Our "Staycation" Day Three

Today we met Bryce and Nathan at Peter Pipers for some pizza and arcade fun.

He loves the dump truck game. This game is a major token hog.

Love that little hand trying to reach the puck.

And yes, Shaun the Sheep did join us for some arcade fun. He hung out on the back of Caleb's wheelchair.

Shooting some baskets.

Nothin' but net on that shot.

Benjamin is very dangerous with skee ball. That kid had balls flying everywhere. He has a super strong arm...but not the best aim.

Bryce, Caleb, and Nathan.

The boys were so busy doing their own thing that this is the only pic I got of them together.

Our same boys...just much younger. Bittersweet.

This afternoon Caleb had horseback riding.

I just want to brag on him a bit. Caleb doesn't like to be up high and he doesn't like unexpected noises. So being on top of a large animal that can neigh or sneeze without warning is out of his comfort zone. Starting horseback riding again after such a long break from it has cause some anxiety in Caleb. He was very anxious this afternoon as we were getting ready to head out for his lesson. We had a long talk about it. I told him that it was okay to be nervous but that sometimes we need to push past that nervous feeling. We talked about "Wheelz" (you fellow SB parents know who I'm talking about) and how nervous he must be when he is looking down the mega ramp getting ready to zoom down it to land another wheelchair back flip. I also told him to talk to God when he feels nervous like that and to pray for peace. He even said a short prayer in the car before we got out to ride. By the end of our talk, Caleb had mostly pulled himself together and was ready to ride. I could tell that he was still anxious but he pushed through. I was just super proud of him for being brave, for stepping out of his comfort zone even though he didn't want to. Love that kid.

Back in the saddle

Caleb started back with therapeutic horseback riding this week. It's been about a year and a half since he has ridden. He started riding when he was 3 but we had to stop in the fall of 2011 because he was having a lot of headaches and then last spring he had his TC surgery. So, horseback riding has been on the back burner for some time now.

Caleb riding at age 3. So cute.

I was really excited about signing him up again. We saw a lot of progress when he rode before so I'm hopeful that we will see similar results this time around. We pay out of pocket for it, which kind of stinks, but I'm willing to do it if it helps Caleb. Plus it is a nice break from physical therapy. We decreased his PT from 3 times a week to 2 times now that he is riding again.

He was a bit nervous about riding again but once he got on the horse he seemed pretty comfortable. He remembered all the verbal cues to make the horse do what he wanted.

While Bubba was riding, Benjamin kept himself busy outside.

Checkin' out the ponies.

"Look mom, a rock!"

Searching for more rocks.

And, of course, throwing the rocks.

There are a lot of benefits to horseback riding and I'm excited to see what the next few weeks bring for Caleb.

Collecting rocks and Truckin' up that hill

I thought I would share some pictures from Caleb's most recent therapeutic horseback riding session.  They took the riders outside so it was much easier to get good pictures.

While riding, Caleb has to really work.  They have him reach out to grab things which works on strengthening his trunk muscles.

"I got it!"

While "bubba" is riding Benjamin likes to walk around and find rocks to put into his paper cup.

Looking for the perfect rock.

"Look at my rocks!"

Caleb gets done riding around 5:15 and I am usually anxious to get in the car and head home so that I can get dinner started.  I've learned that just because I am in a hurry...it doesn't mean my boys are!  Caleb did not want to use his walker to walk up this ramp, he wanted to do it without his walker.  I knew this would take about twice as long but I loved that he wanted to try.  So I let him.

Walking up the hill.  Look at that grin, he's proud of himself already!

Slowly but surely making it up that hill!

Sometimes we fall....and that's okay.  We all fall sometimes.

What's important is that you get back up and keep truckin' up that hill.

Earning Stickers & Riding Horses

 I mentioned the Incentive Calendar a few days ago.  This past weekend we took the boys to Petsmart (they love that place).  Who needs the zoo when you can take your kids to Petsmart for FREE!  

Caleb used his walker, therefore, earning himself a sticker.

 Checking out the fish.  Very exciting stuff people.

And my personal favorite, the cats!  I tell you that if I wasn't married with kids I would totally be the cat lady.  I would have me a bunch of cats.  I still miss my sweet Ally cat.

