"Is this normal to sit down with the teacher in the spring," Teddy asked Owen as they walked into Leo's school.
"I don't know," Owen replied.
"When I volunteer it looks like he's doing okay," Teddy said, "he's polite, helpful and does his work."
"Just listen to the teacher," Owen said, "don't go in as mama bear."
"He's my baby," Teddy said, "I have to. And it's a new teacher this week the one he started with went on medical leave."
"Open minded Teddy," Owen prompted.
They signed in at the office and made their way to Leo's classroom.
"Mr. and Mrs. Altman- Hunt thank you for meeting me," the teacher said, "I'm Miss Charlton."
"Owen and Teddy please," Owen said.
"It's nice to meet you," Teddy said shaking the young woman's hand, she had to be younger than Annie maybe 23 or 24.
"I've just started with the class and have invited every family in to come meet me so I can get to know you," Miss Charlton said.
"Why so late in the year," Tedy asked.
"As you know Mrs Richardson has gone on medical leave indefinitely," Miss Charlton said, "I'm trying to understand the dynamics of the class as I will loop with them in the fall to first grade. Tell me about Leo from your perspective. What do I need to know about him?"
"Where would you like us to start," Teddy asked.
"Tell me about yor family," Miss Charlton said, "does Leo have siblings?"
"Two sisters, Annie and Allison," Owen replied, "Allison is 5 and Annie is 30."
"Six and thirteen is a significant age gap your eldest must be very helpful with her younger siblings," Miss Charlton said.
"You miss heard us," Teddy said, "Annie is thirty, 3,0. She is great with her younger siblings and Leo loves helping with his niece. Annie picked him up from school yesterday."
"I thought that was his aunt," Miss Charton said.
"No my daughter," Teddy replied, "we know 24 years is a big gap but it works for our family. Leo is very attached to Annie and her husband. If something happens and you can't get a hold of us you call Annie and Josh."
"Let me write that down," Miss CHarlton said, "what else should I know?"
"Leo was adopted when he was 2," Owen replied, "his biological mother left him at Grey Sloan memorial. Social services is unclear what happened to her. There was drug exposure, amphetamines and opioids before he came to us. He also had a congenital heart defect that was surgically repaired by his mom and big sister."
"What do you do for work," Miss Charlton asked.
"We're both surgeons," Teddy replied, "I'm chief of surgery at Grey Sloan and a cardiothoracic surgeon, Owen is a trauma surgeon and runs the trauma department and critical incident training programs. Before we adopted Leo, Annie and I corrected the majority of his heart defect in a series of 6 staged procedures then about two years ago one of our coworkers placed a pacemaker."
"What does this mean in class," Miss CHarlton asked.
"He has a pace maker and has had three of the four valves replaced," Teddy said, "if he ever complains of chest pain we need to be called immediately. If he is short of breath or loses consciousness he goes to Grey Sloan only. I know Seattle Prys is a couple minutes closer but he goes to Grey Sloan. Day to day there shouldn't be any complications in the classroom. He does get tired more easily than our girls."
"So you have no information about his early development as an infant," Miss Charlton said.
"We do not," Owen replied, "we have done a genetic screening for our own information and there is nothing of major concern for school. We have been made aware of some ADHD behaviours and are looking into it. He has had some difficulty before with being out of routine and getting to know and trust new people. Leo had some speech, language and coordination delays. He was receiving speech therapy until Christmas when the therapist thought he was ready to be discharged, he had three and a half years of it. There was also physical and occupational therapy to help his motor skills catch up. He loves playing soccer, swimming and skating lessons and skiing."
"It sounds like you've covered all your bases and he's a very active little boy," Miss Charlton said, "any family expectations I should know about? What do you expect from your children?"
