A day at the park

Today was another gorgeous day so we headed to the park.  We met up with some friends, played on the swings, had a picnic and took a short walk in the woods where we found a great set of stone stairs that the kids really enjoyed.  Life is good!

YeeHaw!

This weekend we decided to branch out from our standard list of activities and try something new.  Since the weather was gorgeous we decided it was the perfect night to hit the Cowtown Rodeo.  I think everyone in the area decided to go to the rodeo, too, so there was plenty of people watching if all the action in the rodeo wasn't captivating enough.  But, for us, it was enough!  We all had so much fun!  

Since it was our first time we weren't sure what to expect.  There were quite a few "events" to the rodeo and we left after about 2.5 hours and it was still going strong.  It started off with bull riding and the cowboys managed some great rides - not that we would know, but the announcers were kind enough to tell us all about it along the way :-)  The bull riding was followed up with steer wrestling and then the Cowgirls raced their horses around a course in the ring and then a two cowboy steer catch where they roped the calf around the horns, the feet and tied them up.  This was the one where I started to feel pretty bad for the little calves, but it seems like none of them were hurt and they sort of knew the drill and when the cowboys missed them and they "won" they did have a saunter around the ring.  I liked when that happened.  After that it was more cowgirl horse racing.  Julia loved the cowgirls.  Emma loved the action in the stands and especially the little kids sitting across the aisle from us.  

At 10pm we called it a night and packed up to go home.  Julia asked for a lasso and she practiced with it today but still has room for improvement.  She is already planning our next trip back and decided we need to stay until the end to know what else happened.  We made a deal that we will stay until the end if she takes a nap that day before we go.  We'll see how that works out.  Who knew that my sensitive little girl would be a rodeo fan??!!

The is one new activity we are all looking forward to repeating!

Signs

When I run errands I usually try and avoid as much traffic and congestion as possible.  I mean, who wants to deal with more of that than necessary, right?  Anyway, the quest for a seamless route back to my house usually has me driving through a neighboring development instead of traveling the standard roads.  And, each and every time I drive through this development on the way home I pass this sign:

I'm not really sure how I feel about this sign.  I guess it is there to warn drivers to slow down or not depend on their horn, which they should be doing anyway for ALL children.  But this sign.....it makes me wonder about the child behind the sign.  Is the child old enough to know the sign is there?  Does he/she feel like it brings too much unwanted attention?  Do neighborhood kids tease him/her about this sign?  Isn't it hard enough to fit in already without adding a sign outside of your house?  It also makes me think about the parents behind the child.  Did they ask to get this sign put up?  Are they happy it is there?    

When I turn onto my street I am greeted with another sign that gives a different message.  The sign on our street applies to all children and is a great reminder to all drivers to slow down:

This sign refocuses me that I am back in a neighborhood and should slow down and be aware of children at play.  I like this sign.  I like that it does not single out any one child or have a stigma attached to it.  I like that it doesn't make me wonder about the children behind the sign and that it seems so very inclusive for a street sign.  Yes, I like this sign.    

Fun at the Farm

Scenes from our afternoon at the farm.  Sigh.....have I mentioned that we just love spending time there?

School????

Today the girls and I had a super busy day.  There were 3 therapy appointments, one trip to the doctor, two trips to the pharmacy, one trip to the vet, two loads of laundry, well.....you get the idea.  After we dropped the prescription off at the pharmacy drive-thru we had about 10 minutes to do something and since it takes me that long to get the girls out of the car we took a short drive to look at the outside of the school where Emma might go in October.  

When we visited the school in the spring the pre-school was in trailers right near the building and we were told the trailers were going away and the class will be in the school this year.  When we drove up to the building the trailers were gone and there was a large dirt field with various debris where they sat.  The playground behind the school was sparse, overgrown and not very accessible (we were told in the fall that the PTA built the playground for the children since the school district doesn't fund it at all).  Basically, my heart sunk.  

Now, that said it is likely they are putting the finishing touches on the school before it starts and it will be cleaned-up by the start of school and certainly should be in better shape by October.  I've heard good things about the teachers in the pre-school program and they seemed very caring when we met them, so that is a positive for the program.  

It's just that this is not what I had in mind when sending my children to school.  I never thought they would be going to two different schools, two different curriculums, two different sets of teachers/administrators/staff - two different school families.  I never imagined that I'd have to learn all about IDEA, IEPs, special education, advocates and due process.  I'm sure none of us did.  

I love where Julia attends pre-school and said out loud I wish Emma was going to school with Julia.  I hadn't really realized I said that out loud until Julia said don't worry Mommy, she can come to school with me and she'll love it.  I had to tell her that she can't go to school there just yet and she asked me why.  I told her it's because Emma doesn't talk or walk yet and she replied when she gets older and does that stuff she'll come with me.  

I responded that yes, that is what I want.  When she gets older my wish is that both girls can go to the same school of our choosing - private or pubilc.  And Chris and I are doing everything we can to try and make that a reality.

But, in all honesty?  I wish they would attend the same school now.  If anyone in Delaware or Southeastern PA knows of inclusive local (private) pre-schools that are not priced at full-days 5 days/week, please let me know.  I had thoughts of a local church pre-school that would embrace Emma, but I'm finding it hard to find one.