New science experiment.

What sucks.

Today, we went to a birthday party. It was for one of Audrey's friends' little sister. Audrey adores her.

It was at an indoor playground - with real playground sets and a bouncy house and a giant inflatable slide.

JT held my hand, going from the pieces of equipment. He played with me.

There were a few times he saw his sister, happily playing with her friend, and he tried to grab her hand. She wriggled free and ran off.

I almost cried, and my heart broke so fast that it took my breath away.

But I couldn't intervene.

Audrey loves JT. She really does. She plays with him all the time when it's just them. But it's not fair to expect her to drop everything and play with him. Kids her age don't do that - her friend wasn't playing with his little sister.

Yet I knew, as I watched his little face show disappointment and sadness, that it hurt him that he wasn't the center of her universe then. He ran around alone the whole time.

And then came the ending, 1.5 hours in, when I could tell JT was done. So Audrey had to get up, during the pizza (and before the cake) and leave. She cried. She insisted 'It's not fair.'.

Somehow, I am more brokenhearted after a birthday party that went better than any party we'd been to than the disasters we've experienced before.

It's one of those "FA" days that has me drained and broken, for both my babies. I agree with Audrey. It's not fair.

What I got in the mail...

"The Autism Experience" by Valerie Foley.

Awesome.

I loved reading the stories of my friends, and some of mine brought
back memories.

I love it... Not just because we're in there... Not just because Val
is the most awesome person ever. I think it is a good read, and makes
people on this journey feel less alone.

New hair

SO. CUTE.

He is...

BAT-JT! Maybe more like the Pink caper?

Digging the pink hand-drawn superhero mask.

JT loves art. He's got some awesome drawing-on-self skills.

(And he's ignoring me because he's on my computer and Wubbzy is way
more interesting than I am.)

Pea pod!

JT had fallen in love with a therapy item in the classroom - it's called a 'pea pod'. It looks like a giant inflatable canoe to me...

Anyway, my dad found out, and (being the awesome papa he is!!!) he got one for JT! He ordered the bigger one, so JT will be able to use it for a really long time :)

It came today, and oh my gosh is JT on cloud 9.

He's been playing in it/laying in it/watching tv in it/reading in it all evening.

Here's where it is now :)

What an IEP does (and doesn't).

Today we had JT's transition to Kindergarten IEP. It was long, I spent a lot of time preparing for it... and it's done. In my opinion, it is a very good IEP - his team knows him VERY well, and it really reflects that.

Yet I still have to stay on my toes.

I think many times, people unfamiliar with IEP's or special education assume that a good IEP means JT will automatically be set in school. He'll do great, the end. But that's not true at all.

A good IEP does not guarantee success. It provides him with the supports to do his best.

A good IEP does guarantee that pass or fail, JT will do it himself. He will, however, not fail because I didn't prepare for the IEP. He will not fail because of a teacher who is a poor fit. He will not fail because of anything but lack of ability on his part.

The same as any other kid, I just want him to do their best. Sink or swim, I will be proud. But I want it to be him - not anyone else.

So before he sets foot in a classroom, I know he will have that chance.

A good IEP requires work. If you're lucky like I was, it doesn't take much fight - but we're willing to do that, too. You have to prepare regardless.

I believe my son WILL succeed. I believe he's going to do great things. And his IEP will make sure he has the best chance to do it.