Many Firsts.....

Ok, so the first day of kindergarten has come and gone. The first day was pretty un-eventful. It was a little nervewracking for all of us. Andrew was so excited to tell everyone that he was going to be getting on the bus to go to Kindergarten. We visited school a few days before so he could meet his teacher and some of his classmates. He clung to my side for a bit but was soon off playing alone. He loved the gym and of course the cafeteria. He had lots of questions and spotted a friend he went to preschool with. She's not in his class but they will see each other at recess and lunch and they will be riding the bus to afterschool care together. So he was excited to see a familiar face.
We were told that he did cry a bit when he got to school but was triggered by a little girl who happened to have gotten off the bus at the wrong school and was in the wrong place. So of course Andrew was unsure of himself also. But after a bit of talking with a teacher he ended up fine. He cried a little when he got to afterschool care because he thought he was going to be riding the bus and getting off at home. Afterschool care is held where his preschool and daycare was so he was upset that he was there. He said he's a big boy and doesnt go to school there anymore. He wanted to ride the bus home instead. But after they sent him to see Matthew in his classroom, he cheered right up.
So the second day was a HORRIBLE morning. He DID NOT get excited to see the bus. He was crying as soon as the bus rounded the corner. We tried to walk him up onto the bus where he kicked and screamed that he didnt want to get on. Come to find out, he was sad because he wanted us to give him hugs and kisses ON the bus, not in the driveway! Made us feel Horrible! So I climbed on the bus with him and gave him his hugs and kisses and thankfully his babysitter who lives behind us in our neighborhood, sat with him on the bus. She offered to sit with him every day if he wants. Thank GOD!
So today, his third day of school, he was fine. He got ready for school without any issues. But again, when the bus was on it's way, he started weeping. Not like the other day, but still sad. He told us he wanted to sit with Katie (his babysitter) and he wanted us to hug and kiss him on the bus and that he wanted to wave out the window. So we followed through with all his requests and he waved out the window to us. We're told he stopped crying and that he was fine walking into the school today and seemed much happier this morning. So hopefully each day will get better.



AND, another first... Andrew has stared his Therapeutic Horseback Riding! He LOVES it! We're not loving the cost, but if it will help him and we'll find a way to pay for it. He loves his horse, "Miss Lilly" and loves to be around her. His favorite part is riding and when he gets to "hug" her during his stretches on horseback. He's had 3 sessions now and has been able to ride the sensory trail too! We're so glad that he is enjoying it and he really seems to be so stretched out afterwards. He is much calmer and in control and seems his speech is clearer too. There's a lot that he can get out of this therapy... not just the physical aspects. He has developed a connection with Miss Lilly and she seems excited whenever Andrew arrives! We'll try to keep you updated on the progress as much as we can. If you'd like more information about his therapeutic Horseback riding and Hippotherapy you can visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippotherapy

As far as Matthew goes, He's happy to be back at preschool with his little buddies. He's grown so tall over the summer and is getting so smart. He takes after his mommy since he loves "art stuff" as he calls it. He's mastered drawing houses and loves to get into detail. He gets frustrated when it is not just right. He's still our little fireball and keeps us going non stop until he finally gives in to sleep. He's up bright and early in the morning ready to start the day. Even as daylight becomes later and later, he still gets up so early and thinks everyone has to as well!

Summer seems to offically come to an end although the mosquitos are still in full force for some reason... it's still difficult to enjoy the outdoors. The days are shorter and the leaves are even starting to fall. The boys are looking forward to halloween and look at costumes online regularly trying to decide what they want to be for halloween. Seems like it should be so far away, but it's just around the corner. We do look forward to visiting the apple orchards and picking pumpkins, but that's a sign that winter is on its way.

We've been busy trying to get all of Andrew's therapies organized at school and have a well needed vacation weekend planned for our anniversary. We're finally going to Maine and hope to enjoy some lobster while we're there. We're staying at a resort that has a beautiful golf course right on the ocean. We've actually enjoyed a lot of golf this year and have done well and placed in all the tournaments that we've played in. The last one we played in, the UPS/United Way Tournament, we won first place and I got the longest drive for the women. We also had the opportunity to help raise money for a family that has 4 year old triplets with Cerebral Palsy. We ran a 50/50 raffle just for the family and hope that it will help them with their rising health care costs. With us having only 2 children and one with mild CP, we can't imagine the struggles they must have with triplets AND them having CP. The family also has 3 older children to care for. So it meant a lot to us that the money from that raffle go to their family this year.

In closing, fall is on the way and we're not looking forward to heating our home this winter. We hope you have all had a wonderful summer!