Birthday parties, stormy weather, and some progress

This weekend was busy, with a birthday party, some severe storms, some strides for Bree, and FINALLY we were able to find the Wii Fit Plus with the Balance Board to go with her Wii. Saturday we headed off to NC to my nephew's house for his little boy's 4th birthday party. His little boy is adorable and in fact has a special bond with Bree, he is the one who took her hand at my brother's house when we got together before dad's funeral, taking her on a walk, showing her the fish in his fish pond. Even though he is only four he can sense that Bree isn't like other girls her age and that she needs an extra hand to get around sometimes. We got caught in a nasty storm on the way, right as we stopped at Wal-mart to pick up his birthday gift. We also finally found the Wii Fit Plus with the balance board that we have been looking for for Bree for months and went ahead and got it. Both her neurologist and physical therapist have recommended it, saying it can help improve her balance, coordination, and help her recover better from the stroke. It's always out of stock, but finally they had it. We stopped at Shoney's for dinner, Bree was disappointed with what was on the buffet, saying she wasn't going to eat fish with the "swimmers" (fins) still on. Silly girl. But luckily there were plenty of veggies and other things for her to eat. Then we got to the party and they had Hot Dogs and other food all ready cooked. The little birthday boy took Bree by the hand and took her outside to play. And here is where she made one of her strides. She went out.... alone, without one of us, in a place she has never been and played without us and without looking for us. We were able to watch her, and all of the other kids at the party from the picture window and she seemed to have fun. Since she was the oldest one playing outside she probably felt like she was watching all the younger ones and that was good for her. She enjoyed eating birthday cake, and the rain held off at their house until we left and we had a monster storm to drive home in, then it had stopped again so Bree got to try her new Wii fit plus at home. She loves it, especially the Rhythmic Kung Fu!