As the school year ends....

I am amazed at how much mature my kids are compared to September. Meredith can read
 books and knows a lot of sight words. CRAZY!

Meredith & her friends have figured out how to work together.

It's so cool for me to be able to tell Meredith, "you have to figure out a way...." and she figures out a way. Whether it's how to play a game that she can play with Sean that she can enjoy as well or figure out a way to articulate why she's upset about something. Being in school this year has taught both of my children how to get along. How to be WITH each other. 

And she's graduating. Not into kindergarten since she just misses the birthday cut off date, but from preschool into pre-k (as most know it). She looks so grown up in her cap & gown.

And Sean is a part of the group. I never thought I'd be so happy to have conformity from one of my kids. But he's accepted. He's liked by his friends and is part of the birthday party circuit. I know that may seem silly to be mentioned, but it's something I've been so worried about.

I've seen shows on TV where children with special needs have been isolated. Heard from parents of kids with Down syndrome that their children are often isolated. Not because their kids aren't or don't want to be social, but because the outside world (kids, parents, etc) have shunned the interaction. The fact that Sean has friends that he looks forward to seeing and who look forward to seeing him is so amazing to me.

Of course it doesn't hurt that Sean has learned to make himself comfy & fit in with any group. Especially with Meredith's friends. It's almost as though he knows that in order to be accepted into their older kid world, he has to do what they do.

Sean has also taught Meredith and her friends the importance of including everyone. Sean has shown them that he is one of them. He's not different. Maybe younger, but not different.

Sean's end of year program was yesterday and it was such a joy to see him up there almost cooperating. He wasn't running off. He wasn't being a pest. He was being Sean. Reaching for his favorite books and messing with the buttons on the radio. Ooooopppsss.Whose idea was it to allow him to play dj?

In the past 9ish months, both of my kids have learned how to take chances. To do things they wouldn't have done before. Rob & I have also learned the great importance of finding the right people to help nurture and teach our children. Finding the right people has allowed us to let go a little more. To allow our children to learn how to take chances.

Running through the legs of a man? Much less one she's never met before? Never would've happened before. 

Run through a fountain & get their faces wet? Never would've thought in a million years.

Being in school this year has taught my kids to be proud of themselves whether they reach the goal or keep on trying. They're proud.  The kids being in school, this year in particular since Meredith had been in school in NYC, has also taught me how much more important them being proud of themselves is rather than us being proud of them. Even though us being proud is a very close 2nd. ;)

As we transition from Early Intervention into the school system for his IEP... I'm not nervous.Sean will continue at Trinity for the next few years. I'm thankful that my prayers for Sean's dignity were answered and will continue to be answered there. I'm more grateful than words can ever convey that the teachers and director of his school have welcomed him and us so openly. With each passing day I was ever more happy that I chose to send Sean to a typical preschool. This typical preschool. Even knowing he'd be the only kid with Down syndrome there. I'm sure I'll feel the same way next year.

I'm proud to be sending my kids to a school that has allowed
the other children to accept Sean so openly. That hasn't singled him out or made him to feel different.

I am sure that his IEP will be integrated into his school days and he will continue to do really well. Just like his teachers this year were able to integrate suggestions from various sources to help him this year.

Tomorrow is Meredith's graduation. I can't wait! I'm sure all the words that will be typed here are

"Mom's hormonal and cried through the whole thing. Here are pictures."