"We can be fairly traditional in our parenting," Teddy admitted, "both of us spent a long time in the army and it influences our lifestyle to this day. Our kids are expected to be polite and respectful to everyone, we don't do screen time during the week, it is a weekend treat and then only for 90 minutes. We spend a lot of time with our extended family and outdoors, we swim, hike, cycle, ski, beach days. Leo and Allison play outside at home, we have a large swing set and tree house and just put in a pool. We read a lot as a family and they play with toys or do craft projects. We try to have their friends over as much as possible for play dates, he plays with our co workers children. Leo likes helping with his one year old niece Ellie and his 9 month old cousin Catrina. We value family time and being together."
"Does he have grandparents," Miss Charlton asked.
"My mom and step father," Owen said, "Nana and David. They pick him up once or twice a week. My sister and her husband may pick up if they are off, that's Auntie Meghan and Uncle Nathan."
"Leo has a great support system," Miss Charlton smiled.
"I know you've only been with him a short time," Teddy said, "what have you noticed?"
"Leo is sometimes shy and on the outside of activities with the other boys," Miss Charlton said, "he will play and join in if invited but does not ask others to play yet. I am planning on doing a few lessons on that skill. Leo likes to play veterinarian and doctor with the dolls and stuffed animals during play time. I would like to talk to you about what he said in our personal safety lesson today."
"What were you doing in personal safety," Teddy asked.
"Appropriate and in appropriate touch," Miss Charlton said.
"We are very clear with our children that they decide who can touch them and when," Owen replied, "we get their permission to hug them or pick them up."
"Leo was very good about that," Miss Charlton said, "I told the children that no one other than themselves, parents or doctors should see or touch what the guide calls bathing suit parts. And Leo asked if I meant the anatomical terms."
"We use correct medical terminology with our children," Teddy said, "if something was to happen they need to use a proper term to communicate so we make it normal. We don't hide facts about the body from children. We talk to them as they have questions about bodies. Leo know's where babies come from and how they're born in an age appropriate way. We weren't planning on telling them that quite so young then our eldest had her first baby at 29 and Leo and Allison naturally had questions so we answered. We do them a disservice when we don't use proper names for body parts, it gives them control of their body."
"I had a few asking where babies come from today," Miss Charlton said, "Leo said his big sister wrote a book about that."
"We have a copy I can send in tomorrow," Teddy replied, "my eldest is a peds cardio surgeon and through her residency wrote a series of books on common medical procedures we do on kids that have been published. I'm sure we have a few copies at the hospital I can send in. i have the "how does a baby get in mommy's tummy" and how "does baby get out". Both are appropriate and well written. They were written specifically for Leo and Allison."
"I would love the titles to recommend to other parents," Miss Charlton said, "unfortunately it's not something we discuss in kinder or first here. I hear what you're saying about children knowing the truth about their bodies and that a stork doesn't bring babies. Leo told his classmates that moms go to the hospital and a doctor helps them do really hard work then the baby sleeps and eats."
"That's what we told him," Teddy said, "how is he doing academically?"
"His math is stronger than his language," Miss Charlton replied, "he is able to make ten easily using ten frames and can tell me how many more would be needed to make ten which lays the groundwork for addition and subtraction. He knows his letters and letter sounds and has mastered the pre-primer and primer sight words. His reading, he is able to decode that is read the words on the page more than he understands."
"How do we help with that," Owen asked.
"When you read with him ask him about the story," Miss Charlton suggested, "have him tell you what happened. What the characters are doing, why are they doing that. I can send a retelling rope home with you to help him remember."
"Why did the spelling list stop coming home," Teddy asked.
"We are moving to a different program using word sorts to help students understand patterns in words," Miss Charlton said, "current research shows that the spelling list especially in kindergarten is not helpful. If you want to work with him at home the best thing you can do is to read with him, talk as a family, have experiences and go do things. Does Leo cook or bake with you?"
"He likes to bake with me," Teddy smiled, "we bake a couple times a week and he helps with what he can for dinner and packing his lunch. Leo helps cook and bake when he's interested in what we're doing. He helps set and clear the table for meals."
