Update

Gregory has been at his school a month now. So far so good. I feel like he is already  learning more but he is still behind. Working on writing letters, site words, writing numbers, ect. They work on behavior and for the most part he has been doing good. There are days when he doesn't get to go to treasure box. This is the daily reward for good behavior. I can't believe school is out in a little over a month! I'll let you know how the rest of the school year goes.

New school.

Hi all! So A LOT has been going on with Gregory at school. I've been a little too overwhelmed to do a post . . . and new things keep happening. I will try and give you the readers digest version. 

Its been a little over a month now . . . Gregory has always struggled with some behavioral issues at school . . . they have just really escalated. After several meetings with his teachers and thearpists . . . trying new things . . . changing his IEP . . . a couple more meetings . . . we have decided he needs a more self contained classroom. His current school does not have something like this. Only 2 other schools in the district offer something like this for Gregory. One just happens to be right down the street from my house and its actually where I went to school K-6th grade. :) 

He will be in a classroom with one teacher and two aids. There will only be 10 other kids. It seems like a very contained, positive, strict, structured, fun classroom. They can deal with and accommodate all the things Gregory struggles with. The whole goal is to get them back into a main stream classroom. They get the behaviors under control first and when they are ready they let them back into a mainstream classroom little bits at a time. They also join another kindergarten class to go to specials and lunch with. One of his neighborhood friends is in this classroom. So, he already has a friend. :)

I think it will be really great. I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for listening!

Wanted: Wisdom & Guidance

Hi all . . . I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet . . . going through a hard time with Gregory again. His SPD/Behavioral issues have escalated lately. There are many things that can be contributing to this . . . but even with out these contributors, he still had issues. His therapy wants him to see a physiologist. So does his school. It is amazes me that these people who are around kids all day long can't figure Gregory out either. He truly is my Mystery Boy. 

I'm at a point right now where I don't really have any words. I feel kind of numb. 

There are 2 things I am certain of right now . . . 

1. Even though I know I'm doing the best I can . . . my mommy heart aches at the fact that there is something Gregory needs right now and that I don't know what it is. My heart literally aches. 

2. I don't want Gregory falling into the trap of thinking he is a "bad" kid. This makes my mommy's heart ache too. 

I want to remember how far he HAS come. That this too shall pass. 

I will sign off just asking for prayer. Prayer for:

Wisdom . . . being the best parent for him. 

Wisdom . . . for all his teachers/therapists. 

Guidance . . . on just what to do and what steps to take. 

Healing . . . of his sweet body and mind. That he would be in better control of his body and mind. 

Protection . . . over my sweet boy. 

Thank you to all of you out there listening.

Parent Teacher Conference

Hi all! Fall is finally coming here in AZ.  Which means parent teacher conference time. Gregory's dad and I met with Gregory's teacher last week. She said for the most part he is doing better and progressing . . . but he is no where were he needs to be. She said he would benefit from a smaller classroom. She said he does much better one on one and she just can't do that with him as much as she would like to. She said it wouldn't be anything that would happen this year but maybe talk about it at his IEP for next year. Hmm . . . And more than likely he will need to repeat kindergarten. My mommy's heart got a little teary eyed hearing this. Its like you know your child's daily struggles but hearing it in a more formal atmosphere makes it all more real. After the meeting I asked Gregory's dad what he thought . . . he is always good about putting things in perspective . . . he said Gregory has come so far since August, who knows where he'll be at in May. And he's right. Another example of how I'm always reminded to just take life one day at a time. No since in worrying. Just going to work more with him at home. Going to look at getting him a weighted vest to wear at school. Do more heavy work. See what happens.

Star Student

Gregory got to be Star Student this week at his school!!!

Today he had to bring a poster about him and talk about it to his class! And . . . I am so proud of him . . . he is finally writing his name!!!! I'm so proud of this boy right now. He's making big strides right now!!!!

Kindergarten Update

All in all the school year has been going good . . . until last week that is. It was just an overall rough week. 

I need to think of a name for when Gregory acts "crazy". I often refer to it as "crazy" Gregory but thats not nice. I dunno . . . its his alter ego  . . . maybe instead of Gregory he is being, "Senor Loco"???? I'm game for any suggestions. 

Anways, what does "Senor Loco" look like? I can't even describe it . . . its just off, weird, intense, agressive, sensitive, snotty, disrespectful, not obedient, hard, difficult, cranky. 

Sounds fun, huh? 

Whats going on? 

I"m not really sure .  . . . mommy brain of mine cannot figure it out. I think its one or many of the following . . . daddy being out of town, school being hard, not having OT, friends not being nice at school, the heat, his lack of vocabulary . . . 

I don't know. 

I do know at school (so at home too) they are working on the following goals for Gregory:

~Write his name

~Hold a pencil the right way

~Respond appropriately to situations

~Two way conversations

~Articulation

~Colors

~Count to 20 (he can now do 25)

~Shapes

~Identify 15 of the 26 letters

~Self awareness

~Math language

So far so good!

Gregory is already into 4th week of school! Can you believe that?! Crazy! My little kindergartener. 

So far so good . . . his teacher says he's doing well for the most part . . . is so sweet . . . but wants to touch everyone and be in their personal space. He doesn't want you in his be wants to be in yours. This is something his Occupational Therapist has been working on as well. 

Gregory has an I.E.P. (Individualized Education Program). It was done in the school district he was in for preschool. Now we're in a new district so they need to re write it. I have a meeting with "his team" on Wednesday morning to do this. I've already met the speech therapist and I talked to the occupational therapist on the phone this morning. They both seem so sweet. 

I'll keep you all posted on Gregory's goals and how he is doing. 

Then there is the whole lunch issue. He has yet to eat his sandwich at lunch. He'll eat some fruit and his fruit snack. But not his sandwich. Urrrr.   

And then one day last week there was an opened package of Combos, cheese filled pretzels! We've talked to Gregory about not taking food from others as he cannot have any dairy. Scary. Talked to his teacher. She was going to talk to kiddos about not sharing food. We new this day would come. Joys of having a child with a metabolic disease. 

First Day of School

Gregory started kindergarten yesterday! 

The first day went great! We love Mrs. Brown! She said Gregory did great! 

I'm so excited for this new school year for you bug! You are going to do great! 

I love you! 

 

One week from today!!!

One week from today, this little boy starts kindergarten!!!!! I am so excited! I hope and pray he does so good! I will keep you up to date as we embark on this new journey! I'm gonna miss this little guy while he is in school all day. :(  I know its going to be so good for him!

Yeah!!!

We just found out today Gregory was accepted to Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center Elementary School in the Scottsdale school district for Kindergarten!!!!!

This is an answer to prayer as we felt this school would be the best fit for Gregory! They have a more hands approach to learning (in a nut shell). 

As you know . . . I have to know the plan . . . and to know where Gregory is going the beginning of the summer is just so awesome! So glad I don't have to wait! 

IEP

Gregory had his IEP meeting a few weeks ago. All in all it went really well. Kind of big one since this is the one that will carry him into Kindergarten!!! Cannot believe my little boy is going to be in Kindergarten!!!! 

I'll try and give you just a general idea of how it went. Although Gregory has made progress, he is still delayed cognitively, in speech articulation, and motor skills. 

We all worked together to come up with goals that will best help Gregory in all these areas. The IEP was very detailed so his new teacher will know exactly how to best help Gregory. He will benefit from the use of a part time aid. He will receive speech therapy and Occupational therapy. I'll keep you posted on any new information!