The last week was a month long. I have no idea why and it doesn’t really have much to do with autism – it just seemed like a forever week. For those who follow our Facebook page, you will already know about the “HUH?” moment I’m going to share, with a few more details. Our bright spots surrounded a night away with the kids and how awesome they did in a strange place.
When Rob gets dropped off after his day hab, he has a routine and nothing will deter him from following that routine. He drops his lunch box on the table, grabs his snack and pills and goes to his room to hang up his coat and put his shoes on the shelf. He chills out in his recliner a few minutes, then off to the bathroom and to find his iPad.
Friday, I got a message that they were home. A few minutes later, I got a text that Rob wouldn’t come in the house – that he had dropped his lunch box on the table and immediately ran out again. He was sitting on the front porch, holding his Power Rangers bag and wouldn’t tell Steve what was wrong. Steve told me he didn’t seem upset, but that he refused to come in. Luckily, Mandy was home from work and she only lives about 10 minutes from us so she took off to see what was up. (He will often talk to her when he won’t talk to anyone else.)
He was surprised to see her, but still wouldn’t share why he wouldn’t go in the house. She called Hopewell to see if something had happened that day (Casey told Mandy that Rob hit his head, he was crying – a whole list of things and Mandy didn’t know that Casey had been gone all day – she didn’t have a clue what he might have done! 🙂 ) and was told that it had been a normal day for him – nothing unusual had happened.
She asked if he wanted to talk to me and helped him call me. His conversation was brief “Hi Mommy.” “Hi Buddy, what’s wrong?” “Wrong.” and he handed Mandy the phone. I was actually able to leave the preschool early and was in the parking lot when he called. She said he wasn’t upset, but wouldn’t tell her anything. The thoughts going through my mind were crazy, but I couldn’t help it.
When I turned onto our street, he stood up and walked to the driveway. I stopped beside him, he jerked open the back door, opened his bag, threw an old towel in the backseat and went in the house. Mandy and I just looked at each other – each trying to process what the heck had just happened. Finally, she broke down laughing and I did, too. By the time I had parked, he was happily in his recliner, like nothing had happened.
We still have no clue what that was all about. I do keep an old towel in the car for Blue, but there was one on the seat. Now, there are two. When Rob got in the car yesterday, he tapped the towels and grinned. Trust me – I’m not moving those towels!
I had made reservations for us at a local hotel so the kids could swim and soak in the hot tub for a treat. I didn’t tell them we were going until just a few hours before we were to leave -just in case! They were so excited when they heard what we were doing – Rob couldn’t stop saying “swim, swim, swim.” and “Mandy, Cory, Mandy, Cory.” We got to the hotel and as I was getting our room, the lady said the pool was closed. I thought she had to be kidding! But, no, it was broken.
I couldn’t even imagine how telling the kids was going to go. They were both sitting with huge grins on their faces, just waiting to get in the water. A few years ago, I would have had to drag Casey out, probably kicking and screaming. I walked over and told them the pool was broke and we had to find another one. They both just looked at me, but when I said we needed to go back to the car, they did with no issues. A proud mom moment!!
We found another hotel and they took off for the pool. Casey slowly went down the steps while Rob took a running leap into the middle of the pool. She stayed where she could safely touch while he was jumping and spinning and splashing. And it was another bright spot. Rob always tends to follow what she does, but not this weekend. He wanted to jump and sit on the bottom of the pool so he ignored her and did what he wanted. That was another huge moment for him!
They played for an hour or so, then had supper and rested a little, before heading back to the pool. He played for almost two hours while she kept reminding Mandy that she said they could get ice cream. Instead of following his sisters to get a treat, Rob chose the pool. Even when they came back with a Coke for him, he drank it and jumped back in the water.
He was so happy! It was wonderful watching him smile and jump and to hear his deep belly giggle as he fell into the water over and over again. I finally told him the pool was closing and it was time to go back to the room. He took a shower and went to bed. He had a hard time going to sleep, but he was quiet. He is so used to a nightlight and a fan, that I think the total darkness and complete quiet made it hard for him. Finally, about 2 this morning, I turned the TV back on. He watched a few minutes, rolled over and went to sleep.
He jumped back in the pool this morning for an hour while Casey and I sat and watched him. Even when I said we needed to head home, he jumped a few more times before he came to get dressed. Now, he is sound asleep in his room. Hours and hours in the pool wore him out!
Mandy and I asked him questions while he was in the water and were surprised at how many things he could easily answer – his birthday, how to spell the city we live in, so many things. It was wonderful! Casey used to be able to do that when we still had our pool – she could answer questions while playing in the water that she couldn’t answer any other time. If you ever get a chance, try this with your child!
Sometimes, bright spots in an autism home aren’t like they are anywhere else and that’s okay! Every family has it’s own special moments in time – celebrate every one of them! Enjoy the special talents your child has. And, even though it’s scary – plans things as a family! You never know until you try what your child might enjoy. And those special family times are so amazing! I’m tired now, but can’t stop smiling at having the chance to spend that much time with Casey, Mandy, Cory and Rob.