It has been on the horizon. It has been on my mind. I am now sitting on a deck in paradise, also know as lake kachess in Washington state. I am without my children and sitting here blogging on my iPad in my running clothes.
So, what does any of this have to do with kindergarten?
I work at the very best school in the world: queenanneelementary.com
I am on a retreat Homeaway.com discussing how to make my school even better. I'm sitting with a very energetic staff and an amazing leader. What is so fantastic is that I get to share this with Max and Madeleine.
Come September 7th Madeleine and Max will walk through the elementary doors as kindergartners. I can't wait.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Biking
So Madeleine learned to ride a two wheeler on her *exact* 4.5 year old birthday, that is December 22nd. Somehow, my girl, and her competitive nature heard tell that someone around her age was riding a bike WITHOUT training wheels and she just had to do it herself. First she started with a balance bike and quickly moved on to a full on two wheeler. She was so very proud of herself and now that she has graduated to a 16 inch she is a serious cyclist!
For the record, Max learned just a few months after his sister but isn't quite so sure footed as she.
Monday, June 27, 2011
summer time
Summer time is a mixed bag in our family, for many reasons. Today, one of them came clear again to me. It is what my friend and I call, short season. Meaning that this is the time when we are all in shorts/skirts etc. That doesn't sound so bad, right? Except when you wear a prosthetic leg. When you wear shorts it becomes really obvious.
Madeleine usually doesn't notice (or doesn't care) the staring. I do. I notice it big time. Sometimes kids are rude and say weird things (what is that? What happened to your leg? Why is there a hole in your foot? Do you have to wear that? Is it a cast?) Sometimes they whisper and point. Sometimes they run from her. Yep, it's true. One time a kid told me it was "creepy".
Yesterday we were at a public pool in a different town and this 11-ish year old girl was staring so bad I thought her eyes would pop out. She followed us around the pool. I tried the smiling technique: you catch their eyes, look straight into them and smile really big. That didn't work. Finally she said, "what happened to her foot?" I explained. Then she asked if she could still swim without a foot. Madeleine demonstrated. Later Madeleine wanted to put her leggie on and see if she could swim in it. The girl came back and asked more questions and when Madeleine showed her the leg she said, (and I quote) "Ew, Oh My God".
Today my kid rocked greenlake (2.8 miles) on her two wheeler bike. She rode the whole time and rocked it. We finished at the playground and two little girls were whispering and pointing and staring. I was fed up. I looked at the girls and said, "it is impolite to stare, if you are curious you can ask her questions but please don't just stare." They walked away.
Just venting. Parent, teach your kids that staring is rude. You can be curious and ask questions but please respect peoples' differences.
Madeleine usually doesn't notice (or doesn't care) the staring. I do. I notice it big time. Sometimes kids are rude and say weird things (what is that? What happened to your leg? Why is there a hole in your foot? Do you have to wear that? Is it a cast?) Sometimes they whisper and point. Sometimes they run from her. Yep, it's true. One time a kid told me it was "creepy".
Yesterday we were at a public pool in a different town and this 11-ish year old girl was staring so bad I thought her eyes would pop out. She followed us around the pool. I tried the smiling technique: you catch their eyes, look straight into them and smile really big. That didn't work. Finally she said, "what happened to her foot?" I explained. Then she asked if she could still swim without a foot. Madeleine demonstrated. Later Madeleine wanted to put her leggie on and see if she could swim in it. The girl came back and asked more questions and when Madeleine showed her the leg she said, (and I quote) "Ew, Oh My God".
Today my kid rocked greenlake (2.8 miles) on her two wheeler bike. She rode the whole time and rocked it. We finished at the playground and two little girls were whispering and pointing and staring. I was fed up. I looked at the girls and said, "it is impolite to stare, if you are curious you can ask her questions but please don't just stare." They walked away.
Just venting. Parent, teach your kids that staring is rude. You can be curious and ask questions but please respect peoples' differences.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
To Max on his 5th birthday
Dear Max,
At 5:59 am you will turn exactly 5 years old. I sit here wondering how five years have gone by so quickly. It is like yesterday that you came out a perfect little tiny baby. It was yesterday when I held you in my arms afraid that I may not be able to take care of you. You struggled with eating, coming out of the womb too early. You seemed so frail then. Small, but perfect. Perfect and peaceful you were, such a sweet baby even then. So beautiful with your daddy's face. I searched your tiny features trying to find a piece of me... your eyes... we have the same eyes.
Now you are a big boy. You are beginning kindergarten in the fall. You are tall and lean and lovely. You are articulate with incredible expressive language, able to tell me your thoughts, feelings and wishes. He loves with his whole heart and knows what is right and wrong. He knows what it means to be a good citizen, to be a citizen of the world and what it means to be a good friend. I admire this in you.
