Aint No Mountain High Enough!

Beware of picture overload coming!  Emma had a great day today.  We found out the local climbing gym (the one Emma had her bday party at) was holding an adaptive climbing clinic with Catalyst Sports.  It was free for climbers and for all ages.  So, we signed Emma up.  She loves to climb but we had not been since June.  She was so excited to get to climb and to get to have some one on one help with some very supportive people.  She woke up early even, she was so happy!!

The gym

 Emma happily harnessed up!  What was cute was one of the workers remembered her and was so excited to see her again:)  Made us feel good!  Here is one of her first climbs with Mr. Tom helping her!

 She went pretty high on her first climb.

 This was after we moved upstairs to the easier walls and they were playing with her by swinging her on the rope:)  She was giggling nonstop.

 The view from the second floor!

 Resting on a little swing the gym has set up!!  

 This was the only picture of Taylor, and then he left to get time with Nana!  We wanted each child to get some one on one time.  

 Emma went back and forth up the stairs a lot.  She would go cheer for friends like Ms. Amy and then she would go find a helper to help her climb again:)  

 I just loved watching her climb and climb and climb.  It still blows my mind how much has changed in the three years since she learned to walk.  Emma is my hero!!

 Hanging with Daddy while watching Ms. Amy climb!  

 Back on the wall, this time daddy helping a little.  Emma gets nervous and stops climbing, even though she actually was doing really well today.  Best I think she has climb yet.  

 Love seeing her CI clipped on her shirt.  Nothing slows this girl down from reaching new heights!  See her smile???

 Hey mom, you getting nervous yet??

 Coming down the wall!

 Auto belays are normally harder for her since no one can help her cheat and pull her up, but she got pretty high on this route.  

 One of the awesome helpers climbed up beside her to help talk her up higher and higher.  They were all so good with all the climbers.  I was so impressed by them all!

 Emma and her new friend joy signing the rock star poster.  Emma had to add her number three times.  She climbed a total of 15 times during the four hours!  I was amazed, her legs did not even shake this time.  But she was and is so tired.  This was a lot of physical exertion for her!  

 Trying it again on her own:)

 Wearing her new shirt, she is a proud new Catalyst Athlete!  Then, she said is it Happy Meal time lol!!  She did not like the lunch offered but ate a snack with her new friend Joy before hitting the wall again.  Then she ate an entire happy meal and chips and cheese dip!  She worked up a big appetite.  

Emma showed me that no mountain is too high to try and no fear is needed.  Just trust and try!!  She is my hero today and everyday!! Nothing stops her and I pray it never does.  I am so thankful for Climb Nashville and Catalyst Sports for chances like today to allow physically delayed children and adults to try new things with the support they need to do it well and safely.  

First day of Gymnastics

Today Taylor got to start something new!  With the help of a friend I found a local gymnastics center that had a class for him on a day and time I could take him by himself.  I had been looking for one for a while.  We really wanted him to have something that was just his to do.  So much of the time he just gets dragged along with what Emma is doing, but not today. We signed him up for a trial class and headed to check it out.

He was only a little excited:)  

 The gym is small and the class size is as well.  I really like that, he will be getting a lot more attention from Coach Steve that way.  The coach was really nice and did a great job with the kids.  Today's class was only a total of three kids but Coach Steve said it would get bigger.  

 Taylor jumped right in and tried to do it all.  He has some work on some skills but he showed a willingness and joy in trying the new skills!!  I was so proud of him!!

 Working with Coach Steve!!!!

 Jumping!!

 Working on holding his pike position!  The next go around he did it all on his own and counted to five holding his legs up!!

 He never stopped smiling!!

 Rolling like a log!

 Bear walking over a pit:)

 We will be official enrolling in this eight week class!  Taylor asked when he could go back at least five times.  He also ate a great lunch and took a very good nap after the fifty minute class.  

This week he also went back to staying with my parents while I work part-time at the library.  He was so excited to get to hang with Meme and Papa again.  He likes it because he never knows what fun field trips they will go on.  They go to fun places to eat, cool stores and visit neat people.  He also gets to eat M and M's with Papa and learn his letters and numbers with Meme.  We have been so blessed to have my mom and now my dad be able to care for our kids during the week.  My mother stopped working when Emma needed more care then a daycare could give her.  She spent almost a year snuggled up with Meme while I still worked full time.  She then spent varying degrees of time with her the next few years and my nephew Hudson also was blessed with time at Meme's house till he started school.  Taylor is the third grandchild who gets loved and cared for by my mom and now that my dad is retired he is blessed with him there as well.  There are no words to explain how wonderful it is to have parents who are able to love on my kids while I work.  

It has been a busy week all around!  I am back to my regular work schedule, Taylor is back at my parents, started gymnastics and Emma is in full swing of school.  I will update on her soon!  

Schools Back!!

School supplies were bought, back pack ordered and arrived, uniforms replaced and ironed, and the day came bright and early this morning.  Yep, it was the first day of school today!  Emma started Second Grade today, and I cant believe it!!!  Emma was so excited she woke up four or five times last night and was up ready to go at six.  Now, they have tomorrow off and then go all day Friday, we will see what time she gets up then:)

Here is her new backpack ready to go!

 Daddy and Emma this morning

 Traditional first day pics in the front yard!  She was so happy this year!  She kept smiling for all the pics!

 She is not excited at all right?  LOL!  She loves school!

 Not sure what Taylor was so happy about this morning, I think it might be he gets mommy to himself again!

 I am so proud of her, and cant believe she is in second grade! How did that happen?  I think it was harder to leave her today then Kindergarten.  I just want to stop time!

 Showing off her new ears and her cool backpack!

 She was dancing down the hall to her new room!  I love her spirit!

 Outside her new room

 I already love her new teacher.  She has already touched base with me twice and let me know today how she did.  She reported that Emma had a great day and was very social and happy.  Yep that is my girl.  Just hope she learns when it is okay to talk this year;)  

 She found her new locker and hung her bag all by herself.

 Taylor was over pictures and was ready to go home.  

 At her desk

 Aww kissing each other good bye.  They really do love each other!

 We will not even talk about how crazy car rider line was today, but here she is when we finally got to pick her up.  Still smiling despite the long wait.  I was so happy to see her so happy.  It was only a half day, but I stared at the clock half the time.  I really missed her and was so worried. 

 While Emma was at school, we worked on a little surprise for her.  We have been working with her on making her crib into a desk for her to create and learn on.  It was finished painting but needed to be moved in.  Well, we did it today while she was gone!  Here is the before picture

 Here is the after, it turned out so cute.  My hubby worked hard sanding the plywood down, and painting it purple with Emma.  

 We added hooks at one end for her dress up stuff. 

 Emma was so excited that it was done and that it was purple.  She has lots of room to work on her scrap books, do homework and write notes to her friends.  She spent an hour in her room talking to herself and working on notes.  So grown up!!

All in all it was a very good day.  It went really smooth and that is blessing for sure when it comes to having a special needs child.  I hope Friday goes as well, but I am concerned with it being a full day.  She is tiring out so fast right now.  I fear I will be facing meltdown central in the afternoons.  But I guess as long as she is good at school and learning I can deal with that at night.  Well, at least I hope I can!