We’ve been MIA all week.  In any given year August is our busiest month.  However, it has been one thing after another this past week.  We had several birthdays, Uncle Sean arrived in Washington, Aunt Fran and Uncle Dale are in Washington, and we’re gearing up for the new school year starting next week.  Transitioning back to school is tough for the boys…especially Brennan. 

Today was Brennan’s school’s open house and we met his new teacher.  He knows all the kids in his class.  For the past three years he’s been in a classroom with about 15 students who are all on IEPs.  There is one special ed teacher and one para educator.  Our goal is to move him into a regular size class.  Brennan has (for the most part) had the same teachers and classroom since the first grade.  Now he’s going into the 4th grade where there are new teachers and new surroundings he has to get accustomed to.  It made him feel better when he saw his desk is sandwiched between his two best buds, Sam and Kyle.  He’ll be “mainstreamed” from the first day of school.  That means he’ll be going to PE, music, and lunch with a general education class across the hall.  I walked Brennan over there to meet the teacher.  Immediately Brennan said, “I am not going to like this.”  The room was loud and a bit chaotic for his taste.  Change is hard for him and the class was a bit intimating.  Hopefully he’ll warm up to the larger class.

Larkin’s school doesn’t hold an open house for his grade (which I think is total crap).  I took him to his school anyway to show him where the classroom is located.  Knowing him, on the first day of school he would have either walked around aimlessly or better yet have a complete meltdown b/c he wouldn’t know where to go.  He’s in a classroom that has 5 IEP students and 15 non-IEP students.  Last year had it bumps so hopefully this year will go more smoothly.

Erin is doing good.  We put a nice size mat down in the shower stall and she’s entering the shower willingly.  So far no swelling or any changes to her forehead.  She’s even sleeping through the night again and staying in her own bed.  The school district called today.  They are going to re-evalutate Erin since we now have a diagnosis.  She’s most likely going to be approved for services under “health impaired.”  We get to fill out more forms and meet with the same evaluation team again.  Our goal is for her to attend the school district’s preschool three afternoons a week.  Tomorrow we’re heading to a medical supplier with Erin’s OT, Kate, to look at strollers.  Meemaw suggested I call the insurance company ahead of time to see if it would be possible to take the stroller tomorrow.  Well, I forgot to call.  Even if we don’t get it tomorrow, at least we’ll get the paperwork started.

Last Saturday, Melissa and Rob Sprague hosted a barbeque for those who volunteered.  We all had a great time.  The weather was just perfect and the food was awesome!  When I finally get to download the photos I’ll be sure to share them.  Alan and I are usually pretty good at downloading photos off the camera but, like I said, it’s been a crazy week.