In your fourth year you learned how to ride a bike. Your sister had already mastered it and you seemed intimidated. But now, now you can ride. You can glide with your two wheels and two pedals. You are very proud of yourself, as much as mommy and daddy are.
You love to keep journals. You do scientific observations on our fish, Sam, on plants and worms and slugs and bugs. You record their actions in illustrations and then pretend to write about them. I'm proud of you for paying such close attention to detail and understanding that the world is constantly changing and constantly interesting.
Your favorite thing to do is to play pretend games with your friend, Oliver, at school. I'm not sure what you play but I know you have fun. At home you play with Daddy. You play cars, and helicopters, and monsters and super heroes. Your imagination is endless.
Right now you love the magical world of Harry Potter, just like I had hoped you would. You and I share the wonder of the story. We are both enchanted by the idea of another world; I cannot wait to continue the journey with you as you grow.
Lately you have become interesting in building with Legos. We love that. We love your attention to it and your imagination that comes with it. Daddy and I love that you can spend hours building and playing.
Around the house you enjoy working in the garden with Mommy and cooking in the kitchen with Daddy. In fact, you are already a better cook than Mommy! If I give you a chore around the house to do I know that you will see it through. You have cleaned the bathroom, cleaned the floors, vacuumed, made the bed, folded the clothes and done the laundry.
Max, you are a better soul than I could have ever hoped for. You brighten my day and warm my heart. I appreciate your kindness and good attitude. I love that you can 'roll with the punches' and take things in stride. You are a good friend and a good brother. I cannot believe that I have been blessed with you for five years. I feel so fantastically lucky.
I love you, my son. Enjoy your special day and I cannot wait for us to be at the same school next year!
Macky, my love, you are my dream come true.
Mommy
At 5:59 am you will turn exactly 5 years old. I sit here wondering how five years have gone by so quickly. It is like yesterday that you came out a perfect little tiny baby. It was yesterday when I held you in my arms afraid that I may not be able to take care of you. You struggled with eating, coming out of the womb too early. You seemed so frail then. Small, but perfect. Perfect and peaceful you were, such a sweet baby even then. So beautiful with your daddy's face. I searched your tiny features trying to find a piece of me... your eyes... we have the same eyes.
Now you are a big boy. You are beginning kindergarten in the fall. You are tall and lean and lovely. You are articulate with incredible expressive language, able to tell me your thoughts, feelings and wishes. He loves with his whole heart and knows what is right and wrong. He knows what it means to be a good citizen, to be a citizen of the world and what it means to be a good friend. I admire this in you.
In your fourth year you learned how to ride a bike. Your sister had already mastered it and you seemed intimidated. But now, now you can ride. You can glide with your two wheels and two pedals. You are very proud of yourself, as much as mommy and daddy are.
You love to keep journals. You do scientific observations on our fish, Sam, on plants and worms and slugs and bugs. You record their actions in illustrations and then pretend to write about them. I'm proud of you for paying such close attention to detail and understanding that the world is constantly changing and constantly interesting.
Your favorite thing to do is to play pretend games with your friend, Oliver, at school. I'm not sure what you play but I know you have fun. At home you play with Daddy. You play cars, and helicopters, and monsters and super heroes. Your imagination is endless.
Right now you love the magical world of Harry Potter, just like I had hoped you would. You and I share the wonder of the story. We are both enchanted by the idea of another world; I cannot wait to continue the journey with you as you grow.
Lately you have become interesting in building with Legos. We love that. We love your attention to it and your imagination that comes with it. Daddy and I love that you can spend hours building and playing.
Around the house you enjoy working in the garden with Mommy and cooking in the kitchen with Daddy. In fact, you are already a better cook than Mommy! If I give you a chore around the house to do I know that you will see it through. You have cleaned the bathroom, cleaned the floors, vacuumed, made the bed, folded the clothes and done the laundry.
Max, you are a better soul than I could have ever hoped for. You brighten my day and warm my heart. I appreciate your kindness and good attitude. I love that you can 'roll with the punches' and take things in stride. You are a good friend and a good brother. I cannot believe that I have been blessed with you for five years. I feel so fantastically lucky.
I love you, my son. Enjoy your special day and I cannot wait for us to be at the same school next year!
Macky, my love, you are my dream come true.
Mommy
To Madeleine, on her fifth birthday
Dear Madeleine,
At 6:00 am you will be exactly five years old. I sit here wondering how that is even possible. How five years have flown by. You know that from the very start you were different. Somehow I knew this. I cannot explain how I always felt so protective. How I knew that with you I would have to hold on tight.
Half way through your new existence in my womb we found out about your leggie. I knew you would be okay but I never knew how fantastically awesome you would be! You were my little fearless fighter from day one. You came home first from the hospital. You were the first to nurse. Oh, how much I loved looking into your tiny and precious face. Your leg was different but inexplicably gorgeous and perfect for you. A tiny ballerina.
