He has a nickname at school: Hank.

There's a girl in his class with a crush on him.

When I toss him his jammies or throw his school clothes onto the floor, he just begins putting them on, without a word of instruction.

He still hums and hops when he's excited. Still does the v-sit thing and flaps a bit too.

He still eats with his hands, but will try a teeny-tiny taste of something new without arguing.

He watches the same clips on disney.com over and over and over and over and over, but will usually stop when the timer beeps.

He still doesn't choose to go outside much, but will go out agreeably when we force the issue, and has some fun once he's out there (see video below).

He did his ALGEBRA homework with no problem this week, with the help of a number line. (7 plus what number equals 13?)

Henry's always been on the.. ummm... easier end of the spectrum. Meaning his behaviors were never to the extreme of being debilitating or dangerous to the rest of the family or to himself. But he has been throwing "tantrums" at school ever since he first set foot in one. When he was 5, 6, 7, 8 he would throw chairs, knock over tables, kick, scratch and pinch. It was unpredictable and unmanageable for the teachers.

Now it's not happening anymore. I can't guarantee it won't happen again. I can't say that it's because of his new school or just growing up. Maybe he's just feeling more comfortable in his own skin.

I can't promise anyone that what works for my kid will work for yours. But I know you all love your kids just as much as I love mine. That's why we all found each other in the first place. And I know that even though it's the corniest thing in the world to say, loving your kid and talking to your friends and problem-solving your way through this stuff will work.

Now let's get out there and enjoy the weekend.

(Sorry this is sideways. When will I learn?!)