constraint camp

(day 10)

theme of the day:

GOODBYE

today was the final day of camp.

it was definitely a bittersweet moment.

they had the fire trucks come this morning

(landon absolutely loved them)

they did some cleaning therapy

had a parade for the parents

we watched a slide show

(tear jerker, i don't think there were many dry eyes)

ate cake

and said our goodbyes.

i will be forever grateful to all those who volunteered

their time, especially Holly (who created this camp).

this is an amazing program.

we have met so many wonderful people

and made so many new friends.

THANK YOU!

things landon has learned/improved on:

opening & closing fist

eating & holding juice box

gripping

holding toys in right hand

pointing with one finger

raising hands above head

landon, we are so proud of all your hard work.

keep it up, we love you!

constraint camp

(day 9)

theme of the day:

DOG DAYS

today they brought in therapy dogs for the kids to play with.

they got to pet them,

throw balls for them,

feed them,

and watched them jump through hoola hoops.

i was so nervous for DOG day.

landon is terrified of dogs.

he runs screaming every time our neighbors dog is outside.

Lauren said that he actually pet the dog (very cautiously).

he wouldn't get too close,

but loved throwing the balls for them.

these next picture are things that he has never been able to do,

but because of this amazing camp he is able to do them now.

(eating and holding a juice box)

easy for your average kid, but huge accomplishment for landon.

constraint camp

(day 8)

theme of the day:

SAFARI

today was full of so many great activities.

they took the kids on a safari, searching for anaimals

(landon found a zebra and a tiger)

they made binoculars (2 tp rolls & yarn)

they made two different lions

they played finger puppets with tattoo's on their hands

wow! today was packed with so much fun.

landon's favorite thing was the tattoo puppet.

he did so great opening and closing his hand.

(he struggled with this activity, but does it so well now)

look at how great he is doing, yeah!

constraint camp

(day 7)

theme of the day:

SPACE DAY

today at camp they did activities in space.

they made flying saucers and tin aliens

watched the stars in the dark room

and flew rockets.

so FUN!

landon has come home so excited every night.

he is exhausted, but can't wait to do it again tomorrow.

this is landon and braxton after camp at 5:30.

they are both working & playing hard.

i wish i could curl up next to them.

ethan has glasses

drumroll, please....

look at my handsome little boy,

he is so grown up

and so sophisticated

but, still full of laughter.

constraint camp

(day 6)

theme of the day:

Karate/Tie Dye

they brought in karate instructors to teach the kids a few moves.

Lauren said that Landon loved every minute of it.

he even came home and showed us some of his new moves.

so adorable!

they made tie dye t-shirts.

landon was so excited to show us his.

he did such a great job, his was one of the best looking ones.

he wanted to wear his t-shirt again this morning.

Landon has been completely exhausted everyday after camp.

this is him last night at 5:30. he slept until 7:15 this morning.

he woke-up ready to go again,

excited to see Lauren and Macy.

basketball camp

braxton started his basketball camp on monday.

9:00-4:30, a long day.

7 1/2 hours of camp and this boy still comes home to play more basketball.

constraint camp

(day 5)

theme of the day:

BUGS

today, the life and science museum

brought bugs & butterflies to the camp and let the kids touch them.

landon's therapist said that the only one he touched was a cockroach.

(REALLY? of all the things.)

landon has always been scared of things that move,

so i was surprised he even touched anything.

they made these adorable caterpillars for the yard.

landon was so proud and excited to bring his home

and show all of us what he made.

they painted pictures of bugs

went on a bug hunt

and so much more.

what a great day!

i can't believe how much fun landon is having.

this camp is such hard work for these kids,

but they all love it!

constraint camp

(day 4)

theme of the day

father's.

landon woke up excited for camp.

he is full of energy and ready to go.

today it was all about activities and crafts for dad.

they painted bird houses (for their dad's)

drew pictures

sang songs

and lots of other fun things.

later that day they had a picnic for all the campers

and their families.

we had a great time getting to know everyone

and hearing their stories.

(unfortunately we forgot to take pictures)

constraint camp

(day 3)

theme of the day...pirates

Argghh Matey!

today was full of

treasure hunts

sword making

pirate ship making & sinking

mustaches & goatees

bandanas

and singing.

it was so fun to see all the kids dressed up

and imitating pirates.

i had the opportunity to volunteer at the camp today

it was such a wonderful experience, i loved it!

these kids are simply AMAZING!

(along with all the therapist & volunteers)

we have already noticed an improvement in Landon

and his functional movements.

we noticed him pointing(with his hand, not his finger),

and giving his brother high 5's today after returning home.

it may not seem like much, but for Landon it is a lot.

