Sam back to school!

Sam started back to school today (1/2 day) at lunchtime. It was wonderful to see him laughing and chatting with his friends. His official first day back to school was yesterday, but it was spent seeing two shows at the Ordway and lunch in Rice Park - pretty nice!

The casts came off on Tuesday, and Sam had a nice long soak in the tub for the first time in six weeks! He was fitted for new braces (one blue with a yin-yang symbol and one orange with a Spiderman imprint!) and is still using his walker. He can only stand for a few seconds in his bare feet, but he'll gradually work up to longer periods of time in physical therapy.

Sam's school has done a wonderful job of finding a special ed para at the last minute to help Sam finish the last 9 days of the school year. They were also great about keeping in touch with Sam during his time at home - cards from classmates, packages and visits from his afterschool teachers, too!

Sam is counting the days until pool therapy starts (four more days!), and the doctor gave the okay to start hippotherapy (horseback riding therapy), so we have to get our application in quickly! We're hoping they'll still have a spot for Sam, as they often have waiting lists.

I'm back to work tomorrow until school lets out, then I'm home with my two boys (and a 70 lb "puppy") until I go back to work in late August. Yea!

Sam has a busy summer planned with therapy 3x/week, hippotherapy and home therapy, plus brushing up on his schoolwork - and hopefully, having fun! Gabe and Sam's cousin Logan is going to be hanging out with us every other Friday, and Grandpa Don and Sue have generously offered to share their cabin time this summer, so we're looking forward to a week up north, too!

Thanks to all who have followed this blog, prayed for Sam, called, visited, sent cards and gifts. Your love has made a wonderful difference in Sam's life!

Carlynn & Rob