Sibling Visit

Kiddos baby sis wasn't able to come to her birthday party at the end of June so me and the therapist put our heads together to see when we could plan a playdate.

Given that baby sis's birthday is early August, we decided to make a playdate special at the half way mark and celebrate both their birthdays together.

The therapist came up with the place and we made plans.

As time got closer and closer, kiddo was showing more and more anxiety.  Finally, she comes out with it.  The place the therapist chose was where their last family used to vacation.

I reached out and we changed the location and got together.  The therapist said baby sis hadn't even acknowledged that she'd ever been there before. The therapist also talked to baby sis and she said "yes, let's move it, I want her to have as much fun as me".  So much progress. No meltdowns.

The most amazing visit ever!!

It's so obvious how much better baby sis is getting.

She called me by my name. That has never happened. I'm a grown up that has gotten to the point where I'm enough of her life to now have a name. lol

When kiddo refused to go on the slide with her, she didn't throw a temper tantrum.  I offered to go with her and she always turns us down when we offer to do things kiddo doesn't want to. She'd rather not do something she wants than do it without her big sis.  This time, she waited awhile, came to me and asked me to go on the slide with her and asked big sis to watch us.

when kiddo didn't want to do something, she wasn't aggressive and rough. She's not cruel and hurtful, but normally plays way too rough and in a dysregulated way.  She pouted in a normal way but didn't lose her mind over being turned down.

She didn't eat all her lunch.  Normally she eats all her food and half of kiddos.

She nearly cried at the end of visit.

That broke my heart, but also made me smile deep in my soul for having a normal reaction.

She has since been almost matched with somebody local to us and they backed out at the last moment.  They are having a time finding somebody willing and able to accept her issues.  I keep sharing the DSS facebook post of her. Maybe one day she can find permanency and be the treasured daughter of a family the way her sister is for us.

The girls exchanged gifts at the visit.  They had sno cones together and tons of water play.
Our visit was at a water park.  The therapist said 5 hours.  Kiddo said 1 hour, maybe 2 if it was going well, because she stresses her out so much. We got there and kiddo kept saying she wanted to stay longer.  We were there 4 1/2 hours and then it wasn't because of baby sis that we left. We were burnt and at that point the park was at max capacity, which is a trigger for kiddo.

Self Care for Birthday Gift

After feeling so good after going to the paint and pinot session with my BFF, for my birthday I asked to be enrolled in a 1 day painting class.  I took a day off work to take the class.

One of my friends said "I'm shocked! You NEVER do things without your family. You're such a family girl that I can't believe you're going to take a day off and not spend it with your kiddo and hubs"

Yeah, 6 hours was a bit much for me, but overall it was fun.  I'd do it again, but I prefer the 3 hour classes.

Here's the finished product....

I'd love to find a class that me and kiddo could do together.  I think 6 hours is way too long for her, given that it was a little too long for me, but it's relaxing and would be great momma/daughter time.

We shall see.

Kiddo was impressed and said I did a good job.  I was the baby of the class, so everybody elses looked far better.  I was the newbie and most of the class goes every month.

I felt very welcomed though and felt good when I left.

Wish I would win the lottery, be a stay at home mom and be able to do this more often. I don't want to give up my vacation days for days to myself very often. I prefer to hold those for family time.

That said, it's definitely good to do something just for yourself occasionally, to decompress and just be you.