Hot Wheels!

This must be the year of the wheel- because they keep coming my way! At the end of last year I got a new wheel chair and a new handicapped accessible vehicle- practical wheels, but ones I use every day. Now here we are in June and I have received more wheels! But these are different because they are FUN WHEELS! 

The first set of fun wheels I got was from an organization called JJ's Toys for Friends.  They make amazing adaptive equipment for people like me in memory of their son JJ. They gave me a new jogging stroller that can turn into a bike trailer, AND it also has pop on beach wheels! We have been waiting for something like this for a long time. 

Here I am attached to my mom's bike

Here I am at the beach with the big wheels

I can't wait to use these fun wheels all summer long! My family likes to go on bike rides and to the beach, so it will get lots of use. Just wait until you see the next set of wheels...

A special group at the University of Rhode Island, called Lil' Rhody Riders, created an adaptive ride on car for me.  It is a collaborative project between the physical therapy and engineering departments. It is so amazing! I can push a button and make it go all by myself! Or we can switch modes and my mom or dad can drive me with a remote control. It is going to be so fun riding around my neighborhood this summer!

This is going to be a great summer! Thanks so much to JJ's Toys for Friends and Lil' Rhody Riders!!

3rd Annual Camping Biking Trip

Last weekend we completed our third camping biking trip! You might be asking, "What is a camping biking trip?" Well, it is when we ride our bikes to the campground from our house, then stay a night and ride to the next campground and stay a night.

Here we are leaving our house on Saturday

First, we rode to Sweetwater Forest in Brewster. It is about 8 miles from our house. On the way we stopped to have lunch at Red's Pizza. Mema and Grandpa Al came to hang out with us for the day. When we got to the campground we set up and then went to play at the park. We also got to do a little fishing. 

Fishing with my sister, Addy

Here we are getting ready to have dinner- hot dogs on the campfire of course!

Guess what? We I saw a friend from school at Sweetwater Forest too! Murphy and his family were also camping at the same place!

My brother Liam, Murphy, and Me

On the second day we rode our bikes to Nickerson State Park. It was about 5 miles to get there. We stopped to have smoothies at Karma on the way. I think we found the best campsite in the whole park. It was a perfect day and we spent time on the beach and rode bikes to the store and playground. 

Our campsite overlooking Flax Pond

We slept over one more night and had to get up early so we could get to school on time. Mom and Dad went back to pack up all of our stuff. It was a fun weekend- I can't wait for next time!

Our last campfire of the weekend

To My Third 3rd Grade Class

I know that sounds kind of strange- but it's true. This is the 3rd time I've been in 3rd grade! Luckily I've gotten to be in Mr. Kliment's class every year. I'm actually in 5th grade and this year will be my last year at Ezra Baker. Next year I will move all the way up to high school. I get to skip middle school completely!

I wanted to introduce myself to you since you might have some questions. You may be wondering why I use a wheelchair and why I do not speak with words. I have a condition called Cerebral Palsy, or CP for short. When I was born I had a little trouble and that made it hard for me to be able to walk, talk and communicate. 

Another thing to know about me is that I do not see very well- I can see bright colors and movement, but it is hard for me to see faces. Sometimes it might look like I'm sleeping, but I'm really not- I just keep my eyes down when I'm trying to pay attention. My hearing is very good though. 

Another important thing to know about me is that even though I cannot do many things you do, I still like to have people talk to me, read to me, play with me, and include me in activities. I really enjoy meeting new friends and being at school. I love music and dancing and I really love swimming. After school I sometimes ride my bike, go swinging or ride my zip line! In the winter time I like to go skiing and sledding.

I also love to spend time with my family and go on adventures. My family always finds a way for me to participate in whatever we do. You can read all about my summer adventures here. 

Some other interesting facts about me are that I was born in California and I moved here when I was six. My other classroom is across the hall with Mrs. Johnson. I hope some of you will be able to visit my class sometimes. I have a little brother named Liam and he is 8. My little sister is named Addy and she is 6. Here we are on the first day of school. 

Liam, Addy and Me

I ride a cool bus to school that has a lift on it for my chair!

I am looking forward to getting to know you all and graduating with you at the end of the school year.

Summer is gone...

I can't believe it's been so many months since we have written an update! Summer is already come and gone. We were so busy having fun we forgot about blogging for awhile. Here is what we were up to for the past few months...It was a summer all about FAMILY!!

When summer first started we went to Pennsylvania to go to The Family Hope Center and then to visit my Grandpa Bob and Grandma Judy. We had lots of fun riding on their pontoon boat and swimming at the pool.

I love riding the boat!

Grandpa Bob, My sister Addy and ME!

When we got back from PA it was the 4th of July! I love going to the parade in Chatham- but sometimes the cannons are a little too loud.

