Walking into the Future

We are literally walking out of the first three years of Colin's life and right into the future.  It is amazing to me to think that in just a few short weeks, our little boy is going to be getting on a bus (a BUS!?) and heading off to school to start the next chapter in his life.  

I can honestly tell you that we are really excited for Colin to begin preschool because we know that it is going to be so good for him to get the specialization that he needs to continue to reach his potential.  It just feels so sad on many levels as we get ready to say "goodbye" to many of our therapists and teachers who have been with us since the start.

When we first started with Early Intervention and had Miss Kathy (PT) come to our house for the first time, we were so nervous as we did not know what to expect.  There have been so many times that our therapists have been more than just someone to teach Colin, they have also been a shoulder to cry, a listening ear, and a friend...

I have also been feeling really sentimental and sad that Colin is going to have to say goodbye to all of the teachers who have supported him and gone above and beyond for him since day one at the Growing Tree.  When we were looking for a school/daycare for Colin before he was born, we looked around at several places, and I knew it was the right place for him from the moment we walked in.  I had this feeling that I didn't have at the other places.  When Colin was born and we found out about him having Down Syndrome, I was so incredibly nervous to call them and tell them about it.  I just didn't know if it was something I should do, how to say it, and what would come next.  You know what they did?  They welcomed him with open arms... (I am getting teary eyed as I write this!)

One of his early days in the Baby Buds room...look at those chubs! 

Colin has done nothing but grow and flourish since he has been there.  Every time Colin would transfer into a new room, we would write a list and explain things to his  new teachers of things that he was doing, wasn't doing, and what they could work on and they always did (even when I sent in a list of exercises to work on with him!).  We even met with some of the staff members early on because Chris and I wanted to address some issues about the future and moving up to other classes and we all ended up crying together (for good reasons...)!

Firetruck day at school...

To every. single. one. of. you. who have been a part of Colin's life at the Growing Tree, even if you weren't Colin's full time teacher, we are so grateful for all that you have done to fill Colin's life with so much love and support when we couldn't spend the whole day with him ourselves.  I can not begin to express my gratitude for how much you have gone above and beyond to make sure that he was getting everything he needed.

Thank you...

We know how much he loves all of you!