Amazing, Simply Amazing

I'm pretty sure that Saturday was the most amazing day my kids have had in a very long time. After months of really hard news, a lot of struggles and disappointments, thanks to the Starlight Foundation, we had a day full of smiles, wonder and simply being a kid.

Starlight provided us awesome tickets to a Jacksonville Suns baseball game. Jax is a little over three hours from here so I decided to make a day of it. I surprised them with a trip to the Jacksonville Zoo before the game. We got all the way to Jax and into the parking lot of the zoo before they had any clue we were doing anything but the game. They read the sign "Jack...son...ville...zoo...and...gardens" then a pause, then "JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS!!!!" I so got them good :D
The pictures speak for themselves, it was amazing. From seeing the elephants, to feeding sting rays, to riding the train, to feeding giraffes, we'll definitely be making a return trip (though maybe we'll wait for a little cooler weather ;)

After the zoo we headed to the ballpark. My kids have never been to a game before (*blushing*) so this was an entirely new and exciting experience. Starlight got us amazing seats, refreshments, and my kids really enjoyed being with other kids with chronic health conditions. When it was time for Beans' tube feed, there were no stares, no comments, it was just normal.

Perhaps the highlight of the whole day was when the kids got to hang out in the Suns' dugout right before the game, run out the field with the players and stand with them during the national anthem! I was trying to choke back tears the whole time, seeing my kids out on the field, knowing they were having the time of their lives. What an amazing moment!

Here are the kids running back to the seats. Beans is just to the right of middle in a blue shirt, Little Man is in purple but pretty hidden by the kid in yellow. Thank you Starlight! Thank you for giving my boys some happiness. Thank you for giving them time to be kids. Thank you!

Are You Ready for This?

Due to a major snafu with the transportation department at the kids' school district, I transported them both myself today (not usually an option due to conflicting school schedules - two schools that both start and end at the same time, miles apart, does not work yet. Once I get that cloning machine invented it'll be doable. ;). The cool part about this? Well, I got to talk directly to Little Man's teacher both before and after school. I can't stress enough how important having a good relationship with my kids' teachers has been. Call me a control freak, but I like to know about things going on in the classroom - big and little. I like them knowing they can call over any question or problem. I like them knowing that I care very deeply about these kids, will fight for them, stand up for them, and cheer them on at every step.

This morning Little Man's teacher was very frustrated at the sudden issue in busing yesterday that put him home at 5:15! School gets out at 3:15 so that's 2 HOURS on the bus. That's ridiculous for any kid. Add in autism, seizures and emotional issues and it's truly amazing he made it home without a problem. By having a good relationship with his teacher I was able to get more information about the situation and I'm making progress getting the situation resolved.

I have to admit though, I'm getting awfully tired of being "that" mom. All I want is my kids to go to school and back home safely every day while being properly cared for. That's all. I'm not stuck on specifics, but they have to be safe priority number one.

Despite those frustrations, by picking up Little Man I got an amazing report today. He did not miss a single point today which means he was paying attention and doing his work every time the timer went off - HUGE, HUGE, HUGE. Mrs. M also told me that the teacher who he had the big incident with on the third day of school, Mrs. P, has developed a close bond with him. Mrs. P is a regular ed third grade teacher. Since the meltdown, she has come to check on him every day. Today she was so proud of how well he kept himself together after the big bus snafu that she gave him a Golden Arrow Award. This is very special. He gets to eat lunch up on the stage on Friday, got a special award and some other things. His teacher and I are both so proud of him, and he's SO proud of himself.

Keep up the good work Little Man!!! You've come so far and have even more great things to come!