Tumbling and Tap

So, where have we been lately?

For starters, Isaiah has been doing a bit of tumbling . . . (boy's gymnastics)

. . . And a bit of tap (ballet/tap/jazz/hip-hop) . . .

How about Mommy??? Not much of either . . . =0}

My very first cast and broken bones at 29! How did this happen (to my right hand, which also happens to be my dominant hand)? One pointy elbow met my very vulnerable wrist, two fractured bones and a couple of doctor's visits later I'm in a nice purple (water-proof) cast. =0} Just to explain a little, don't tickle your twelve-year old nephew who has taken tae kwon do, or you may end up in a cast for 6 to 12 weeks. Ahem.

Taking photos isn't exactly easy, either. Guess I'm going to have to try turning my camera upside down! =0)

Anyway, things are going well with Isaiah's schooling. He is still adjusting to his new schedule and routine, but he's handling it all much better.

Writing is going about the same, but at least he is interested in touching the pencil. =0)

As far as health issues, we haven't had an ER visit in a bit (since July or about 6 weeks ago)! Other than that, Isaiah has had the "usual" issues: flushing, mood swings, itching, rashes (especially on his face and around his eyes for some reason), appetite changes, GI stuff, swelling, petichiae (though we haven't had labs drawn for it because we haven't had all that much of a break from it and I don't want to put him through too many pokes), sleep issues, pain . . . the stuff that I hate to even admit that has become "normal" for him.

Labs? Not back yet. I'm going to call tomorrow, seeing as the labs were drawn almost 7 weeks ago (the labs were supposed to take 4 to 6 weeks to come back). Isaiah has a few appointments coming up in September & October, so I will keep you posted on all of that.

My dad? He's in West Virginia. =0) He said that he's in a bit of pain (and grumpy because of it), but he seems okay. I was actually worried that he would get lost at the airport! He has had so many memory issues lately (part of this Waldenstrom's thing) and had even asked odd airport-related questions before he left (flying should not be all that new to him considering the number of times per year he has flown somewhere). He has also been getting lost around town, here, too. I think he has an appointment when he gets back, so I will let you know how that one goes, too . . . if he lets me tell you. =0)

Thoughts on the Week

I can't believe this week is already over! Isaiah has been in kindergarten for a whole week! He has amazed me with what he already knows (the kid reads more than we know - even reading the words large and small - and knows all the names of the planets in our solar system), and I'm sure he will continue to amaze me.

We had fun with language arts, talking about Cinderella and The Frog Prince; we had fun learning about light and how our eyes work in science; we have learned how to make a clown puppet using various shapes in math; and we have learned about the seven continents and what makes them special in history.

Isaiah continues to work on writing his name (and writing in general), but he has already made such great progress! I have been so blessed to be at home with him during his first week of school. It has been fun teaching him because I am learning so much more about Isaiah - things that often get overlooked. I'm not saying I don't spend time with my child, nor that I ignore what he is able to do, but it has been so nice to continue to watch him grow.

While he isn't quite used to the whole school schedule, yet, it has been a lot of fun. Today, for example, we imagined we were in the circus as tight-rope walkers. Isaiah has a vivid imagination that he has absolutely no problem sharing with others. The past few days, that imagination was put to use in new ways - imagining what we were learning about. I hope that he sees that school isn't just boring stuff, but it is fun . . . I hope we can keep it that way. =0)

This is a "bat-wheels" =0)

Well, I really just wanted to show you some of the pictures from this past week that didn't quite make it on the blog yet. I also have a song to share, too . . . but that will have to wait a bit. =0) It's nice to blog about something other than health and prescription issues! =0)

Speaking of health, things are about the same: the normal swelling, flushing, itching, leg pain, sleep issues, etc. Everything is pretty much "normal" . . . for us. =0) God is good and has been answering our prayers!

Until then, here are a few pictures of Brikey the (toitle) tortoise and a curious grasshopper. =0)

Oh, yeah . . . I forgot . . . the quote. It was from the Princess Bride when Inigo was excited to finally have the opportunity to meet the six-fingered man (who killed his father): "there will be blood tonight!"

Stay tuned . . . .

. . . for "there will be [logging] tonight!"

(Ha-ha-ha, chuckle-chuckle - yes, that was a spin off of a quote from . . . what movie, though? Can you guess?) ;0)

"A Good Play" - Pretending Time in Kindergarten!

(from A Good Play, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

We built a ship upon the stairs

All made of the back-bedroom chairs,

And filled it full of sofa pillows

To go a-sailing on the billows.

We took a saw and several nails,

And water in the nursery pails;

And [Isaiah] said, "Let us also take

An apple and a slice of cake";

Which was enough for [Isaiah] and me

To go a-sailing on, till tea.

Arrrrrrrrr! =0)

School Days (& Aquamarine)!

Look who is in kindergarten!

