First Official Day of High School

The latest (and one of the greatest) Alverno Jaguar!  

Class of 2016

Our combat boot wearing, drum playing, "Anastasia" loving girl is on her way!

Make friends, work hard, and have fun!

WE LOVE YOU, CIARA!

New uniform...

New lunch box...

Years past...

Such a simple thing, but then again... maybe not.

A pair of sand-filled navy blue Crocs.  Doesn't seem like much.  But it is.

These belong to Miss Áine Clare and while we've never limited what we thought she could do in life, this little scene from last week moved me.

Áine had returned from a beach and boat (!) trip with her brother and sister and the rest of HBIC.  (Ciara is volunteering there this summer.)  After getting everyone off the van and cleaned, fed, and down for a rest, I set about putting away their things and there sat these little sand-filled shoes.  Not DAFOS, not orthopaedic shoes, no socks even.  Just a pair of child's summer shoes.  Filled with sand.

With all that she has been through in  her short life, a trip to the beach isn't just an every day happening.  It is something to be celebrated.  Sand and all.

First Day of Summer School at HBIC

Brendan and Áine waiting to go to their first day of summer school.

Miss Áine Clare

The sleeping boy.

Posing for Momma.

And another pose.

 

Happy 4th from the Madigan Kidlets

 

 

City Folk at the Farm

Be sure to see the previous post about Brendan's experience at The Gentle Barn.

The Madigan Clan has made a commitment to have more entire family outings, so today we ventured to Santa Clarita. The information gathering was not wheelchair accessible, so Áine was able to get an early start with the farm animals. The goat, Sassy, would not leave the chickie alone.  Sassy enjoyed nibbling Áine's wheelchair, and her shoes, and her hand. The emu, Yoda, started taking a liking to our girl as well.

For a "city girl" who knew she "picked the wrong day to look adorable", Ciara did pretty well feeding horses and helping her sister.

Here's to many more adventures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young McBrendan

Today was a happy day for Brendan. We finally made it to a farm. The family headed out to Santa Clarita to The Gentle Barn. If Brendan had his way, he would still be out there. Thankfully they offer passes and Brendan hopes to be the proud owner of said pass sooner than later so Mom or Dad can make the trek back with him. (Self-proclaimed city girl, Ciara, declared today her first and last trip being one with the barnyard type.)

Brendan asked to see each animal one by one and was only slightly bummed that they didn't have any ducks.

Biscuit the pig made Brendan the happiest and I know he just wanted to lie next to him. Maybe next time, Bubba.

He saw his beloved chickens and the "wama" (llama) was a fave as well as the emu which he asked for first and then petted.

Brendan was a happy, happy dude today. Thank you for helping your family step out of their comfort zone, Mr. B. We love you!

Enjoy the pics!  (If you click on the individual pictures, I think you can see them larger.  His face is so sweet in some of them.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rain Forest

As those who frequent our blog know, the "rain forest" is in fact the Los Angeles County Arboretum. However, for Brendan, it's what passes for a rain forest in these parts.

While Ciara spent the morning with Dad before heading to summer school, Brendan and Áine and Mom headed to the rain forest. A good time was had by all as usual.