Kindergarten continued........

Fortunately, I was blessed to be a stay at home mom at this time. So I was able to be both of my children's room parents, and also was able to volunteer in their classrooms often. Koleman continued to progress and seemed to be doing great at school, in his primary class at church, and also when he would be around other children. He still would like to be alone and was more content to just be that way, but if given the opportunity to be around others, he would try to socialize and be a part.

 One day as I was taking him to school, I asked him if he wanted to walk in alone or if he wanted me to walk him to the gate. He always wanted to go in by himself because I think it made him feel big, but that day he said he wanted me to walk him in. I didn't think anything of it and was excited to because I loved to watch him with other children. Anyways we walk in and he acted a little hesitant but seemed fine so I kissed him good-bye and was walking away, and I heard him run up to a boy that he really liked and say, "Hi, so and so", and the boy ignored him, so he went up and said hi again, and the little boy just ran off and wouldn't even say anything. Koleman walked away with his head held down a little. I was devastated and was about to go talk to him when he ran over to the slide and seemed fine. So I just watched him for a minute to make sure.
Well then after school I asked him how it was and he said it was fine. Then I asked him what he did at recess because I like to see if he had played with anyone, or what he did when he had unstructured time like that. He said, "They wouldn't let me in because I didn't know the secret password." I asked who wouldn't let him in and he just kept saying the same thing over and over. Which most often he will repeat himself over and over. I asked if it was a special club or something and he said yes, but he couldn't be a part because he didn't know the password. My heart sank. He didn't seem too upset about it, but I came home and cried for a while. He is just soooo precious and all he needed was one good friend that would take him under their wing. I prayed and prayed that he would find that friend. I knew that he didn't relate to other kids his age very well and they didn't relate to him in some ways, so it would probably be a challenge. He was so stinkin cool I felt like he would be ok. I just HATE it when anyone treats anyone badly especially when it is my own little boy.

 As I would go and volunteer in his classroom, I noticed this darling little boy named Kaysen that always seemed to be so sweet to Koley. Koleman really seemed comfortable around him and seemed to really like him. Koleman would only talk about his friend Kaysen. He really wanted to play with him at our house. As excited as I was, I was kind of nervous as well. What if Kaysen decided he hated that Koleman was different and never wanted to play with him again? See these are the crazy thoughts I would let bombard my mind. One day I bit the bullet and we invited Kaysen over to play. I tried to get Koleman to play something the whole time Kaysen was there. All he wanted to do was work in his math workbook while Kaysen was watching TV. Oh no! I was so worried. I kept telling Koleman, "Why don't you go outside and play?", or "Why don't you play a game?". Every time I suggested something, Kaysen was so sweet and would tell me not to worry that he was just fine.What a special little guy this Kaysen is. He was such a well behaved, sweet, genuine little boy. I thought for a long time that it just had to be too good to be true that their friendship would last. I was COMPLETELY wrong!! They are about to enter fourth grade and they are the best of friends! What a blessing Kaysen has been!

 Koleman did pretty well throughout his kindergarten year. He did have moments when he would have meltdowns or get overwhelmed by too much stimulation. Mrs. Iverson was always so good to help diffuse the situation and make Koleman feel safe.When his kindergarten year came to a close, even though I knew there were other amazing teachers at the school, I was worried none of them could come close to helping Koleman like Mrs. Iverson had!