School has started

Tuesday Sept 4, 2012 was our first day back to school.  Andrew is a Senior this year.  Kenny is a Sophomore and Jonathon entered the public school system as a student in Young 5's.

We have 3 very large Kindergarten rooms this year so I decided not to put Jonathon in Kindergarten.  Young 5's is a brand new program at Memphis this year and this is the program I decided to enroll him in after a lot of thought.

Jonathon will continue to see his ECDD teacher Mrs. Rhodes from 7:55a.m. - 10:30a.m.  Then he will go down and join the other students in Young 5's.  He is in Young 5's from 10:30a.m. - 2:40p.m.

During this time he will have recess, lunch, science, rest time, specials(music, library, computers and gym) along with another recess in the afternoon.  While this is a big adjustment for Jonathon he is doing okay so far.  I actually think it's harder on me than him.  Jonathon loves to go to school and I am very happy that he is.

Tuesday I sat with my good friend Nik and we just chatted all day.  All day until pick up time.  It was a great way to spend the first day.  Her daughter Rylee started Kindergarten.

Wednesday I sat around and tried to do paperwork and catch up.  But I just kept thinking about Jonathon and then I would tear up.  I did not like Wednesday.

Thursday - today was a little better.  I kept myself busy with paperwork about our upcoming Buddy Walk. (ST. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group)  I can't wait for this event to take place.  I had a little bit of anxiety off and on, but I survived.  And Jonathon had a great day.

So we will take one day at a time and see how it goes.  I am hoping for a very good year.

Almost time

for school that is.  10 days and counting.  Jonathon is ready.  He has been ready all vacation.

Today we went up to the school to show Jonathon his new playground.  I let him check it out and play for 20 minutes like he will at school and then had him line up at the door like he will be doing all this year.

I was pretty amazed how well he did.  The new playground is huge compared to the playground he was on for the last 3 years.  He enjoyed playing on the playground.  He worried Kenny alot, but I explained to Kenny that we have to back off and let him go.  And that he is ready!  Yes, I do believe he is ready.  Is mom ready?  No, not really.  Jonathon is my baby.  It will be hard to have him gone all day.  We are together all the time.  He is my little shadow.  But we will adjust and change is good.

We will continue to travel to school all this week so that Jonathon can get more familiar with his new surroundings.

I am trying to prepare him for the changes that are taking place.


Here are some pictures to share of Jonathon exploring and getting ready for a fun filled year.

walking the bridge

Checking out the teeter totter

Ok  I'll just go under

Time to line up!

Almost there!

"Made it"  

Wordless Wednesday

My little gardener

Jonathon and I spent the day on Thursday running errands and then hurried home to grab a snack and put in our garden.

We planted tomatoes....beef steak and cherry.  Jonathon loves tomatoes and his big brother Andrew too.

We also planted cucumbers, green peppers and sweet corn.

I opted for a smaller garden this year. So we will see how it goes.  I cannot wait to eat some fresh veggies and to watch Jonathon take care of the garden with me.

Dental Cleaning

After graduation on Wednesday Jonathon had to go into the city to a dental appointment.

He was scheduled for a cleaning.  Now 6 months ago he did really well in the chair.  Minimal crying and walked out with no cavities.

This appointment I was a little worried about a couple of teeth and always hoped for the best.

waiting to see Dr. Curt

Once the Dr. Dentist walked in ....everything changed.  Jonathon wanted out and he started crying.  I tried to console him with his blue puppy and with music off my phone.  Lets just say this was not working.  He would settle down for a few seconds and then start screaming all over again.  And I mean scream!  You think that the dentist was killing him.  I hate having to put him through all of that!


Jonathon has one hole in his bottom tooth.  A couple of other cavities.  We are headed to surgery once again.  He will get xrays done and some fillings placed.  This is the best way to do this procedure for Jonathon.  He is getting very strong and I wouldn't want to put him through all the agony.  So he will sleep and the dr. dentist will take care of him.

After all his screaming, he has broken blood vessels all over his face and head.  I hate seeing this!  I hope at the next cleaning he does a little better.  I am going to buy him an electric/battery operated toothbrush.  Maybe getting used to some noise in his mouth will help out.

We will wait for the phone call on when dental surgery will be.

Preschool Graduation

Today was a very emotional day for me.  My son graduated preschool.  My son is going to be main streamed next year.

Jonathon has worked so hard over the last 4.5 years and today is the proof....Graduation.....

mom....why are you crying

Happy Boy

Getting his certificate

Big brother came to the party

Jonathon's teacher

Jonathon's parapro

Part of us....Kenny is missing

Jonathon will be main streamed next year.  He will be going into young 5's.  We decided it was in Jonathon's best interest to enroll him into young 5's instead of kindergarten.

His class size will consist of 15 students instead of 27.  He will continue some work with his current teacher in the morning hours and then he will go into the regular classroom for the remainder of the day.  He will have recess and lunch with all the other students and kindergarten.

He will have music and/or gym.

He will have a rest period (not sure just how long, waiting for more info)

He will be involved in regular class work.

He will be in school from 7:55 a.m. until 2:40p.m.

Academically Jonathon is right on target.  Socially Jonathon needs some more work.  Another reason why we decided not to enroll in kindergarten this year.

I want Jonathon to do his very best and not get lost in the shuffle.  I am very happy that this is the first year our school is offering Young 5's.  I cannot wait.  I am sure it will be a very interesting year for sure.  And if this is too much for Jonathon we will back up and take it slower.

So for a few days we will celebrate graduation and summer vacation.

Then we will begin our routine for summer...which will help Jonathon prepare for next year!

All I wanted was for my son to be mainstreamed when it was time....And my wish came true.  I couldn't be more proud of him.  I love you Jonathon and I will always be here for you.....no matter what!  Happy graduation!!!!  You did it!!!!  "HOORAY"

Bubbles for Autism

We went to school and joined in for an hour of fun!  Bubbles for Autism.  Jonathon does not have Autism, but we have friends and far and near who have Autism and we did this for them.

And of course we also went because bubbles are fun!

Jonathon had a great time.  And Jonathon's classmates had fun too.

Showing different ways to make bubbles

Now where did that go?