The First Week of Kindergarten Was Less Than Fantastic

So, we're one week into school and so far he's had two REALLY bad days. On the third day of school, the teacher called to tell me that he wanted to go to computers and she said no, and he threw a 45 minute kicking and screaming fit. He did better the next day, but was very defiant the day after that. I've given her tons of tools and the ARD is written for him to get help with these skills, but the teacher "really want to dicipline him myself". She is truly the BEST kindergarten teacher in the entire school district for him. I went way out of my way to get her for him. I just need for her to meet me half way on this and listen to me when I say he NEEDS help with this.

It just ticks me off because I've been saying since the day he turned three and we had his first ARD that he needed help with problem solving and communication/social skills. The district kept telling me there is no educational needs and refusing. Now it's really bad, they haven't done a damn thing to help him, and they want to punish him for acting out. What the hell is he supposed to do!?!?

He doesn't have the tools within him to deal with disaapointment, express how he's feeling, and act appropriately. I told them this was going to happen. I begged them to listen to me and help him with these skills, I got it written into the ARD for him, and it's STILL not happening. And he's frustrated, the teacher is frustrated, and I'm frustrated. He's also not getting his listening breaks where he can go and settle down from all the overstimulation. He needs to have that option. That's why I wrote it into the ARD and saw everyone else sign agreeing to it. So, why isn't it happening? This poor kid has got to be SO overstimulated and has no clue what to do with it all.

He has another ARD this Thursday. I have a whole list of things that need to be said loud and clear. Hopefully I can keep it together. I always get way too emotional at my own kids' ARD's. I'm hoping to bring a friend who can just sit there and smile when I get angry. *sigh* I can do this. I know I can. I just need for him to have a good year. I need him to love learning and not dread it. Is that so much to ask for?

First Day of School

The Beast started Kindergarten today!!! He's totally mainstreamed, and was so excited to go. I'm so pleased about the AMAZING teacher we hand-selected for him. She's going to be such a blessing in his life. Plus, he has a friend from his soccer team, a friend from church, and his very best friend in the whole wide world in his class. What could be better?

Floating Down the Mainstream

The Beast starts Kindergarten next week. I'm so excited for him because he gets to be completely mainstreamed! Go Beast!!! He'll be riding the special ed. bus home because of some behavior issues on his part, but that's about it. Beyond that, he'll be "just like everyone else". I went to his classroom today to sit in on his teachers' inservice on how to use his equipment, what he hears like, etc. I had a hand in selecting his teacher, and I'm delighted to say I chose the right one. She is so interested in his success and working hard to help him learn. It's going to be a challenging year for him, but she's going to be a wonderful teacher.

He's Getting So Big!

Little Guy is doing great! He's rolling over (and getting all caught up in his oxygen tubing), smiling, "talking", holding his own bottle, interacting with his siblings, and has become quite a pro at taking out his hearing aids to wave them around like they're some amazing prize. Eventually, I'm hoping he'll get to where he wears them in his ears instead of in his mouth. The Beast caught on at about 18 months, so that's what I'm shooting for with Little Guy.

There isn't a whole lot more to say about Little Guy for now. And, honestly, that's fabulous!!! Sometimes no news is the best kind of news there is.

Little Guy's First Swim

Little Guy has certainly been through a lot this summer. Our church was having its annual pool party at the local pool, so we decided to take him off his oxygen for just a few minutes and let him have some fun. He really seemed to enjoy it. I don't know if it was the water or all the people or just having his Daddy all to himself, but something sure was fun to him. He was very tired after about twenty minutes of swimming, so Grandma Kelly made sure he got plenty of love and snuggles while he slept. As his mom, it was nice to have him do something that "normal" or "typical" kids his age do. No hearing aids for a while, no oxygen for a little while. Just fun.