Vicarious Rocky

I know it's growing old as a topic, but since I'm always bitching about the problems Indy is having at school, I feel it's only fair to also make note of when it's going well. Things really seem to be clicking for him this week. It's like he finally gets it. Why he's there, why it's fun, and how it works. I have noticed that ever since he brought in a huge bag of awesome stuff for the "beautiful stuff" project (think show and tell with sorting of old pretty broken and unloved things), he's been into school. The kids really loved the stuff he brought in. He had this monkey head in a space helmet that the boys thought was cool and a plastic ballerina off a cake and gorgeous rhinestone jewelry from Clayde that the girls loved. And I think he noticed what it was like finally to be a key and appreciated part of a peer group.

Then he started talking at circle time and Tuesday he led the whole class in a discussion on Monster trucks: why they are loud, why they are called "Monsters" and what they do. Also this week, he is starting to understand why he needs to respond to friends. I have been coaching the hell out of him about saying "Hi" to friends and answering their requests to play and interact. He has gotten the timing wrong each time and says "Hi" or "Yes" as kids walked away or only got it right after I give him the cue, "Now, say Hi now!" This morning, Callia (his favorite little girl), said "Hi Indiana" in the parking lot on the way in and he said, "Hi!" right on time and so she could hear it. And she smiled! Eureka!

And finally, he did all his morning tasks with very little guidance from me and then showed me how he likes to play in the castle (very new, we always just look at the turtle). He and one of his friends cast spells on me with their magic wands. Then he said it was time to say goodbye, walked me to the door, and said, "Bye" and ran off. No kiss, no hug, no big deal because he's too damn busy to care.

Insert chorus of angels here.