"Do you eat together often," Miss Charlton asked, she was trying to get a read on the family. She had heard that this couple was hard to please and other parents had mentioned they were old school and strict. To the young teacher it sounded like they were a busy house but that they clearly loved their kids and wanted the best for them. From what she was hearing it sounded like they had routine and structure which gave kids security.
"We always eat as a family," Teddy said, "always at the table with whoever is home. Usually it's the four of us, and sunday dinner with the whole family every week. What are our next steps for Leo?"
"I'd like to continue building his confidence in his social skills," Mis Charlton said, "is he taking any lessons or part of groups?"
"He plays on a soccer team," Owen said, "cubs, swimming lessons and sunday school."
"Is it possible Leo is an introvert," Teddy asked.
"It could be but it's uncommon at this age," Miss Charlton replied.
"Could the challenges be connected to that he doesn't play the same electronic games as his peers," Owen wondered.
"Not so much in kinder," Miss Charlton replied, "but he doesn't know all of the same characters his peers do and they do act them out in their play."
"That's something to think about," Teddy acknowledged.
"Please let me know if you have any questions," Miss Charlton smiled.
"We will," Owen replied.
"Thank you so much for meeting with us," Teddy smiled, "we know you have other families waiting. I'm here on Friday for my volunteer day is there anything you need me to bring?"
"No, thank you for the offer though," Miss Charlton smiled.
They shook the teacher's hand and left the classroom.
"I liked her," Teddy said in the car.
"She seems to have their best interest at heart," Owen agreed.
"She wanted a lot of background on Leo," Teddy said, "is that normal?"
"I don't know," Owen said, "it didn't seem more then we would do to take a history."
"Maybe it helps her teach him," Teddy replied.
"The more she knows about the student the better she can make it for him," Owen agreed, "she's on our team Teddy."
"When we said how old his big sister is I saw that look of judgement," Teddy said, "I'll never get used to that."
"You look young Teds," Owen said, "she got her math wrong."
"She's probably thinking we're mean and strict," Teddy groaned, "I know how we sound compared to other parents."
"Our kids are happy," Owen said, "we're already doing the things she suggested to help him learn. They have a huge family that love them."
They drove to Evelyn's to pick up Leo, Annie had offered to bring Allison home from daycare when she picked Ellie up. Allison was going to have dinner with Annie, Josh and Ellie letting Owen and Teddy have some time with just Leo. They chatted with Evelyn for a few minutes before they got in the truck.
"Hey bud we saw your teacher," Teddy said.
"Am I in trouble," Leo asked.
"Why would you say that," Owen asked.
"Because other Hayden said I used a bad word," Leo said.
"That's not a bad word," Teddy promised, "we talked to Miss Charlton about why we taught you those words and that you should know the science names for them."
"And when Amber said that the stork would bring her baby sister I told her she was wrong. That her mama would go to the hospital and a doctor would help," Leo said.
"We know," Owen replied, "you said the facts and what we taught you. Not all parents tell their kids that bud. Some moms and dads don't like using the scientific terms or they might not know them to teach them."
"Am I in trouble," Leo asked again, "Hayden said you would spank me for saying bad words."
Owen knelt down beside Leo, "have mama or I ever hit you?"
"No," Leo said.
"We will never spank you," Teddy promised, "that just teaches you that hitting solves a problem and we know hitting makes it worse. And you didn't say a bad word Leo. you used correct scientific language but most kids your age don't know it or their mom and dads use made up terms for body parts so they think what your saying is a bad word."
"Did I say a bad word," Leo asked.
"No," Owen and Teddy said together.
"Then why did the other kids think I did," Leo asked seriously confused.
"Because they don't understand what it means," Teddy said, "you did the right thing. You did what we taught you."
"Is my teacher mad," Leo asked.
"No," Owen promised, "we had a good talk with her. She seems like a good teacher."
"She lets us play," Leo said, "and we sing songs and we built a fort out of boxes."
"We saw your fort," Teddy said, "did you have fun?"
"Yes," Leo beamed, "can we build a fort?"
"Maybe this weekend," Owen said, "tonight we're going to go for dinner. Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere," Leo asked.
