Accomplishments of the summer

As summer comes to an end this week, I thought I would look back at all the things Kennedy accomplished.  While there were lots of things that I was hoping for----like extra work on the stuff she learned in Kindergarten---she did make some big(to us) accomplishments.

1.  She learned to climb up on the kitchen counters (with and without a stool)--something that I wasn't sure she'd be able to do with her balance troubles.....

2.  She learned how to jump off the counters once she climbed up on them (which is entertainment in itself)

3.  She can now open and close the blinds-- which is awesome give the fine motor skills that requires and her struggles with her hands!

4.  Kennedy also had blood work done this summer---sitting in the chair by herself!  Then had it done two more times with only minimal crying/screaming :)

5.  She learned to open her new medicine and pour the sprinkles into her food without losing too many of them

6.  She's learned to crack eggs open for breakfast

7.  Now, she can get her own ice and water from the refrigerator door

8.  At restaurants, she now orders her own food/drink

9.  Her manners are improving--significantly

10.  She's beginning to test the limits when it comes to things I ask of her-- she's quite the negotiator!  (I'm not sure that's really an accomplishment, but at least she doesn't just let people tell her what to do--she stands up for herself!)

11.  She has enhanced her comedian skills-- that girl can make anyone laugh!

12.  Kennedy can not only open, but also put on her own band aids now (We can now go through a box a day instead of a box in a week..... lol)

13.  She has FINALLY got the "w" sound down-pat without having to be reminded to correct herself! (that's a BIGGIE)

14.  She's made new friends and GREATLY improved on her social skills

15.  She's learning and remembering Bible stories that she's learned in church or that we've read about in our books

16.  Kennedy learned to jump off a diving board AND go down the big slides at the water park this summer--by herself!

17. And today, she went up 3 flights of stairs while I went up in the elevator and she beat me to my office!! Yay for those super strong leg muscles!! :)


I'm sure there are probably more accomplishments she's made this summer, but these are what I can think about on the spot.  I'm sure to most people these are things that their younger children have done or things that don't really seem like accomplishments.  But every single one of these things are tasks that I honestly wasn't sure if she would ever master--at least not for a long time.  While we still have work to do and things to learn, we're getting there slowly and that encourages me every single day.