Firsts for Claudia

Claudia has been home well over a year now, but she is just now getting to experience some new firsts.  A year ago, there was just no way she could have done the things we did this weekend.

On Friday night I took Claudia to our local carnival for the Fireman's parade.  I was not too sure how she would handle it but she did really well.  For the most part she sat on my lap the whole time.  We were even sitting next to another little girl, Claudia only tried stealing her stuffed dog once...  Claudia REALLY loved the marching bands as they walked by, she giggled with glee at each one.  I think she especially enjoyed the drums.  She also liked the noised the fire trucks made.  I was so proud of how well she did and that she sat pretty still through most of it.  If there were long gaps between entertainment she would get antsy, but overall she did great!

Yesterday I took Claudia to her first amusement park.  Last year she was just too small and was not able to walk, so she would not have been able to ride anything.  This year there are a few things she can ride, so we took full advantage of it.  She went on the kiddie boats, cars, airplanes, roller coaster, and on the carousel and tea cups with me.  Claudia was terrified of the carousel, I'm not sure what it was, she looked up at the mechanisms that made the horses move and started screaming and crying with fear.  She enjoyed the up and down movement of the horse for about 30 seconds though before she wanted me to hold her.

Claudia loved the little cars and liked watching the other kids in them too!  She loved the turtle roller coaster as well.  Twice when she was in it she had to share the car with other kids and she did really well!  I took her to the park not only for fun but also to help her learn to wait in lines and to get along with others.  She had a hard time understanding that she had to get off the rides before she could get back on and would not let the workers help her off, she was also not happy when mommy had to come and take her off!  I try to use what i can to teach her.

She did really well until the end of our time there when she was getting tired and not wanting to listen.  Then she wanted to stick her hands in the water on the boats and get out of the restraints on the airplanes... not good ideas, so we went home.  She had a blast and it wore her out!  Claudia wanted me to carry her most of the day.  I'm glad that she looks to me for comfort and knows that I am the one that provides for her, but my shoulders are feeling it today!

Next time we will venture to the water park too, stay tuned to see how that goes!