September 28

Grace had a good week at school. Her teacher has instituted a stoplight system to work on the student's behavior. If they're in green at the end of the day, it means they listened to the teacher and followed directions. If they're in yellow, it means they had to be warned a few times. And if they're in red, it means they don't get to go out to recess the next day. Grace told us when the system first started that she was in yellow a few times (she does like to talk). But this past week she was in green all five days, and she got a reward at the end of the week. She was pretty proud of herself.

She's still doing her water therapy and loving that. We haven't been doing the horse riding this fall, partially because we wanted to see how preschool went and were worried about over doing it. She has continued to get more comfortable with her leg braces, and she's wearing them for most of the school day now.

Weekend

We had a busy weekend, travelling to Des Moines and Pella. We all participated in the Beaverdash in Des Moines on Saturday morning, and that was a good time. Grace and four other kids from around Iowa who have SMA and are in power equipment got to have their own race after the 5K was over. Grace didn't win, but she got a blue ribbon anyway. What was best was Grace and the other kids chasing each other around after the event was over. We've said again and again that Grace is a different kid when she's in her Dani because of the freedom of movement and independence it gives her. We spent the rest of the weekend in Pella and got to see old friends. Grace even got to go to Cornie's (her first daycare provider) and see some old friends.

School Adventures

Grace had some adventures at school this week. Yesterday she somehow poked herself in the eye and scratched it, so she's home from preschool today resting. She wasn't able to open her eyes this morning, so we took her in to the doctor. Nothing big, she just needs a day in the dark to rest her eyes. Two days ago she somehow got her Dani stuck between playground equipment, and one of the custodians had to help her out. And on Tuesday a new classmate turned the speed up on her Dani to full speed, and when Grace tried to drive it she took off and knocked over a shelf. The teachers went over Grace's condition and her equipment with the kids on the first day of school, but this was a new girl who apparently didn't know any better. Despite the missteps, Grace is still really liking going to preschool every day. When I bring her in the mornings all the kids come over and say hi to her. Our opinion is that she's the most popular girl in school.

Beaverdash

We'll be heading to Des Moines the weekend of September 20, which is the date for the Beaverdash. It's an annual 5K race that is the Iowa Chapter of FSMA's largest fundraiser. I think all three of us are going to do it, and we have friends and family joining us. We're really excited to see other families with SMA kids who we've gotten to know over the past year and a half. If you're interested, we put a link to the event on the front of the website.

Grace continues to make us laugh a few times a day with new phrases she picks up. Her new one of the week is "Oh, that's disgusting" --what's most funny is that she doesn't always use her phrases in the right context.

Also, we met with two wheelchair vendors this week to start the process of getting her a power wheelchair. We'll still use her Dani as her primary way of getting around, but right now we're keeping that at school Monday through Friday. So at first the wheelchair will be something we'll have at home during the week.

Preschool

Grace is really getting the hang of preschool. She's starting to talk more about her friends from school, and I think her teachers are getting more and more comfortable with her needs.

She's really going through a "fantasy" or "story" phase right now. She constantly wants you to tell her stories or tell you stories. Most stories involve dollies coming to life, freindly monsters, etc. She has a pretty good imagination, and we hope she continues to develop her love of books.