Hello everyone! This might be a long post today, so you may want to put the kettle on or refill your cup, and settle in. I just have so much to share! We have had the final culminations of a lot of big projects, plus some other fun (and not so fun!) things going on as well. Well, you will see.
First up – the ramp!!! Billy and a bunch of our friends and family have been working hard all summer to build this ramp for Wyatt, and on Saturday, they came so close to it being completely done. It is for the most part, done. It is useable and complete – we just need railings for our own wild child to be out there. I don’t need this kid zooming off the side! However, it is done and can be used with supervision and assistance right now. This was such a huge and major accomplishment, and I am so thankful to all of the people who contributed and to Billy of course for having the ability and knowledge and talent to do it.
Please ignore the state of the rest of our yard. It was very neglected this summer while this was happening. The ramp is very long, to accommodate the pitch dropping at the appropriate rate. The other option would have been lots of bends and turns and Billy thought this would be a better way for kiddo. Since it is so long though, we added an extra few feet to make the deck part wider and we are turning that into an outdoor play spot for Wyatt, complete with a wheel up painting easel that one of our friends is making him! This is going to be such a huge thing for Wyatt. He can get out into his own backyard, play, have some independence. I am feeling so grateful for this gift!
So that was Billy’s project done – I had one of my own that I had been working on all summer. Cub Scouts! I have to say getting this pack up and running from scratch was more complex than I had anticipated – but it was 100% worth it. More than worth it actually, especially after seeing all the kids, our scouts, playing together and having such a good time at our first meeting. Yep, we had our first meeting! It was just big smiles, on kids and on parents, and that warmed my heart. The kids learned about some of the pack laws and the oath, we gave them their t-shirts and handbooks, they made a keychain lanyard with a bead for every quality (a scout is kind, etc), and they played a get to know each other game, that was low pressure. Instead of being forced to speak or come up with something on the spot, which would have been hard for some of our kiddos, we gave them all paddles that said “Me too!” and when someone named something they liked, like spaghetti or books, they would raise their paddles! It was a good way to show them how they are the same. Also, Wild Child was there and having her own good time, racing around the church social hall. You can see her little head there, next to Wyatt and his grandma.
I mentioned that not all of our happenings were happy! Somewhere in between scouts and home, Wyatt managed to get stung by something. He never said anything or cried, so we didn’t know. At around noon the next day though, I looked down at his hand, which was super red and swollen, and about passed out. We ended up taking him to the ER since he had cellulitis last year. The doctor did not think it was cellulitis, he thought that it was just the normal reaction to a sting, but did prescribe antibiotics just in case, along with zyrtec and hydrocortisone cream. The next day his hand looked perfect – just in time to meet the Detroit Tigers!
Our scouts had the opportunity to meet the Tigers, in a “Kids Take the Field” event! One of our parents arranged it, and it was so cool. The kids were able to go on the field, meet a player, get their game ball, and their names were even up on the scoreboard, in the positions that they were in. It was really cool! Wyatt got to meet the catcher, and hang out at home plate. It was really amazing opportunity, and something they will never forget!
It was his first MLB game too; I told him not many people get to go on the field and meet a player their first time there!
Our last few weeks have been a whirlwind and now Wyatt is dealing with a cold, which has not been fun. Rest will do us both good! Then it will be back to a full school day and our fall activities!
And that is it from me today! Whatever you do today, do something that makes you smile – even if it is just taking five minutes to yourself to relax.
Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.. 
What a great summer you have had! I love the photos and the descriptions. Enjoy your time together.
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Thank you Laurel-Rain! It has been a pretty big summer around here!
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My husband broke his neck and was a quadriplegic. We had to build a deck for him. It was big and very expensive but well worth it
Wyatt’s hand looks very painful. I hope it’s not giving him a lot of pain.
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I feel like this is going to be such a huge thing for Wyatt. He will have access to the backyard and more freedom and a place to play out there.. it just amazing. I can’t wait to use it more.
