Training For The New

We are getting ready for something completely new and different . . . T-Ball! DEE got signed up for ball last Saturday and now, every day that we have good weather, you will see us all outside practicing basic skills. Now, when I say basic skills, I mean from the very beginning. "This is the dugout. We come here to sit on the bench. Can you sit on the bench with us?"

So we have to name every single thing: base, bat, ball, tee, field, everything! We had him practice hitting the ball, wearing the batters' helmet and running the bases.

Well, Momma had him run the bases simply by taking his hand after he hit the ball (all 17 inches) and run to first. Eventually, the ball has to make it a distance of 15 feet. We're starting off slow, but I'm sure he'll catch on. For once, DEE did not resist this new thing. The helmet went right on. There was some finagling of the chin strap, but he was willing to try. Rock drew a batters box in the dirt with an X form DEE to stand on.

We are trying to think ahead to what may cause DEE problems. Noise is going to be a major factor. It's not like I can ask other parents to cheer quietly. (Believe me, I did consider that, but there's usually lots of games going on at different fields at the same time, so what would be the point?) I'm trying to figure out a way to get him used to the noise, anyone got a suggestion?

Smiley tried his best to get into the action, but since the bat is heavier than he is, it did not work out too well for him. He had to resign himself to chasing balls that Momma rolled for him.

We ended our field experience with a running of the bases. DEE hit the ball, we held hands and ran to first. "Step on the bag," I told him. He stopped, looked up at me completely confused, and then we talked about how first base is also called a "bag" and that he has to step on it every time he runs by it. Then we ran to second. As we approached, he slowed down, looked up at me with a question in his beautiful blues eyes. "Yes!" I shouted. "Step on the bag!" He did and off we went to third.

At third, the pause was less than a moment. He looked down at the base, up at me, and back down to the base. "Step on it!" Both little feet cruised right over that base and away we swept to home plate. We stepped on it together and did a wild, silly happy dance, shouting "Home run! Home run!" Big smiles all around.

He really liked his first foray into the world of organized sports. We'll try everything we can to keep this up. This practice was just Momma, Rock and Smiley on the field (and some nice folks practicing lacrosse that didn't mind being interrupted by our speed racer). If it can go this well with other kids and adults, I will call myself SUPER BLESSED. Meanwhile, we'll practice.

The Kindness of Strangers

Our little family likes to go out and eat Mexican food. There are some complications to dining out with small children, but we have a system. 1) DEE-structor gets to bring his toy of choice. Sometimes, this is a veritable flood of toys as what qualifies around our house as "one toy" actually equals "one toy tote." (DEE's favorite is a purple Halloween pumpkin that he uses to carry his trains. The pumpkin was his very own innovation.)

Smiley has his very own seat and table mat. The table mat is one of those nifty anti-germ things, but we use the mat more as an indication of Smiley's reach. I gave birth to another 'Stretch Armstrong'. He is content as long as he can have Goldfish. He may turn yellow/orange as he is now eating Goldfish at breakfast, lunch, second lunch, snack and dinner. He may be part Hobbitt. Hmmm, Stretch Armstrong + Hobbitt. Hmmmmmm.

I digress. DEE loves chips and salsa. For the most part, he eats and plays and is really pretty well behaved. Or as well behaved as a wiggly five-year-old can get. This particular evening, DEE is indulging in some serious "stemming" behavior. DEE likes to squeeze his hands together under his chin and make a rapid, somewhat loud "EEEEEEEEE" noise. And, we're not sitting in a booth, oh no, we're right out in the middle of the restaurant and I can just feel the other customers staring at my little boy. No one approaches us and nothing is said but I am just sure that every single person in there is thinking about us and our weird little boy.

The following evening I am sitting at a local nail salon having my fingers salvaged from their latest set of gel-acrylic nails. A lady comes from the pedicure chairs (aren't those massage chairs just heaven?) and sits down next to me. She smiles for a moment and says, "Weren't you at "Favorite Mexican Resurant" last night?"

I cringed inwardly, thinking of all the "stemming" DEE had done and here it comes I thought. "Yes" I told her. "I think you were sitting in the booths behind us. I'm sorry if DEE disturbed you. He is autistic and was having a bad night."

She smiled at me. And proceeded to tell me how well behaved both the boys were, and not only did DEE not bother her, she didn't hear him making any noises and certainly didn't notice that he was autistic.

Knock me over with a feather. We had a wonderful conversation about the signs of autism and the programs available in our area for our kiddos. She had some concerns about a grandchild of hers. And I was left with this gift: I got to see my son without a label. As just a kid. And remember, how truly blessed I am for having such a wonderful son. Thank you, Complete and Total Stranger. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!