Isaiah had his first official day of school! I can't believe my baby is now in kindergarten! Time flies by so fast - cliche, I know. =0)


If you haven't been following the blog long, Isaiah isn't attending school in a traditional setting because he is at a very high risk for anaphylaxis (the doctor's words). Isaiah's doctors have stated that they do not want him in school until we can figure out how to prevent his regular occurances of anaphylaxis (and better manage the allergies). Since Isaiah has mastocytosis on top of severe allergies, his body is way too sensitive. Basically, the allergies irritate the masto, and the masto irritates the allergies - they sort of make each other worse than they should be. Since Isaiah's body can't handle all of the allergens introduced in a school setting (food residues, pet danders, temperatures, etc.), Isaiah is homeschooled through K12 (an online private school that also offers public schooling).


Anyway, Isaiah did such a wonderful job answering questions and following directions. He really enjoyed the online portion of school (more than the written portion . . . ). =0} He did write his name several times today, though! (I did forget to post that he wrote his name for the first time at VBS just a few weeks ago!!! . . . yes, I have a picture of it, too.) =0)


He did have a meltdown later today, but it was to be expected - his schedule changed. This child has always had to have a schedule and things had to be just right for him. I have to say that I expected it to happen earlier in the day, and it did look like that was going to be the case, but he handled today rather well. This evening, he just lost it! Poor guy. He'll do fine once he catches on to the new routine. Oh, yeah . . . and he hates all the writing, cutting, and sticky glue (don't touch the hands!!!). =0)



K12 is actually a really good program. The curriculum follows the regular public school curriculum, but it seems to cover a bit more. He did about 4 hours of school today, working on math, language arts, phonics, and handwriting. Those are actually going to be the subjects he does every day. Later, he will do science and history twice a week and music once a week (my favorite subject). =0)


On to Aquamarine . . .




(One of) My boy's favorite color(s) . . . =0)

(okay, so I just realized the fish, a few stars, and the stone on the helmet are the only things with aquamarine on them . . . at at least I tried) =0)

And he looks so stinking cute in it too! =0)

He's also wearing his new blue jeans from Soft Clothing . . . but only to carry on a tradition (sort of . . . a new tradition?). =0) You see, I wore a denim dress on my first day of school. Since Isaiah can't stand blue jeans, Soft Clothing had the perfect pair of denim pants for him (which he loves, by the way). =0)






Anyway, I just couldn't wait to share these with you. =0) I have more to post, but they'll have to wait for now. I'm pooped! =0)


As far as an update on the lab results and MRI . . . we are still waiting to hear. They have the MRI results, but they want to wait and discuss them with us after all the labs come back. This Wednesday will make it 4 weeks since the labs were drawn, and the labs were supposed to be back in 4 to 6 weeks. I'm hoping they come in this week . . . at least the MRI results can't be all that bad, right? =0)

SPLASH!

I just love this photo! =0) When I found out iheartfaces was doing a Surprise! photo contest this week, this photo popped into mind. =0)

This photo was taken a few months ago while we were in St. Pete for another appointment at All Children's hospital. He was having so much fun swimming that day! =0) It's the one thing he loves about St. Pete because it has nothing to do with doctors! =0)

Well, I chose this one because, yes, he was certainly surprised (he got more water in his face than he anticipated) and it really came out quite well! =0) I just love how his face is so clear in the photo.

I know I'm biased, but I just love that face! =0)

Soft Clothing Back to School Giveaway!!!!

I am so excited to share this with you guys - Soft Clothing is having a giveaway on school clothes and other items! If you have a sensory child, you know how difficult it can be getting (and keeping) them dressed everyday. Soft Clothing is a company that makes clothes just for kiddos with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder).

If you remember a bit ago (April to be exact), Isaiah won a set of clothes from Soft Clothing from Hartley's blog. Isaiah loved the clothes! Of course, it was too warm for him to wear them at the time, but he will be able to wear them in just a few months (I hope . . . if it ever cools down, that is!). =0)

Anyway, we also recently purchased Soft Clothing's blue jeans - soft, non-blue jeans that look like blue jeans. =0) They're wonderful! Isaiah already likes the thought of not having to wear "icky" blue jeans this winter. =0)

So, what is in store for the winner? Just take a look:


1 Grand Prize worth over $250 will be given:

3 pack of Soft Sensory Tees in color/size of your choice
6 pairs of Soft Seamless Socks
"This is Gabriel Making Sense of School" by Hartley Steiner
Lands End Uniform Backpack
Classpack of Crayola Colored Pencils
Tactile Fidget
Desk Buddy Sensory Bar
6-Pack of Mead Spiral Wide Ruled Notebooks
4-BG Flash Drive
12-Pack of Crayola Washable Fine-Tip Markers
Peltor Junior Noise Protector Headphones
Classic Pencil Grip Pencil Sharpener
4-Pack of Sharpie Highlighter Pens
3-Pack of Pink Paper-Mate Rubber Erasers
2 Mead Classic Composition Books
Plastic Hinged School Tool Box
Max's Mud-Natural Sculpting Dough
Pocket Stixx Oral Motor Tubes

WOW! How awesome is that?

If you are interested in entering the contest, just click on the link and head on over:

http://www.softclothing.net/products/sale/giveaways/

And, I can't post without a picture (from April - I'll post the new jeans soon):