katherineambos

Day 398: Riding Therapy!

Today Madison started her horseback riding therapy at WindReach Farm. When she got there she was a bit nervous. She went into the stalls and met her horse named Joe. He is an old horse – in his 20’s who was very sweet and calm. Madison instantly loved him and was then more relaxed. Her lesson started by mounting Joe on a tower in the riding ring. She worked with Joe for about half an hour. They walked in different patterns, stopped in front of mirrors so Madison could see herself on Joe and see her posture and they even blew bubbles while riding. She was then taught how to get Joe to start walking by saying ” walk on Joe” and how to get him to stop by saying “whoa”. She had no fear and was so confident and brave. Mommy was so proud of Madi and so was her friend Bonnie who came to watch and support Madison too! The riding will be really great for Madison’s core strength, to stretch out her inner thigh muscles and to work on weight shifting her balance side to side as the horse walks.

After her riding lesson, Madi spent her afternoon with the boys – Owen, Jack and Nate. While the two little ones napped on the couch, Nate and Madi played and played. Madi helped with soothers and changing diapers. It was a great play date!

Day 397: Fun with the Aunts!

Madison’s class had a visit with a Dentist this morning. A dentist from Toronto Public Health did a decay screen on each student. Madison was a bit apprehensive but let the doctor take a peek and All is good!

Madison spent her afternoon with Janine, Suzanne and Buddy! She had a fun play in a tent with Buddy, played with her new horse and rider toy and had a long nap in Janine’s lap. When we were pulling out of the driveway she kept saying she wanted to go back and didn’t want to go home so she had a great afternoon.

When Madi got home, she helped Mommy get all her riding lesson stuff ready and tried on her new black boots. She is excited to see the horses tomorrow!

Day 396: Cousin Fun!

After a great morning back at school, Madison spent her afternoon with Jack playing at Nates house. Nathan and Madison played so well with Jack and had a great visit with Nana and Aunt Suzanne.

A reminder… This Friday, people in both Canada and the USA celebrate CP awareness day! Wash your clothes from St Patrick’s Day and wear some green to share some love for all your friends with CP!

Day 395: Smartie Pants

Madison has picked up on what others refer to her as in conversations that she clearly listens to. Today she wanted to do activities in her Elmo activity book. She matched up colours and shapes by drawing lines and circles, traced letters and did some puzzles. Mommy told her she was doing such a good job which Madi then responded with…” Madi a smartie pants” Mommy had a big laugh and said “yes you are!”

Madison had a great play with Pam today. They played with Boggie, played with lots of balls, had some Easter treats and did some fun water play pretending to make cake and pizza. When she got home she got ready to help Mommy with the grocery shop. Madison found her sunglasses and waited for Mommy on the stairs saying “Madi’s a goofball!” Over and over again. Not sure who has called her a goofball, but she’s been listening! Hahaha

Day 394: Skating!

In celebration of Mommy’s birthday, Madison went skating for the first time today! Papa rented some ice and they stomped, glided and marched away with their bob skates and helmets. Madison wore her AFO’s and running shoes straped into her skates for a higher level of support. Madison did a great job holding onto the skate trainer to help her balance and stand tall. She listened well to everyone’s instructions and had a blast! She has already asked Mommy and Daddy about 20 times when she can skate again.

Day 393: Camp!

Madison finished her first week of camp today! She did so well and loved every moment! She did lots of group activities that focused on skills she works on with Monika. All week they had a theme of bugs and today it was butterflies. She made some beautiful butterfly paintings. After camp Madi hung out with her Cousin Nate and Uncle Mark at the mall. They had some lunch and checked out all the animals at the pet store. On the way out Madi picked out a new book about horses in preperation for her first horseback riding lesson coming up this week.

Day 392: Birthday Fun!

Today Madison celebrated Mommy’s birthday! Her day started with a special trip to the Rogers Centre to see Disney on Ice. Madison went with her buddy Charlotte and her Mommy. Madison loved every second! Her favorite part was watching Olaf the snowman dance under all the snow and seeing Mickey and Minnie – she did not like the genie from Aladin. She continues to talk about him and that he is scary. The costumes and music were great and so were the seats. Mommy was very proud of how well Madi was able to sit in her booster seat. She sat up straight even with no backing on it and moved her body side to side to be able to see around the heads in front of her. It was a super fun way to celebrate Mommy’s birthday!

Madi celebrated the rest of the day by dressing in green and reading books with her brother, and then having dinner and playing with Nana and Papa!

Day 391: Cupcakes!

After a great morning at camp, Madison spent the day with Nana. She loved making birthday cupcakes!

Day 390: Swimming Fun

Madison was happy to go to swim class tonight. She has been practicing her kicks and bubbles every night at bath time so she was excited to show Ryan. Madi has to arrive 30 minutes before the start of her lessons to make sure she has enough time to walk to the changeroom. Her walking has really speeded up. What takes the most time is she wants to try and open every door in the hallway now that she can reach the handles. She has also become more of a risk taker in trying to walk away from her walker to better reach things on the wall like buttons to open doors or handles. She thinks it’s hilarious everytime someone tries to stop her from opening doors.

After her lesson Mommy and Madi played in the pool for a bit. Mommy was blown away with how tall Madi is getting. She can touch the bottom of the hot pool. Mommy was excited to see Madi standing by herself for a few seconds in the water and trying to walk around not holding onto anything.

Day 389: Camp & B-Ball!

Madison had a great morning at March of Dimes. It was her first day of going to a camp and she talked all about it all night. She loved making new friends and dressing in red for their lady bug theme.

After camp Madison went with Grandma and Grandpa Ambos to a Raptors 905 basketball game at the Air Canada Centre. She stood for most of the game so excited to see everything. She loved playing with the thunderstix. After the game she went for pizza before heading home to do some physio with Emily. Stay tuned for pictures from the basketball game!