Holiday Lights

Last night we went down town to see the cool Santa Light display that is hung on the bank building every year. We also went through the Fantasy of Lights display. Jackson had such a wonderful time...it's so cool when he gets excited about a "tradition". Driving through the Fantasy of Lights he did his usual play by play--"Look at the Pizza man" "Look at the Mastodon" "Here comes Woody" It's nice for us to have those words and know that he's enjoying himself...

Child's Play

Every now and then, the boys start playing together...it's rare, but heartwarming when it happens. The other night, Jax reached out to Cal and initiated wrestling (Cal's favorite thing to do!) Right now, they're jumping on my bed together (which I totally shouldn't let them do, but will anyway)...

Church Directory Pictures

We had our church directory pictures tonight. They really did NOT go well...I don't know if it was the flashing of the lights or the sounds or what, but Jax was freaking out....we got there a few minutes early and he was cool, peeking in at the other family getting photos taken. He seemed fine to leave "pirate big bird" in the chair watching. THEN, the photographer started posing us and after the first shot snapped, he really lost it...we struggled through 3 more shots which just got progressively worse and then I called it quits. I refuse to torture my son and he was obviously distressed. He was stimming and going into meltdown mode....
He wasn't distressed until they started shooting, so all I can figure is it was the lights or something.... The photographer was of minimal help...didn't try to engage him or anything, he acted like he didn't know what to do.
This is our 4th time taking church photos and tonight was a bad as the first time we did it when he was just over 2...that time was a debacle he was literally terrified...He did much better at 6....and even better at 8. Actually, last time we were able to get pictures of the boys together and I dropped $150 on Olan Mills photos....
I was actually crying reviewing the proofs...he looked scared and pained in the pics....Dan had left with the boys to pick up a pizza and I was left with the OM salesman. I wasn't ready for how bad they looked...the salesman was a retired Free Methodist Minister from Chicago...he was very, very kind hearted and actually prayed with me for Jax which I never expected from an OM salesman (if you've ever done these directories you know they push the hard sell...) Well, tonight was a reminder that autism is a big part of our family...and I've got the insomnia to prove it...

Showers!

I don't know if it's the colder weather, or just Jackson seeking sensory input, but lately he's taking 3 or 4 showers a day! Using a new towel each time--not to mention the hot water! I really need to work on finding more sensory input for him...especially now that he's stuck inside so much more...and he's hesitant in the swing we hung in the garage since the last one broke while he was swinging in it! More to come...

Reading!

This year, Jackson's teacher is doing Book-It. It's kind of nice to have that reminder hanging on the fridge that we need to get in at least 10 minutes a night...which with Jackson that can be especially tricky, considering that he reads very simple books that take less than one minute to read...
Well, tonight I brought some books home from school, just to add variety to what we already have (and by the way have been reading for 3 years!) I was very pleased with how well he did. In fact, tonight after reading some of the "new" books, he wanted to sit and read the No David!books together. He's been "reading" these books for years, but it's always a joy to hear him read them...he has great expression!

There was a time I wasn't sure he'd learn to read...now I'm certain that he's going to get there, but his journey toward literacy has been more like a marathon!!!

Alex's Birthday

Saturday we celebrate Alex's birthday. Dan brought Jackson later, because we felt like being there too long would be stressful. Overall, we were so very pleased with how he did...he played outside (alongside) the little boys and seemed to really enjoy it.

He also had a great time going to the movies to watch Madagascar 2. He loved the first movie and we were hopeful he'd enjoy going to the theatre. It was a big success. Another example of getting back a little bit of what autism took away. There was a time that a theatre was just too overwhelming for him, too much stimulus. But not this weekend. He sat between Dan & I and just enjoyed the movie. Tonight, happiness is being able to go to the movies as a family!

Trick or Treat

Friday night we took the boys trick or treating. Usually there are a dozen or so houses participating in our neighborhood area and we don't walk more than a few blocks.
This year, the participants were scarce, I don't know if it was due to the football game or what, but we ended up walking up town, to the fire station and beyond. Jackson had a great time trick or treating and it truly felt like a small victory to me.

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago, that I bought him the $40 Buzz Lightyear Costume at Disney only to have him freak out and not want to wear it or have ANYTHING to do with Halloween. I'm pretty sure that was the year he turned 2...he slept through Halloween the year he was 3. Finally the year he was 4, we dressed him up as a cowboy and he tolerated it a bit more....a couple of years ago, he rode his 2 wheeler dressed as kermit the frog...and of course this year he's thrilled to be Spiderman!

All this rambling really boils down to how wonderful it was for us to be able to enjoy the evening as a family. Everyone had a good time, and it's now a happy memory!