Storytime

Today, J and I took the light rail system to uptown for a storytime. This was the first time we had visited this notorious library and taken the light rail without Dave. We asked a couple of our speech friends to join us, but they couldn't for one reason or another. This storytime was led by an actual speech pathologist and targeted young children affected with any kind of speech issue. We got to the train in plenty of time and quickly met a very sweet mom who was taking her little boy. His name was Ryan, and he was a little older than J. He was a really cute little guy! We shared stories while on the train and the boys took in every part of the ride. She was telling me how little Ryan had his first experience of being teased just recently. Some other little boys told him he sounded funny, like he was speaking Spanish. Of course, it broke this mom's heart and mine, too. The only thing worse than having a child with an issue/problem of any kind, is having a child who makes fun of that child. In my opinion, you have a bigger problem on your hands if your child is a bully or mean-spirited. I felt that way when I was teaching and definitely now. I hope and pray that both of our boys will make the right choices in how to treat others. Now, where was I about our library trip...oh, we got to storytime right on time and met the leader. It started out with a welcome song where the kids shook hands, then she read a story that repeated giving themselves a hug, next they did a craft, did a couple more songs, and then a good-bye song. J cooperated really well. However, he wouldn't do any motions to "If You're Happy and You Know It", which he clearly knows! Sometimes, it seems like when I have expectations for him, he knows it and does the opposite ;) Ryan's mom said her child was different in there, too. J did the craft, though he isn't fond of crafts, but finished it without complaining. I liked how the SLP interacted with J. She got down on her knees to talk to him and waited for his responses. She liked the words he used for her and told him. At times, unknowingly, people will ask J many questions at once and talk over him as he tries to get out a response. He tends to just give up and move on, but he needs practice in saying the words that he can. There were a total of seven boys there and most seemed a little older than J. There was an older sibling there that appeared to have no speech issues, and she answered many of the questions..grrr! I think I will definitely take J again. I think his favorite part was the train ride and the school buses in front of the library..ha ha! He would LOVE to take a ride on a school bus!

Before storytime...



Can't help but think how much J is built like his Daddy when looking at this pic...