Since You Wondered...

I know you've wondered how our adventure turned out with the Best Day Foundation, right? Well, it lived up to its name. I'll share it with you in the boy's own words.

The Rooster dictated this to me when we got home from the beach:

"Today I went to go surfing and boogie boarding with the Best Day Foundation. I rode a big wave on my boogie board! I got salt water in my nose and in my eyes and I jumped a few times over the waves. It was scary. It felt a little weird to my head and I couldn’t feel my hands. I felt excited. I was light-headed with happiness. Then I went on a surfboard. I rode a big wave but I didn’t get a chance to stand up all the way. Guess what? I told my surfing buddy that the waves smelled like Davey Jones’ locker and it also smelled ancient sneakers! He laughed. At the end of the day, I got a medal. I felt very happy. When I grow up I want to be a surfer."

Thank you, thank you, thank you, friends from the Best Day. We hope to see you again next year. 

Best Day Ever? Fingers Crossed

Tomorrow my boy has the opportunity to surf with the Best Day Ever Foundation.

I signed him up, many months ago.

I want him to do this.

I am scared.

I don't want him to know I'm scared, because I want to instill in my boy confidence, a willingness to take risks, a sense of adventure, a passion for life. I don't want autism to prevent any of that. And I don't want to prevent any of that with my own insecurities. I barely can swim! I never tried surfing. I want him to try new things, and I think he will be with qualified volunteers. Reading the waiver, though? Gives me shivers.

Will you send good thoughts?

Please, please?

There in Spirit

Tonight I am supposed to be at a gathering of moms of kids with autism. I'd been looking forward to it since I read about it online and I was so glad it would be held in my neck of the woods. So why am I not there? For the same reason I want to be there: I have two kids and one has autism and some day it wears me out.

Not so different, my husband asked me why I haven't yet gone back to the doctor about my fatigue. Why? Well, I'm too tired to call the doctor let alone go to the doctor to talk about how tired I am again. Still. Whatever.

These are not complaints. There are real problems in the world. I am fortunate. I recognize my blessings.

I'm just saying this: Sometimes you can't "tackle" everything so you can solve the world. Sometimes you just need to rest to have the oomph to face another day head-on and with appreciation for what you've got.

I'm at the support group in spirit. I'll call the doctor soon.

Good night.  

Cheese

Today was picture day for the Rooster.

Now, my son is beautiful to me, so I have no idea what he objectively looks like - I just adore that child.

However, LAUSD notoriously finds mug shot photographers to take yearbook photos, forcing you to prepay before they set up their 1970s cheese parades of backgrounds and flash emergency lights into the eyes of your offspring, and we never get a shot that is anything less than terrifying. I have long since stopped buying these travesties, and I guess my boy has picked up on our less than enthusiasm for his annual forced grins.

He came to me last night and said, "Mommy, I have a bad smile, what am I going to do???"

Well, we assured him, of course, that his smile is gorgeous whenever he smiles with us, and if he wanted to really like his photo this year, he should just enjoy having his picture taken and think of something that makes him really happy.

At bed time, my husband asked, "How did picture day go, son?"

"Good," he said. "I just thought about Brenda* and smiled and felt happy and that was it."

*Brenda (not her real name) is a girl in Rooster's class. She is new this year, NT, and nervous when she arrived. My son enthusiastically welcomed her and gave her a tour of the school.

Her parents like us.

Did you hear that?

I might need to say it again, as it just trips joyfully off the keyboard. A first!!!!

Her. Parents. Like. Us. We have had a play date. So far, they STILL like us.

How is all of that for self awareness, social engagement, empathy, and progress?

Yeah, I have a pretty good smile going right now too.

Day in the Life

The other day we were riding slowly through traffic and I noticed more quiet than usual in the back seat. I looked back and the Rooster was reading a book -- not a surprise, but continually a joy and a cause for much gratitude. Peaches was writing. Furiously. I asked if I could see.

It took me a moment. I had to interpret her best guess spelling. But pretty quickly the boxes gave it away.

My six-year-old was designing a behavior modification system.

For her big brother.

My kids. This is how we roll.