A conversation with Sydney

While in the van on our way to my parent's this past week...

Sydney: Mom, are we lost?
Me: No, Sydney, we're not lost.
Sydney: Probably I think we are lost.
Me: No, Sydney, we're not.
Sydney: Sometimes you get lost on the way to Daddy's work.
Me: I don't remember that, but okay. (apparently she's caught on to my horrible sense of direction) 
Sydney: I think we are going the wrong way.
Me: (with a little more persistence) No, Sydney, we are going the right way.
Sydney: Are we going the left way too?

First Steps Camp

A few weekends ago, Gilby and I took the big kids to a weekend camp. First Steps Camp was held at Rocky Mountain Village, a fully disability accessible, Easter Seals camp in Empire, CO. It was put on by Children's Hospital, and only for kids who are new to using an augmentative communication device, and their families.

The gap between Myles' receptive language (what he understands and wants to say) and his expressive language (what he can say) is widening, so we knew he needed a more sophisticated way to communicate until his speech can take over. Last spring, we started on the journey of getting Myles his own "talker," which he has now had for a couple of months. The weekend camp was an immersion sort of experience to help everyone get more comfortable with using the talker and figuring out how to incorporate it into our daily lives. Gilby and I spent a large part of the weekend in training sessions while the kids were kept busy with camp activities. It was extremely helpful for Gilby and I, and the kids had so much fun (we all did actually)!! (Baby Ryker was missed, but he spent the weekend in the very capable hands of Grandma and Grandpa.)

We arrived on Thursday afternoon and joined the rest of the families and staff for dinner in the dining hall before our first evening of activities. Friday and Saturday were jammed packed with learning sessions, camp activities, and practice sessions with the talker, before leaving late Sunday morning. On Saturday afternoon, the kids had a chance to go horseback riding, climb the climbing wall, zip-line, and fish. Our kiddos opted out of many of the activities (Sydney's too reserved still and Myles was just not up for it), but it didn't dampen their experience.

 The kiddos loved the cabin we stayed in!

Myles climbing.

Daddy climbing while Myles looks on.

Gilby zip-lining.

Fishing with Daddy.

The weekend theme was Birthday Party, so Saturday evening the families and staff gathered for a group party.

 Cupcakes!

Taking a crack at the pinata and hiding candy in their shirts.

Myles and his sweet speech therapist, Meghan.

 

 Using his talker.

Although not very restful, it was nice to have a weekend away in the mountains where we were able to focus on our big kids. They both did great (minus Myles constantly running away from the table to go to the playroom almost every single meal!), met some new friends, and didn't want to leave on Sunday!

Halloween

Myles as Spiderman (again), Sydney as Tinkerbell (or "sparkly Tinkerbell" as I heard her tell someone the other day), and Ryker as a pirate by day and monkey by night. The big kids had parties at school during the day, and our nanny, Anne Marie, went to Sydney's with Ryker in tow, while Gilby was able to make it to Myles'. Sydney, Ryker, Gilby, and I trick-or-treated around our neighborhood while Myles decided to stay home with Grandma and Grandpa. He was so tired, and although we were trying to convince him to come, I'm glad he made this decision for himself. He needed the rest. Sydney loved trick-or-treating and got braver and braver the longer we were out. By the end she was walking up to doors while we hung back and actually saying "trick-or-treat" in a voice that could be heard. It was a fun day and night!

Celebrating One

We celebrated Ryker's birthday last Wednesday with a quaint, but fun party. Apart from our immediate family, Ryker spends the most time with my parents and our nanny, Anne Marie. Ryker loves them all, so that's who joined us for pizza, presents, and cake. Sydney and I had fun decorating the house with balloons and birthday signs, and she picked out the sprinkles for his cake. Myles and Sydney were so excited to celebrate their little brother! Although low key, it was meaningful and stress-free, and made for a great first birthday. A few photos from the evening...