All Smiles

All Smiles, originally uploaded by cheryl.

Sawyer wants to apologize to his teachers (and therapists and other staff members) for his behavior today at school. Because the side he showed to them was nothing like the little boy he was for me at home.

It started at school as it has for the last week or so. He's been clingy at drop off, not wanting to let go of me and making one of the teachers carry him all the way into school from the car line. Usually, he's fine once they get him inside.

Today, not so much. Today he was fussy and whiny. He also promptly fell asleep for about an hour maybe 15 minutes into the school day. But then he woke back up with more of the same. He was clutching his stomach a little, screaming a lot, and demanding to be held constantly. And perhaps most telling, he was refusing to eat. It was pizza day, which is not a favorite school lunch by any means, but he wouldn't even touch the snack we keep packed in his backpack.

All together, it wasn't typical Sawyer. So his teacher called (which we love, that the teachers know him well enough to know when he's having an off day and wanted to talk to someone about it).

Connor and I said so-long to our afternoon plans for a bike ride around the neighborhood, and instead went straight from his preschool to the twins' school (see post below for Xander's related story from today).

We talked to a few people at school about Sawyer's unusual behavior today and also about some things that are coming up next month and next school year that affect the boys. I took Sawyer straight from his teacher's arms, where he was refusing to be leave until he actually noticed who was trying to take him. We also ended up bringing Xander home because he was determined not to be left behind. He kept peeking in at us in the hallway from the playground door saying "truck?"

So home we all went. That was a sight, let me tell you. I was carrying Sawyer, who was wearing his backpack. In the hand I was using to hold him up, I also had some papers we need to fill out and return to school as well as Xander's jacket and backpack, which he could barely be convinced to get from his classroom, much less actually put on. I took hold of his hand with my free one, and told Connor to just stay close as we made our way out the door and across the parking lot.

The minute we got home, guess who jumped out of the truck and into my arms. I got a big, long hug from Sawyer/ And as soon as we were inside the house, a tug on my hand took me to the kitchen. Seems someone was hungry after all.

I made us all lunch - leftover Zaxby's chicken fingers and french fries from the oven (and some applesauce and mandarin oranges). Sawyer ate us all under the table. Three whole chicken fingers. French fries. Applesauce and oranges. And a whole sippy cup of juice.

He did clutch at his stomach a time or two for during the afternoon, but never with any screaming or even any real fussiness. He didn't even want me to hold him as he had been doing to his teachers all day.

What he wanted - or at least what I think he wanted - was some very intense sensory input. As soon as he was done eating, he went straight for the big, bouncy exercise ball the boys have stolen from Daddy's exercise room upstairs. He will bounce on that thing for what seems like hours. And that's just what he did, the entire 45 minutes or so it took for everyone else to finish up lunch and for me to clean up the mess. Rock and bounce, rock and bounce, all with that big grin of his.

Next we headed outside. He LOVES to be outside, especially if it involves swinging. He went straight for the swings and was on them for hours. Smiling, grinning, laughing. Always ready for more. Not a single scream or frown or belly clutch. Totally fine. Well enough for icees, even, as you can see.

So, Sawyer would really like to apologize to everyone at school, I'm beginning to think the kid just thought it was too nice a day to be at school and decided he was ready to go home.

Sneaky little thing.