Feeling a little sad

I've started several posts in the last 4 months, but got too distracted to finish. A quick recap: Eva started 3rd grade, Eli started kindergarten, Isaac started preschool, I went back to work full-time, we took a fun trip to Disney World, and scattered into all of that we've had fun memories at home. 

When school started, Eli started making amazing progress. Within a couple of weeks his anxiety lessened and he no longer needed to wear his headphones to school. And just a couple of weeks ago he asked to start eating lunch with his class rather than in the special Ed room. It's been awesome to watch him learn and grow. 

For the last couple of weeks, I've noticed a change in Eli. I've assumed he was just tired from our travels. But this morning he was asking if he had to go to school today and he was happy when I said no. I was a little hesitant when I told him that it was a church day. I wasn't sure how he would respond. In his monotone voice he said, "Woohoo. I'm so excited. I love going to church."  Then he told me that he doesn't like school. It took a while to get around to the why because he has a hard time processing that question, but he was finally able to tell me that he doesn't like school because his friends don't like him. It broke my heart. He said that there is a little girl "H" that gets mad at him. He said, "H tells me to stop it." I wasn't ready for this part of school yet. And I'm sad for my boy. I want other kids to love him for all of his good qualities and overlook his struggles. My Eli is the sweetest kid ever! He gets excited about things I find mundane.  He feels deeply.