He was very uncomfortable, but thankfully the swelling went away pretty quickly after he got started on everything.
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That deck looks awesome! 🙂 And oh yikes to the sting – never fun, but what a trooper Wyatt was to not say anything at the time!
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Oh my gosh, I was like what in the world happened to you? This kid, I tell ya. Lol. And thank you!!
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So much good stuff! That wheelchair ramp is lovely and I just know he’s going to love that easy access to play. My boys and I all have similar reactions to particular bug bits and stings (I literally had my eye swell shut before– luckily they usually clear up on their own in just a few days). I have never been to a “real” ball game before but it sounds extra special to be able to head out onto the field and meet the players in person.
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Thank you Joanne! Wyatt and I just went and sat out there and it was so nice to have such easy access to the backyard, something we haven’t had for a few years as he has gotten bigger.
Oh my gosh, it scared me! I had no idea what had happened to him! And oh my goodness, how scary? Your eyes?
It was really a very cool opportunity!
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Oh, Erin! This is just the best post ever! I think your deck is lovely, and I can imagine it will have lots of wonderful things on it next summer, including lots and lots of plants! Kudos to you for starting up a Cub Scout pack all on your own…that is hard work! Those kiddos are going to be so happy as they work through all the neat things Scouts has to offer. And, to be on the field of an MLB game…I’ve never even been to one. Make sure you tell Wyatt I am super jealous. I’m glad the docs thought that was just a sting (but took other precautions).
Have a wonderful rest of the week!
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Thank you Marsha!! We were just sitting out there and it was so nice to just have the ease of going out into the backyard with him. Yay! And I am sure we will have lots of plants next year… lol.
The Tigers game was so cool! I was so happy that he got that opportunity!
I was too, especially after last year’s debacle with the spider bite. I used to like bugs, but now? Not really. Lol.
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Well done on the ramp and the Scouts, brilliant! And the Tigers meet looks so exciting. I swell up like mad when I get a bite, especially since my last bout of Covid, so I’m glad that went down quickly.
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Thanks Liz! Oh my gosh, it freaked me out so much! I had no idea what happened to him. I was happy to see it disappear so fast.
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Even though I knew about all of this, it was so fun to read all about it and see all the photos. I can not wait to see Wyatt out there on that ramp, having fun and being himself and being able to go out when he likes. It’s going to be so cool!
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I’m so excited too! We just went and sat out there but I wouldn’t let him move since the railings aren’t up. Lol. But it was nice to be out there.
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Ha! Soon!
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My sons sometimes get bad reactions to stings and it is always concerning even if they don’t have other health issues. I am glad they were able to put you at ease. Looks like a lot of fun with the cub scouts and that ramp looks like it is so well made!
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I have never been stung and that was his first time, so I had no idea that was even possible! It was so scary! They did such a great job in the ER – the doctor even took a minute to read some of my son’s book to him. It was so sweet.
And thank you! Billy did such a great job on that ramp. It is solid and sturdy and should last Wyatt for a long time. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by my blog. The ramp sounds like it will add much to daily living and some freedom to being outdoors. It looks great! I also read your movie post and I’d forgotten about Somewhere in Time. I enjoyed it years ago, but wonder if it would feel cheesy to me now. I might have to give it a rewatch. I’ve never been to MacKinac Island, but it’s on my list! Have a great weekend!
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With the exception of the bite what a fantastic time you guys have been having! I’m so glad the ramp is usuable and so glad the Scouts had their first meeting! The game sounds amazing! We’ve been to a number of Braves games and a few Nationals game but have never once been out on the field or gotten to meet a player. So glad the bite was just that and glad he healed quickly. I hope this week is going just as well!
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Thank you Katherine!
I am ecstatic about the ramp. It just opens the world up to us so much more. That game was so cool! The kids were the only ones allowed on the field itself so that was weird to watch my attached at the hip kid go out there (and probably like how you felt when Will was in the race cars!) and just be there without me. Lol. He liked it though.
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