After Petsmart we walked next door to Half Price books.  Benjamin could have spent hours in this store.  He was fascinated.  Overall, Caleb did great with his walker, he got tired a few times and had to sit down (so thankful for that fold-down seat).  Glenn had to carry him back to the car because his legs were so tired.  He did great though.  So proud of him.

Caleb started back with therapeutic horseback riding today.  We took a long break from it when he started Kindergarten last fall.  I was worried that he would be too tired after school making horseback riding difficult. So, it has been about 7 months since he has been horseback riding and I was anxious for him to start back up.

Caleb seemed a little nervous at first.  I guess being away for so long had an impact on him.  I had him use his walker while we were there.  The first thing I noticed was how much he has improved with his walker since the last time he did horseback riding.  He had no trouble walking from the car all the way into the horse barn and down to where the riders get on their horses.  It is a decent distance for him to walk and I remember that 7 months ago it was hard for him to make that walk and he couldn't make it the entire way.  I guess even I don't always realize how strong he has gotten, even in just recent months.

He did great on his horse, "Gemini", today.  He remembered all the commands to make his horse go and stop.

He seemed like he was having a good time.  Unfortunately I didn't get to watch him ride because this one particular toddler isn't much for standing still.  So, I spent most of Caleb's session chasing Mr. Thumb Sucker around!

Benjamin LOVES Caleb's walker.  He walked/ran all over the place with that thing today.  I had several people tell me that he was doing such a good job with his walker.  I had to tell them that it wasn't his walker, he just likes to steal it from his big brother!

We went outside to check on the horses.

Getting a close up look!

(And thank you to those of you that responded to the burp cloth blues post.  It seems the consensus is to let him keep his lovey but limit it to just nap and bedtime.  I'm all for that.  The only problem is that he throws a huge fit when you tell him to go put it back in his bed.  He's a mess.  But I sure love that booger, even though he makes me absolutely CRAZY!!)

Horseback riding

Caleb had therapeutic horseback riding this morning.  He only has a couple of weeks left before they close until September.  It's been fun this summer because one of his friends from school has been in his same riding class.

It's almost impossible to get good pictures inside the arena.  I always try to get Caleb to walk to where they wait to get on their horse.  It's a pretty good distance but I know he can do it.  Today he only walked halfway and then said his legs were tired.  This is a big reason I don't like to take his walker out in public because his legs get tired and he needs to sit down.  Well, I found a solution to this problem today!!  I called Kaye (the makers of his walker) and they now have an Add-a-Seat feature for this walker!  So I just ordered him a folding seat that will attach to his walker, that way he can just sit down when he gets tired!! I'm so excited about this seat.  It should be here early next week.  I think it will really help Caleb feel more comfortable knowing that he can sit down if he needs to.  Woo Hoo!  I can't wait!

As always, Benjamin likes to go exploring outside while Caleb is riding.  Can you believe this little booger is 19 months old today!

For some reason Benjamin will not walk by himself when we are out of the house, he wants to hold my hand.  I guess he's just a little unsure on his feet still.

Finally got him to let go of my hand for 2 seconds so I could take this picture.

Caleb is actually waving in this picture but it kinda looks like he is tell me to "stop".  Kinda like: "Mom, no more pictures, Please!"

We meet with Caleb's new urologist tomorrow and I am just hoping he will take some time with us.  I have so many concerns and questions.  I'm going to stand by the door so that the doctor can't spend just 2 minutes with us and then leave without giving me a good plan.  I need a plan!  Fingers crossed that this new doc will have some new idea or something we can try.  I'm at my wits end!  I'll keep you posted.

We still need $120 to reach our goal for the Walk-n-Roll for Spina Bifida this Saturday.  It's not too late to sponsor Caleb.  If you would like to make a donation please click here.

Visit from MeMe and Aunt Donna

Today was a special day, MeMe and Aunt Donna drove 2 hours just so they could see the boys, watch Caleb go horseback riding, and take us all to lunch.  

They enjoyed watching Caleb ride his horse, and Caleb was thrilled to have an audience.  He was so excited to have visitors.

Caleb licking a lemon at the restaurant!

Benjamin with Aunt Donna at the restaurant.  This boy ate from the time we sat down at the table to the time we got up to leave.  He can put away some serious food.  Of course it was Mexican food so I can't really blame him (I had too much myself).

Caleb coloring at the table.  He just looked like he was concentrating so hard on his art work.