Now you have a super hero leg with super girl on it. This is not coincidence! You, my lovely, are a super girl! You amaze the people around you! You rode a two wheeler bike at four and a half. Now you have your eyes set on riding a unicycle! And I have no doubt that you will do that!
You are such a smarty, trying to read and spell new words. You love the freedom of writing and reading. I cannot wait to see you in kindergarten.
Although you have many friends you seem to stick to a few that really stand out for you. I know that Logan will always hold a special place.
At home you love to be active. You love to climb the rhododendron tree. You run, ride your bike, scooter and climb everywhere. You love love love to swim! And can swim on top and under water by yourself. I know that you will continue to be active and sporty your whole life and I admire this about you.
Madeleine, you never cease to amaze and surprise me. I love you my sweet with all that I am. There is no doubt that you were given to me for a reason. There is no doubt that you are on this earth to prove. I can't wait to see who you turn out to be as you have already exceeded all my expectations!
I love you, sweet baby girl, enjoy your special day of being five! I cannot wait for the fall when we have our endless mommy-days together.
I love you,
Mommy
Saturday, March 12, 2011
more surgeries
We are very thankful that Madeleine has only had to have one surgery. In fact, this is why we chose to go the amputation route as oppose to lengthening and reconstruction. Although since Madeleine's foot has been amputated and her lower leg is missing the fibula people often think (myself included) that she no longer has leggie problems. That her 'disability' is confined to her lower leg and foot only but in actuality we entire left leg was affected. Her knee continues to grow deformed and her femur (thigh bone) continues to grow short. She will need another surgery in a few years to correct the position of her knee again.
I don't think of this too often. It is hard for me to consider having my child (either one of them) go through another surgery. We don't talk about it. Every 6 months when I see Dr. Mosca I ask him when the surgery will be. The response is always, "that depends on how her leg grows, 5, 6, 7 years old, not sure".
I have two friends whose babies went through a second surgery after amputation. My friend Rena's daughter Leah. Also born with Fib Hem. Her heal pad slipped (this is common in a syme amputation) and she needed to have it repositioned. And my dear friend Jenna's son, Logan. He need to have his hip corrected. Both children went through excruciating pain upon recovery. Both children spent several nights in the hospital. Both families went through the pain and agony of seeing their child suffer and knew the torture that there is absolutely nothing you can do about it except to hold them in your arms and try to reassure them that it will all be over quickly.
I know how they feel. And I have said a prayer for them a few times a day.
I will not discuss spirituality here but I will say that these mommas probably did not need my prayers. They are strong fighting ladies that will take someone down if needed. They are strong and confident for their babies.
Hope I can be the same for Madeleine when her surgery comes.
I don't think of this too often. It is hard for me to consider having my child (either one of them) go through another surgery. We don't talk about it. Every 6 months when I see Dr. Mosca I ask him when the surgery will be. The response is always, "that depends on how her leg grows, 5, 6, 7 years old, not sure".
I have two friends whose babies went through a second surgery after amputation. My friend Rena's daughter Leah. Also born with Fib Hem. Her heal pad slipped (this is common in a syme amputation) and she needed to have it repositioned. And my dear friend Jenna's son, Logan. He need to have his hip corrected. Both children went through excruciating pain upon recovery. Both children spent several nights in the hospital. Both families went through the pain and agony of seeing their child suffer and knew the torture that there is absolutely nothing you can do about it except to hold them in your arms and try to reassure them that it will all be over quickly.
I know how they feel. And I have said a prayer for them a few times a day.
I will not discuss spirituality here but I will say that these mommas probably did not need my prayers. They are strong fighting ladies that will take someone down if needed. They are strong and confident for their babies.
Hope I can be the same for Madeleine when her surgery comes.
All okay...
Many know by now that my health is fine. My breast sports a purple scar but luckily the lump of tissue taken was confined to that area and I was deemed okay.
I'm going in for my follow up mammogram next month. When I think about it my heart beats a bit faster but I still feel pretty good.
Despite my lack of writing I'm still okay. My children are happy and healthy and a tiny bit sassy.
Michael is good. He is healthy and lively. I say that because he still makes me laugh.
Me? I'm busy as a bee and as tired as a 'I don't know what' but I'm in good health and very thankful.
And trying damn hard to resurrect this blog....
I'm going in for my follow up mammogram next month. When I think about it my heart beats a bit faster but I still feel pretty good.
Despite my lack of writing I'm still okay. My children are happy and healthy and a tiny bit sassy.
Michael is good. He is healthy and lively. I say that because he still makes me laugh.
Me? I'm busy as a bee and as tired as a 'I don't know what' but I'm in good health and very thankful.
And trying damn hard to resurrect this blog....
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