Last Day of School

This was the last week of school for the boys. Since they go on different days of the week, we had a last-day yesterday and another today.

Yesterday was Matthew's last day in Older Toddlers. Next year he goes on to 2K. He really seemed to have a lot of fun this year. He was always so happy when I picked him up. Most evident to me is the improvement in his speech. We will miss his teachers, but know that as he moves to the next year, he will be well taken care of too.

For their last-day party, the teachers planned a water day! The kids brought swimsuits, and the teachers provided sprinklers and a water table! They really had a blast! After lunch and ice cream, they finished out the day on the playground. Here is a picture of Matthew pushing his sweet little friend on the swing!

Michael's last day of 4K was today, but his last-day party was on Wednesday. They had a special lunch followed by ice cream. Then a pinata and fun on the playground. Another really great party!

I am especially sad that Michael's year is ending. When he started the year, we knew he had speech delays and some quirky behaviors, but that was it. Within a week of school starting his teachers told us that "something wasn't right". Michael was unable to interact with his peers, didn't participate in group activities, and was alienating himself from his peers through his behaviors.

This was the first time we ever heard any feedback from any teachers. At his school the previous year (a different school), they never told us anything. Not a thing. We decided he would be better off at the school he attended this year, and boy were we right.

I have tried so hard to communicate to Michael's teachers how much we appreciate everything they have done. They gave us information that is certainly difficult to give to any parent. They thoroughly completed questionnaires from a variety of doctors and evaluators. They were with us all the way through Michael's evaluations.

Once the evaluations came, they just kept moving forward. They continued to work with us, providing more feedback as needed. They treated Michael like all the other kids. They loved him. They encouraged him. They saw him as just as much a child of God as any other child in the classroom.

When the year started, we didn't know Michael had autism. Without that diagnosis, he wouldn't be getting the help he needs. He would be continuing to struggle.

Through all of their work this year, Michael's teachers gave our son back to us. And we hadn't really even known he was lost.

I will never ever forget everything they have done for us. Here are pictures of Michael with two of the angels God sent to be with him.