So, this last Tuesday, the big yellow school bus pulled up to my house and I wasn't even ready for it. June was still eating breakfast. Her shirt wasn't even on yet, lunch wasn't in her backpack. We quickly got it together, headed out the door, and I didn't even get to see her face as she sped away. It all happened so very quickly. But she came back, alive, in one piece, a little sweaty, and started circling the house like a bat out of hell. She's taken a nap every day since then. Day #3 I was able to capture this picture:
On Friday, I went to go visit her classroom for the morning. Her teacher was absolutely wonderful, and comes from a background of working with profoundly disabled children in a hospital setting, so she has all sorts of tricks up her sleeve for June. Surprisingly, June was the most developmentally delayed in the whole group, and quite obviously will be the most demanding and hard to manage. There are two girls in the class and 7 boys (typical for special needs classroom). Everyone else is verbal or somewhat verbal. Everyone walks except for one boy who is in a wheelchair, but is extremely ambulatory and able to maneuver around in that thing like he's been doing it since he was out of the womb.
I have high hopes for June. I've already talked to her teacher three times over the phone and she called me just today because they are doing "pudding painting" tomorrow and she wasn't sure if June could have pudding because it has milk in it (June recently went on a dairy free diet). I quickly whipped her up some dairy-free pudding tonight to bring in for the special event. June has also brought home a painting (done hand-over hand) and is very tuned in to the CD that was given to me as part of their curriculum. She is loving music these days. The letter of the month is "J" (in honor of June), the color is "purple", the theme is "bears". June has a special chair she uses, but her teacher also told me she has been using her walker and it seems to be working out well, which we have also noticed at home (outside).
Overall, I am really pleased with Norfolk Public Schools Special Needs Program and I am really glad I held out for the morning spot because it gives me time in the morning to prepare for this next baby, get paperwork in order, do taxes, shop for dishwashers, and smile at the clear, blue sky. Besides, June still takes a nap in the afternoon.
June's Personal Assistant also started with us last week (Miss Kat). She is a personal friend of mine and is really fitting into our family nicely. June loves Miss Kat and I am amazed that the state pays for me to have her around. What a special treat.
All in all, I feel at peace...at least for 6 (or so) more weeks. Thanks for your prayers. I can feel the love surrounding me like a warm Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae.
