Second Playdate

We went for Tyoma's second playdate with Betty today. Loni called a week ago and I immediately went out and stocked up on two dozen stickers and number post-its for the occasion. Betty's brother Bobby was present this time as well. I was looking forward to seeing Loni and having some adult conversation, but Tyoma kept interrupting. Bobby, while enthusiastic and genuinely interested in T, was in his space a bit much and the added stimulation made him clingy. Plus, Loni chatted on the phone for a while adding to his disorganization. Hmm. Forty five minutes into the playdate, Tyoma announced that it was time to go home. I tried reading and playing along to keep him for the whole hour and we managed to make it. I think that It was a good idea to have Bobby along, it will help Tyoma to learn how to socialize better plus, he really needs to have some playtime with boys. Boys are noisier and more active than girls and Loni's place is a safe place to learn.

Today Papa grabbed the camera to document day two of the Great Short Bus Adventure. T gave his goofiest grin for posterity and we cheered as he drove off. I was so worried that he would have problems, but he truly enjoys the ride and he comes home calmer than when I drive him. I think that the boat-like swaying of the bus soothes him. I am so happy this is working out. I feel guilty that the bulk of his day is school. That's eight hours. Eight hours. Eight hours!

When I first realized this, I sunk into a funk. I quit my job to be a mom. I visualized the quality time I would spend with my child and how that would help prepare him for a wonderful and balanced life. After brooding for most of the day, I got over it. He cycles through nine teachers and twelve peers each day. He needs playmates, plural, playmates and structure. I work phenomenally hard to provide structure and routine, but there is no way I can replace the twelve kids that he needs to socialize with everyday.

First Day on the Bus

Today Tyoma rode the bus for the first time! It all went so well, I wondered why I kept him off of it for so long!

After yet another snow day, I was so very pleased to see him on his way. Nevertheless, I was shocked by how early the bus left, since it puts him on board for about an hour. I figured that it would be okay since the coming and going of friends and the routine of the process would entertain and soothe him. Besides, we would frequently leave for school very early to drive and talk.

A very nice thing happened in the morning. At 8:00 my friend Ashleigh called to tell me that she saw Tyoma and that he was doing well. I was deeply touched by her concern and thoughtfulness. I look forward to seeing her this weekend at one of her fun parties.

Anyway, Tyoma came home tired but jazzed over his experience. He told me that I am never driving him to school in my "sad car" again. Yay!

Just when I thought I could get my little guy back to school, we have a snow day! This is some serious s***! The folks on the weather channel have lost their grip with reality. They are wild-eyed annd caffinated. The snow here fell in thick fat flakes and the wind rattled the windows. Tennisfiend didn't even bother going to work, instead he shoveled snow every four hours since our pissy snow thrower couldn't handle more than a few inches at a time.

Check out this awesome time-lapse taken from our nearby resort town of North Hampton:




Wow! And thanks to cameratown for posting!

Glamorous!

For the first time since i've lived in New Mexico, I've had highlights done! And I am soooo pleased! I've been waiting for the right time to have it done for too long. I was tired of my yucky "from a box" color that turns my hair to straw. I was also tired of my very precise, but stubborn hair dresser, Rob, who gives me the same chunky cut regardless of my preferences. He was surly with me last time I visited and I didn't like the cut or attitude.

So... I went with Shakira at Shaggin Cuts and she gave me a wonderful new look. I should have a pic to post, but I'm too lazy. Anyway, I'm very pleased!

A Day to Ourselves

Whew!

What a relief it was to finally get Tyoma back to school! He was a sweetheart getting ready this morning, as if he too was relieved the long break was over.  Unfortunately, the complaints about  his classmate, Maureen continue and getting him to eat a respectable dinner was a chore.

Tennisfiend took most of the morning by himself--playing guitar and whooshing the vacuum cleaner about. I surfed and organized my zentangle notebook. I am such a collector! Finding new zentangle patterns is such a special treat. I am so grateful to all those who share although I have nothing to return.

Snowman

This is our first snowman since our first winter in Merrimack. Tyoma was actually pretty excited about the whole process and helped assemble the snowman's face. His mouth is a red bell pepper slice and yes, the neckerchief is a JC Penney kitchen towel. A far cry from the blank stare he gave to snowman number one when he was two and a half!



If you look to the right behind T, you can see his little line of snowballs. It's still more fun to line them up rather than throw them!

Snow!

Well, here we go! the first snow day of the season. It's been terribly windy and TF has been struggling in the gusts to keep our driveway clear, primarily so we can get Tyoma out to play tomorrow! The aquarium sickness lingers, but T is recovering nicely.




The cool time lapse is by MPCentauri, not us. It's awesome when folks take the time to make such cool videos!Please note-the wind was crazy! It swept all the snow out of our driveway for us! Our neighbors were not so lucky, most of it drifted in a huge V by their porch.

Aquarium Christmas

Winter break 2009 was miserable. This year, we decided to create a better itinerary to manage a preschooler bored by long days with his middle-aged parents. Last year, boredom (us and him) and sickness (also us and him) was excruciating. This year it will be different.
 
Our first change of course was a little trip Boston to visit the NEAQ. I figured that we would have the aquarium to ourselves since it was so close to Christmas. I took Tyoma out of school a day early so we could spend two nights at the neighboring Marriott. Normally, Long Wharf is beyond our budget but the combination of seasonality and remodeling knocked the price down to slightly affordable. This discount tipped the scale in favor of going to Boston. Why stay at the economical but remote Holiday Inn when my getting lost time would be tripled by bonus Christmas traffic?
 
Our drive was minimally plagued by route recalculations or GPS echolalia, but the cold wind and new experience made Tyoma bawl as the doorman unloaded our luggage. The next hours were a jumble of elevator rides, bossiness, whining and malfunctioning electronics. The portable DVD player could not be hooked up to the TV, which resulted in two service calls, both of which were met with objections and disapproval from Tyoma. (DVD player=familiar programs=less anxiety).
 
T was so unabashedly rude and boisterous that I felt compelled to enlighten the second repairman about Tyoma’s autism. He gave me a weary smile and said, “My daughter has it too. She’s eight now. It gets better over time.” Judging from his serious demeanor and grim survey of Tyoma, the unspoken part our interchange was, “Why did you bring your son here to come unglued?” I guess my unspoken reply was, “Change of scenery, Buddy.”
 
Tyoma eventually settled down after flinging a few DVDs and eating a less than adequate lunch. Soon after, we went to the aquarium and had a blast. Despite the squirming and irritating behavior, he totally “got” the aquarium. He was so excited to see the fish and penguins. Jabbering enthusiastically, he ran up and down the central spiral ramp, chirping, “Hi fishy! Look! They’re swimming!” He was so bright active and joyous; I chocked all his previous fussing up to nerves. Of course, in an hour, there was a bit of trouble--but first:
 
 


This is such a cute picture, but totally shocking in that he REALLY looks like me! Goodness? He was so delighted and happy to see all of the colorful fish.

Five Little Pumpkins

This is the coolest little video from Tyoma's preschool! Acting is in the family blood! My dad was in theater all while in college and well known for his astonishing memory. Dad can recall pages of Shakespeare, including most of the major soliloquies, so yay Aspergers! And, ya something else, too. It turns out that one of Dad's uncles was in Vaudeville. I'll have to check that out sometime. Anyway, T had so much fun doing his little performance, that he "helped" everybody else who flubbed their lines! Too funny!