Sibling Shenanigans

When you have a child with autism and then have another child, you wonder and hope all the time that that sibling will be a lightbulb for the autistic child. I've heard so many stories of how autistic older brothers or sisters really come out of their shells with their younger sibling, and/or that the younger child has a knack for reaching the autistic child like no one else can.

Kate is too young to understand that her brother has any challenges or differences. That day will come, and that conversation will be one of the most important ones Jeremy and I ever have with her. But for now, Kate knows what she needs to about Luke: that he is sweet, special, and someone she loves so very much! 

(Also, that she wants whatever he has, whether it's a snack, drink, the iPad, etc.) 

Luke is 7!!!!

When I was pregnant for the first time, people gave me one piece of advice more than any other: "enjoy it, because it goes by so fast." 

I was naive and just thought, "oh old people, you're so funny." 

Well I blinked and went from this... 

...to this seven year old boy. 

Kate Starts MDO!

Kate started MDO today. While we loved where we went last year (Sonshine Academy at First Colleyville), this year I chose to put Kate in Kids at the Cross preschool. It's a little closer to home, the times are more convenient, and she's in class with her sweet cousins Harper and Carson! I was so impressed at Parent Orientation last week, and I think Kate will have a great year! 

Here she is this morning before school. 

She just had to color some Minions before we left. 

I wasn't able to get a picture of her at drop off because it was a mad house. She was a little whimpery when I left, but I snuck a look in the room a few minutes later and she was smiling and looking around. 

Her teacher texted me this picture several hours in...

and with this message: "Kate is so so so precious! We are having a really great first day! She warmed up real quick to all her friends and has had a lot of fun!" 

I'm really proud of her! She had a great day, and she even stayed still on her mat during rest/nap time. She was all smiles when I picked her up. I hope she fares as well on Thursday! 

Even though this girl makes me darn-near certifiably insane much of the time, I sure did miss my buddy today! I do know, however, that she is going to learn so much and make sweet friends! I'm so excited for my girl to have something that's just for her. :)

Summertime, 2015

Oh summer of 2015. How did we spend you?

We spent a lot of time in the car taking Luke to school (WoodallKids Academy).

First Day of the First Grade

I can hardly believe that my boy is in FIRST GRADE! 

As he does throughout the school year, Luke worked really hard this summer, attending BWF every day at least from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every day. I took a picture of him at the start of summer and on his last day of Academy - his physical growth is evident, and I love his confident smile! 

Yay simmin!

Miss Kate sure has been a little fish this summer. Not surprisingly, she is FEARLESS. I pretty much put her Puddle Jumper on her and she's all over the place!

Kindergarten, Schmindergarten - Bring on First Grade!

It's so hard to believe that the school year is over! It doesn't seem like long ago at all that I was worried about how Luke would do, wondering if his teachers and support would be as wonderful as what he had in PPCD. Thankfully, God is so faithful, and we couldn't be happier to be at Luke's school. Jeremy and I are so proud of our sweet boy!