New School

Leah’s first week at her new school went very well.  On Monday she had absolutely no problem with me dropping her off.  Wednesday and Thursday were much harder once she realized that this was her new place.  I had been having her roll into school by herself in her new chair, but that wasn't going too well.  Friday morning I changed up my approach and carried her in (while wheeling the chair, balancing her tray and lugging a big bag with all her stuff… yeah, that was fun!).  Drop-off went much better since she could give me a hug good-bye and I could sneak out while she was playing with toys.  Hopefully by next week she’ll be much more used to the routine and won’t get as upset when I leave her.  This is a pretty big adjustment for her, being a big girl, using a big girl chair, sleeping on a cot (that is hilarious, by the way!!!) – or rather, not sleeping on the cot.  I think her average nap this week was 25 minutes.  It doesn't surprise me one bit.  The child just does not like to sleep. 

The teachers here are so wonderful and welcoming to her.  Right now Leah has a 1:1 aide for 2 hours each day – 1 hour in the morning and another in the afternoon.  She gets individual time at their peak times of the day, mostly just to make sure she’s staying safe and not falling out of her wheelchair or getting trampled by the other kids.  Her room is made up of other toddlers.  There are about 20 or so kids in the room, but since some only come a few days a week or only in the morning, there’s maybe 10 at a time.  They have a lot of different activities, they play games, have a sensory table and do snack time.  All that time Leah is around kids her age!  That’s just so awesome!  Earlier this week when Ty picked her up, she was outside rolling around in the grass with a few other kids.  The playground there is almost totally accessible in a wheelchair with big ramps and a hard surface for her to roll around.  Her teachers made a schedule just for Leah of how much time she spends in her wheelchair to make sure she’s not in it too much or too little.  I really appreciate all their extra touches and the way they pay so much attention to her needs.  We are so, so, so, so blessed to have her there… and that a place like this even exists!  And so close to our home so that it’s right on the way to work!!  This is THE place for her, much better than before.... so much better that I can't even believe we're actually there.  Now, here's hoping she quickly adjusts to this new routine.