Balloons

dear Melody,

We were driving along the road and saw all these balloons up in the air. Great big colourful balloons.

Now we are on Waiheke. I was so excited to arrive here. It is very exciting on the island. I have lots of toys under the bed and already I got to bath in a bucket on the picnic table and go for a walk all around the top of the bay, 1.6km.

lots of love

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXxxx

p.s. give my love to Matt.

Easter Holidays

dear Jenny,

Today was the last day of school for two weeks. I got a certificate from the Riding for Disabled for improving my posture on the horse. It is on the fridge.

This is XinXin'x piano accordian, which sometimes I get to play. It is my favourite instrument at the moment.

I am going to Waiheke for a week over Easter. There are lots of easter eggs up there and all those roosters at the rooster retirement village- I will make sure to take a photo.

Lots of love

Rosie XXXX

Bees and honey

dear Chelle,

I don't know if I am still allergic to honey. I don't want to experiment by having some. The last time I had some was in Paris. We were just going out and got as far as the metro and I was so sick.

And if I am allergic to honey still- would I be allergic to bee stings? I don't think I will give that a go either.

How are you? It must be spring now for you because it is autumn for us. When is Cassie going to come and visit me?

lots of love

Rosie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Weekend

dear Richard,

I just had such a busy weekend I barely remember it all. On Saturday I cashed in my gift voucher from Xmas with Eleanor and we spent the day up the coast. We went to Raumati South and played on the beach for ages and lay in the sand in the sun.

Then on Sunday Julie came to visit and we played with Pig. But Pig now has a broken back and is a bit creaky. Then after she left, you wouldn't believe it, but mummy gave me diazepam. This is all to do with that theory that it might reboot my brain. Well all I think it did is make me sleep for two hours and then feel really grumpy and horrible for two days. I am still having flakes. Not that I know I am having flakes- it is just what others say.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday,

love, your niece,

Rosie XXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

Those shoes are made for walking

Dear Mr and Mrs Kumfs,

I really like my new boots. They arrived here last night in a big box, which I was very excited to unwrap. They look very good on my feet and I went for a first walk around the house and didn't get blisters.

thankyou

Rosie

Skyping

dear Grandma and Grandad,

Daddy is in Pakistan, mummy is working and Juanita is looking after me. Last night I called Daddy on skype and had a chat to him.

I am having a lot of flakes at the moment and the doctor has said that I am on maximum dosage of my meds. The solution is that on Sunday I am to be knocked out with diazepam to see if my brain can't 'reset' itself. Doesn't sound that great.

How is dog?

love

Rosie XXXX

That first sip in the morning

dear Julie,

Don't you just love that first sip of tea in the morning? Aaaaaahhhhhhhh This morning I lay in bed and called out eeeeeea, eeeeeeeeeeea and sure enough after ten minutes it arrived.

I am in winter clothes now- but you would know that cos it has gotten so cold here. What happened to the sunshine?

I am wearing a new brace for my leg. It has a hinge on it around the ankle to give greater flexibility, otherwise it is the same as the old ones.

Hope to see you soon,

love

Rosie XXX

Goals for the short term

dear Philip,

Last night after school was my planning session for the year. There are all sorts of communication goals but also there are goals to how fast I can get round the obstacle course, and a bit embarrassing- how well I can pull up my undies.

The main goal that my mother wanted was for me to learn to say 'please'. I am to stop just taking what I want and look to other people to give to me after requesting. I can just imagine how inefficient this is going to be.

love

Rosiepo XXXXXXXX

IEP meeting today

dear Glenda,

Always chores to do in the garden!

Today at 3.00pm is my IEP meeting where I organise all of my staff to set some goals for the year in terms of my care. Teachers, therapists, caregivers and parents will all sit down and work out how to be coordinated so they can be of best service to me.

I am really enjoying my music now. I can play individual fingers on the piano, I strum the guitar and I am learning to use individual fingers on XinXin's piano accordian..

love

Rosiepo XXXXXXXX

Autumn is here

dear Jenny,

It is autumn in Wellington but there are still flowers in my garden and soon we will plant lots of bulbs so that in spring there will be even more daffodils and tulips and gladioli.

This is my new dress and hat. I went shopping at Pumpkin Patch in the weekend.

Those marks on my legs are just shadows- I think I might need a new photographer.

lots of love

Rosie XXXXX