Hello Snow!

Our recent snow fall was actually welcomed at PrairieWood.  We usually prefer nice, dry weather, as it makes our activities in the community a little easier to get to.  However, this week we welcomed the snow!  This was because for one of our Lifetime fitness activities, we were giving Snow Shoeing a try.  We had scheduled it for earlier in February, but had to cancel due to lack of snow, so when we saw snow in the forecast, we geared up and did some snow shoeing.  While many of the PrairieWood students had never tried snow shoeing before, they were up to the challenge, and after one try decided it was something they would like to do again!  We'll see how long this snow sticks around...maybe we can squeeze in a trip to a park or nature reserve before Winter makes it's way out of town!

Our feature blogger this week is Aric.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood I learned to snow shoe with boots on.  I enjoyed going to work to go on the work floor and straighten things (at Goodwill).  I was challeneged by making an open-faced turkey sandwich.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about getting better at folding clothes.  At Goodwill I also learned to put shoes in the right places."

Have a good weekend!

Aric pushes against the wind to snow shoe across the field.

Sarah, enjoying her time in the snow shoes!

Ahsia, making her way back to the van.

Kaitlyn thinks, "Snow shoeing is fun!"

Independence and an UNO Tournament

As a part of our recreation activity today, we participated in an UNO tournament.  Each person had a chance to play a few games.  We also had several winners: a Good Sport Winner, a Consolation Winner and a Grand Winner.  Everyone took turns, played well, and enjoyed the time!

We also have some students who are taking some huge steps towards independence and we couldn't be happier for them!  Mason has started using the city bus to get to and from his competitive community job.  Way to go Mason!!!

Our feature blogger this week is Mason.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood I learned that I can wait to cross the four-way stop when in doubt.  I enjoyed riding the city bus on my own.  I was challenged by telling when a customer is done or getting more food at the all you can eat at HyVee.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about how to tell if the customers are done or getting more food.  I rode the city bus all on my own this week!!!!!"

Can't believe these signs of Independence!!!!!  It was a good week at PrairieWood!!!!!

Chelsey purchasing her consolation prize.

Aric purchasing his grand prize.

Have a great weekend!

Community Learning Continues

Lookin' good Aric!

We do most of our learning in the community.  This is often easier to do when the weather is nice and it is easy to bounce out and about.  However, there are many indoor learning opportunities when the chill of winter hits.  We spent some time this week checking on of our favorite indoor opportunities out.  Friday afternoon we ventured to the Collin's Road Theater (we love a good deal) for an afternoon showing of "Wrek-It Ralph 3D."  We practiced our money skills by independently purchasing our own tickets.  We also had a little bit of fun watching the movie in our cool glasses!

Our feature blogger this week is Kaitlyn.  Here is what she had to say about her week at PrairieWood...

Ready for the movie!!

"This week at PrairieWood I learned how to find sugar in the grocery store.  I enjoyed my cooking project making grilled cheese sandwiches.  I was challenged by reading News2You.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about the bus.  We saw a movie today.  It's "Wrek-It Ralph" and it's funny!

Everybody in their 3D gear...

A New Semester

It is a new semester at College Community School District.  For PrairieWood students this means some changes in work sites.  Several of our students just started a Work Evaluation through Goodwill Industries.  Several of our students are starting community jobs and getting paid!  Exciting times at PrairieWood.

We enjoyed a quiet day, by Friday standards, at PrairieWood today.  We completed our usual center chores this morning, enjoyed a delicious (and student made) lasagna for lunch, and did some painting at the center as well.

Our feature blogger this week is Sarah.  Here is what she has to say about her week at PrairieWood...

"This week at PrairieWood, I learned cooking.  I made burrito.  I enjoyed playing a game.  It is called raking the leaves.  I was challenged by city bus.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about News2You.  I like going to the Rec. Center."

Have a great weekend!

Technical difficulties...

Hello again!

So sorry you haven't heard from us in a while.  We have been blogging, but it appears our blog entries were never posted.  I am sure there is a technical reason behind this (and its probably something I am doing wrong), but in any case, we are up and running now!

We have just completed a brief week back after almost two weeks of holiday celebrations!  It was nice to have such a short week to ease back into things.  We did a little working out at the Rec. Center and made a trip to Dreaming Bear for some painting enjoyment this morning.

Our feature blogger this week is Chelsey.  Here is what she had to say about her week at PrairieWood...
"This week at PrairieWood I learned to paint pigs and cows at Dreaming Bear.  I enjoyed walking on the track at the rec. center.  I was challenged by by painting my pig.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about playing the game Kaboom.  I learned to lift hand weights at the rec center too.

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Holidays!

You may be picking out candy for your expected Trick Or Treat-ers tomorrow night, busy putting the last minute touches on that scary jack 'o lanturn, or even raking the last of the leaves in your yard.  Fall is very much at the front of your mind.  Well at the PrairieWood Transition Center, we have been thinking about the Holidays since August, preparing for our 5th Annual PrairieWood Holiday Card Sale!  

We just love this years cozy design...

Outside: Mittens on the line...

Inside: "Warm wishes for the holidays."

6 Homemade Cards & 6 envelopes for $5

If you love the design too, please contact us at prairiewoodtc@prairiepride.org and we will get you all the information you need on how to order your very own package or two!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Business as usual

Last week was a pretty run of the mill, business as usual kind of week.  We were busy learning to be independent nothing got in our way!  These are the best kind of weeks at PrairieWood!  Our feature blogger this week is Nick.  Here is what he had to say about his week at PrairieWood.

"This week at PrairieWood I learned bowling.  I enjoyed city bus.  I was challenged by work at Yellow Book.  At PrairieWood I would like to learn more about astronauts.  I do a lot of drying dishes at PrairieWood."

Looks like we have some learning about astronauts to take care of!  Until next week!