Thursday, March 26, 2009

One Big Step Today

On the gross motor evaluations is that question, "Can your child kick a ball?" This is one of those items on a long list of items, that I logically know Ellie will acheive, but emotionally I wonder, "When?"

Today I got that answer. As she walked home from the bus stop she signed "ball". I reminded her that it was raining. "We can play with the red ball inside." A big smile, and a signed "yes" was Ellie's reply. I thought to myself, "Life is good when we can have some two-way communication," and I said a little thank-you prayer to Rachel Coleman and the Signing Time crew. As soon as we got inside Ellie made a bee-line for the red ball. This is one of our many therapy balls that are ginormous. This one is slightly smaller, with a diameter of about 18 inches. It's a great size for kids.

Ellie giggled and tossed the ball in front of her as she roamed around the house. Then she came over to me in the kitchen with her red ball. A big grin spread across her face. I asked her if she wanted me to play ball with her. That big grin grew even bigger.

We headed into the living room where there is some space to play back and forth with a ball. Thankfully I haven't decorated yet. The living room is no longer decorated in early Playskool. Right now we are 'between styles', or perhaps it's early "Gregorian Monk." In any event, there's really nothing breakable. So, that means, time to set a bad precedent! I thought we were going to roll the ball back and forth like we've done so many other times. But, Ellie had a new trick up her sleeve. She kicked the ball back to me. I mean really kicked: stood and balanced on one leg, wound up the other leg and made great contact with the ball sending it OFF! And she giggled that belly rolling contagious, I-don't-care-how-grumpy-you-are-you-can't-help-but-laugh-along giggle!

I can't think of a better way to spend a rainy afternoon. Now we have one more item checked off that end-less list of "she'll-do-it-in-her-own-time-milestones".

1 comment:

Beth said...

I love your conversation with her! And that she really knew what she wanted to do!

What fun!