Ending of the '18-'19 School Year Part II

The end of this school year also brought a very big change for all of us as Cody finished pre-K at Good Hands Childcare Center, a place we came to love very much. Cody's end of the school year came in two parts which included the end of the year show and his very last day of school. Both of these events left us feeling very emotional for lots of reasons but primarily because it was evident that our little boy was also transitioning from toddler into "big boy" status. It has been no secret that Cody can be our difficult one but although things are not always easy, he has changed a lot over the course of the last year in so many positive ways. 

I think what has always been so difficult with him is that since he was a baby, he has been desperately trying to keep up with Colin and Kailey. Because of that we saw him accomplish skills this year like teach himself to ride a bike without training wheels, he's been fiercely independent, and he wants to do things his way. In the beginning of the year, he was much more likely to handle things that didn't go his way with crying and/or tantrums and although we still see that at times, it had vastly improved by the end of the year. We have been questioned at times at why we are sending him to Kindergarten when he won't turn 5 until mid-September and the reason why is because we absolutely KNOW he is ready. Although he will be a young Kindergartener, we know (based on experience) what readiness skills are needed and Cody definitely has those (again, due to his personality in trying to keep up with the others). We also know this because we are grateful that Cody had a very special pre-K teacher that helped him to prepare for this upcoming transition. 

It was so much fun to watch him and his friends at the end of year show. As always, the staff and students put on such a great show with a great theme and we had so much fun watching Cody up on the stage. It was very clear to us that he greatly enjoyed himself. 

A few days after the show was Cody's last day of school, but also, our family's last day at the school. This was emotional for me because we started Good Hands after having already been at a daycare we loved and after we had a rough experience with Colin in a place he attended for a very short period. When we first met with the owner of the school, I remember asking about having a student with needs like Colin's and there was no hesitation in her voice when she said she would be happy to have him. We have cared for all of the teachers that have had all of our children because of how much they loved and supported them. Choosing a daycare facility can be a very difficult process because you want to find a place that will care for your children in the same ways you would if you could have them at home with you. We have trusted the women who have cared for the kids with our whole hearts and we know that they all had a significant impact on the development of our kids as they transitioned from babies to toddlers and then to children. Saying goodbye was difficult and there were LOTS of tears shed on our end but I am so grateful for all they did and for our wonderful experiences while we were there. 

Cody has had the hardest time because although he is excited at being a big boy and going to Kindergarten, I think he's nervous about leaving a place he has been comfortable at and the only place he has known (he started when he was 4 months old!). I know he will be fine once the time comes to get on the bus with his brother and sister but just like anyone, the anticipation can be difficult! 

It is so hard to believe our "baby" is going to Kindergarten! However, nothing excites me more than having all 3 of our kids in the same building for 2 whole years! 

Ending of the '18-'19 School Year Part I

I have been seriously negligent in keeping this blog up to date and I was reminded of how important it was to me recently when I had the opportunity to meet up with some friends I met through the blog 10 years ago. With the rise in the use of social media (especially for me), it has become easier to put up a quick post on a day to day basis then to sit down and put thought behind the things that I feel and want to say. If I look back even a few years ago, I was posting on an almost daily basis about the things that were happening. In the beginning, the blog was a designated to share specifically about Colin having Down Syndrome but as time went by, it was such a part of our normal life that it was actually almost hard to find things to talk about related to that. The posts have become so few and far between and I need to, if only for myself, get back in the wagon to continue to document our journey. 

The end of this school year saw Colin finishing up 3rd grade, Kailey finishing 2nd grade and Cody (which will be in Part II), finishing up pre-k. We were so fortunate because it was another great year for both of them and their teachers played such an integral role in the progress and successes they had throughout the school year. 

