Cheap date

So we decided that with all the money that has gone out over the past year, we would not go on an official summer vacation this year.  Instead, we went down to visit my parents, who live at the shore, for a week.  We had a good time and used every opportunity to have Thomas order his meals at restaurants and ice cream at night.  We also spent a lot of time at the beach arcade.

If you have ever been in an arcade, you know it can be sensory overload for even the most tolerant person.  Bells ringing, flashing lights, games talking. money clanging, prizes hanging everywhere you look, kids screaming, babies crying.  For some reason though, Thomas really loves going there.  Granted, he can only tolerate it for about 10 minutes and often shuts down with speaking, because he is trying to process everything, but he really enjoys himself.  One thing that he loves to do before and after entering the arcade, is to sit on the kiddie rides right outside the entrance.  For a quarter they move up and down or side to side.  He particularly loves the truck, jeep and speed boat ones, but don't even think of putting a quarter in it!  He wants to sit in it standing completely still and he is as happy as a clam.  I see parents feeding those rides like crazy and always smile, because it is one of the rare perks of sensory defensiveness.  We save money on amusements, bounce houses and arcade rides!