Caution: Change Ahead

There have been a few changes around the Rush house.

Lily has finally started music therapy one afternoon a week and occupational therapy two mornings a week.  It has added to my taxi driver status but I'm hoping we see some positive changes that make the extra driving and gasoline worth it.

Now, some of you may be thinking that occupational therapy is job training for children that ensures they will one day be well-paid adults who can then use that money to take care of you in your old age.

But you would be incorrect.  Though I bet many parents would be very interested in therapy that promised those kinds of results!

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapists help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities or "occupations".

Since a child's main occupation is playing and learning, OT provides them with the skills they need to participate in these types of activities.  Many children in need of OT have to be taught how to play - something that most kids pick up naturally.

So an occupational therapist will do all kinds of things that look like play to you and me, such as swinging, jumping on a trampoline, stringing beads, doing puzzles, playing with shaving cream or Play-Doh, blowing bubbles, crashing in beanbags, playing board games, climbing stairs, riding a tricycle.... the list is endless.

All of these activities are designed to help a child play and learn.

I like to call it "playing with purpose".

Music therapy is pretty self-explanatory, except for the common misconception that it's used to improve one's musical skills.  Ryan was considering having me attend on the off chance that it might improve my singing voice but no.

Music therapy is simply a different means of communicating (in this case, with a child) to help him learn to count, express emotions, learn body parts, engage in imitation, improve social skills... another endless list.

So Lily is beginning her third week of OT and music therapy.  She's still at school, too.

I'm hoping to get the music therapist to come to Lily's school once a week to do music with all the kids.  I think it'll be good for all of them and they'll like it as well.

The other change that's taken place around here has nothing at all to do with therapy.  But I'm excited about it, too!

We got rid of our nasty, yucky carpet on the bottom floor of our house!  WOOHOO!  We replaced it with lovely laminate that looks just like real, slightly roughed-up wood.

Here's a couple shots for your viewing pleasure:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I think it's just beautiful!  And so much easier to keep clean than the solid cream colored carpet that the previous owners had in here.  I mean - cream colored carpet?  Really??

By the way - if you haven't voted for Along Came the Bird as a Parents Magazine Best Blog, why don't you just go ahead and get that knocked out now?  I'll love you forever!

Well, that's all, folks.  Have a great Wednesday!