These Kids

This girl...

oops...

I mean THIS girl...

is a graduate of the Carmichael Elementary Special Ed Preschool, and I could *not* be prouder. Last year she tested at 18-24 month range in many of the areas, and she has caught up AND surpassed in all the areas except for speech, which her speech therapist said she will probably test out of within 6 months!! When she first started at the preschool she was very shy and it took a lot to get her to participate and open up, and Miss Bonnie said that her classmates now seek HER out for playtime and activities, and none of her teachers or therapists have ever seen her ever be mean, even when being pushed!! (I have seen different, but siblings don't count with M I guess?) She stands up for herself but has never been aggressive. Even when someone was trying to get her off of a tricycle on the new "racetrack" at the preschool and was trying to tip her off, I hear! So we are on to Kindergarten come August, which her teachers and therapists all said they think she is more than ready academically. I'm worried because she is so shy in new situations, but her teachers are sending their notes to her new teacher and I'll get the chance to talk to the teacher (we don't know who it is yet) before she starts as well.

And THIS boy...

graduated out of physical therapy!! Shelly said that he's doing great with his walking and can do pretty much anything she needs for him to test out of needing PT. It was bittersweet for me, because Shelly has been so great with him and me, but my boy is getting big. His walking is great, he can get up from sitting to standing with no help, he's even climbing onto chairs and standing in them (almost gave me a heart attack when he discovered that one). Looks like we may be on to speech therapy though, the ped wants him to be evaluated. I'd rather get him into it now than when he's three, like our old ped waited with M. It still makes me so angry to think about that.

And then THIS boy who is the "norm" in our therapy family...

Got to live out a dream and visit a firehouse! Our awesome mothers group leader arranged for the group to tour the firehouse by our Stake Center, and P was in heeeeeaven. Got pretty freaked when one of the firemen got in full fire-fighting gear, O2 mask and all, and refused to stand by him until the fireman took off the mask and helmet, and still had to have his best friend Isaac stand with him for a photo with the fireman. (absolutely LOVE Isaac's "cheeeese!" face)

But he got to sit in the fire truck, see the lights go on, watch the water spray aaand....

Got to actually spray water from the fire hose! Oh, joyous rapture!

Overall, a great month of May so far, I'd say. CJs birthday and my mums birthdays are coming up, so my mum and stepdad are coming into town for Memorial Day to celebrate early, woo! Cupcakes-- I mean, family time!