Thursday, May 15, 2008

he did it!

Max survived his ordeal! (Unfortunately, I have no photos to show of the little author. As much as it pained me to leave the camera at home, I knew the last thing Maxidoodle needed was any added pressure.) He may never argue in front of the Supreme Court or bring home an Academy Award, but at least he proved to himself that he can speak to other people if he has to.

I really thought my worst fears were coming true in those last few minutes before the bus arrived. He'd really been fine all morning and right through lunch, but the minute I told him to grab his backpack so we could head out to wait for the bus, the panic set in. I could tell he was fighting the tears with everything he had, and I actually had to carry him on to the bus. Let me tell you, he was breaking my heart. Yet he still gave me his sweet little wave from the bus window.

And he really has the sweetest teacher on earth. She "gets" him, for which I am eternally grateful. She was even insightful enough on his birthday to ask him in private if he wanted everyone to sing "Happy Birthday" or if they should just skip that. (He, of course, said no...we can't even sing to him at home...way too much focus on him.) Anyway, she had the kids out on the playground playing while everyone arrived, which we thought was really smart. They were all out there having a good old time running around playing, instead of sitting in the room watching more and more and more people arrive.

Max's turn came towards the middle, which was nice for him. He got to watch a few other kids get through it, but didn't have to sit worrying about it forever either. And while every other kid proudly looked around and smiled at their family during their turn, no one in the room even got a look at Max's face. He looked straight down the whole time he read his story. But he did it! He stood in front of a whole room full of people and made sounds come out of his mouth!

I'm more than a little proud of him...can you tell?

Thanks so much for all your good wishes and crossed fingers! They were greatly appreciated!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

YEAH!!! :-D

I am so happy for you both!!!

Kim L said...

yay for Max!! That is so great that he was successful at the event. I was a very shy kid, I know what that was like.

Melody said...

YAY!!! I'm glad that things turned out well. I'm so happy for you and Max! :D

Jennifer said...

That's awesome! I know that is a big relief for both of you. Way to go Max! And you have every reason to be extremely proud!! Woo Hoo!

Dewey said...

Aw, I'm glad it went well for him. :) I read about your worries earlier today at lunch, but I was interrupted and never go a chance to see how it went until now.

CJ said...

Hooray for Max!

cjh

kreed said...

Hooray! I have obviously fallen behind again on blog reading so I missed the first post - I would have been anxious for him with you! But i am so glad he made it through. That is quite an accomplishment and a great lesson in overcoming fear - good job Max!

BTW, when I was little I used to get teary when "Happy Birthday" singing time came at my birthday parties. And I was so overwhelmed the year I got a bike for Christmas I pretended I didn't see it in the living room.

Stephanie said...

Good for Max!! Man. It's seems to be so much harder being a mom than I ever thought it would be. The everyday stuff is easy....it's watching your kids go through things. When one of mine comes home from school sad because of something, it just breaks my heart. I want to make everything perfect for them, but it just isn't the way the world works, is it??

Eva said...

I'm so glad it turned out so well!! And it sounds like he has a great teacher, which really makes such a difference.

Ana S. said...

yay! Go Max :D

Anonymous said...

hooray for max!

and i'm happy for you too.

~**Dawn**~ said...

Woohoo for Max!!! =)

Bookfool said...

Yippee for Max! I remember that terror well. Just getting through this experience will help him. I was a shy kid, too, so I know each little victory helps.

chrisa511 said...

Yay to Max!!! Tell him congrats for me :) Like I said in my other comment, that's a huge hurdle for him to overcome and it's great that he did it. It's also great that he has such a supportive mom ;) And a supportive teacher!

Anonymous said...

Hip hip hooray for Max!!

Somer said...

Way to go, Max!

Dawn said...

I glad it well for Max. I have a little boy in my class who NEVER spoke to an adult in preschool. This past week he has asked to be in the sharing chair to tell the class something. It's a great feeling to see that progress. I'm sure it was a great feeling for you to see Max get through his story.

take care,
Dawn

gail@more than a song said...

I've behind on reading and trying to catch up so missed the other post too...but yay for Max! I know you are proud. And I have to say, I understand him and feel mostly the same way myself. I can NOT talk in front of a group and it started for me in elementary school. I did end up teaching, which oddly enough didn't freak me out as bad and I can still teach kids at VBS and stuff but DON'T ask me to stand in front of adults, I can't do it! Good for him!