Last week Alena was in her first school play. Every class at her preschool puts on a play. They write it, make all the stage deco, and make all their own costumes (out of pillow cases and then painted). I was so excited!!! My little girly, all grown up...the kids were so cute (I will add a picture later as its on the other computer). We ate dinner before hand, and then attended the play. To celebrate we went along with other kids to Ben & Jerry's down on Hawthorne (street here in SE PDX). It was just great. Ben & Jerry's carries at least four types of vegan sorbet, and the sugar cone is vegan as well (at least at this store). The other kids had their ice cream dipped, but it was no problem at all for the girlies. Alena had a huge scoop of Mango Sorbet, while Mia Rose opted for Lemon Sorbet...both girls ate all of their ice cream. You know, when Alena was first diagnosed even the first few years (by that I mean the time before our visit w/our friends in Italy) I would have never, ever thought this possible. It was NO BIG DEAL...all kids had fun, and never did our kids feel left out!!!
The following day the teachers threw a cast party for the class. Complete with shaved ice, and popcorn. Again, Alena was completely included. They made the popcorn, Alena got her share, and then they added butter for the kids that wanted it. The shaved ice was also perfectly OK for Alena. It really did make my heart melt, and really the overriding lesson for me was that educating teachers, and trusting them really does pay off. Plus it is empowering to the child not to have their mother micromanage to the endth degree (which I am totally capable off ;)))...)