It's always so amazing to me to look at the beginning and end of school year photos to see how much the kids have changed physically, but then to recognize all of the other ways in which they have grown and matured as well. We were so incredibly grateful for Colin's team this year, comprised of a general education teacher (Kailey had her in Kindergarten), a special education teacher we hadn't had before (A-MAZING), his paraprofessional he has had for 4 years now, a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist (all therapists that have been with him for 5 years), case manager, various specials teachers, and a principal who continues to support him in so many ways. In school, Colin has classmates that recognize his differences but support and love him for who he is and allow him to feel safe and happy. We saw academic growth in many areas but continue to push through the most challenging areas to find ways that will allow him to make growth. His behavior has been "typical"; this year brought us some new things to work through which has primarily been the transition to "pre-teen". At times it was funny to laugh at (without him noticing) the things he would say when "talking back" but also frustrating because although they are "developmentally appropriate", handling them often times takes different/repetitive approaches. He remained involved in various different sports activities throughout the school year both with his typical peers and in communities with other athletes with special needs. Overall, he had a really great year and we are grateful for that! 

I am really proud of Kailey and how much she has grown and matured this year. She had a teacher we all adored (she was Colin's 2nd grade teacher last year) and Kailey so much so that she cried when the year ended because she was going to miss her so much. She did really well academically and in all honesty, we don't have to worry so much about that with her. She cares about doing well but appropriately so. We are grateful because she has a nice group of friends that she enjoys to spend time with. This year we saw a lot of changes in her because of our discussions related to Colin having Down Syndrome, which in turn, led to a lot of talks about differences and disability. We saw so many wonderful things out of her because of this new understanding and many instances of her being kind. What I love about our school community is that even though it's small, and Kailey is only a grade behind Colin, she has her own experiences, is her own person, and loves her school and where she is. This year, she has increased her involvement in different sports activities. She joined a travel soccer team and made a lot of growth playing defense (sometimes goalie!), she continued with her quest for black belt in Karate, completed a basketball clinic, and tried softball for the first time. She is becoming an athlete and I love that about her. At times she is still shy and bashful but I hope to see this change as her confidence continues to grow. 

While we are so proud of both Colin and Kailey for all they have been able to accomplish this year, we know they are able to have the successes they do because they feel safe, supported and loved in their school community. I can't say enough how much I love their school and how thankful I am for that. It's been an awesome 2018-2019 school year! 

2019 Special Olympics Summer Games

"In ancient Rome, the Gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips: Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Today, all of you young athletes are in the arena. Many of you will win. But even more important, I know you will be brave and bring credit to your parents and to your country. Let us begin the Olympics. Thank you." 

In 2013, Colin participated in his very first Special Olympics Summer Games as a young athlete and this past weekend, Colin ran in his first track races as an official Special Olympic athlete. It is hard to articulate just how amazing the weekend was from the opening ceremonies through both days of competition. We are so proud of all of the many wonderful things that Colin was able to accomplish (2 bronze medals for the 50 meter dash and the 100 meter dash and one 6th place finish for the 4x100 relay) but we are even more proud of the athlete that Colin became. He stood up on the medal stands and supported all of the other competitors and that means more to us than any medal he could ever earn. There were so many moments that I was fortunate enough to witness of people being amazing human beings and there was just so much good that was happening. 

If you have never had the opportunity to attend a Special Olympics event, I urge you to give it a try. 

"If you seek joy, come and see the Special Olympics. There can no longer be any doubt that people with intellectual disabilities can achieve anything." - Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Colin's Annual Review IEP Meeting

I've been sitting on this blog post for the past week and every time I sit down, I can't find the words to adequately describe how I have been feeling. I thought that it would be fitting on the eve of teacher appreciation week to finally say what's been on my mind all week.

This past week was Colin's annual review IEP meeting in conjunction with the discussion of his reevaluation testing. Although we were confident going into the meeting because of how well things have been going, there is still always a certain level of discomfort going into any of these meetings and as always, we were feeling it. In fact, Chris and I both commented that even seeing "see you tomorrow" in an email prior to the meeting gave us "that" feeling. Back in the fall at a meeting, Chris and I were presented with reevaluation testing for Colin which included an IQ test by a school psychologist (his case manager), an educational test by an LDTC (learning disabilities teacher consultant - someone from a different elementary school) and a speech evaluation by his speech therapist. We deliberated over this for over a week because we felt like deep down we did not want it to be done (specifically the IQ test) and talked to/read in blog posts the perspectives of many different people in different positions. While there were many pros and cons our list, we ultimately decided to consent to all testing for several reasons. The primary reason was that over the past few years, things have grown increasingly more positive with our team working with Colin and we felt that no matter what the results were, his team would continue to look for his strengths and would not use these test results as any defining piece to who he was. Leading up to the meeting, we had received the results to all of the tests and in all honesty, we really just skimmed through it all and focused on the positive pieces we could take away.

