Moving On

This was a big week!  Diddles started pre-school!  I'll tell you what, she may have a Cognitive delay, but when you tell her she gets to go to school on a schoolbus, you'd better believe she understands it, and will ask you about it 175 times a day, until it happens!  We've been counting down since our IEP last week:  "Four more night-night sleeps...three, two, one".  Finally Monday came, and it was school time!  She was so excited!  I was SO anxious!  This was different than any of my other kids going to school.  She still seems such a baby to me, even at three-and-a-half.  

Much like when Diddles was born, there was no time to savor the sweet moment in time, and reflect on the past.  We found out the day we left the hospital with her that we were moving in a month to Idaho!  I had no time to sit and soak in all the new baby-ness, and nap when she was napping (ha,ha).  Every nap she took I immediately put her down in the crib and got to work:  Organizing, sorting, tossing, packing.  This time with Josh starting grad school on Monday, and his Ironman training in full-swing,  this job is resting heavy on my shoulders.  I'm grateful for the extra time.  Monday after she rode away on the bus, I allowed myself about 15 minutes of "Oh, my little baby is away from me for four hours..." and tears and reflective self-pity, then I got straight to work:  Laundry, organizing drawers, making lists, and selling things on Craigslist.  This is also quite a life-changer for me, friends.  Suddenly all my kids are in school.  My "mother-of-young-children" has abruptly and unexpectedly come to a close.  More reflections on that when I get the time!  

"Going Coo" (School!)

She's got her "pack-pack"!

 Diddles had her "pack-pack" packed since Friday - she opted for Boo's old Princess backpack that grandma gave her years ago.  I tucked in a change of clothes, in case of an accident, and at the last minute, she insisted on taking a lunch (like the big kids), although they provide breakfast and lunch at school.  We hurriedly packed a go-gurt, cheese stick, and a slice of bread in a ziplock to appease her, and rushed out the door to the waiting school bus.

The bus is punctual.  They always arrive at 7:20am on the dot, and the route takes in a large geographic area, so they've got to stay on schedule.  Diddles climbs aboard to a friendly hello, and the aide gets her buckled into her booster seat and off they ride!  She went on the bus with no worries, and a quick, "Bye, Mom!  I going on duh coo bus!"  So cute.

After school they bring her home, around 12:00pm, and off she climbs, all-smiles, and so excited that she just rode on the school bus!  The older kids are pretty envious she gets such a cool ride.  They've only been on a bus for field trips!  

A couple times a week, they send home this communication report,  called a "short and sweet sheet", noting where she did well, and where she struggled.  I was happy to see this note, as I was unsure how a child with a language delay would be able to answer my question, "What did you do at school today?"  At the bottom there is a little prompting question that has something fun that she did that day that would elicit some conversation at dinner.  This allows us to participate in her education, which is so important!  

Here is the lesson plans for next week!

In addition to this letter, the teacher sent me a nice e-mail the first day, telling us what Diddles did that day:

"Love her already and today she colored some fish, tried her best to cut them out, went fishing in the sensory table for Upper case letters (was reluctant to put on the plastic apron but did) put two wooden puzzles of fish together with very little help. Learned to walk in a line with other students, drew a picture on a white board with markers. Made a new friend Melina who held her hand and helped her go from center to center.  She played in the doll house and with snap together blocks. Although she was pretty quiet she did talk when asked to and did ask me about you a couple of times but I reassured her she would see you after school and the bus ride and that satisfied her.  She sat still in circle time but had to be reminded to sit on her pockets so others could see.  Fun, typical kind of day and I know she will fit in great with this class."

Isn't that just wonderful?  It's easier to let your child go, when you know where they are going is so GOOD for them, you know?  What a great experience for her.