blog up lately with my girl's super ramped up schedule besides school  she's doing PT twice, hippotherapy, swimming therapy every week now.   

Ashley has been so amazing on the horse this week she rode for the entire hour.  It really looks like fun. The whole family goes as to early for my husband to come home to watch the boys but he works very close by so he joins us and we all cheer her on.  I think her brothers are a little jealous that they are not riding. 

Today I had the privilege of joining my girl and her class on a trip to the Apple Orchard. The best part of being a stay at home mom going on all these fun trips.    It just smelt so yummy !

and it was just so...

Ashley picking her apple.. eye to the sky and twist....

My Taylor boy does he love Apples this was a great place for him too.

Look at these sweet girls 

The whole class learning how they make Apple cider - then we all got to drink some.

so if you can go  pick some apples it is worth the drive 

Whirlwind of a week

I have been so busy lately this may be a long post.  With the four kids activities have been non stop.   I'm surprised I haven't missed anything yet or double booked myself.

Last Thursday James participated in local track meet he ran in the 100 meter dash.  I loved track meets when I was his age, my mom and I were excited to go cheer him on.

See  how confident James was before the race pictured with me above  it was great.  He is in the far left lane and placed 2nd in his heat. There was 8 heats of grade 4 boys so only the child that came 1st proceeded to the final.  He was disappointed but a great sport about it.  He enjoyed the whole experience including the escape from the classroom for  a day and cheering on his peers.

Friday -  a trip to CARD for an assessment for hippotherapy

Ashley loved the horses such a great program not far from here, Ashley passed the assessment of course now I have to find time to register her this week before registration closes and wait for september. 

Ashley liked this horse he is very gentle we were told.

Saturday - A Party!

Happy Birthday 5th Naomi!  Ashley and I had lots of fun at this party. Ashley even broke the pinata with just a little help from Sarah.  Sarah is Ashley's fabulous nurse she has been providing respite for Ashley for over  two years now.   Sarah and Ashley have a special bond we are lucky to have her care.  We were pleased to see Sarah all dressed up too! Sarah posted some cute photos of Ashley at the party on her blog. Check them out here.

Ashley really enjoyed the pinata and was giggling. 

Sunday was kids triathlon day!  Now that was amazing  I have to do a whole separate post on that. 

Coming right up another video montage. 

Monday -  Lucky Lucky me - my Sony Cybershot TX7 arrived and I love it! Very sleek and takes fabulous pictures much thanks to Kimberly at www.thegotomom.com  for choosing my video as the winner.  To top that off I was also one of the lucky winner's of Ellen's summer worth of willy wonka candy giveaway from Ellen at lovethatmax.  I received both the camera and the chocolate Monday afternoon.  

I've been sharing chocolate bars with my kids teachers and  neighbours.   I'm already down to one chocolate bar left which is going to one very special therpaist.  It's been very nice to be handing out chocolate to so many people that care for my kids.   The boys did eat a few too don't worry they wanted to eat them all but I thought that's not a good idea.  

Have a look at these faces when they came home to this, created with my new  Sony TX7 too. 

Tuesday - Ashley, Taylor and I headed down to Sickkids for Endocrine clinic they are following Ashley to monitor her thyroid and growth. She is doing great she grew 4cm in just 11 months (normal range is 4 to 6 cm) and is now 11kg tiny for 5 years but she has gain some more weight and we are pleased.  That was all good news they did some blood work and as long as it comes back normal Ashley will be discharged from yet another Clinic my girl is getting healthy. See I saved the best news for last.   

What a great week I'll stop bragging now I promise.  Well at least until the next post. 

 Mom thanks for coming down to help with all of this I couldn't have made it to everything without your help last week. We miss you already.  Now I'm hoping for a quiet week or at least a day is that too much ask. I want to play with my new camera.