First day of school, first day of school! Wake up! Wake up!

Don't they just look like young achievers?!? Yep. Grant and Sophia both started school this past week.

Sophia is going to day care for a while each day while I go to work and work on classes. She is very proud of her school and comes home happy each day. One evening last week her school had a open house, and I can tell that Sophia has already charmed all of her teachers. Day care has had the unexpected benefit of helping with Sophia's potty training. Turns out she doesn't like to have accidents away from home. She is now completely out of diapers/pull-ups except for sleeping. Don't get me wrong . . . we still have accidents, but the number is few enough now that dealing with the mess is worth not dealing with diapers. The one down side that Sophia has found with her school is that she doesn't get to carry a backpack or lunch box like her brother. She is supposed to just leave everything she needs at school in her cubby and the school provides all meals and snacks. The lack of back pack/lunch box opportunity is very disappointing. While I have to admit that I am still a little sad/feel guilty about not having Sophia at home with me all of the time, and am thrilled that she is enjoying herself so much.

Grant has gotten off to a good start with his new school as well. We had kind of a hard time deciding for sure whether or not to send Grant this year. He turned 5 three days before the cut-off, so part of me really wanted to give him another year before kindergarten so he wouldn't be the youngest. Once we started thinking about the extra social practice, speech therapy, and special services Grant would receive in kindergarten over preschool, we decided he would be better off going this year, though keeping our minds open about the possibility of a second year of kindergarten to let him catch up in age. One of the advantages of having a kid with special needs is that you get a lot of personal attention before school starts and as the year begins. I have to say that we are very pleased with the teachers and principal who we have met in Grant's school. They seem to be genuinely excited to have him at the school and took time to get to know Grant before the first day of school. We are also very pleased to know that a good family friend is in charge of special services for Grant's school. . . it's always nice to think people are watching out for your kid. So far Grant has come home from school happy each day and eager to go back the next.

So, things are changing in the Ferguson house. Fortunately, so far everyone seems to be happy and thriving in our new routine.