"Anywhere," Teddy agreed, "it's Leo's night."
"Noodles," Leo said.
"The spicy noodles or italian noodles," Teddy asked.
"Spicy noodles," Leo yelled.
"We're right here," Owen chuckled.
"We'll get the spicy Thai noodles," Teddy agreed.
"Can we play laser tag," Leo asked.
"Saturday," Owen said, "it's a school night. We can go this weekend."
"Really," Leo asked.
"Really," Owen said, "the four of us."
"Everyone," Leo asked.
"Do you want to bring a friend, " Teddy offered.
"Can Jacob come," Leo asked.
"I'll text his mom," Teddy said.
"Mama," Leo said, "can we go camping soon?"
"We are going camping this summer," Teddy promised, "in British Columbia where Annie grew up."
"I thought she grew up in Canada," Leo said.
"British Columbia is part of Canada," Teddy said, "we're going to go camping near the ocean and do some fishing. Annie, Josh, Ellie, Jenna, Chris and the new baby are coming."
"Is Chris our brother now," Leo asked.
"No he's still Annie's brother and he's living in Seattle now so we see him more," Owen said.
"I thought Chris was an army man," Leo said.
"He was like we were," Teddy said.
"When I grow up can I be an army man and fight bad guys," Leo asked.
"You can be a soldier," Owen said, "it's hard work can you work hard?"
"I can do it," Leo said, "I can fight bad guys and save the good guys."
"How will you save the good guys," Teddy asked.
"Fly them to the doctors like Chris," Leo said, "can he teach me to fly?"
"It's a long time before you can learn to fly," Owen said.
"Levi and his dad fly drones," Leo said.
"That sounds interesting," Owen said, "we could look into that."
"Really we played with them at Levi's house and they were fun," Leo beamed.
"Let me research," Owen said.
"When can we use the pool," Leo asked.
"Maybe on the weekend if it's warm enough," Teddy said, "we can put the water in on Thursday and then it takes a whole day to fill with the hose. Then on Friday we can start the pump and put the chemicals in. We're going to use the sun to warm it so it might take a couple days to warm up. Let's try for Sunday."
"Thats too long," Leo complained.
"I know," Teddy said, "I want to use it too. But it gives us more time to pick out floaties."
"Is there a dragon," Leo asked.
"We can find you a dragon," Teddy smiled.
"A dragon," Owen said, "I wanted an airplane."
"Does Ali get one," Leo asked.
"She does she wants a unicorn," Teddy smiled.
"What about Ellie," Leo asked.
"Annie has something for Ellie," Teddy promised.
"When it's summer can we go to the waterslides," Leo begged.
"We will," Teddy smiled.
"Can Annie come this year she does the big slides with me," Leo said.
"Maybe it's up to her," Teddy said, "Leo we've been really lucky to have Annie and Josh around as much as we have but theres going to be times when they don't join us for things. Annie and Josh both have busy jobs and Ellie isn't big enough for rides and waterslides yet. They're going to do things Ellie is ready for."
"When is Ellie big enough," Leo asked.
"In a few years," Teddy replied.
"Too long," Leo said.
"It'll go fast," Teddy said.
"But coming home day is soon what do you want to do," Teddy asked.
"Swimming and chocolate for dinner," Leo said.
"Chocolate for dinner," Owen asked, "how about burgers and chocolate cake for desert."
"Mama makes the cake," Leo said.
"I always make your cakes," Teddy said, "and always will."
"Promise," Leo said.
"Until I'm too old and wrinkly to use the oven," Teddy smiled.
"When is that," Leo asked.
"Many many years from now," Teddy promised.
Owen pulled the truck into the parking lot at Leo's favourite Thai restaurant, Leo was their adventurous eater now. He would try just about anything they put in front of him, thai, sushi, indian, greek, chinese.
"Noodle time," Leo yelled unbuckling himself.
"Let's go get your noodles," Teddy said, opening the door for him to hop down.
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