We will either find a way or make one.
Hannibal

Field Trip to the Pet Store

During the break between AIT sessions (see more information below), the girls and I went to PetSmart to see the animals.  Because Sophia is allergic to cats and dogs, I'd like her to be able to have a pet that she isn't allergic to. 

We spent a lot of time looking at the fish, and she really likes the clown fish.  She also sat down in front of the tortoise terrarium and watched it for a while.  The tortoise was very friendly, and kept walking up to the glass to look at us. 

There was very little interest in the lizards and frogs (probably since they were so small and were hiding).  There was one reptile that was shedding its skin which was interesting for both the girls to see.  We talked about snakes and how they shed their skin as well.

We walked back to the horse section, and both girls were thrilled with all the equipment they recognized.  Sophia identified several items that she remembered from riding lessons last fall.  Olivia was so excited to see the different toy horses, and the horse backpack.

We walked through the dog section, and the girls pretended they were dogs and crawled into an igloo dog house.  "Mom, can we stay in here for awhile?" 

There was a section for about six cats needing homes.  The girls wanted to visit them, and we saw two that reminded us of own cats.  One almost had the same markings as Miney (who we lost in 2005 to a predator), and the other like Lucy, except fluffier.  They enjoyed talking to and petting the cats.

We watched a groomer groom a dog - brushing and trimming the fur of a tiny dog. 

And...of course before leaving...the girls wanted to pretend they were cats by crawling onto and into the cat furniture.  The funny thing is...Olivia is so small still that she could actually lay on the cat resting perches. 

AIT Therapy

Today marks the sixth day (the second week) of AIT Therapy at Special Children Center.  The girls had their morning sessions with Theresa, and afternoon sessions with Sarah. 

Theresa gave me some information about oral-motor tools that the girls can use, since both seem to respond well and crave that oral-motor stimulation.  Sarah provided information about sensory activities to do at home after AIT is completed.  Lots of good ideas. 

Olivia was very tired and almost fell asleep in the hammock chair in the a.m.  She used the platform and frog swings in the afternoon, and walked over and pointed to which ones she wanted to use. 

Both girls used the trampoline, jumped into pillows, and did the spinning protocol. 

They also enjoyed playing in a bin of sand that had smooth rocks and joined chopsticks (fine motor activity).  This is another tool I can easily make for them at home.

Sophia used the tire swing in her afternoon session.  Again, this is something that I can easily find locally and suspend from a tree outside.  Ideally, one of the rooms in the house can have the set-up where the swings could be hooked up and used year-round. 

Milk Allergy

Before leaving for therapy this morning, I received a call from the doctor's office.  Sophia is allergic to milk.  I was really hoping that she wouldn't have any food allergies. 

After AIT is done, I need to look at the changes that need to be made to her diet, and find more types of food that she can eat.  Having a milk allergy definitely limits what I can prepare for her...as I already experienced in December when I tried a dairy-free diet for three weeks.