Schools out for summer, but it sure doesn't feel like it! We have been going non-stop since it got out 10 days ago. We've had some appointments and PT (that will be another post - but it's all good) and Bug has been having musical practice almost everyday now. The practices last about 4 hours, and so she's been loving it yet sleeping like there is no tomorrow! The musical is this coming M, Th, Fri, Sat, Sun, and then she's done. I'm sure she'll have mixed feelings about this, as she has really loved the whole thing. However, I know she's ready to hit the pool and just relax a bit too. ;) In fact, I think we all are ready for some R and R.

Our plans this summer? Well, after this musical is done I hope to get both of my kids on a routine with some reading and schoolwork. For Bug that means some Dragon Naturally Speaking practice, and multiplication/division. I also want to get her to the pool as often as we can to help her get stronger and because it's always the place she feels the freest. :)

Speaking of free... I broke down and got Bug a prepaid cell phone. It's from Kajeet - I got an awesome deal at Amazon on it. It was $90, and that included 100 non-expiring minutes, plus a year of GPS locator service. Oh, and there were 1000 texts included too, but she won't need those. Anyway, I'm not a Mom who usually believes in young kids having cell phones, but Bug is getting to where she needs some independence while at the same time sometimes she and I both get nervous about that. For example, no sooner than I was getting used to leaving her at play practice she had some hip issues, and then she didn't want me to leave her anymore, even for a few minutes. I want her to feel like she is safe and able to do things on her own like other kids her age, but I also realize that she needs to be able to reach me if something doesn't feel right. Since she isn't always comfortable telling others about her pain this allows her to contact me and let me know without making a big deal about it.

So - enter cell phone. ;) She is only allowed to use it to call Dad and I (and we have a friend as a back-up), not for personal phone calls to friends. So far she's only had to take it with her to one play practice, but she really was quite happy to have it, and didn't complain once about me not being able to be there with her the entire thing. I felt good too - I was able to go watch my son play baseball for awhile, and I knew if she needed me she could reach me. So - I've now gone from anti-cellphone for elementary kids to seeing how they can be really helpful, especially for a child with any kind of medical issue.

That's all for tonight folks! ;)

Yet another year has just flown by! Bug is finished with second grade in a week and a half. I just can't believe that, it seems like she just started school.

Of course we are busy with end of the year stuff. I have meetings with the AEA's PT next Tuesday after school, and the OT Wednesday morning. We are supposed to talk about where Bug is at with her exercises, what we should be working on over the summer, and if she should have any extended year services. While it sounds easy, these meetings usually take awhile, and I walk away exhausted! :)

One really cool thing is our pal Jim from iCater at the University of Iowa is going to drive down next week and meet with the OT, bug and I. He is going to see if he can help our OT with technology solutions, and I am just thrilled! I am hoping that this will open the door for future communication between them (he is a wonderful resource) that will help not only Bug but other children in our district. Jim has gone above and beyond to help us try to find something for Bug to help her, and this is just another example. It just goes to show that thinking outside of the box, being resourceful, and being appreciative can go a long way!

Bug has been playing in the challenger baseball league, it is her second year. The challenger league is for children who are unable to play regular ball due to physical or mental challenges. My daughter just *loves* playing with these children and looks forward to her games. Everything is done as safely as possible. Soft balls, adult toss, heart guards (optional)... Plus each child gets to play to their ability, so many walk, or have other people help them with batting. It's such a great program, and I am thankful that Bug is able to play a sport she normally couldn't!

We are also hoping to get to go horseback riding again this summer, I have to call on that today. If anyone is interested the technical term is Hippo therapy, where horses are used to do physical therapy with kids. It's awesome, usually free or very low cost. We look forward to it each summer. :)

Finally, I did a newspaper interview the other day with our local paper on Bug and EDS. I'm hoping something comes out before the end of the month (after all, it is national Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month). I'll post here when I know more, but I'm crossing my fingers!