Over the summer Jordan had figured out how to tie her shoes under the guidance of some really wonderful friends at Camp No Limits. The challenge for me was taking those skills and extending it into the real world. Jordan didn’t really own shoes with laces when we got home from camp and I didn’t really focus on it too much since I was really just thinking about surviving the summer and getting her into Kindergarten without drama.

Now that things are going pretty well at school, Jordan’s occupational therapist has been looking for ways to help Jordan learn how to really figure out the shoe tying skill. I tried to work on the standard one-handed shoe tying process with Jordan but she wouldn’t work on it with me. She worked on it a little bit with her occupational therapist but Jordan would get aggravated. So our OT came up with a new idea. She modified how you use shoe laces… and she had a chance to show me how this past Friday. Once I learned the basics, I thought I’d replicate it with a pair of shoes that Jordan would beg to tie: Twinkle Toes.

I bought her a pair on Sunday and set up the shoes in a way for her to tie on her own. Here’s how it’s set up:

I shortened the laces and knotted two different colors at the bottom of the shoe eyelets.

I created loops by knotting the lace to the top eyelet.

Jordan took the loops and used her helper arm to hold on to the lace.

She pulled tight on the laces.

[Update: My friend Di reminded me the trick to keeping the shoe laces tight are by tying the lace around one more time before you double tie the loops. When Jordan gets better at shoe lace tying, I'll try to get video of her accomplishing this!]

When she was done, Jordan double tied the laces on both shoes.

Jordan proudly wore her shoes to school… But I learned that one day of new shoe laced shoes is probably not enough practice to bring those shoes to school. Jordan didn’t tie them tight enough and the shoes are probably a little too big. She had some trouble wearing the shoes at school. I think we’ll work a little more at the tying before she brings them back… If I can convince her to wait. She’s pretty proud of these sparkly shoes.

I’m sure Jordan will figure out the regular form of shoe tying eventually… but we’re going to give this version a try for now!

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Did you know we’re holding a fundraiser for Jordan’s birthday? Read more about it here or check out her birthday fundraiser page. Thanks so much for considering a donation for the No Limits Limb Loss Foundation so two kids can attend Camp No Limits. 

Jordan was really brave at a St. Louis play area called the City Museum. It’s hard to explain the spot – it’s full of climbing. There are slides, there are balls, there are tunnels. It’s kind of scary for a mom… And it was kind of scary for a little girl who has recently shown some signs of risk aversion — which is very new. So when she threw herself into a pit of huge balls, I was impressed with how happy she was from the experience. At some point she got herself to the very back of the pit and demanded I come in and get her.

I said she could do it by herself.

SO… She figured out how to climb to the edge of the ball pit and slowly edged her way out. She didn’t whine or complain. Just got out carefully. I am a proud Mom.

I have been away for the majority of the last month. It’s hard to spend so much time away… And at the same time, distance helps me look at my kids in a different light.

Jordan’s growing up. I mean really growing. She’s really interested in letters. She can identify most upper and lower case suddenly. I mean it just really clicked. She’s writing her name. She’s excited about it all. I’m thrilled. It is a huge step. She’s pretending to read to the dog and to the family… really to anyone willing to listen. I love it. She’s also speaking even better… if that’s possible. Jordan is verbose and articulate for a four year old.

Anyway – I wanted to make sure everyone knows we haven’t faded off the face of the earth. I’ve been swamped with life and work. But I’m back and we’ll return to telling stories of our life again very soon.

I shared this on Facebook… but I felt like I needed to share this with my blog friends too. Miss Jordan continues to show me that she can do anything… with or without her helper arm. She got a surprise pancake breakfast and had asked me to cut it up… After I had cut the pancakes in one direction, she asked to use the knife and finish cutting the pancakes strips into pancake bites. I figured I’d just humor her.. Until she actually started cutting her food and doing it well! I had to take a picture because she seriously figures everything out. Everything.

Jordan and the rest of the family just returned from a huge vacation. We camped in New Hampshire and enjoyed the coast of Maine. A two week MEGA trip! Some of the highlights include Jordan’s first hike on her own where she climbed up Mt. Willard in Crawford Notch State Park! 2804 feet high!

The most fun was watching Jordan break out into dance just about anywhere — including dance with my brother in the fog on a street and with lobsters.