Today was a GREAT day!

Today was a GREAT day!  Yes, I felt like I needed to say that twice!!

I had Dylan's conference this morning and it was so reassuring to hear his teachers talk about the differences they have seen since we started his medication.  For me, I HATE to have my kids on any medication long-term even though medications have been a part of our kids lives for a long time.  But I am seeing the "good" more and more everyday.

At Dylan's conference today, his teachers showed me a video of Dylan dancing and playing rhythm sticks at circle time while listening to music on a CD.  I know for a lot of kids this wouldn't be a big deal but there are 3 things in that sentence that brought tears to my eyes.

1) Dancing

2) Playing rhythm sticks

3) Listening to music on a CD

All three of these things have been known to send Dylan running to his quiet area in the room....always taking time to calm himself down and sometimes, really struggling to re-enter group time.

He was doing it and I have gotten teary-eyed many times today as I thought about the video.

Tonight was martial arts.  Dylan loves martial arts and usually does pretty well while he's there.  There are nights that he struggles but for the most part, he does really well.  The past few weeks the kids in his class has been goofing off, not paying attention, etc but for the most part, Dylan has handled it well and not gotten to involved in all of that.  He's not perfect but he REALLY likes martial arts. ;-)  

The kids tonight were really out of control and my heart swelled as I watched Dylan doing EXACTLY what he was supposed to be doing and encouraging the others to do the same.  They were supposed to be running in place while waiting in line...the other 7 kids were rolling around on the floor, brothers were punching each other, etc. (and for the record, their instructor did know what was going on but was watching to see IF they would pick up on his instructions of what they were supposed to be doing....he's great!).....Dylan was jogging in place and said, "Hey guys!  We're all supposed to be running in place."  The instructor noticed and pointed out that D was being a great leader.  Dylan's behavior was pointed out several times during class and he was BEAMING!  He was SO proud of himself.  

And this Mommy was pretty darn proud too! :-)