School Day Two/Three

I've been getting a surprising number of phone calls and emails. The main question:

"How is school going for Andrew?"



I got a call from his teacher today.
(That's her, above, greeting her class for the first time.  She's making the fox sign with her hands which means to be quiet and listen).

She was Matthew's Kindergarten teacher as well and I really like and respect her.
She called because she knew I was nervous about Andrew's transition and I had a candid conversation about my concerns with her at Kindergarten Roundup.



She said she wanted to let me know that Andrew is doing great.  That he might be tired when he comes home because he is using a LOT of energy trying to learn how to behave in class.  (How positive and sweetly phrased is that?)  Which by the way, is completely true.  He took a 3 hour nap yesterday and still went to bed completely exhausted.  The little guy was just drained.



She said that he is learning how to keep his body in his own space (and said something to the effect of "you know what his challenges are") but that he is doing a great job and that I could be "very proud of him."  She also said, "Andrew might come home and tell you that he sat next to me in class, but that is just because it seems to help him.  He isn't in trouble."  :) 



And then said, "We're ALL learning how to behave in school ~ not just Andrew."  I told her to please let me know if we can do anything to support her at home or if there are any problems and then she said one of the best parts "unless his progress stagnates we won't have another conversation about this."



And then the gates of heaven opened and the choirs of angels sang.

:)



I was just so relieved by her perspective.  She's positive, patient, and in control of things.  I think she's a wonderful match for Andrew and I really feel like he's being set up to succeed.  It was exactly what I was hoping and praying for I couldn't be happier.  It is such a relief and I keep thanking God for her!  I know this doesn't mean there won't be bumps in the road, but I really feel like we'll work well together.

How wonderful is she?

The boys got in the van today after school and were so excited that they saw each other.  They were SO cute.  "I saw you Matthew!"  "I saw you too!"  :)  Andrew had a good day and said he has made 2 friends.  I asked him if that made Kindergarten less scary and he said yes.



I found the above picture in Andrew's planner today when I went to sign it. I asked him who it was and he said, "Me and You." 

And how is Matthew doing?

Matthew came home today and said that "Second grade is more my type [than first grade].  It's harder so it's better."

He and his friend William, (who have been in class together since Kindergarten and have the exact same back pack monogrammed with their names and have a lot of the same clothes) ~ decided that they are going to wear the same outfit tomorrow.  I asked what they decided on and he said,

"Our white polo shirts, blue shorts and our Nordstrom sandals."

Oh my...I had trouble keeping a straight face.  He is so funny. 

So all is well.  We're off to a great start and I am just so, so, so happy for Andrew and hope this is a great year of growth and learning and fun for him.  (I'm of course excited and happy for all the kids, I'm just feeling relief over Andrew's situation).