Lego summer program

Thomas LOVES legos, so when I heard there was a Lego program being offered for an hour every Wednesday at the community center, I jumped on it.  I took him today and arrived early to let him warm up, but I could just tell this was going to be a challenging environment for him.  Nothing was set up when we got there, as kids came in, they were running around the room, pushing the chairs that were all on wheels everywhere and the instructor had a louder personality.  My 3 yr old Liam joined right in with the chaos, but Thomas gripped my hand tightly with a scared expression on his face.  Parents came and went, dropping off their children with ease.  One of his friends was in the class too, which helped a little, but not as much as I had hoped.  I ended up sitting on the floor with Thomas to help him get started with the Lego challenge of the afternoon which was "Summer"  Thomas loves to build, but the pressure of needing it to fit the theme and the fact that she mentioned them having to present it to everyone at the end of class started making him tear up.  We came up with the idea of building a beach.  Liam had already taken it upon himself to join the Lego building which was okay with the instructor and it was already 20 minutes in by then, so I stayed and helped.  I had to leave the room once to take Liam to the bathroom which set off pure panic in Thomas, but I assured him that I would be right back.  He did not present at the end and there was no pressure to which was good.  He had fun, but I am not going to stay for Lego camp each week!

More private swim lessons at the pool

I wasn't planning on doing swim lessons at the pool this summer, but I needed someone who wasn't me to get Thomas comfortable in the swim club pool.  I arranged private lessons once a week with the same college girl who taught him last year.  Thomas was excited up until the point when she got there.  He planted his feet and refused to move.  I had to pick him up and take him to the steps where he grabbed the hand rail and would not let go.  I pried his fingers off and literally handed this sobbing child to her.  Again I felt like a horrible mom, but sometimes he just needs that tough love and extra push.  And you know what, in two minutes he was fine and smiling!

Spike in separation anxiety at end of school year/beginning of summer

is   Thomas is currently suffering from pretty severe separation anxiety.  It intensifies and weans throughout the year.  For the past three years, every May til around mid July, he begins to get very intense separation anxiety and extreme clinginess to both my husband and I.  Looking back through this blog, I can see the same type of post written this time of year.  I attribute it to the fact that the end of the school year brings about a disruption of routine with class trips, ceremonies, more casual class time, etc and also adjusting from a school routine to a more laid back summer routine.  The beginning of summer was particularly difficult.  At home, Thomas has been having trouble being on a separate floor from me.  He is quick to follow if I need to go upstairs and gets upset very quickly if he can’t find me.  If he is with his three year old brother though, he is okay.  He also has trouble getting out of bed in the morning without me there.  He calls for me and will not usually get out of bed until I come in.  Hoping it decreases as the summer goes on, as in years past.

6th birthday

For the longest time, birthday parties were (and sometimes still are) a struggle for Thomas.  They are a recipe for sensory overload- noisy, chaotic, filled with silly games, loud music and overly excited children running around.  We love to celebrate birthdays in our family, but are very sensitive to Thomas's needs.  We have always done a family party, but last year was the first year he felt ready for a friend birthday party.  We only invited a few close friends of his and got his input on everything he wanted/did not want as far as games, activities, etc.  This year we did the same thing, but he really wanted to invite the whole class.  I was hesitant, but he has made so much progress this year, that I thought he could handle it.  We always do parties at home, because it is where he feels most comfortable.  Our goal is to plan a party that he would have fun at given his sensory limits and personality.  He is a big fan of Star Wars, so that was our theme this year.  Being a former event planner, I love to plan parties, and had a great time coming up with birthday games with Thomas.  My husband was even able to borrow a Darth Vader costume from a guy he works with, which was such a fun surprise for Thomas and his friends.  He was a little nervous when guests first showed up, because he was getting a lot of attention and questions thrown at him, but he warmed up rather quick.  He was talking and playing within a few minutes.  Such a fun day!

Kiddie Carnival Disaster

Every year the carnival comes to a town near us in June and we take the boys one evening.  We usually get some ice cream, play some games and maybe do a little ride or two.  This year we decided to go on kid's wrist band day on an incredibly hot afternoon after school.  The boys were tired. It was hot.  Thomas was also just getting over being sick.  We bought a few ride tickets, but Thomas was too scared to go on anything by himself and Liam was too short for the only ride he wanted to go on (bumper cars).  So I decided to take them on the merry go round, which has been hit or miss in the past.  Well this time it was a big miss!

Thomas and Liam had panic attacks on the merry go round and I was in the middle trying to keep both of them from jumping off their horses into my arms.  I think Thomas is truly terrified of the up and down motion of the horse and can only attribute this sincere fear to a sensory issue.  I cannot wrap my brain around this fear.  Liam on the other hand, could have been reacting to his brother's reaction or could have been experiencing the same fear.  He still won't go on swings and he definitely has some of his own sensory issues.  Ugh.  Either way I felt defeated.  Then we went to get water ice and they were out of the only flavor they wanted.  My three year old threw a tantrum and we left.  The whole carnival was one big, hot disaster.  We all left frustrated, but my husband and I were able to laugh about it later that night!  I mean full out panic attacks on the merry go round and me screaming in frustration!?!?  We must have looked crazy!!  Wouldn't be the first time though :)