The other day James' teacher called me just to give me an update on how summer school has been going. She had nothing but good things to say and I LOVE when that happens. It seems like James has been making so much progress lately that it is even easy for us to see the difference. I think if anyone from New Mexico were to see James now they wouldn't even recognize him. We are so proud of him and all the hard work he has done to get to this point.
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| James has been playing dress-ups all the time. I never know who is going to come up from the basement once he has been down there. The other day I even caught him sitting at my sewing machine trying to sew himself a new costume. |
- James and Angel. James has always loved Angel and he really missed her while he was on break. Once he went back to school he attached himself to her again. His teacher says before he would say "Hi" and hang around her a little bit, but there wasn't much interaction. Now he actually plays with her, and they play dolls. James is not a big fan of dolls so it is pretty big for him to choose a non-prefered activity in order to hang out with his best buddy. The other day they were making clothes pin butterflies. Angel was taking a nap, so when James finished his he asked if he could make one for Angel. He then put it next to her pillow for when she woke up.
- James is WORKING! She says she doesn't have to really redirect him as much. He has his awesome stool (similar to this), which he loves, and will sit and work for 20 minutes at a time. She even hasn't had to offer him the iPad as much as a reward.
- He is getting really good at math. He does his work and loves it. The other day she had him try to help another boy with his math and he sure tried hard but couldn't get past "the answer is 5". He just could not figure out how to explain how he got the answer.
- He has had almost 0 temper tantrums and is really learning to self-regulate. One time he started getting angry and went to run out of the room. She just said "think about it James. It's almost recess time" (she never takes recess away, but will take away a preferred activity at recess) and that was enough for him to stop himself and get back on task. One day there was a boy in another classroom having a meltdown. For about 2 hours. After awhile James calmly asked for his headphones.
- He is learning to follow the directions and do what he is asked. One time he and another boy were playing marble run. It was time to clean up so James did. The other boy did not. After a few minutes his teacher said "OK James you are done let's let him finish cleaning up his stuff" James left, but did not take his eyes off the boy. After a little while he said "She's going to put it up." Meaning up where they could not play with it anymore. He was really concerned this boy was going to loose his favorite toy for them.
- He is really good at arts and crafts. They have the day set up by stations and make sure that James always goes to the craft station last because it is such a good motivation for him. She says he is the best in the class and draws great faces on all his creations, put the parts on correctly and spaces things just how he should.
- He is trying lots of new foods...as long as they are brown.
- He is playing on all the equipment at recess rather than just walking around on the perimeter. He is climbing and using his whole body.
- He isn't quite as obsessed with blue.
- He has learned to control his temper. She mentioned to the assistant teachers that James had a temper. Their response was "James? Really?"
- He is getting a sense of humor close to what typical kids his age would have. She said she was having a conversation with the kids about farting at circle time. She said everyone farts, it happens, but you can leave and do it somewhere else. I guess James thought this conversation was pretty funny and said, "the principal farts?" yes. Then he raised his hand and giggling said "Do you fart?" I guess farts are funny.
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| Our little mad scientist. He loves to get his science kit out and make different mixtures. This particular time he make a "zombie" in his flask. |
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