Some days aren't so easy. Thursday wasn't so easy. From the moment he woke up, George was screechy, whiny, screaming, and altogether cranky. When we arrived at school that morning, I literally had to drag him, kicking and screaming and hitting and crying, to the classroom. All the way to the classroom, instead of the bench outside where they gather and the teachers take in the kids. He didn't want to be at school, didn't want to separate from me, didn't want anything to do with anything really.
When he finally was distracted enough by a teacher, I was able to sneak out with his main teacher and the speech therapist to go to our final IFSP meeting. (Individualized Family Service Plan, the plans and goals that are set and evaluated throughout the special needs preschool system.) Although he will remain in preschool next year, he is technically part of the elementary system starting in the fall and all evaluations will be handled by an
IEP, transitioning from a family focus to an individual student focus. We have already set the primary goals through the new special needs preschool he'll be attending in September.
This meeting was good. All filled with good reports of progress, laughter about his quirks, and reminiscences over the past two years' memories. As the meeting stretched well into a second hour, I was enjoying talking with two women who knew and cared for my son so well. Then his teacher sat back and very calmly started questioning my reasons for puling George out of her school to place him in a different special needs school. The final 15 - 20 minutes of the meeting were filled with her insinuations that I had made a bad choice and my bumbling attempts to explain my reasons without being insulting or negative toward her and her classroom. I left with guilty tears in my eyes and a heart heavy with sadness over this negative ending to our relationship.
An hour or so after that meeting, I returned to the school to pick up George. Normally, he walks with his class to the bench, I kneel in front of him to get his attention, and, with prompting, he says a quick "Good-bye everybody" without looking as we walk away. After our rough morning, I had no idea what to expect. Certainly not the bright-eyed little guy that cheerfully emerged saying "Hi Mommy" as he walked to the bench. Then he, very deliberately, gave each and every one of his classmates and teachers a hug good-bye. As I stood there, practically fainting from shock, he walked up to me, took my hand, and said, "Go home and have lunch?"
Print It Now 2 picture frames by Beth Nixon
The rest of the day was spent enjoying this special boy as he played (mostly) nicely with his sister and a cousin, gave out hugs like they were going out of style, and careened around corners on his Big Wheel at top speed. Like a normal little boy.
I went to bed as soon as the kids were settled that night. Maybe next year will be easier. Right?
And see all the cute, baby animals:
Any and all visiting relatives join us for the fun. Did I mention the rides?
We try to catch a couple of concerts. Jason and I joined our parents' generation at the Chicago concert. Make fun if you must, but those old guys were rockin!
When are days aren't filled to the brim with family and festivals, we relax:
Then, we find somewhere else to go! This year, we went up to the zoo:
Where George was beside himself with excitement because he got to go on his first train ride:
Did you know that, occasionally, dinosaurs show up at the zoo? They're loud!
And that brings us to Labor Day weekend. Class lists have been posted and kids are wavering between nervousness and excitement. Next week, this playground will be full, and my house will be much, much quieter. 
The top gap is new as of this morning. There are at least two other wiggly guys in there. I've been teasing her about her new lisp all day. Good thing I have that new recipe site, I'm going to have to get creative with the blender if she looses too many more!