Landon was exhausted after camp today.

he fell asleep as soon as i put him in the car seat.

after a nap and some restored energy,

he is already asking about tomorrow.

ethan has contacts

today i had an eye appointment for Braxton & Ethan.

I knew braxton was needing a new prescription because he has been squinting a lot,

even when wearing his glasses/contacts.

ethan has also been complaining that he can't see the board very well a school,

but we weren't sure if he really needed glasses/contacts.

well, it is official...

ethan has contacts.

we will be ordering his glasses tomorrow,

but until then he will be wearing contacts.

he learned to put them in today.

it took a few tries to get used to it,

but overall he does pretty good.

i was hoping all the kids would take after me,

but so far the odds are against us.

2/4!

Constraint Camp

(day 2)

today Landon woke up so excited to go to camp.

they start off camp in their PJ's

so they can learn to dress themselves.

Landon has really taken to a girl named Macy.

the first thing Macy did this morning was run up to Landon and give him a great big hug.

it is so adorable.

they were instant friends.

Landon also really likes his therapist Lauren.

she is amazing.

so loving and sweet.

Landon has always loved "Buddy".

they have a special bond.

a goodbye hug is a must for them.

(landon made sure buddy carried him into the school)

Day 2 was another success.

looking forward to tomorrow!

first day of

Hemiplegia Constraint Camp

we took landon in on tuesday to get his cast made.

they let him choose the color....

i was a little nervous thinking he might pick pink or purple,

but when he came back in the room he had chose...

ORANGE.

(thank goodness i didn't have to be the bad mom

to tell him he couldn't get the color he chose.)

Landon had his first day of camp today.

9:00-3:00, wow! we both made it through okay.

there were a few tears at first,

but his therapist said he did great.

he is pretty attached to Evan & I, so I was so happy to hear he did so good.

(this is the therapist, Lauren, she will be with Landon the entire camp)

in the hemiplegia constraint camp

they put a cast on the non-affected arm,

requiring the child to use the weak affected arm and hand.

they are required to wear the cast the whole time.

to eat, dress, play, etc..

all the children have similar disabilities

and they are all going through a lot of the same things

which makes none of the children feel different or out of place.

Landon made new friends and had a great time.

he is even looking forward to going back tomorrow.

I am looking forward to seeing his progress in 10 days.

what camps are your kids involved in this summer?

MRI Research Study

Landon was chosen to be a part of an MRI research study

for his Hemiplegia Constraint Camp that he will be participating in this summer.

so we headed over to UNC on monday to get his MRI.

they read landon a book on what to expect,

gave him a teddy bear (sparky) to hold,

and took him to the simulation room (to show how it works).

landon was so brave.

he got on the table, laid down and held really still.

they even let kaden try it to help show landon there is nothing to be afraid of.

the whole time kaden was on the table,

landon held his hand.

it was so adorable. priceless.

the simulation went so smoothly.

however, once we got into the real MRI room

with the much bigger machine,

it wasn't quite as easy.

he did pretty good until he heard the first set of loud beeps.

they scared him.

so the next step was try to get him to take a nap and try again.

he fell asleep fairly quickly,

but didn't sleep too sound

(it was almost like he was sleeping with one eye open)

as soon as we would start he would only get through one or two beeps

before waking up.

so after several tries,

they decided it would be better to bring him back at bed time on tuesday.

MRI- round two

i went over with landon what we would be doing on tuesday

he knew he would be having pictures of his brain taken

and that he would be able to watch Cars.

he knew he had to hold really really still

and go inside a big tunnel.

we also told him he would get his very own big bag of M&M's (his favorite).

so when we arrived on tuesday he seemed kind of excited

we walk into the room

he hops right up onto the table, lays down, and is ready to go.

he rides back into the tunnel and is watching cars.

then the MRI starts along with the loud beeps

and landon is terrified once again.

i comfort him and rock him to sleep

(this time he was sleeping sound)

back in the MRI machine he goes.

he did so good for 1/2 of the MRI, but then the beeps wake him up.

(the beeps get continually louder as the MRI goes on)

so at this point I am comforting him and trying to get him to lay down

when he looks at me with tears in his eyes and says over and over again

"mama, go home now...please, go home now!"

I couldn't take it.

my heart was crushed

i knew right then that I couldn't put him through it any longer.

unfortunately he isn't going to be in the research study,

but since I know he will need MRI's in the future,

i wasn't willing to scare him for life.

(if you are wondering why they didn't sedate him,

as part of the research study they couldn't because of side effects)

landon was such a brave little guy,

so i still bought him his bag of M&M's.