He Said What?!

The Boy is notorious for swiping my iPad. He takes a ton of screen shots and then likes to delete my photos to make room for his. Not cool. So this week The Husband changed the passcode on my iPad. Then we watched with amusement as The Boy kept getting an error message. Bwahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Then The Boy mumbled, "I think this needs to charge." And he goes to charge the iPad.   

***

The Boy likes to sleep in our bed. I know. I know. I know. I really try to put him to sleep in his bed (and most nights he does). But if he makes his way back into ours in the middle of the night - I just don't fight it. This Mami needs her sleep. Anyway, sometimes The Boy will be so tired, he'll put himself to bed. Earlier this week I found him at 7:30 pm all snuggled up in our bed. 

The Boy: "I'm tired. I want to go to sleep." 

Me: "Well why don't you go to sleep in your bed." 

The Boy: "I don't think so. My room's a mess."

(Then he requested I spray the pillows with Bath & Body Lavender pillow mist.)

***

Today is The Boy's last day of the extended school year. He has officially completed his first full year at his school. And I was feeling a bit emotional. The first day I put him on the bus last summer (on July 2, 2012) - it was such a big moment for me. It was the moment that I let go of a dream and embraced a new one.

His progress this year has been A M A Z I N G! He is a completely different kid. He's happy. He feels good about himself and his work. I can ask him about his day and he gives me little nuggets of information. He talks about things he learned at school - like the planets, the weather and recently fire safety. The Boy knows to Stop, Drop and Roll.

And when I told him this morning it was his last day of school and asked if he knew when he would go back. He said, "In September."

There are still many things he needs to work on. But The Boy is in a good place, with people who truly understand him. 

Taken this morning - it takes a few tries to get the "Money Shot" 
The Boy's last day of school for the year

***

And from earlier this week on Babble 

• Did you know August is Family Fun Month? Check out some simple activities you can do to celebrate with your family - HERE
• Six Ways I Wish I were Like My Son With Autism - HERE
• 7 Back-to-School Essentials For Kids with Autism - HERE

The Day I Ran Away From Home

I have been under a lot of stress lately. Feeling like I am being pulled in a million directions. Struggling to catch up and feeling like I'm always falling short.

Last week I submitted my thesis - five years worth of my best writing and it was like this weight was lifted off of my shoulders.

But there was still mounds of laundry to get done. Stacks of unopened mail. Paperwork to fill out. And everywhere I looked there was something that needed to get done. So much stuff that I let pile up for so long.

Then the pressure of writing and deadlines. Writing for Babble & Parents are second and third jobs for me. So between working outside the home, writing at night, writing my thesis, taking care of The Boy it was only a matter of time before I snapped.

Well I snapped last Saturday. Big time. (The Husband and I may have gotten into a little tiff.) And I just needed to get out. Because sometimes you just need to get away from your husband and your kid and your home. Sometimes you just need to say: F--k doing laundry and dishes and groceries and responsibility. 

As I was getting dressed The Boy asked, "Where are you going Mommy?" (I know!! Such an appropriate WH-question!!) 

"Out." I said.

"You're going to the supermarket." The Boy said. It sounded more like demand. 

"No. I am not going to the supermarket. I am just going out."

I kissed him goodbye and walked out the door.

I took the train downtown and had an amazing day with my best girlfriends. We had sangria and burgers and wine and nutella panini's. (What can I say, we have pretty sophisticated taste.) I took a picture with Captain Cragen (swoon). And I treated myself to a mani/pedi.

I needed that day. All moms deserve a day to run away from home. 

When I returned hours later, The Husband told me that when I walked out the door The Boy said, "Mommy's going to Texas."

Apparently, the only places The Boy thinks I go is to the supermarket and Texas.  I don't always have to run to the supermarket for solace and I don't have to go as far as Texas (nor do I want to) but sometimes a happy compromise and a day away from it all is good for the mom soul.               

Scripting? Sass Talk? Age Appropriate Response?

A recent conversation with The Boy - 

So...what say you?  Is The Boy's response: 

A. Scripting

B. Sass Talk

C. Age Appropriate Response

D. Progress

E. All of the above