It’s been two weeks now since Sam’s been back to school and started soccer. Two weeks! He loves soccer. LOVES soccer! Here's a picture from his first practice:
The headless guy is his coach -- and we couldn't be happier with the coach! He's so great with the kids and upon meeting him for the very first time Sam gave him a hug. The coach was taken aback (in a sweet way) and so was I. Sam never does that! He never hugs upon first meeting. I'm taking it as a good sign. 
For whatever reason, he loves it. Last year he took it for Show and Tell at least once too. The friends in his class that saw it last year would like to see it again, he said. He was very sure of this so I didn't argue. He's been very sure of himself going to school this year. He even let me take his picture on the first day! At home and at school in front of the sign!
That morning, there were remarkable levels of cooperation going on and a confidence that is heretofore unmatched. It was so exciting to see him walk into school and into his classroom with that much confidence. We had talked the night before about being a friend to some of the kids that would be new to his school and I think knowing that there were other kids there that were feeling nervous helped him to feel more comfortable. And, of course, it helps that he loves his school and that I love his school. How could we not? Love and sunshine and happiness ooze from the walls there. Walking through the doors is like walking into a gigantic hug and the place is full of magic and rainbows. The teachers and the staff there love those kids – each one of them. It’s amazing and it’s small enough that all the teachers get to know all the kids – even the ones in other classrooms. They take the time to know each child’s quirks and needs and they do whatever it takes to make them comfortable. When Sam and I arrived there last year (mid-semester) damaged and wounded from our previous preschool experience, every member of that staff swooped in and bandaged and reconstructed us and gave us as much time as we needed to trust them and love them and feel comfortable with them. They welcomed us, they tended to us and they made us feel at home. They were so gentle with Sam and helped him transition into a class full of kids that had already been together for more than two months. He was never an outsider in that class. They never dismissed him as a quiet kid. They saw through his reserved exterior and sensitive soul and they nurtured him so he could let his inner self shine as bright as his rainbow diamond. They helped to alleviate his fears of fire drills and they picked me up off the floor in the hallway, dried my tears and gave me reason to believe in them and believe he would be safe there – that whatever emotional damage had been done at his old school would be undone here. And it was. He’s proven that over and over again for the last two weeks as he sings in the car on the way to school and he hugs Gus and me good-bye at the door and walks into class with his head held high. He’s even doing the afterschool program two days a week. Music and gymnastics. He loves them both! We started with just gymnastics, but after the first day he asked if he could stay after school again. When I asked him if he wanted to do another day he told me he wanted to do “all the days”! That’s not in the budget right now so he’ll have to be happy with two – besides, I need him to spend some time with me before he goes off to big boy school! Of course, I’m thrilled he wants to be there. And, I’m thrilled that he wants to bring a silly acrylic diamond to Show and Tell so he can show his friends the rainbow that shines inside.
The headless guy is his coach -- and we couldn't be happier with the coach! He's so great with the kids and upon meeting him for the very first time Sam gave him a hug. The coach was taken aback (in a sweet way) and so was I. Sam never does that! He never hugs upon first meeting. I'm taking it as a good sign. In the past two weeks Sam’s already had two soccer practices and a game, done some homework (looking for “A” words, cutting them out and pasting them in his Alphabet Journal), started a reading log and had his Snack Day – which doubles as Show and Tell. Very exciting among the preschool set! Sam brought in what he calls his “rainbow diamond.” It’s really a silly acrylic trinket of mine that sits on the bookshelf in our living room.
For whatever reason, he loves it. Last year he took it for Show and Tell at least once too. The friends in his class that saw it last year would like to see it again, he said. He was very sure of this so I didn't argue. He's been very sure of himself going to school this year. He even let me take his picture on the first day! At home and at school in front of the sign!That morning, there were remarkable levels of cooperation going on and a confidence that is heretofore unmatched. It was so exciting to see him walk into school and into his classroom with that much confidence. We had talked the night before about being a friend to some of the kids that would be new to his school and I think knowing that there were other kids there that were feeling nervous helped him to feel more comfortable. And, of course, it helps that he loves his school and that I love his school. How could we not? Love and sunshine and happiness ooze from the walls there. Walking through the doors is like walking into a gigantic hug and the place is full of magic and rainbows. The teachers and the staff there love those kids – each one of them. It’s amazing and it’s small enough that all the teachers get to know all the kids – even the ones in other classrooms. They take the time to know each child’s quirks and needs and they do whatever it takes to make them comfortable. When Sam and I arrived there last year (mid-semester) damaged and wounded from our previous preschool experience, every member of that staff swooped in and bandaged and reconstructed us and gave us as much time as we needed to trust them and love them and feel comfortable with them. They welcomed us, they tended to us and they made us feel at home. They were so gentle with Sam and helped him transition into a class full of kids that had already been together for more than two months. He was never an outsider in that class. They never dismissed him as a quiet kid. They saw through his reserved exterior and sensitive soul and they nurtured him so he could let his inner self shine as bright as his rainbow diamond. They helped to alleviate his fears of fire drills and they picked me up off the floor in the hallway, dried my tears and gave me reason to believe in them and believe he would be safe there – that whatever emotional damage had been done at his old school would be undone here. And it was. He’s proven that over and over again for the last two weeks as he sings in the car on the way to school and he hugs Gus and me good-bye at the door and walks into class with his head held high. He’s even doing the afterschool program two days a week. Music and gymnastics. He loves them both! We started with just gymnastics, but after the first day he asked if he could stay after school again. When I asked him if he wanted to do another day he told me he wanted to do “all the days”! That’s not in the budget right now so he’ll have to be happy with two – besides, I need him to spend some time with me before he goes off to big boy school! Of course, I’m thrilled he wants to be there. And, I’m thrilled that he wants to bring a silly acrylic diamond to Show and Tell so he can show his friends the rainbow that shines inside.
