Hello 4th Grade!

This post is dedicated to my new class! I want to introduce myself to you all. My name is Kai and I am 9 years old. I know that I am probably older than most of you- and that's because I am really in 4th grade! I am also in Mrs. Johnson's class and will stay at Ezra Baker until 5th grade. I'm going to miss some of my friends who went on to Wixon School this year, but I am so glad to be back in Mr. Kliment's class again!

I know some of you might have some questions about me because I have some differences, but I want you to know that I am also similar to you in many ways.  I have a condition called cerebral palsy because when I was born I had a hard time breathing and that hurt the "computer" in my head. Now it is really hard for me to do things that most of you can do easily- like walk, talk, and move. I also have a little difficulty seeing. I use this chair to help me get around and other people help me get what I need. But some things you may not know, are that I like to have friends talk and read to me. I really love music and swimming. I love animals too, and go horseback riding every weekend. I really love to go on my swing at home and ride a bike specially made for me. 

I have a younger brother and a younger sister named Liam and Addy. I live with my mom and Dad too. My mom writes this blog with me, and we usually write more often, but we have had a busy summer. Do you want to know what we did this summer? Here are some highlights...

Here I am with my favorite "shark" in front of the library in Chatham. We went here on the first weekend after school ended to go to the band concert.

Here I am at the Heritage Gardens playing the xylophone in Hidden Hollow.

I'm waiting to get on the carousel at the Heritage Gardens.

Riding the carousel with friends!

Happy 4th of July! We had a great weekend going to the parade and watching fireworks.

My dad and I waiting for the parade to start.

The color guard- my Dad was in the Coast Guard and these guys are his friends.

Dinner on the beach, waiting for fireworks.

Dancing on the beach!

On the beach waiting for fireworks with friends.

We went to the drive-in to see Minions!

Our seats for the drive-in movie!

One of my favorite places to visit in the summer is Dream Day. It is a special camp. This year we did not get to stay overnight, but we went fishing and canoeing, did crafts and archery.

There is a great playground at Dream Day!

Getting ready to shoot the arrow during archery, with an adapted bow.

Making a bracelet with my mom.

Friends from my class with me at Dream Day!

Here I am at horse camp with my teacher, Leslie. This is Ziggy, I only ride him sometimes. Most of the time I ride Little Duke, who is a small pony- and he is brown. 

Of course summer is all about ice cream. Actually, I'm not a big fan of cold treats, so I get whipped cream instead!

We made a trip to visit the windmill and labyrinth  because for the summer reading program at the library we had to visit a monument in our town. Did you do the summer reading program at your library? It was all about HEROS!

My Dad and I walking the labyrinth.

We all made it to the middle!

We really wanted to go in- but not open today!

 My brother had his birthday party in July and it was a reptile party. There were all kinds of reptiles- a snake, tegu and even an alligator! 

Here is my brother and I with the alligator.

Dad and I holding a snake!

 At the end of the summer we drove all the way to Illinois to visit my Grandma and Grandpa. We visited with some of my mom's old friends too! We even went camping at Jellystone Park with Yogi Bear!

Here we are with Yogi

Meeting Cindy Bear

Making crafts with my mom at Jellystone

Old friends come to visit!

We went on a boat ride on the Fox River- here I am with my mom.

Here we are on the boat!

We also got to visit with some of our first and second cousins!

My mom took me for a bike ride on the Great Western Trail!

 After we went to Illinois we drove to Pennsylvania to visit my other Grandma and Grandpa. They live on a lake and have a boat that we got to go tubing on.

My mom and sister and me.

Dad and I swimming in Lake Meade.

On the boat with Grandpa Bob and Dad.

 It was a great summer! Can't wait until next year!