Weekend in review

Friday evening was eventful only because Ally developed a mysterious itchy rash on her back. After a couple doses of Benadryl she was finally able to fall asleep.

Saturday morning was some quiet home time, project with mama, and mani pedi by mommy. Then it was ballet and off to Guatemala Girls at Roxie's house and then to the mall. Ally hasn't been feeling so great lately about herself and we needed to find a different outfit for Charlie's wedding next week. 

Lazy morning watching TV with Cloey.

Then it was science project time with mama.

They made bubble gum!

Saturday evening, eating Chik Filet at the mall. Gotta fuel up for shopping. We came home with a fabulous pair of shoes, and a possible dress. 

Sunday morning Ally skyped with Grandma Barbie while working on a fortune teller, cleaned Penguin's cage then she texted with her friend Isobel, and did her HEP (Home Exercise Program) before finally taking a shower and getting ready to go to the Aquarium with Isobel and her mom.

 Anabel, Ally and Isobel touching the sting rays!

Ally and Isobel watching the Penguins.

The giant sea turtle myrtle. 

Outside at the sea lion area there was a sign explain how sea lions stretch the same way humans stretch our calf muscles. The girls both have calf stretching as part of their HEP. 

So they stretched right there!

Then it was time to walk up and around the 3 story tank!

Can you tell Ally was having fun? The picture comes out dark in the aquarium, but I had to lighten it up to show her smile. 

The touch tank above, and below trying to generate electricity at the eel tank.

Soon after, Ally was starting to tire. We had a snack and bathroom break and prepared to leave the aquarium. At this point we had been there over 2 1/2 hours. That is a lot of walking to Ally. I told her she could pick something out in the gift shop as a reward, and it would be fuel to keep going. This trip the aquarium was actually an assignment from her Occupational Therapist, who asked that Ally do a 3-4 hour "community outing". The museum trip the week before was only about 90 minutes, and OT wanted to push Ally's endurance. So the 2 1/2 hours was not enough. We planned to continue on to a carousel and a walk thru Quincy Market. 

In the gift shop Ally picked out a giant stuffed animal. I basically said no, and she got upset, because I hadn't put any restrictions on the reward when I told her to pick something out. So we talked it out and I bought her the giant stuffed animal. Ally has a smaller version of this exact animal, it's beanie boo Waddles. I call this one Super Waddles. Honestly, lesson learned for me to set expectations better, and even more honestly, that stuffed animal gave Ally inspiration and distraction to get her thru the rest of our outing.

At the carousel, Isobel wanted to ride the squirrel. Ally chose the bunny next to it. 

After this it was a long walk thru the market, on cobblestones, which was killing Ally, a stop at an American clothing store for Isabel and her mom, Anabel, and then Arab ride home.

Finally home, and so happy with her Super Waddles.

Ally and I talked tonight about how 2 weeks ago she wouldn't have been able to do the afternoon adventure, that even though it hurt, Ally had skills now, and was stronger to get thru it and have fun. Ally even conceded that the pain was actually a little bit less. 

Huge improvement. 

Well worth the time and energy.