Life with the 'Tars: rodeo

Saturday, March 10, 2012

KayTar's Field Trip

KayTar's class went on a field trip to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 9th. Because it was a Friday, I was able to go along as a chaperone! Because of KayTar's medical needs, I'm pretty certain that either me or the nurse would have had to be there, so she could get her meds and tube feeds...and someone could push her in her stroller! I had to field about 50 "Why is KayTar in a stroller?" questions from her curious classmates. Sometimes my answers were not satisfactory (like, "KayTar can get sick from too much walking."), so they would then ask KayTar. It was a little humorous. Finally, I took to using a robot metaphor...KayTar is like a robot and when she gets up to participate, it runs down her batteries, so she gets back into the stroller to recharge while we walk. They understood that! Anyway, we have GOT to get her a medical stroller or chair soon. Her poor little Strollee is not cutting it anymore. She is under the weight limit still, but it just isn't meant for a child her size (especially height-wise) and it can be very difficult to maneuver, especially when trying to keep up with the boys who were in our group. It was a fun field trip, though, and KayTar really enjoyed herself and didn't mind being the only kid in a chair OR all of the questions from her schoolmates! We got to see baby animals, watch a cow get milked, see pig races, and pretend to work on a farm and sell our products at market!

This is how R stayed with the group when K was out of her chair.

Bunny ears gone wrong. LOL!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Yeehaw!

I took a break from my studying on Tuesday afternoon/evening so we could go enjoy the rodeo! We went right after the kids got out of school, so we could have a few hours to enjoy it before rushing the kids home for bed. KayTar is usually in bed for reading time at 7pm and lights out is at 7:30, so any evening activity is pushing it at little! We had time to enjoy the carnival and livestock show and got home by 8:45...it was past everyone's bedtime and BubTar still had homework to do (and I had a load of studying to make up for), but it was worth it!

BubTar rode his first roller coaster with Josh.

Then he beat KayTar at one of those water shooting race carnival games...and turned around and gave her his prize. He is the sweetest brother!

KayTar won two little stuffed animals (one for each of them) for popping a balloon with a dart!

We wandered around for a while, looking for something KayTar would like to ride...newsflash, most carnival rides aren't made for kids with sensory issues, vertigo and poor balance! Everything is spinning and free-falls! It is also a tough place for a half-deaf kid (so much ambient noise!) and a kid with energy issues (thank goodness for the stroller and Josh's shoulders)...but she loved every minute of it!