Situation

My parents arrived. Mom flew from Tanzania to Colorado and was home long enough to pack her suitcase to fly with dad here. The pass was snowy, but Steve managed to drive it there and back okay. Today he gets to do it again for Andrew and Peter.

Went to hear the twins' Christmas program at the school. I was a tad late. Couldn't find a parking spot anywhere. Finally drove around the block and parked at the pool and hiked through the playground through the snow. As I got close you can imagine my surprise to find Missy out there alone all dressed in her snowsuit. There was a 4th or 5th grade class out on the playground, but more to the other side.

I asked her what she was doing out there and why she wasn't singing in the program....

She just thought it was recess time and since she had performed the program in the morning for the kids she thought she was done. I had a hard time convincing her to follow me into the school and to the gym. I was confused. I was so sure the program was at 2 PM.  Low and behold they were at least 10 minutes into the program. James was up there doing his part. I pulled her snowsuit off and nudged her forward in between songs. I saw her teacher come around looking for her. When she saw me push her forward the teacher turned back.

The realization that Missy was just going about her usual routine and no one had noticed and she had fallen through the cracks hit me pretty hard. I could not quite figure out what the program the kids were doing was all about until about half way thru... because I was frightened by the prospects of what could have happened. This is a very vulnerable child.

I was stuck in this gym with this huge crowd with no way to escape so I fought my composure the whole time. Someone came and asked if the twins were taking the bus home or going with me. I told her what had happened and she said she would take it to the principle and the special ed director.  I know they will have to figure out something.  This kid is pulled from one person to another all day and no one person is watching out for her all day. She's not smart enough to take care of herself if the routine changes in the least. I don't blame any one person. I could totally see how this could happen. Unless they come up with a good solution to this issue, I will be asking them to retain her next year for sure if there is any hope she could stay in the regular class more.

I kept her home today. It's early release, party day.... and they are building gingerbread houses. I could just see this kid eating 5 pounds of candy before anybody noticed. ha!