best friend forever

When we asked Luke what he wanted to do for his birthday, his response was immediate: "Chuck E Cheese."  When we asked who he wanted to invite, his response was immediate: "Audrey."  We are so lucky to have this darling girl in our lives.

Audrey made this card for Luke

Audrey made this bracelet for Luke.  They are very popular with the kids right now. She told me that the central coolers represent what Luke loves, Mario and Luigi, and the outer colours are her favourite colours. She said this showed that she and Luke would always be together.   💚💚💚

second grade

reading

Every year since he started school at ACS in 2014, Luke has brought home books from the library that his teachers have painstakingly helped him choose based on his interest.  He's never shown much interest and more often displays extreme dislike of these books.  Last week, he brought them to me and asked me to read them to him.  Then he sat through a full reading of both books, commenting on parts of the 'story.'  Paul and I shared a look over the book and held back the tears of joy.

A day or two later, he delighted us even more when he brought his interactive (magnet faces) Angry Birds book to me and not only wanted it read to him but read the words that he recognised.  My heart did cartwheels.  

second grade

selfie

He loves to take photos of himself.  If he finds a device left unattended, his first stop is the camera.  I'm just waiting for the day when he figures out how to post them on my FB page.

johnny appleseed

Luke participated in an American Heritage project with the 1st grade class.  The students got to choose a figure/icon from American history or folk lore, research the character, and create a display.  The day of their event, they dressed in character and told about their character.  He was able to tell people, in a very soft voice, that Johnny Appleseed planted TREES!  I'll let you Google it and the others.  

This is Audery as the Washington Monument.

Ella as Amelia Earhart.

Ruby as Ruby Bridges.

I don't know this child but I liked his costume.

dancing king

he's got some moves

halloween

This is the school parade.  We are allowed to have a dress up day for Halloween in our public schools as long as it's for something else.  Most schools do a dress as a book character for the day.  Thankfully comic books count.  The teachers dressed as crayons crayons.  This is his para Miss Aiken.

Luke and Audrey at their class party.  We had an unseasonably warm October.

Luke designed and helped cut out his pumpkin this year.

bubbles

More bubbles, please!

hot lunch

In an effort to further Luke's independence as well as introduce him to foods outside of his comfort zone, we want him to eat lunch that he can purchase at school.  Called hot lunch, it's not just hot these days with a fruit and veg bar and PBJ sandwiches always on offer.  They serve fish sticks, chicken nuggets and hot dogs every month.  Until he gets used to it, I'll go with him.  The first day was a success, and Audrey joined us.

When the noise level in the cafeteria gets too much, Luke puts on headphones.  I would have done the same if there had been a spare pair.  It's LOUD but happy.

hot lunch

In an effort to further Luke's independence as well as introduce him to foods outside of his comfort zone, we want him to eat lunch that he can purchase at school.  Called hot lunch, it's not just hot these days with a fruit and veg bar and PBJ sandwiches always on offer.  They serve fish sticks, chicken nuggets and hot dogs every month.  Until he gets used to it, I'll go with him.  The first day was a success, and Audrey joined us.

When the noise level in the cafeteria gets too much, Luke puts on headphones.  I would have done the same if there had been a spare pair.  It's LOUD but happy.

first grade class photo

Mom forgot it was picture day and put him in a 'recommended not to wear shirt' with writing on it.  Oops

letter formation

Luke colored the pumpkin in September and brought Yoshi home today.  Both of these were done hand-over-hand with an adult.  Yoshi shows a greater tolerance for this activity that he has never liked.   His improvement in  forming the letters of his name is remarkable.  On the pumpkin, he wrote his name in red, not blue.  His letters were written independently.  He and his teachers are working very hard every day.

learning to read

Luke is building his vocabulary of sight words in literacy class at school, enough that he is starting to read.     He is not learning to read phonetically and may never sound out the words.  Instead, he is memorizing words.

The other day he was looking at a DVD cover.  He has been calling the DVD "Pirates" since we bought it.  However on this occasion he said to me "'The Pirates' Mommy."

You might need to turn up the sound.  Proud doesn't begin to describe us. 

dentistry

Luke's dentist treats a lot of children with needs, and knows all the tricks to make a visit to see him enjoyable.  Luke particularly likes the arcade in the waiting room and playing dentist before getting in the chair.  No cavities!

first grade

For a week, we've been telling Luke how many days he has until he rides the bus and goes to school.  His response has been a consistent and convincing "No!"  We got the same when we gave him his new backpack (No!) and his school supplies (No!).  So we thought perhaps the first day might be a bit of a trial.

Not so.  When the bus rounded the corner this morning, we were outside playing basketball and he dropped the ball and ran for the curb.  When reminded, he ran back to the porch for his backpack and back to the curb.  He greeted Kelly, his driver from last year, with a cheery hi, said, "I'm WALL-E" and told Mom good-bye with a "Bye Eva!"  

The end.

Until tomorrow.

missing tooth

Luke has had a loose tooth for a week now, and yesterday morning I noticed it was missing.  He has literally lost his first tooth.  When I asked what happened to it, he replied, "I don't know."  It's as likely that he swallowed it as that he yanked it out and gave it a toss for the cat to eat.

swimming

Luke is in the pool at his summer camp three days a week.  It's about half play and half instruction.  He became a bit overconfident and got a fright for it (as did Timothy and Mom).  It seems to have instilled a bit of the healthy fear of water that has been absent his entire life.   He uses a floating device to kick himself anywhere he wants to go and is working on dog paddling and spending more time under water instead of just quick dunks.

soccer

He's got the look!

Coach Justin

Team Broncos

kindergarten class photo

Ms Gaes' class

Ms. Weber's class