Fire Truck Birthday Party

I glance at his cubby on top is a handwritten on white cardstock paper, “Alex’s siblings welcome.” Confused? I wonder which of Alex’s nine therapists has left this cryptic message. What does it mean? I turn over the card, a big cute red fire truck announces Jeffrey’s third birthday. The tears just rolled out of my eyes as if someone has captured my heart. This is Alex’s first school friend birthday party invitation. I jet down the school hallway, waving the invite. Look!  I tell the incredibly kind director, Karyn, Alex is invited. Alex is downstairs at the playground. I tell more teachers and my heart leaps again.

Playground was a foreign word before we had three wonderful PCA (Personal Care Assistants) Meg, Amanda and Katie for Alex. These amazing beings help position and grow Alex in ways that we cannot thank them. Meg, Katie and Amanda help allow Alex to be fully included in his school. They make sure he participates, learns, plays and has fun alongside his friends. Meg, Katie and Amanda “Teachers touch tomorrow for Alex with today.” We are lucky to have these powerful women helping Alex.

The beautiful seventy degree March eighth day makes me smile. I glide on cloud nine as I chat with Alex’s teachers, Miss Jacque and Miss Michelle, at the playground. Alex’s teachers are angels. They teach and help Alex every day. Miss Michelle and Miss Jacque treat Alex as if he were like any other child in their class. They never blink at having to remember an orthotic schedule or a routine a therapist recommends. Alex loves each one as if they were a part of our family. Extraordinary, gifted people. We are blessed to have them in our lives.

I hold the invitation up, look! Jeffrey’s third birthday. I phone my husband to tell him the wonderful news. I phone my sister, my Mother-in-law, some friends. I remembered to call and RSVP, I think I was even teary RSVPing.

The fire truck party at the firehouse was fun! We learned about a ten thousand dollar camera that helps find people through fire. The camera can detect a heat source . Alex and I got to play with some of his friends from school at the firehouse. We climbed in to a real truck and Hoda another beautiful Mom with a gorgeous spirit snaps our photo on the truck and again when Alex gets to fire the real hose. Hoda tells me that Sadeen’s birthday will be in a few weeks. My heart dances again. Acceptance, friendship and loved. Alex is a part of his school in the way we had always hoped and prayed he would be. Included and a part, not separate and different. Similar and loved as any friend.

The fire hose was a blast and the party was awesome. Alex loved each bite of the adorable red fire truck cake that Jeffrey’s Mom, Shannon, lovingly baked from a YouTube recipe! Shannon and her lovely family even lent their baby’s seat to Alex so he could eat along with his friends. Alex is still working on sitting. We had a fabulous time.

The other day, Shannon and I were walking in together to school. I thanked her for the fun party and for having us. Shannon just smiled and said that Jeffrey was happy to have all of his friends there.

Sincerely,

As A Guest in the Stork’s Nest~

Mama Nancy

Artwork by Michael Shwartz

 

ALONE

 Many of us have heard and/or seen this saying on the image to the right..."We used to want it all, now we just want to pee alone!" 

My husband was asking me all last week what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day.  Him knowing I wanted to spend the day with the kids, he was throwing out ideas… go to brunch, go to a park for a picnic lunch, or visit a fun museum in the city. I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but finally settled on visiting a farm for some strawberry picking, which the kids and I do every year in May.   Turns out the weather was so beautiful on Saturday, that all the ripe strawberries were picked and the farm closed on Mother’s Day for strawberry ripening…so now that was out.

Sunday morning I awoke to a delicious breakfast in bed of Cherrios and three slices toast with about three tablespoons of butter spread on each piece, hand-written cards and drawings, and three very excited little faces.  My husband said he would go grocery shopping and run a few other errands for the week, a chore I typically do on Sundays, but one he offered to do for me this week because of Mother’s Day.  With a little prodding, he even took all THREE kids with him!  I honestly cannot tell you of a time when I was in my house ALONE!

I decided to take a nice long, hot shower, and didn’t even have to lock the door!  I was able to get out of the shower and dry and style my hair, ALONE.  I was able to get dressed, ALONE.  I was able to open up my laptop and check my email and Facebook, ALONE.  I made myself something to eat and ate it, ALONE!  I think I even got a chance to pee ALONE while they were all gone.

When my family arrived home, they were full of energy and my husband again asked what I wanted to do.  I simply told him, I already did it, and thanked him for giving me the break I didn’t know I needed.

Moms, when someone offers, take time for yourself, even if you don’t think you need or want it.  I have always spent every Mother’s Day (the whole day) with my kids, since if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t even be celebrating the day.  My alone time this Mother’s Day made me realize that as much as I LOVE my children, I need to be kind to myself and enjoy the moments, as few and far between as they are, ALONE!

Sincerely,

From the Stork’s Nest~

Rebecca