Merry Christmas Cindy, Love Nicki!

Merry Christmas Cindy!  I loved thinking about how to serve you this year.  You are such a kind,  funny, strong, amazing woman and I feel lucky to be your sister!  Honestly, you have so many gifts and talents I could spend many years learning to be more like you.  I love watching you with James.  I know his challenges have been difficult for both you and Alex, but you love that little guy all the more and are so patient and loving to him.  This year, I decided I would volunteer in the special Ed classroom at our elementary school.  Mr. Harris, the Special Ed teacher, won teacher of the year several years back.  My kids who attended Eaglecrest love this guy because he connects with all the students there, not just the kids in his classroom.  His class is specifically children with Autism.  There are a total of 12 kids grades K-3.  These kids live in different areas of our district and are bussed in to Eaglecrest.  On Tuesday afternoons, I joined Mr. Harris' class.  When I'd arrive the kids were usually finishing up music time.  The kids were learning Halloween songs and really seemed to enjoy it, although only a couple of kids joined Mr. Harris and I in the singing.  Next, the kids went to PE while Mr. Harris pulled out two for us to work with.  He'd assign one to me and I'd go through his or her IEP and work on things like letter and word recognition, early reading skills, multiplication and subtraction.  Each kid was unique and on different parts of the spectrum.  Some couldn't talk, others were more verbal.  One cute girl loved it when I'd come in and would like to softly pinch my arm!  I enjoyed working with a second grade boy on reading skills.  He loves science.  He can draw a pretty accurate model of the heart and explain to you how the human heart works.  Amazing!  I loved being there with those kids and really grew an appreciation for what you do for James on a daily basis.  He's a lucky boy to have a mom like you!