IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR!

 

The boys gladly picked out their own pumpkins and 

then 6 more for the rest of the family including our dog.

MISCELLANEOUS MOMENTS

After over a year of not being on a horse because of Covid and Jonah being sick, the boys are back in the saddle!

Tucker camped with us this weekend and loved it!

A TALE OF THREE BIKES

 For Ben’s 11th birthday back in July, we got him a new 20 in bike.  This was because he needed one in order to participate in the “I Can Shine” Bike camp.  There’s a previous blog post about that fun week.

 Jonah has an old but very nice 20 in bike from when our girls were younger (don’t worry, it isn’t a Barbie bike.  It’s light blue…and lavender 😊).

Anyway when we brought Ben’s new bike to bike camp, the instructor said he would not recommend it because it had only foot brakes, no hand brakes.  He said it’s too complicated for kids with special needs to use their feet for peddling and braking.

So bike #1 got returned, and bike #2 purchased instead.  

On the second day of bike camp, the instructor looked at bike #2 and said that one wasn’t good either because the hand brake was only for the front.  This is dangerous because kids can topple over the top of the bike if they brake too hard. 

At this point, can you tell I’m not an expert about bikes?  We lucked out years ago when we bought the girl bike.  It has 2 hand brakes for front and back.  The bike instructor just disconnected the front brake for Jonah to use it. 

To continue our bike drama, bike #2 was returned.  We now went to a good bike store and found a used expensive 20in bike with a rear wheel front brake.  Finally, we found success!  Bike #3 is perfect the bike instructor said.

Through all the coming and going of these three birthday bikes, the funny thing is Ben never noticed and/or cared.  It didn’t phase him that we kept taking away his birthday present and replacing it with another.  And he will probably not be bothered that his birthday photos are him with a totally different bike then he ended up with!  Now that’s rolling with it…literally.

So the other part of this bike drama is after many weeks of working with the boys on trying to balance and steer a two-wheel bike, we have decided to put it aside for a bit.  It’s just too hard for our boys right now.

The “I Can Shine” Bike camp did say they have about an 80% success rate with kiddos mastering a 2 wheeler by the end of the week camp.  20% of participants need additional practice at home or at another week of camp.  

Since regular training wheels don’t fit very good or not at all on 20in bikes, Andrew researched and found a great company that makes heavy duty training wheels for all size bikes.  It’s a company that does this to help people with special needs enjoy biking!  

Here’s the link if interested:

Click HERE for Fat Wheels info

We are soooo excited for our dynamic duo.  They can now enjoy bike riding!  

BACK AT THE RACES

After over 18 months of not being to see Stephen run in a race, we were back at a race today!  

A MUPPET BIRTHDAY!

Today Jonah turns 11!

Hard to believe.

Texted with his birth mom this morning.  She loves him so much.

Many memories for her and us.

Jonah is such a treasure and gift to all.

I feel so privileged I get to watch and help this special little boy grow up!

Decided to go back to his 1 year birthday for my trip down memory lane today.  So adorable!

And now for photos from today.  Jonah asked for a Muppet birthday so that is what we gave him!

He also brought buttered toast for his birthday treat at school.  This might be a yearly tradition...

9-11 REMEMBERED 20 YEARS LATER

 For me.  For my kids.  May we never forget.  

Click HERE for article about Flight 93 heroes

HOPING FOR MORE IMPROVEMENT

 

Jonah's 3 month urology follow-up appointment did not go as we hoped.  Jonah's kidney is about the same size it was at the 4-23-21 ultrasound in the ER. Meaning still too big 😔 

Today's ultrasound of the bladder showed Jonah is still not voiding as efficiently as he should.  

Some new techniques to try and get him to pee more.  Return in 3 months for another ultrasound.

Trying to think positive- at least things didn't get worse...