All posts tagged: feeling thankful

Apraxia Monday: Being Thankful

By Leslie Lindsay As I sit back and think of all of the things I am thankful this past year, I am particularly thankful for a 2nd grader who has come so far on her apraxia journey.  It was nearly five years ago this month that we learned Kate had severe childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).  I was in complete and utter denial.  I didn’t know what apraxia was, let alone what it meant for my daughter–and the countless other children who also have the diagnosis.  But I do now.  It was 2007.  We were visiting with family in St. Louis for the holiday.  At the annual turkey dinner, I was chatting with one of my cousin-in-laws when she asked how the girls were doing.  She nodded, jutting her chin in their direction.  A mass of redheaded (2nd) cousins wrestled and played, appropriately so in the so-called “conversation pit” of the family’s ranch home.  Only Kate wasn’t conversing.  She was, in fact smiling and laughing and grunting.  She had no words.  Or, at least very few of …

Fiesta Friday: Thankful Turkeys

By Leslie Lindsay Next Friday at this time, early-morning crowds will be beating down the doors of retailers looking for holiday shopping bargains and our tummies will still be full of pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes.  How did it get to be nearly Thanksgiving already?!  Funny, that linear time thing… So, what’s on tap for the annual stuff-your-face-fest?  I know–how about some fun, unconventional crafts and activities?  Here are a few to consider: Have a collage party with your kiddos and some of their friends.  Get a variety of colored construction paper, enough to spell Thanksgiving…(uh, that would be 12 sheets of mulitcolored paper).  On each piece of paper, add a single letter until you have spelled Thanksgiving.  Next, either look in catalogs/magazines or find some of your own photos and cut out pictures of objects that begin with that particular letter. For older kids, you can have them write down all of the “T” words they are thankful for.  Punch holes along the top of each letter card and tie together with ribbon or yarn to …