Summer 2013 :)

How has the summer passed so quickly?!?! To think I was worrying about how I was going to keep the two girls entertained for two months.  This summer has been nothing short of fabulous.  Best summer yet without a doubt.  It's not like we did anything extravagant - just lots of family time.  Making memories :)  I haven't had a chance to blog about anything we've did this summer as we have just been so busy, but I'll try to quickly cover most things now :)
We took the opportunity of David being at home during the day to go swimming every week.  Aside from animals, it's Caitlin's favourite thing to do :) Aoife is exactly the same, as soon as she sees the water she tries to jump into my arms and into the pool!  Both of them just laugh, splash, chase each other (with Mummy & Daddy's help) and just have a ton of fun!

We went to W5, it's like an interactive centre encouraging children to use their imagination.  Caitlin loves pretending to be a shop keeper there, playing in the water, boat and car, dancing and Aoife just enjoys having a wide open space to crawl around.  Oh yes, she's crawling now, as well as pulling to stand, cruising along the sofa and walking a little with her push along walker!  It's crazy, she's just ten months old today, she just seems far too little to be doing these things.  Caitlin was much older when she reached these milestones, obviously due to her spina bifida so that's probably why I find it so weird!

The zoo was an obvious hit with both the girls....

Well maybe more Caitlin, Aoife did this most of the time there..

The aquarium was a big hit....

There was a few weeks spent in Donegal which involves lots of time in Little Rockers which is the indoor play area within the holiday park, Caitlin must have had her face painted about 20 times while we were there :)

The play park & games arcade,

The beach....

The farm....

And tropical world were Caitlin made friends with a snake!

We also went every week (apart from when we were in Donegal) to the Donkey Sanctuary.  I can't emphasis enough how amazing this place is.  Its a centre run by a charity, that gives donkey rides to children with disabilities.  Not only that, but it has a outdoor play area, an indoor play area with painting, crafts and toys plus a sensory room.  Caitlin's favourite part is the donkeys, Aoife's is the sensory room with all the lights and music, though both girls just have a blast from the minute they arrived and usually we need to carry Caitlin out because she won't leave lol.  Not only is the donkeys a brilliant experience for Caitlin but physiotherapy in disguise :)   And for the past few weeks, Aoife has been able to have a turn on the donkeys too!

Caitlin got her first wheelchair!  That should really be a post on it's own but I'm cramming here :) It's only on loan until she gets one that is really hers.  She was so excited when she seen it and asked to go outside as soon as we got home to take it for a spin :)

We only use it for days where we need to walk for long periods like to the zoo, Caitlin loves how she can move it around herself :)

Oh and I have a few more Take That Spina Bifida Moments!

Like when Caitlin walked on sand at the beach....

And then on stones!!

When Caitlin started walking independently we were informed she would only ever walk on flat, smooth surfaces.  Sand and stones ain't flat or smooth!  Another example of doctor's not knowing everything :)

I'm sure there's much more to post about but as always, not enough time in the day!  I really can't believe I have just waved my daughter off this morning as she got on the school bus excited and smiling, showing off her new school bag and lunchbox, ready to start her second year at nursery school.  She's been gone 20 minutes and I miss her!  The house is so quiet when she's not here, but I know my little social butterfly will love being back at school with her friends.  This will probably be her last year at Fleming Fulton and I have to start the process of looking into mainstream schools for next year.  This week we have an appointment at spina bifida clinic, there is just a couple of things I need to discuss with them regarding her bowels & bladder but apart from those few issues she really is doing fantastic and we have had a wonderful summer!