First update of 2008!

Our family is doing just great! I painted these little wooden people to resemble each of us and the kids just adore them. It's so fun to see them carrying their little person around and identifying them. As you can see, we even took them on a field trip out to the woods!

We are going through some big changes as 2008 picks up steam. The official word is that Lowell is going to "graduate" from his Autism Day Treatment program at the end of the summer. Of course this is wonderful news. It means that he has come a looonnng way in these last two years and is ready for the next step. But are WE? I've been making lots of phone calls and having meetings regarding what his school schedule will look like come fall. He will stay in his current integrated preshool through the school district in the afternoon and so I'm trying to fit the pieces together for him to get what he needs in the morning. It has been difficult for me to think that he's going to go away from theraputic, controlled setting of his treatement program cold turky. I am so very, very proud of him and how far he's come, but of course deep down inside I'm the mama bear wanting to make sure he's getting what he needs. It seems like we've come up with a good plan. He will have Mon., Wed. and Fri. mornings home with Chloe and I. That will be a wonderful treat to have him around more for this last year before kindergarten. Yes, I said kindergarten...ahhh!!:) On Tue. and Thur. he will be a regular pre-school room at the same school he's been at, but will have the added support of a respite teacher. That should be a wonderful transition to get ready for school. He will be with kids his own age, at a place that is very familiar to him, with the support that he needs. We will also obtain private speech a few times a week. So we are excited that the future is looking bright and keep reminding ourselves that this is what we have been working towards. This is what early intervention is all about. Change is good:)