School's out!

This has been a pretty busy week with our family--getting teacher's gifts, final IEP meetings, doctor appointments, end of the year picnics, and graduation. Yup--our little Robbie-bob is leaving the gentle and protective womb of Gordon Elementary and will be entering big, big, junior high in the fall. It's hard to believe that we are entering this stage with our family (even though many of you have been there and done that). Robbie had a wonderful graduation ceremony. I always thought that it was a little ridiculous that you actually graduate from 5th grade but now that we're here it seems somehow appropriate. Robbie dressed up in his Sunday best and was perfectly rehearsed in all that he did. When it was finally his turn to cross the stage to receive his diploma, the entire 5th grade erupted into cheers. It was very touching and reflects just how warmly Robbie has been welcomed into the mainstream world. Afterwards, at the reception he greeted his friends and well wishers, asked them how they were going to commemorate him on this occasion, posed for pictures. and then beelined it to his classroom for his cake that he insisted I provide for his autism class. I'm sure he felt like quite a celebrity!

Kirstin ended the year beautifully having conquered multiplication, place value and SOLs and making the honor roll. She certainly has fought the good fight this year and we are really proud of her. She is a little miffed at me, however because she recently figured out that we held her back a year in preschool. Hopefully she won't hold that grudge too long.

Caleb has been a real trooper with his broken arm. It has been so hot and sticky and he has to wear a sling at all times. We've found him scratching around his cast but he never complains. We are sad he is leaving dear Mrs. Lenhart but we feel confident she will make sure he receives an excellent first grade teacher next year.

That brings us to Aidan. His language is really starting to come along. He really loves people and their cars. Whenever he meets someone new he'll say "Hi mommy (daddy)! Where car?" He seems really interested in saying words correctly, too. He's called Kirstin "Tissin" for a long time. As a matter of fact, Kirstin and her school friends often play the "Adventures of Super Tissin" at recess. Anyway, just yesterday he was trying very hard to pronounce her name properly. He will often say "Mommy, come down here!" and interchanges "mommy" and "daddy" with "Carolyn" and "Rob". Wonder boy can also count to 20 (minus 14 and 15)

Summer here we come! Hope I make it to the next post date.