Our First First Grader

And, just like that, the summer is over and we have a first grader.

*Sigh*

These moments are so bittersweet.  This is NOT how we pictured Little Buddy's schooling to go.  These aren't the dreams we had when he was born.  We thought by this time he'd be working up to reading independently, getting ready to add and subtract, talking about his interests and thinking about the problems he was going to grow up and solve.

But those simple dreams were not to be.

Now we are just happy that we HAVE a first grader and that he is HEALTHY and HAPPY enough to go to school and be around others who care about him.

Our only dreams now center around keeping him joyful.

So we start our new year, with just a little bit of nervousness.  Little Buddy's amazing teacher from last year moved over the summer, so we'll be beginning the new year with a new teacher and new bus drivers.  We hope they grow to love and understand him the way that his "people" last year did.  Thankfully, his aides at school will be the same.  But it can still make this momma's heart a little anxious.  Don't we all worry about our kids being loved and accepted for who they are?  At least we are like the neurotypical kids in that respect.  :)

Informational bags explaining Little Buddy and Sanfilippo Syndrome to give to the new people in our sweet boy's life.  

 Ready to go on the first day!  We couldn't get him to hold his sign, so we improvised.  But at least he was full of a lot of smiles!

I am looking forward to hearing about his adventures at school, but I'll miss him just the same.  What I really hate is how long it is going to take him to get into a routine.  He'll be able to go this week, but then all of next week we will be in Minnesota for his quarterly evaluation.  It won't be until after Labor Day that he'll be there consistently and consistency is so key for him being the best Little Buddy he can me.  

With a lot of love (and a good bit of anxiety), 

LBM

Little Buddy's Momma