
The lip is well healed with only a small scar and a good story to show for it.
Preschool started last week and Dylan is taking it in typical Dylan style, if not a bit more exuberantly. His first day, Dylan was eager but he stiffened visibly when we reached the school's theshold with its frenzied activity. His legs inched slowly with tiny steps like stiff planks and his eyes stared straight ahead. I tried encouragement but he didn't hear. After a moment Dylan consciously pulled his hand out of mine, took a step in front of me and walked solidly down the hall and into the class room...never looking back. It was as though he knew this was a road he must cross and he couldn't do it with me...physically OR emotionally. After a week he can not only bear to give me a goodbye hug, but he is asking about MORE preschool time.
He is definitely an observer though. Not a participant or a public speaker. I'm not sure the teachers quite get this yet. One administrator pulled me aside after I dropped him off one day. She encouraged me to talk with Dylan at home often and suggested activities that would help Dylan improve his communication skills and vocabulary. I bit my cheek so I wouldn't laugh at her (or get mad) and nodded politely.
Today at lunch Dylan began with:
"I have a question. Again, how EXACTLY does my brain tell me eyes when my brain wants my eyes to move"?
I answered as best I could in the simplest way I could manage to Dylan's satisfaction.
One hour later:
"I have a question. I think I understand about neurons, but if my brain tells my eyes to move....how exactly do my eyes ACTUALLY MOVE?"
We talked about muscles.
I'm hoping he'll save his questions about calcium-potassium pathways for preschool tomorrow.
He also wants to know EXACTLY when the earth will DIE.
That would be a great one for circle time.