Update And First Piano Recital

It's hard to believe that we last updated this blog over two years ago!

During that time, Drew's mom and I have continued to get private messages and see comments come through on various posts and videos, some of which are now 10 years old. Most of the communication is positive and we continue to be grateful that readers find the material on the blog valuable.

Because you've asked, here is what Drew (now age 10) is up to these days.

School

• 4th grade
• At or above grade level in every subject according to teachers and state standardized testing
• Only significant accommodation he receives is his personal FM system

Sports

• Fall: Football
• Winter: Travel basketball and rec hockey
• Spring: Travel baseball and rec lacrosse (lacrosse last year only)
• Summer: Golf

Music

• Piano (lessons for last 8 months)
• He wants to play guitar next year
• He loves watching his sister perform in musical theater and plans on auditioning for his school's 5th grade musical next year

Miscellaneous

• Recently has begun enjoying reading in his room
• Makes friends easily

Here is a video of his first piano recital:



What else do you want to know?

He's Off!

School has been underway for nearly two months, and I'm happy to report that Drew is doing very well in the mainstream setting. Other than a couple of issues getting his teachers and support staff used to his personal FM system, the start of Kindergarten has gone exactly as planned.

Drew has enjoyed making new friends, and asks to have a new friend over for a play date nearly every week. His favorite part of the school day is either gym or recess, depending on the day. Drew is reading. He has math homework. He has been superstar and shared stories with the class about his crazy family. He loves being at the same school with his sister.

Our life with a Kindergartener is so normal. Just how I prayed it would be.

School Age Transition

I opened my email last night to find one from my Mother-in-Law. It said, "I always check Turn On My Ears, hoping for an update on Drew. No luck. Should I stop checking?"

Sigh.

It has been a while since my last post. I actually didn't realize just how long it has been. Over four months. The days are turning into weeks, and just flying by. Before long spring will be here, followed by summer. (Oh, how I love summer!) Soon, kids will be another year older, and in a different grade of school. This year, Drew will be heading off to our local elementary school for Kindergarten. Completely mainstream.

Wow.

The details of his transition from preschool to kindergarten are currently being worked out. I had a very refreshing conversation with our school district, much better than our last experience three years ago, and I think our family goals for Drew are going to be perfectly matched with a plan from the school district. We're still ironing what sort of goals and modifications Drew will need, but we are confidant that his needs will be very well met by his school.

This is what happens when Early Intervention works. The child receives all necessary services so early on in life that they enter their elementary years with no delays. The last five years could not have gone any more perfectly for Drew. He is right where he should be as a five year old boy, hearing loss or not. I couldn't have written the script any better myself.