Look at the dude!
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Simon's preschool photo came home this morning. I tend to hold my breath before opening them - you just never know what may be staring back at you.
Talk about pure delight.
He is getting so big. So tall. Growing so very fast.
And today, he rode the bus. Yep, a big yellow school bus.
He started his afternoon care program today. We had been on the waiting list since before we moved - took awhile but it was the place we wanted for him so it was well worth the wait.
Part of the services Simon recieves includes busing - either to/from school or to another care provider after school. So in preparation we have been talking a lot about buses around here. How cool they are - pointing them out whenever we see one around town. He seemed to be all over that - identifying things is really big for him.
So today was the day. Chris and I drove over to the school so we could watch him (from a hiding place becuase if he saw us it could totally be a no-go) get on the bus. He walked right out there and climbed right on and got buckled into a carseat (cool that they have those on buses). Such a brave dude.
From there he rode the bus to his afternoon school. Chris and I went on ahead while the other kids riding the bus got dropped off. We met with the teachers and got everything settled so that when he got to the school we could help begin the adjustment process and welcome him.
The bus pulled up. We went out to greet him along with one of his teachers. He was super excited - seemed to enjoy the bus ride and he bounded right up to the door of the new afternoon school. We were totally all smiles.
Inside we went - into the classroom. From there he became a bit skeptical of this whole deal. You could see him start to get uncomfortable and not so sure. Um yep, that is usually how I feel in a brand new situation. We stayed for awhile and showed him around. It is an awesome classroom set up with tons of tables and toys and pottys and sinks right inside the room. He was all over the toothbrushes. Yep - they have toothbrushes there too.
We told him we would be back later in the afternoon. He cried. We gave him a hug and a kiss and then one of the teachers took over.
Man it was hard to walk out of there.
I miss him being here in the afternoon - even though it becomes pretty much impossible to work. But I know he is in a safe place with cool stuff to play with and learn and other kids to become friends with over time.
When we picked him up they said he did great. He knew some of the songs they were singing and because of the picture schedule we use here (and his morning school uses) he knew the procedures for things like washing hands, etc.
And he was super happy to see us.
It was a big day here all around. I got a ton of stuff done. Chris got a ton of stuff done.
And if you are the praying type, maybe you could say a little prayer of thanksgiving for good schools, for caring teachers, and for very brave little boys.
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83 comments
OH ALI!! I got a bit teary reading this today. What a big day you had. This is a big step for any child (and parent) but for your Simon, it is huge! As you know, I am the praying type, and they are coming your way!!!
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Awesome! I am so happy for you and your family and I agree, you are blessed to have such a great school program in place for Simon! CONGRATS on a successful day! Bus's are scary, exciting things for little boys! You did GREAT! Kudos to Mom and Dad, Kudos to Simon, Kudos to the Bus and School and Teachers! YOU ALL ROCK! ;O)
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I will be honored to say a prayer of thanksgiving for Simon, and school, and the web of support around the three of you.
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Ali, that picture of Simon is gorgeous!!! What an adorable little boy! I love reading of his progress and how well he is doing. I taught preschool for 10 years and have had some experience with autistic children in my class. They brought me so much joy; I loved working with them. Glad to hear Simon is doing so well with his new situations. You and Chris are great parents to him.
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Love the Anna Quindlan quote from her best essay...I'm pretty sure it is the one where she says she finally learned to listen to the right experts---her children--when it came to mothering.
Also loved the articel on gratitude you referred to last post.
I give thanks for good schools, caring teachers (I used to be one), brave little boys (now I have one), and generous artists like you.
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Very cool. So glad he is doing well! I consider myself very lucky because my kids have been blessed to have wonderful daycare teachers. Glad you are finding the same thing. It makes leaving them a little easier.
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Sounds like a cool little dude you have Ali! Cute, cute pic! Prayers being said for many more days like today for you, Chris & Simon!
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Ali that is so cool!
Man... he's a cutie ;)
~deb~
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Ali, thank you so much for sharing your life with us. You and Chris are, how can I say it, charming. Is that goofy? Oh well, I'll own it.
Will you be keeping us informed about Chris's campaign? Is there a website yet? I'll contribute. And I'll buy the next book too.
Take care...
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YAHOO!!! What a big day for your family! You must be SO SO proud of your little guy. Beaming with pride are we?? :-) Gotta love school pictures - you never know what you are gonna get but looks like you got a keeper this time. Yippee!! The best prayer is one of gratitude so I'm sending some your way! :-)
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Sounds like it was an awesome day all around, Ali! Glad to hear that Simon did so well and that you guys got so much done. Hope it continues on that way.
Have to say that I totally love your new quote on the side of your blog (I look forward to seeing them). It is so true and I think I need to print that one out, hang it up several places around the house and use those words to live by! Time goes by so very quickly and it's easy to get caught up in the things that don't really matter and let those that do fade into the background. I feel a scrapbook page coming on! Ü
Hope you have a happy week! Take care...
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Transition isn't easy but he sounds like he is doing great! I love that photo, wish Keagan's had of turned out as nice. So cool that you have him in a good school. He will do wonderful. Saying lots of prayers.
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Ali - it seems many prayers are coming your way, Praise God! I love your post, your a super Mama! Simon's picture is adorable. Have a really blessed day!
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What a handsome little man. Great photo!!! It's hard leaving your children in a new place, not just when they are young but still when they are 18 heading off to college or away from home. Heartbreaking I tell ya!! He will do just great and Mom and Dad will be great too. Lots of new learning experiences.
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he is looking so BIG!! and cute too :) Definitely will say a prayer...so glad it all went well!
R
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What a cute little boy! So adorable. I read your blog often, and only sometimes comment, but I just love the openness and realness that is you. Not afraid to share that he cried, that it was hard for you, but that it ended up good in the end. I love that about reading your blog! Thanks for sharing...
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Cute little guy have. Sounds like you hit a milesone today. Its amazing how fast they sneak up when you have kids. They grow so fast. Thanks for sharing.
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That is the cutest photo ever! He looks so grown up and handsome! :) You have so much to be proud of today, and he is one lucky little dude to have such amazing parents! *steph*
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That school pic did come out awesome! That's so great he liked the bus. We had lots of tears here this fall when Ruby realized she would NOT get to ride the bus to school like big sis Simone does to kindergarten.
I'm so jealous of all your work time. I'm currently at couch sewing on a rolling table in between mom type requests while watching noggin with girls. I still haven't managed to achieve that balance! LOL
Carrie
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Whenever I read your blog Ali, I'm often moved to leave a comment - but see how many people have the same thought - and can appreciate how busy you must be, and so I rarely leave my comments as a result...But having been observing Simon's progress all year long - I just couldn't resist today, and am sending my prayers and gratitude up & out there on behalf of you and the rest of us, struggling to make children's lives safe and happy and productive...Teachers are underpaid and in some cases - unappreciated. But not by me! So YAY for all those wonderful people who shape our future, by taking care of our children!
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