i think m. has grown so much this past year. not just academically although she has improved so much in that arena: she can read pretty well, (beginner well), she can count to one hundred and beyond, add and subtract. but the thing i notice most is how she sees someone she doesn't know very well and she says a cheerful "hi!" when she would have looked away shyly before. and how she'll sometimes even look an adult in the eye and tell them thank you. a whole bunch of little things that probably don't mean squat to anyone else, but to me mean that she's coming out of her shell, and that she's going to be fine out in the great big world.
here is a little plaque we made as a gift for sweet m.'s amazing teacher, mrs. d. she's been so good to m. this year i just didn't know how to thank her adequately. an all-expenses paid trip to the bahamas or caribbean was a little out of our budget, so this'll have to do for this year.
