EC

Aiden has 1 more year of Early Childhood before he starts Kindergarden!  Tomorrow marks the end of another "semester".

I continue to be tremendously grateful for the Early Childhood Program!  I don't think Aiden would have made the progress he has without it.  Thank goodness for good teachers who are patient and loving to our special needs children!  I want to highlight here some of the changes I've seen in Aiden since he started the program.  I hope he maintains them over the summer!

Potty Training--Aiden used to be afraid to even sit on the potty.  Now, he sits on the potty and flushes it when he gets off.  He still hasn't actually gone on the potty, but we aren't sure if he even understands what we want him to do.  It is a good start, and I'm grateful to see progress.  I have been trying to be consistent with getting him on the potty for every diaper change, regardless if he does anything or not.  I really hope it will "click" for him before the end of the year.  Meanwhile, we still receive diaper assistance for Aiden because he is on disability.  (Thank goodness, because we now have 3 in diapers.)

Interaction with peers--I continue to be grateful for Austin and his relationship with Aiden.  He helps Aiden so much!  Austin teaches Aiden how to play :)  We did a playdate at our house today, and I'm happy to report Aiden played with the other children!  In the past, Aiden would hide in my bedroom during playdates, or stay inside when we went out in the backyard.  He played the whole time today, and it has been that way the past few months as well.  Recently, he GREETS his classmates by the correct NAME when he arrives at school.  He says, "hi" and "bye" at appropriate times at home as well.  That is an incredible accomplishment!  His teacher has been working on greetings for a long time!  He finally "caught on" during spring semester. 

Communication--It brings me great joy to say that Aiden is talking!  His words are growing by the minute!  He asks for more food, movies, etc. appropriately now (although the sentence might not be complete).  He has more eye contact, and he answers some questions such as, what color is that Aiden?  He still doesn't understand complex questions like, "how was your day Aiden?" or "what did you do today?"  I don't care.  Aiden is TALKING, and I know more words will come with time. 

The best part?  When I say, "I love you Aiden."  Aiden replies--not repeats, "I love you TOO." 

Next year will bring more change for all of us.  Aiden will do morning EC instead of afternoon.  I'm sad about that.  Every morning the boys and I go to a playdate, the mall play center, the library, or for a walk to a nearby park.  I will miss that, and I think Aiden needs that.  Afternoons are "rest time" for Austin and Ashton, which I need and look forward to while Aiden is in school.  Mommies need to "recharge" too!  I'm hoping we find a healthy new schedule for all of us.  We will see what happens next week when Aiden starts early morning summer school!

                                              Playdate (Aiden is on the far right bottom)!