In the middle of July my mom and I went to Houston for our last trip. I am part of a stem cell trial at the University of Texas. We got to have some fun while we were there. We went to the Houston Aquarium and to the Museum of Fine Arts. It was super hot while we were there!

Museum of Modern Art- that's all paper!

The Aquarium had white tigers!

Petting the rays

Splash park

Riding a giant ferris wheel

Ready for some tests!

When I got back from Texas it was my brother's birthday party. We went on a REAL pirate boat! We looked for treasure and used the water cannons to get the bad pirate. We all dressed up like pirates and sailed on the water.

Kingfisher Kai (Pirate Name)

Getting my treasure!

At the end of July we went to Rhode Island to stay with my Mema and Grandpa Al. We had a fun week of time at the beach, birthday celebrations, outdoor concerts and treats!

Blueberry picking

Playing with my cousin Bo and Uncle Andy

I love babies!

Hangin at the beach

Luau party with my cousin

In August we had a visit from our Aunt, Uncle and four cousins from Alaska! This was the first time I ever got to meet them! We went to the beach and played lots. My cousins pushed me on the zip line so many times!

Swimming with Uncle Jack

Cousin Liana

Watching movies

Yeah Cousins!!

By the middle of August we were set to head out for our last road trip for the summer. It was time to visit Grandma Cheryl and Grandpa Ken in Illinois. We visited my Aunt and cousin too! We even saw mom's uncles and cousins. We went bike riding and to a water park. We also took the train into Chicago and went to an amazing playground and to the Art Institute. We listened to a concert in the park too!

At the Art Institute

Maggie Daley Park in Chicago

Our reflection in "The Bean"

Millenium Park

Concert in the park with cousins

Saying goodbye to Grandma and Emmett

When we got back from Illinois we still had one more trip before school started. It was one of the best parts of my whole summer! We took a ferry to Martha's Vineyard to Camp Jabberwocky. Jabberwocky is a poem from Alice in Wonderland. This is a special camp for kids like me! Our whole family stayed at the camp and we had so much fun! Unfortunately, we had to end our trip early because of the tropical storm-- we can't wait to go next year!

Dancing at camp

Archery

Cruising on a Catamaran

Saying goodbye

New friends

Winter is Very Long...

Happy 2015! It's been awhile since my last post- which was about my surgery. Since then I have gained two pounds! That's more then I've gained in the past year! We are getting adjusted to my new way of eating and trying new recipes.

It's been a very long and busy winter here on Cape Cod- and with a ridiculous amount of snow, it looks like we still have a long way to go! We've been trying to embrace New England's cold lifestyle, but sometimes we just want some warm sunshine!

This Christmas (well in 2014), we stayed home and had Christmas morning at our house- the first time EVER with our whole family! I got some pretty cool presents- my favorite of which was this cool sled! (I got to use it a few times so far, to get around the neighborhood after our first big storm because we couldn't push my chair in all that snow).

I also got some cool adaptive switch toys: penguin roller coaster, an airplane and a dancing fox (of course he plays, "What does the fox say?". We had Christmas dinner at Mema's and Grandpa Al's house. It was fun to see cousins and eat lots of good food!

The day after Christmas we had a big surprise party for mom because it was her 40th birthday. She had no idea we were having a party- we really tricked her! I was really good a keeping the secret. It was supposed to be a 70's party because mom was born then (wow, that seems like a LONG time ago), but only a few people dressed up.

A few days after the party we got to go on a ski trip to Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire. It's our favorite place! I got to ski for two days in a row! We had so much fun and it wasn't too cold either. Our hotel had a pool we got to swim in too.

Getting ready to go!

View on top of the mountain

Mt Sunapee Instructors

On New Year's Eve Dad took us too all kinds of shows for First Night while mom was volunteering at the kids art studio workshop. We did some ice skating too over winter vacation.

Ice skating with Liam at Charles Moore Arena

Since the new year we have missed so much school, luckily I had my sled so I could get around in the snow. We got to go back to Mt. Sunapee for a Mom's and kids trip! I got to ski for the whole day- my first time ever!

Helping Mom shovel snow

At the beginning of our February break I got to carry the rings in my Mema's wedding. We weren't able to take pictures in the church, though. I did get to dance a lot at the reception! It was a great time!

Getting ready to tear up the dance floor!

Mema, Al and Me

My cousin, Cameron, pushing me on the dance floor

We went to North Conway for part of our vacation too. More skiing! It was so cold- but I was able to last the whole day! I will post more pictures from that trip soon. I even have a video of me going through the race course!

King Pine Ski Area- it was super cold!

My sister Addy and Brother Liam with me at Attitash Mountain.

Our last adventure over vacation was going to see Frozen on Ice. Anna, Elsa and Olaf were all there and it was so COOL!

Watching Frozen on Ice at TD Garden!