This summer, we went to a new neighborhood park with lots of nice shiny equipment, including a sweet child-sized black gloss finished picnic table. Eager to try out Elsa’s more independent sitting skills, I put her on her bottom, on the seat facing out onto the concrete pavement below. Perhaps you can guess what happened next. I looked away for a second, and when I turned back, Elsa was inches from the concrete. Within an instant, she hit the ground, face-first. Nosebleed, busted lip. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Even though she fully recovered in three days, I still shutter thinking about it. Worst mommy of the year.
The tragic ordeal lit a fire under me to take our therapy sessions to the park, so that Elsa could experience the fun of being outdoors in the sun at the park, and not the pain — as she experienced under my watch. Plus, her therapists and I agree: Elsa needs to develop some real-life, practical application, protective instincts, too.
Our therapy session in the park was a co-treat between Elsa’s OT and PT. It went so well. The hour flew by, as she went from activity to activity, in the safety of her therapists’ watchful eyes and hands. They really challenged her, and she worked so hard. I was so proud of her, as always. But it was extra cool to see her doing big girl stuff from a distance. I’m always holding, handling and supporting her, and therefore seldom see how big and strong she is becoming. She is 3.5 years old now, 33 pounds and 36.5 inches tall.
Here are two videos for you to see.
On the swing…
And going down the slide…
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Elsa is adorable and I enjoy watching her grow, develop, and participate in normal childhood activities like swinging and sliding. Her therapy is paying off. She looks so healthy and I was very impressed with her ability to initiate a sign. Her sweet gentle spirit radiates in everything she does.