Mom to Three JEMs: August 2009

Monday, August 24, 2009

Can I just say that I LOVE Jack's 3rd grade teacher??

Look at this email that I got today. This is the FIRST day of school and she's already emailing me. I just love her. And I told Don that this is just more reassurance that we need to stay in this school - Don wants to move and so do I but I want to stay in our school as I really think it's the best thing for Jackson. Anyway, here is the email.

Mila and Don,
I just LOVE Jackson! He's MY kind of person! He's had a great first day and has already earned 3 tickets (good job in group work especially). I'm wanting to know, in addition to velcro strips, what works for Jackson with the sensory issues. Does he have a sensory diet? I can get him "stress" balls, lap bands for the legs of his desk so he can push on it with his feet, etc... To give you a piece of where I'm coming from, I too have a "sensory child". I know how difficult it can be if my son doesn't get the input he needs.
Please let me know what works or if you are willing to allow me to try new things. I want his year to be as successful as possible with the sensory issues being secondary for him.
I am excited to get to know him and the both of you this year!!!
Thanks so much!
Mia

I replied to her saying that he has never really been diagnosed with sensory issues, but that his teacher and the counselor last year suggested the velcro strip in his desk to sort of give him something to do with his hands. I told her that Jack is a great child and WANTS to do well, but that sometimes his impulse control issues get the best of him. I also told her that she is welcome to try anything she thinks would be good for him and that we are here to support her and Jack this year in every way. Here is her reply to me.

Well, I play trial and error. I have several books about sensory kids. You may have read them all. If not, let me know and I can "check" them out to you. It's obvious Jackson has a heart of gold (and he's pretty darn cute too). That's why I instantly fell in love with him! Let me do some thinking and gathering of various items. I can talk to him, too, about what he thinks.
My son, Aidan, has similar issues with impulse control as well and I have seen how frustrated he can get. I think these kids will grow up to be "go getters" and great problem solvers!
Off to get the kids from Spanish...I'll let you know what I come up with.
:)
Mia

Isn't that so cool - to have a teacher, on the FIRST day of school, already thinking of how to better your child's year? I think it's awesome! I'm hoping this is a wonderful year for Jack - he deserves it!

My house is so......

QUIET!!! I don't know whether to laugh or cry! For the first time in 7 years - I have an empty house. What am I going to do with myself for the next 13 years?? Ok, so I know what I'll be doing - and I'm sure I won't really be bored but it's so weird just sitting here in a quiet house.

The morning went great! We were all up, showered, dressed, fed and ready to leave by 7am! We don't have to leave until 7:20, so it was nice not to be rushed like we usually are on the first day of school. The kids were all so excited! Macy got up at 4 AM and got into our bed and never went back to sleep - she is going to be WORN OUT later today! She is either very excited or very nervous, I'm betting it's a little of both. But we got to the school, did the picture in front of the school like we always do - went to each classroom and said our goodbyes. I didn't even cry (when I dropped Jack off at Kinder - I was fine until I walked away from his class, then I cried!) but the stupid poem that the Kinder teachers give to the parents as they walk out the door made me tear up. I had to stop reading it - and I've read the same poem for all three kids now - you would think it wouldn't get to me anymore. Here's the dumb poem... :)

The First Day
I gave you a little wink and smile
As you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is to leave
And know your child must stay.
You've been with him for five years now
And have been a loving guide,
But now, alas, the time has come
To leave him at my side.
Just know that as you drive away
And tears down your cheeks may flow
I'll love him as I would my own
And help him learn and grow.
For as a parent, I too know
How quickly the years do pass
And that one day soon it will be my turn
To take my child to class.
So please put your mind at ease
And cry those tears no more
For I will love him and take him in
When you leave him at my door.

Need a tissue?

So, now I'm going to go run some errands with Don. It will be nice to be able to do some work with him again. We used to work together before kids, so we're going to start that again. It should be fun to be adults again!

Here are some pics from today. I can't believe how grown up they look in these pictures!

Macy and Elle walking up to the school.