Chimera

So today was Pip's kindergarten screening.  It's sold as a no-pressure deal, parents get to meet the school principal, nurse, PTO folks, and some teachers, the kids get to check out the school and some potential peers -- all the while your kid is being assessed for any major strengths/weaknesses to help them assign classes.  I wasn't too worried and I was excited to check out the school and take one more step closer to the big K.

We were not given many details except that the kids would go to a classroom to be assessed and parents would stay behind for a group chat.  I told Pip this and he only got more and more nervous as we walked in.  We sat in the library watching all the other kids come and join.  Pip was wide-eyed and hugging me closely.  Once everyone was there the principal asked the kids to come to the center of the circle and then the teacher led them out.  All the kids slowly did as asked.  Except one:  Pip did not budge. Unless you count hugging me with a pincer grip budging. 

As the kids walked out I tried to presuade him to go but it was not happening.  The principal gave me the ok to walk him over.  As we went, last in line, a teacher tried to console him and get him out of his shell a bit.  I kept thinking ... this is my wildly social kid we are talking about here!!!  Ugh.  There's no point trying to explain to the teacher how "out of character" this is when you are in the midst of it.  So I hobbled along with him clinging to my leg into the room. 

All the kids were playing ... blocks, drawing, paydough, etc... Did Pip want to join?  NO!  I realized that I was going to have to pull the bandaid quickly ... there's no other way for this.  So with the teacher support I counted to three, she grabbed one end of him and I ran for the door. 

45 minutes later our talk was done and the teacher returned to the room, assuring all the parents their kids did fine.  I got a special "and even your sone was fine" comment to calm my fears.  Inside I'm like ... ARE YOU KIDDING ME!  I know he's fine.  I just want everyone else to realize this too, I keep thinking!

Anyway, the one thing I was told each kid would have to to would be to draw a picture of themselves.  I assume to assess fine motor skills and whether they understand the concept of self maybe?  So as we left, I wasked Pip if he was asked to draw anything?  Yep.  What did you draw?  Pip replies, very proudly and all excited "I drew a TIGER with a goat on top with a SNAKE tail!!!" 

????  WHAT ????

Me ... did you draw a picture of a person first?  Pip:  No.

Me ... are you sure??  Pip:  I just drew a TIGER with a goat on top with a SNAKE tail!!!

Uh-oh.  I think Pip may end up taking a special needs slot after all.

Fast forward 4 hours.  Dinner time.  I'm relaying the story to Phil and he's like:  COOL!  Pip, you drew the Chimera!  That's awesome. 

Um, what's a Chimera?  Apparently two headed beat with a lion'd body, a lion and goat double-head and a snake tail.  I didn't know this and I am fairly certain the psychologist assessing him didn't either.  Should be an interesting ride!