Thursday, October 16, 2008

What We've Been Up To

Every day after school, I (and Ella Grace, too) take Evan to some sort of therapy. He has speech therapy on Mondays, occupational therapy on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and behavior therapy on Thursdays and Fridays. Evan is such a hard worker. He works all day at school and then more afterwards. I get sad sometimes when we come home and I see all the neighborhood kids out on their bikes. I wish Evan didn't have therapy and could be out there with those children, but I know this is what he needs right now and I am full of hope for that "one day."

Seriously. How cute is this boy?! This is Evan in occupational therapy. Swinging helps organize his sensory system. He has always loved to swing. The headset he is wearing is therapeutic listening. This is special music (it doesn't sound like regular music at all). It is designed to train him to listen and helps with attention.

Here Evan is sitting on a "T" stool (I wouldn't last a minute on that thing). This is also for sustaining attention. He is working on opening a jar of "candy gum," which is a treat for him.

Evan taking O'Maury for a walk.

We are thinking about getting Evan a companion dog. These are dogs that are trained to work with children and adults who have special needs. Evan's favorite therapist has a therapy dog at her clinic. This dog is amazing! Her name is O'Maury and she is so sweet, calm and smart. She loves on the children and participates in therapy with them, too. Evan loves her (and you know EG does...ha!). We have kicked around the idea before and decided it wasn't the right time, but now since we have seen Evan with O'Maury, we think it would be really good for him.

We have been so busy this month. I keep saying week after week, "Next week we'll slow down." Now, I'm just hoping after October we'll slow down. Plus, I'm having a garage sale this weekend. Every time we have one I promise I'll never have one again. Yet, here I am. I guess I'm just crazy like that.

Oh, and here are just a few more things we've been up to this week...

Lots of slide time.

Lots of sugar time.

Evan showing his skills at ski ball.

Ella Grace's first time bowling. She knocked all of the pins down!

I want to be my kids. I never get to soak it up in this tub. EVER! They have it made.

Have a great weekend y'all!

16 comments:

Angela said...

Okay, I just THOUGHT I was busy. Girl, you guys are busy and you are right...Evan is wonderful. He looks so cute doing his therapy. The idea of a dog is great. I hope that works out for you guys!

His Doorkeeper said...

Evan looks like he enjoys his therapy! I wouldn't worry about the other kids riding their bikes...you just do what it takes for Evan! He will benefit from it all in the end! I think all children benefit from learning the love that a dog brings!

The picture of both of them in the tub is priceless....they are both the most beautiful children!!

Meagan said...

Okay, the bathtub picture has to be my favorite - that is too cute! They both took TINY in that HUGE tub!!!!

You are so busy and such an amazing mom! I am so interested in all of Evan's therapy - that still just facinates me! I think a therapy dog sounds like a great idea... I know E and EG would BOTH enjoy that!!!!

Miss you... mean it!!

Jacquie said...

I loved this post, Leigh Ann! You have such a wonderful Mommy heart. I can just feel the love you have for your kids in your words. Evan's therapy requires a lot of you and your family... but it sounds like he is gaining SO much from it! It's amazing all the things they are teaching him. Who'da thought they could use such things as teaching tools?

I'm glad you also fit lots of fun and family time together. I want to meet your precious family some day!!

Becky said...

Girl, y'all have been busy as little bees. I know you meet yourself coming and going. I so remember those days, as matter of fact I still meet myself coming and going. I LOVE the bubble bath picture!

Anonymous said...

You have been busy! Evan is such a hard worker! What a sweetheart!!! I know how you feel, Both my boys are in speech therapy and preschool and other activities all week long. I feel like I could be a professional chauffeur!! We've been toying around with getting the boys a puppy too! I just LOVE the picture of your little ones in the tub! So, so sweet!!

Amanda Ledford said...

You are such a fabulous mommy! I am so glad that Evan is doing so well! I think a therapy dog is a great idea! Not only will Evan have a companion, EG will love him too! I love the bathtub picture too! VERY cute! :-)

Anonymous said...

Leigh Ann, I'm Michelle's cousin and have met you a few times. Your little boy is such a trooper. What amazing strength God has placed on him! Your schedule sounds super busy, what a great mom you are to devote this time to him. I'll be thinking of your whole family and keep ya'll in my prayers.

Katy S.

The Garners said...

You're such a wonderful Mom, and you have such a sweet, beautiful family! All the extra time and effort for E's therapy will be (already is!) so worth it. I think the dog is a fantastic idea--I LOVED the picture of them walking down the hallway together. Dogs are such great companions, and if one could also be a help to E, it would be a wonderful addition to your family. I wish we would have been at the bowling alley at the same time--we were there this morning!

LOVE YOU A GOOGLE... said...

Love the pictures! I think a dog would be a wonderful addition to the Horton household! How much fun would E and EG have with a dog of their own!!! Love the bathtub picture, that is too cute! :)

Megan L Hutchings said...

The tub picture is my absolute favorite ;)! I could just squeeze them and love on them all day!

It sounds and looks like Evan's therapy is going really well ;)! I think the companion dog would be a great Christmas gift!

Angela said...

Wow, 40 minutes from Hot Springs? I thought you were up further than that. Well, we go often so maybe we can get together next time.

Have a good weekend!

In His Army said...

Love the tub picture! They are so adorable! I am always amazed at companion dogs--what a great idea! Have a great weekend!

Meredith said...

Evan is a very hard worker! He gives his all! Aww I bet it would be great to get a dog! Your sweet kids look cute in the bubbles!

Melissa said...

We do the Listening program as well and have a t-stool at home since it works so great at therapy. The companion dogs seem so great! I found a great site for them a while back. A friend of mine got one for her child. They raised funds for it for three years. They are very expensive around 10K for a dog. My daughter would really benefit from one that was also trained as a seizure dog. His therapy place looks so nice. Try to go to www.losethetrainingwheels.com and see about getting him in there. It is an awesome program that my daughter did in our town recently and learned how to ride. They travel all over the USA in the summer and tons of families schedule their vacations around where they will be. That is how great they are!

Lauren said...

Your children are amazing. It's just that simple.

I love the pic of EG giving you sugar!