Halloween

Maria decided she wanted to be a princess for Halloween...not a big surprise.  We talked about princesses and she settled on being Snow White.  So, being who I am, we got the pattern and fabric and last weekend started sewing away on a Snow White dress.

This is from Sunday when I still needed to hem the dress and do some final finishing work.  I think I did a pretty decent job on the costume (my mom did help by sewing the red on the sleeves for me). 

So, tonight we met up with friends and went to Trunk or Treats at two different churches and then had dinner at Sonic.  We also went Trick or Treating at 2 of our neighbor's homes...both felt the need to give Maria too much candy!

She didn't want to wear the white collar tonight and only wore the cape for a short time.

She loved having makeup on...

We had a really fun night, even got homework done and to be on time.  My mom asked if Maria had fun...I had to tell her, of course....when else does a kid get to dress up like a princess, put on makeup, be the center of attention and get free candy?

I also wanted to let people know I have talked with the family who is adopting Zack.  They seem very nice and have lots of great questions about him and his needs.  They have their homestudy done too.  The mom and I talked for almost 3 hours over the weekend.  It was great to get a chance to learn more about their family.  I think Zack will do great there.

Walk n Roll

Yesterday was SBAI's first ever Walk n Roll for Spina Bifida!  There was well over 300 people there (including us).  It was great to see all the supporters and to know that the SBAI raised over $25,000!  Maria wanted to go see some friends she made at the picnic this summer and she was excited that she would get to try out a hand cycle again.  It was great to get to see other families and new friends.  Had to laugh a little when the head of Adaptive Sports Iowa was just as annoyed as I was to hear that Maria only watched in PE the first month of school. 

The SBAI board kicking off the Walk n Roll

Maria waiting for the fun to begin

Walkers on the 1 mile walk

Maria on the hand cycle getting some help from Adaptive Sports Iowa

Yeah, she didn't want to get off it

Look at the joy on that face....can't wait till she gets her own hand cycle!  More on that later

Got her in the sports chair too.  Amazing how much more comfortable she is in it this time.

She did great...even made a few baskets

After the Walk n Roll we went to see my parents.  Maria got to help grandma carve a pumpkin.  It was funny....she loves getting to do new things but doesn't like to get dirty.  She is doing really good though.  Back in her old KAFO, while we get the re-make done.  She is so much more confident in doing things right now.  It is nice to see her confidence coming back with the knowledge that she has the support she needs in the KAFO.

Getting ready to carve the pumpkin

Love the expression...she really didn't know what to think about it.

Scooping out the pumpkin guts

Yeah, she couldn't wash it off fast enough

Watching grandma carve out the eyes

Maria's stink face

Getting the seeds ready

Maria update

So the last few weeks we have been busy.  A big part has been getting use the the new braces.  Maria was doing great....not overly fond of the stairs, but adapting well.  Over the weekend we went to Chicago for my honorary niece's 10th birthday.  Her one request was that Maria be at her birthday....couldn't deny either of them that.  So, we embarked on a fun no schedule weekend.....BIG mistake!  I really found out how much Maria needs to maintain a schedule and ensure that she gets 9-10 hours of sleep a night.  Needless to say she has been grumpy this week. 

Ok, so the weekend was actually a lot of fun. 8 girls were there (including the birthday girl) on Friday night.  They decorated masks (the theme was masquerade) and they got fun tulle skirts to wear around.  After pizza, cake, ice cream, candy and two movies they finally went to sleep.....yeah, I'm pretty sure it was after midnight....and they were up by 7am.  Saturday after the girls left my other friend came over and we went to Avenue BG (Bulgarian restaurant) for lunch.  Maria was VERY excited to get her favorite soup tarator.  We then went to the Bulgarian market where we found banana juice and banitisa (both were things Maria wanted).  We also got lots of other Bulgarian treats.  Ok, so I have to say that I find this rather funny....when we were in Bulgaria people didn't realize that Maria spoke Bulgarian unless I told them.  Same thing happened at Ave BG and the market.  The market was rather funny....I was trying to get Maria to choose a treat to take to her class for her birthday next month.  I finally asked one of the workers what they would suggest...explaining that Maria is from Stara Zagora Bulgaria and we wanted a Bulgarian treat for her birthday.  They were surprised and asked if she spoke Bulgarian...Maria said yes of course, but wouldn't talk to them in Bulgarian (kids!  I swear she has not lost any of her Bulgarian....just rather shy around people she doesn't know well).  Anyway, the worker I was talking to and another worker are also from Stara Zagora.  They were so nice and helped me find a yummy treat for Maria's birthday.  They even gave us a few Bulgarian calendars so that we know when all the Bulgarian holidays are and Maria can write special things on it.  They also told Maria in Bulgarian and English to tell me when she wants to come back.  Still find it funny that people automatically assume that she is my biological child and speaks English....at the same time I'm honored that they see our bond and the similarities between us.  After the market we went back to my friend's home where we were staying....it was raining so, we were unsure what we should do.  We ended up having a fire outside where the kids got to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.  It was lots of fun.

The fun ended as we headed home.  Maria was extra whiny and grumpy.  Ok, she was really tired!  Monday she went to school fine and then I got a call...Maria was refusing to go up stairs...it was a didn't want to it was a couldn't do.  She was so tired that she did not have the energy or strength to use her new brace to go up the stairs at school.  It was bad enough the school didn't want her attempting to go up the bus steps, so I had to get her.  From the moment we walked out the doors, she started to cry and cried over half way home.  Yup, one tired girl!  So, she went to bed early that night and I took her the next day to her 2 week follow up on her new braces.  I was prepared to request that they put a lock back on the KAFO....it made me sad to give up on the current brace, but I felt Maria needed the lock.  Saw the ortho....he told us he saw Maria on the news for the Walk n Roll for Spina Bifida and then took us back to the room.  I was able to explain what had been going on and he said that he saw that she wasn't as stable on the new KAFO and needs the lock....I was so relieved....really thought I was going to have to fight that one.  So, the new brace will be ready in 2 weeks!  Yup, she is getting a remake.  Right now she is back in her old KAFO with the lock....if she needs it for stability then she needs it. 
Ok, so now for pics

Maria with her soup tarator and shopska salad at Avenue BG

painting her mask

Fun pink skirt

Showing off the pink mask!

Enjoying the fire

Roasting a marshmallow

Playing with a stick

Rare picture with me in it!

Fall pics

I haven't really been able to take a lot of pictures since returning to work and Maria starting school.  So, I decided to make some time and take some fall pictures of her at a local park.  I think you will agree she is a very photogenic young lady......growing up too quickly already!  It was hard to choose my favorites...