This is His Week

It's countdown week. I'm counting down until my 2nd son starts kindergarten.

This week, it seems, is all about my son.

I began preparing for my son starting kindergarten in the Spring of last year when I first met with the school nurse and principal. My son is the first student at the school with a severe food allergy. We had more than one meeting and determined that the majority of work would have to take place the week or two before school started.

Kindergarten starts one week from today.

I found out his kindergarten teacher on Friday and we began emailing over the weekend. Yesterday, I stopped by the school to see what needed to be done to have the peanut-free table set up. The rest of the school (including my 3rd grader) started school today. I talked to the head of the cafeteria staff. I talked to the person that is going to be in charge of the health room this year (and that's a recent change for her- she's performing a dual duty- working in the office and manning the health room).

I was on the phone with his allergist yesterday, trying to get his opinion about the best protocol for handing my son's Epipen at school when he is at PE or on the playground.

I set up a meeting with his teacher for this Friday. Now others will be attending- the two other kindergarten teachers, the health room staff, possibly the cafeteria lady and possibly the principal. The more people I talk to, the better off my son will be. If I have learned one thing in the process so far, it is that constant and effective communication is essential.

We also have the normal meetings. His district health assessment on tomorrow and his kindergarten assessment on Thursday.

I am counting down until he starts school. I trying to cover all the bases, knowing that it isn't possible to cover them all before school starts.

I cannot stop thinking about my son starting school.

On top of everything - Tomorrow is his birthday.

I had been so focused on preparing for school that his birthday snuck up on me. On Sunday I took him out to look for school supplies, browse the toy store for gift ideas, and enjoy a dinner date together.

My son's birthday suddenly seems perfectly timed- it's making me have a dual focus - providing for my son and celebrating him.

After all, I have much to celebrate. He's a boy full of energy. He is a talker. His favorite color (today, anyway) is gold. His favorite superhero is Superman. His favorite food is Chili, which he has requested for his birthday dinner. His favorite song is "Sweet Home Alabama." He is my miracle baby (born 5 weeks early). He is a gift from God.

When asked what he is looking forward to most about kindergarten, he gave me 2 responses.

1st, he said - "Not having homework!" Clearly, he got that idea from his big brother.
2nd, he said - "Learning how to read!"

This is an exciting week for him. I am trying to keep that in mind so I don't get bogged down with the details of his peanut allergy and keeping him safe.

This is his week to celebrate getting older.

Here's a picture of us from dinner the other night.