School's Out!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it has been a while since I posted and a lot has happened, yet then again not a lot has happened. I will try to catch you up without being to long "winded".

The last few weeks of school were torture!!! We were all so tired and ready for the summer vacation. Yet, I think we all were a little sad knowing that the year was nearly over. Well, at least for Grayson and I. We had a wonderful year at Dacusville Elementary. This was Grayson's first year there and he was very upset that I was taking him with me, but once he made friends with some of the "after school stragglers" (aka teacher's kids) and found the turtles in the courtyard, he changed his tune. He was the funniest thing once he realized what a great school that I had "dragged" him to. He loved the 25 minute ride. He loved the views on the way. All the cows, ducks, turkeys, dogs, you name it, we saw it! Then the views of the mountains!!! I have never seen an eight year old boy talk about the beautiful view. Then, his teacher! He loves her and will have her next year too. She is a very caring, accommodating teacher. She went out of her way to help him succeed in reading, which he really struggles with. And it doesn't help that she is very cute!!! My favorite thing about having him with me is the in depth conversations on the way to school and back each day. His little mind is always going and some of his questions are so hilarious! Like, can people take their pets to Disney World? I explained that the only animals allowed were "service animals". Then of course I had to explain what service animals were. Well he said, "What about horses?" I said, "I don't think a horse can be a service animal. It's mostly dogs. And horses are really expensive." He said, "Well, you know if they already have a horse and don't have enough money for a wheel chair, they can just take a horse and ride it."
He is so funny!

The teacher I was place with this past year is the best first grade teacher ever! (Well, I am sure my mom was the best too, but I never experienced her first grade teaching.) She was so patient and never had to raise her voice. She truly loved each and every student in her class. Never, did she hope one would be out nor was she happy if one moved, even it was a not so easy child. From the first day on, she allowed them to have a piece of her heart. They knew that and wanted to please her all the time because of it. Of course, it is the rare child that never gets in trouble, and the occasional one that always gets in trouble, but the way in which she handled them was just amazing to me. I learned so much from her. My little guy (who in case you didn't know is autistic) just thrived under her. He went from a level 3 book (which is like before K5 level) to 26 which is like the first of 2nd grade! That is not to mention all the other things he learned socially, behaviorally and academically. I am so proud and am afraid he may not need me to much longer. I was able to eek out another year and am anxious to see how he progresses in 2nd grade.
Brandon had a tough year in 6th grade, but by the end of the year was able to improve a lot and got the 'Most over all improved ' award for the year. He is in the advanced classes, yet struggles with ADHD, anxiety, and a possible LD in writing. He is slow and has a lot of work to make up in the evenings that take up 4 or more hours most nights. We are thinking of taking him out of advanced classes, so he does not struggle as much and hopefully sees more success. This is taking a lot of prayerful consideration as there are so many factors to consider. But, surprisingly, the 2nd day out of school he started wishing that he could go back to school because he was "bored". Which by the way is a word that I have outlawed in my home, because I am so sick and tired of hearing it!!!!
So, that is a summary of our school year. I will try to write more about our first couple of weeks out of school soon.