One of the positive changes that the district has implemented over the past year is giving families an agenda for the meeting at the start. This is a simple tool to knowing what is coming and when throughout the meeting. Our meeting included our case manager (school psychologist), the LDTC from the other school who did the educational testing, the school principal, general education teacher, special education teacher, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and the substitute speech therapist. Our meeting began with the results of the testing that was done and everyone highlighted Colin's strengths. While there was some discussion on where he did not do well, this was not of course, the focus. Many years ago, this would have had a far different effect on me, but I know more than ever that these tests do not give the most accurate picture of who Colin is or what he is capable of.

Once we got through the results of the tests, the meeting turned to what I enjoy the most, listening to the members of Colin's team share all things related to the progress he is making. Colin is making SO much progress academically, socially, and personally and there is nothing more exciting that listening to Colin's teachers and therapists share that with us. Chris commented how amazing it is to listening to the teachers feed off of each other in their excitement of what techniques and strategies they are utilizing with Colin and what they are finding is working with him. We also LOVE listening to their stories about him in school and in all of the ways his personality shines so bright there. He's a funny guy! They work SO HARD for him and Chris and I couldn't be happier to be in this moment with this school community of people who love and care for our special little boy.

On Tuesday when I went for a run after the meeting, I was reflecting on this journey we've been on over the past 10 years, particularly, our journey with including Colin and what popped into my mind made me laugh to myself. I started thinking about a flash mob; at first, there is just one person that starts dancing to the music, and then one after the other more and more join in until there is a large group of people dancing together following the original one who started it. When we first started pushing to have Colin included in elementary school, we felt so alone and often questioned whether we were making the right decision. We were that lone person that starts the flash mob. Over the past 2 years, Colin's team has strengthened so immensely and there have are so many people who are truly behind him that our hearts are filled with so much gratitude. There is so much progress and Colin is a valued, contributing, and special member of his school community because the staff at his school have made it that way. He is included. Our flash mob is filled with so many people dancing together behind Colin because we support and love him so much.

There is absolutely no way to express just how thankful we are for that. We are still coming off of the high of another amazing meeting thanks to an amazing IEP team!

Spring Break 2019

This year with spring break being so much later, it was MUCH needed for all of us. The week leading up to break, our kids were having a harder time waking up each morning and were exhibiting some behaviors that were not as typical for such a prolonged period of time. On Friday morning, they were so happy to be able to stay in their pajamas (as was I) and not have to rush anywhere. 

Our first event to start our break was an egg hung at a friend's house. The kids were so excited and had a great time with their friends. 

On Saturday, we celebrated Colin's 10th birthday with dinner out at one of our favorite restaurants and cake back at the house before heading over to a friend's house to decorate eggs. 

On Easter morning, the Easter bunny dropped off our eggs at a different house, so we went to find them there before hosting family back at our house for Easter dinner. 

It was a BEAUTIFUL day so we spent a lot of time outside. 

Colin had such a great day on Monday celebrating his birthday with a few friends from his class. He had a blast dancing the night away! 

I had so many adventures planned for the week in addition to a few things I wanted to accomplish, but as with any best laid plans, it doesn't always work out the way you want it to. There were parts of our week spent hanging around at home or running around doing errands...

We took a quick trip to the beach...

After Colin got his braces on, we had to play the days by ear based on how he was feeling but we still managed to visit Barnegat Lighthouse...

squeeze in some playdates...

...and finish up the week with Colin's track practice and Kailey's soccer practice and game. 

The week went fast but was filled with lots of memories. I'm sorry to see it end!