The Bischoff's graduate from ECSE and Cole's Nystagmus surgery date

It's crazy to think the Bischoff's have had a child in the Early Childhood Special Education program for five years - since Fall 2011!  We've come a long way since that first day I dropped Reagan off at Potowmack Elementary School when she was a few months over 2 years old.  You have no idea how hard it is to send your 2 year old to a BIG elementary school with all those BIG kids!  You'd think after sending Reagan that sending Cole would have been easy ...it was not. Watching that bus drive away and hoping he would get there safely, not get lost, and get returned in the same condition as he was sent can make a mother crazy!

One of the big factors that helps me is knowing the teachers there truly have the best interest of the kids in mind.  Reagan had Mrs. Kee this year, who was her first teacher (long term sub) on her first day at Potowmack Elementary School in September 2011.  Both children have had Ms. Carolann and Ms. China and Ms. Torry and Ms. Chris for all these years.  So many memories after all these years!

Each year the kids are given an award at the end of year party.  This year Cole was given "Lady's Man" which is very fitting.  I think he can walk up to any stranger and strike up a conversation, although he usually prefers the ladies.

Reagan was also given an award on the last day.  She received an award for being a Math Master!  That is one area where she really excels so it was fun for her to get that award.

Another peace of mind comes from knowing the bus drivers. Mr. Bob and Ms. Miko have been driving the kids for several years.  For many years we have had different drivers in the morning and the afternoon.  This year we also have Mr. Rick and Mr. Dick who come in the morning.  Truly wonderful people who offer to transport the most fragile of Loudoun's children.  Many days they have a pretty tough job. Not only did they get Cole a Christmas present, they also got him this adorable end of year present!  It's a McDonald's gift card and a Finding Dory book with ocean scenes and fish characters so you can make your own skits in the ocean.

Although it has been nice knowing our bus drivers, I do have 5 this year to get gifts for so it will be nice next year when the kids will ride the same bus to and from school.  Cole is very excited about riding with his big sister...although I'm already preparing for Reagan to want to sit with her friends and how I'm going to explain that to Cole.  Luckily he has a friend from class this year who lives in our neighborhood so hopefully they can sit together.  Not sure I'm ready for him to ride with the big kids!!

It has been a long 5 years of learning to be flexible, understanding IEP's and learning the system.  But it is nice knowing the kids are able to be mainstreamed and in their least restrictive environment.  Five years ago we did not know if this would even be possible. And just like that, in the blink of an eye, Cole will be starting to full day kindergarten and Reagan will be starting second grade!

We are excited about summer although when I asked Reagan she said, "I'm excited about not having to wake up early, but I'm going to miss Mrs. Kee."  I would say that's a huge tribute to her teacher!  It's wonderful to hear.  I look forward to posting many pictures this summer that are NON medically related.  Praying we have a smoother summer than last year (Cole was admitted) and so far we are off to a good start!  We only have one doctor's appointment in July so I call that a huge success!  We also found out we were able to secure a 4pm therapy slot for Fall (in an earlier post I mentioned his OT left so we were back on the waiting list for an afternoon slot).  This is great news since Reagan is still on a waiting list for that slot since last June.

Unfortunately we did find out we are not able to get onto the surgery schedule at Akron Children's for Cole's Nystagmus surgery (this is a video link that explains the surgery) in August since the surgeon only has one day of surgeries scheduled and there isn't room for Cole.  That means his evaluation will be September 7th with surgery on the 8th and discharge on the 9th.  This brings great anxiety for me since it means he will miss the second week of school.  I recognize it's "just kindergarten" but I also think this is when kids start learning routine and expectations.  Unfortunately we don't have another choice.  The next big question will be whether we take Reagan.  Although I may be able find someone to watch her and get her to/from school, I am worried she will want to be there with Cole.  She always gets very concerned when he is sick so it will be a hard decision. It was really hard last summer when he was admitted into the hospital and she had to go to therapy. It's very cute watching her take care of him and help him. We plan to get through the summer and make that decision once we were closer to the date.  Until then, summer here we come!