School Days

My big boy started pre-K at Glade Elementary! His first day was January 4. Since Javin has an IEP for special needs, he was able to start as soon as he turned 3 (which was December 28). It was nerve-wracking, not so much that he was going to school but that he was starting right after the holidays, which made planning with the school really aggravating!! So, on the first day, we got up and ready and I had a back-up plan in place with the time to drive Javin to school in case the bus never showed. Well, the bus never showed. I thought it was weird that I never heard from the bus driver, as everyone told me to expect, so I had no idea when the bus would show or if it even would. So, I drove Boogie to school on his first day, which really turned out well in the end because I was able to walk him to his classroom, which I think helped to relieve his anxiety about being in a new place. As soon as we walked in the classroom, he took off and started to play a game with his teacher. I knew he would be fine. Luckily, because of his time with Infants & Toddlers (where he received his therapy for autism), they had him in a classroom setting similiar to pre-K- which DEFINITELY helped his transition! Thank you I&T!! So, on the way out of the school, I stopped and talked to someone in the front office about the bus not coming and she gave me the number to the Department of Transportation. She seemed shocked and suggested I call them to see what was going on. As soon as I got home, I did just that...well...it seemed that what was going on was that the SCHOOL never sent information to them about Javin. Nice. I knew something would go wrong with his birthday so close to a long school hiatus (Christmas/New Years holiday). *Sigh* Luckily, I've learned to be pretty flexible considering I never know how a day will go with the Boogums. So, needless to say, a few phone calls later and we got it all set up and that Thursday was Javin's first bus ride to school! He loves singing Wheels on the Bus, so we sang that and I talked about riding the bus a lot before THE BIG DAY. So, the day comes, the bus comes... Javin seemed a bit wary when the bus pulled up but he was a big boy and climbed right up the bus stairs and then he turned around... When he turned around, he realized that Mommy and Daddy were NOT getting on the bus with him and he immediately threw himself down on the ground and began to cry. It was too cute and funny. The bus aide, got him up and took him to his seat and by the time he was buckled into his seat, he was good to go and not upset anymore. Now it was exciting to look out the bus windows! So proud of Javin! It's been pretty smooth sailing since then and we get reports back everyday on his progress in the classroom and he has been rockin' it and I couldn't be happier!! He seems to show more interest in what the other kids are doing (even if he doesn't participate). He has adjusted to the morning routine in the classroom. We get homework from his speech therapist, which is awesome! I'm just so glad that this is all working out for him and I can even see the improvement at home. His comprehension seems to have improved and he has even started to respond appropriately to things said to him! Smiling from ear to ear over here! I have such hope for him and I love seeing that all the hard work he puts into everyday is showing!! Love you Javin!!