Getting Crafty

My kiddos love to be creative and get all crafty.  With Madi, it takes a bit of extra creativity to make sure that she is able to do anything she puts her little mind to.  One thing that we use all the time and LOVE is our learning tower.  I should be a spokesperson for them because we love ours so much!  We seriously use it every day.  We got it when Madi was just itty bitty, and I knew it would get a lot of love.  We use it with Madi in her HKFOs, but had planned to use some sort of chair or stool in it if she wasn't able to stand in it.  We try to encourage Madi to be up and standing as much as possible and it helps when we can vary her activities for her.  The learning tower allows us to cook, do dishes, play in the sink, do crafts standing up, etc...  Today we used our learning tower to make peanutbutter play-dough (recipe below) and to paint.  It was a ton of fun!  Here's some pictures from today:

P.S. Both of the kids fit in it as well, which is awesome.  It is very roomy!!

Peanut Butter Play-Dough Recipe

(We made ours peanut-free!  We also used the dairy-free version :)  I will put my modifications below)

1 C. Peanut Butter (we used sunflower butter, however, hazelnut chocolate butter would have been very yummy too!

1/2 C. Honey (we used wild, raw, local honey)

2 C. Powdered Sugar

1/2 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract

(You could also add m&m's, chocolate chips, rice crispies, or something similar to change it up a bit)

In a bowl mix peanut butter, honey, and powdered sugar with your hands. Dough should feel soft and pliable, shape into the forms of your choice. You can be creative and use cookies cutters, and all kinds of things. Enjoy!

(the above picture is a link to the learning tower on amazon, using our associate link ;))



Do You Use Ebates?

This is just a little spam :)

Ebates is an online site you use to go through when you do your online shopping.  All you do is go to your ebates account, click on the store you want to buy from, then go to that store and shop like normal.  You get a percentage back of all your purchases!  Amazon isn't one of their shops, but e-bay is :).

If 50 of you sign up and use ebates, then Madi can get a FREE iPad!  How cool would that be?!?!??!?  Here's our link...

http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=QiPkA0sjDBaucRcWabxCBA%3D%3D

 

 

Here's the fine print from the site....

 

A qualified referral is a new user to Ebates referred by you who makes a purchase of $25 or more earning cash back. No self-referral allowed and returned purchases do not qualify. Posting messages or links on any Ebates partner stores' Facebook pages or forum pages using your referral links is not allowed and will result in disqualification from the referral bonus program. Keyword bidding for search marketing campaigns is not allowed. To qualify for the bonus, the new member you refer via your custom referral link, the invitation forms on this page or other methods supplied by Ebates that allow for proper tracking of referrals, must make a qualifying purchase of $25+ between 10/1/11 and 12/31/11. Only one bonus level per person awarded, you will receive the highest bonus level for which you qualify. Each qualified referral to Ebates earns $5.00 which is added directly to you Ebates account. The bonus levels indicated above include the original $5.00 credited to your account, and the additional monies will be added to your account at the conclusion of this promotion. Ebates decisions are final. In the event that the iPad2 as described above is not available, a similar bonus of equal value will be awarded. You are responsible for any taxes, as applicable by law. Referral Bonus Promotion is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico and are eighteen (18) years of age. You will be contacted within ten days of the final qualifying purchase date regarding delivery of your bonus.

 

To good not to share!

SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS:   You should be aware that having a child with SB may cause increased motivation to help others, a new found perspective in times of trial, a desire to enjoy the little things and commitment to change the way the world defines "disability". Studies show that raising a child with SB will induce strong feelings of gratitude for even the simplest of milestones and produce a willingness to do anything, talk to anyone, try any method necessary to make life better for your child. Side effects include feelings of worry, fear, uncertainty, and anger but are tempered with love, faith, determination and hope. Having a child with SB is not easy...but loving one is. ♥

Written by Joanna Penny http://www.babyboypenny.blogspot.com/

Take that Spina Bifida!

I feel like Madi is saying, "Take that, spina bifida!"  in this picture.  This photo really captures her amazing little personality... she lives with so much joy, and brings so much joy to those around her!  She has such a great sense of humor as well.

P.S.  Madi's middle name is "Joy" after my mom (Lynda Joy).  I think she's living up to her name quite well :)

P. S.S.  There are actually Take That Spina Bifida!  shirts for sale for a great cause.  If you would like to check it out, head to http://takethatspinabifida.blogspot.com/2011/09/take-that-spina-bifida-t-shirts.html.

A Great Poem

I had to share this poem written by Tricia Proefrock.  I love it!




Dear mommy,


I have felt your tears, falling on my face.

... Someone else might think they are tears of sadness, because of what I can't do.



... I KNOW DIFFERENT.



I know those tears pour from your heart out of gratitude for me, because of what I CAN do : I can love everyone in the purest form possible. Unconditionally. I can be judged, but will never judge in return. I know different because I feel, in your hugs and kisses, that I'm perfect just the way I am.



I have seen you hang your head down in shame, when we go out on adventures.

Someone else might think you are ashamed of having a child like me.



I KNOW DIFFERENT.



I know you are ashamed of the grown-ups who ignore me, yet talk happily to all the other children. The grown-ups who won't look you in the eye, but stare at me, when they think you don't see. I know different because I've seen the many, many more times you have raised your head up high, with pride, because I'm yours. : )



I have heard you whispering desperate prayers at night. Someone else might think you are asking God to make me a typical kid.



I KNOW DIFFERENT.



I know you are thanking Him that I got to be here, with you, for another day- exactly how I am. I know different because I have heard you ask me never to leave you. And I have heard you cheer for me, every single day of my life- you tell me I don't need to be typical to be amazing, I just need to be here.



I know you have a big job, taking care of me.

I know your body hurts, because I'm getting so big.

I know that more than anything, you want to hear me say your name.

And I know you worry that you aren't good enough, and that you will fail me.



BUT I KNOW DIFFERENT MOMMY.....



I know that even on your worst days, you will always be enough for me, and I will always love you more than you know. ♥

Who Cares?

Sometimes I think back to all the things the doctors said about Madi and what our lives would be like.  They made it sound like such an awful thing that she might never walk.  They made cathing seem like the end of the world.  They said she might have a learning disability.  And you know what I say?  WHO CARES!  I get to love on this vibrant, life-loving, adorable little girl every day.  Nothing else matters.

Guest Bloggers

We are guest bloggers on two other sites.  Check us out!

http://atalw.blogspot.com/2011/10/spina-bifida-awareness-meet-madi.html?showComment=1318053229951#c8593795524730287131

http://simplysoares.blogspot.com/2011/10/spina-bifida-awareness-meet-madi.html