Soccer and Science Update

Wyatt is loving the mad science classes we enrolled him in. He brings home a little home experiment every week. Surprisingly you tell us everything that happens in class- not like school where you just tell us "its ok...we didnt do anything." Im happy that you like it.

Emma loves soccer. Emma hates the structure involved. She doesnt want to run the drills, she just wants to run and kick. We are working on it. Her first game is this Saturday!

Wyatt is 7

Wyatt,

We celebrated your 6Th birthday twice again this year. Once when your father was home and once on your actual birthday. We had a Despicable Me pajama movie party and invited 2 new friends over. It was perfectly controlled chaos and it was the first time I've seen you truly happy and carefree since moving to Virginia. Dad and I bought you a Lego Fire Boat. You and I put it together. You were proud of us for not needing dads assistance for once.

You've been having some trouble in school. Not because you don't understand what is being taught, but because you are refusing to be tested to your ability. You wont demonstrate for your teachers that you know how to read and write without fuss. Math and science, however, you shine. I knew you would. You are taking a fun extra science class after school once a week all about being a sleuth. I'm worried about getting you through this reading writing hump, I mean, how exactly can I make you love reading? Its all you kiddo. I'll do my best, I promise.

You lost your first tooth in January 2011.

You are 53 lbs and are exactly 4 feet tall.

You are one heck of a snappy dresser. You prefer button down shirts, vests, ties and fancy shoes.

You have a critical mind. You don't think inside the box. You think outside and around the block from the box. You come up with the best quips and have quick wit. You are a deep thinker and don't even realize it yet. Example- You told Emma "Imagination lets your brain roam freely, but remember, you're still in mom's hands." or... telling the doctor during your well check that taking off your underwear for the exam is inappropriate and the fact that the doctor sees children every day without their underwear is even more inappropriate. Not many children can make a doctor feel like a dirty perv, well done child, well done.

You caught a nasty case of ringworm on your scalp from a hair cutters clippers. Because of your amoxicillan allergy you were unable to take the recommended course of treatment. We had to take a medicine that would potentially damage your liver, which means we had to have blood draws every 2 weeks to check your levels. After that first blood draw... to say you've caused a scene at every subsequent blood draw is putting it mildly. You're reaction runs the same with what I imagine it would be like if I was sticking bamboo shoots up your fingernails while making your walk over burning hot coals. Its bad. I'm bringing this up in your birthday letter because I'm praying that these blood draw memories wont make it to the grand cut of memories in your adult life. And if you do end up having a horrid fear of pointy needles as an adult, I want you to know that this is why.

We are getting to a point with you where we need to talk to you about what autism is and how it effects the way do and think about things. I've given you a generic rundown but I fear the time is coming for a more lengthy hallmark discussion. I'm hoping by understanding autism you will have a better idea of how to make this life work for you in the best possible way. The sooner the better right?

You are a bright, loving kid, Wyatt. You are truly thoughtful and I couldn't ask for a better 7 year old.

Love,
Mom