Where Oh Where Did October Go?

It's October 23rd and we have yet to pick an apple or a pumpkin.   

At this point, we probably won't.   Come to think of it, we haven't done anything that screams fall family fun.  (Like go to the Great Pumpkin Blaze.) I feel bad about this.  I hate feeling as if I'm not doing enough for The Boy.  But it's been a tough month for all of us. Even our poor Betty Blue Subaru has taken a beating. 

Oct 2010: The Great Pumpkin Blaze

Fall 2010 HHG class trip

Fall 2010 HHG class trip

This morning I told The Husband that we need to buy The Boy a Halloween costume. 

"Why?  We have 2 more weeks," The Husband says.

"Um no.  We don't.  It's next Monday."

So we set off in search of one. Arriving at Store #1, The Boy said "Yes!  I love Halloween!"

 

Inside Store #1 was a MAD HOUSE.  And the process was dramatic.  Wait on a line.  Then pick out your costume from the wall.  Then wait for someone to bring it out.  The line wrapped around to the next aisle.  Navigating the crowded  store with The Boy was difficult.  Especially with bins of candy EVERYWHERE. 

Store #2 was not at all crowded.  But The Husband didn't approve of the costumes.  He sort of takes this Halloween stuff seriously.  So we left to Store #3.  On the way to Store #3 The Husband says, "Hey Babe, did you know the McRib is back?"  The Husband and I discuss the big issues.

Store #3 was a success!  Now The Boy has a cool costume - one that The Husband is extremely proud of.  (You'll see those photos next Sunday.)  

This is the first year, The Boy seems to be really excited about Halloween.   When he saw the plastic pumpkins in Store #3, he said "We need to find the perfect pumpkin!" 

At this point, we won't have the time to go and pick the perfect pumpkin but there's nothing stopping me from just going to the supermarket to buy one.

And there's one more weekend left in October.  I will make it up to him.

Tonight we'll read his favorite Halloween books (Good Night Goon and Happy Halloween Little Critter) at bedtime.  Maybe we'll even watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  

I tell myself that it's not always about where we go or what we do - so long as we are together.  

The Boy waiting patiently for  lunch

  
What's a Sunday like in your City?  My Sundays are pretty boring lately - but the folks over here seem to know how to have a good time.  Unknown Mami's Sundays In My City.              

Black Friday

In retail world, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. The stores are crowded, the tables filled, the lines long. Holiday music is blaring from the speakers. It is sensory overload multiplied by one thousand.

Yesterday morning, I took Norrin to Macy's in search of a sweater that I knew would be on sale.

The sweaters were located right in front of the escalators.  Of course, Norrin wanted to go down the escalator.  And I knew if I let go of his hand, he would make a run for it.  I knelt down to search for a size, not letting go of his hand, but in fact holding it tighter.  So tight, it made my hand hurt.  When holding a child's hand there is no way to shop without making a mess.  And I did. With one hand, I moved some sweaters to another pile, flipping and tossing sweaters - tissue paper flying all over the place. I used to be a considerate shopper. However, shopping with a four year old on the spectrum all consideration is lost.  

I finally settled on two sweaters, because I couldn't find the one I wanted.  I went to the ladies shoe department, looking for a pair of boots that I tried on last week.  I waved the boots in front of the sales woman "I'm going to buy these boots.  Will you ring up the boots and the sweaters?"  

She looked me up and down. "Have you tried them on?"

I nodded and within minutes, she returned.  Norrin is playing with his cars and every so often I have to tell Norrin not to touch something or someone but for the most part, he's good.  

Of course it couldn't be that easy.  She didn't have the device to remove the sensor from one of the sweaters.  So I had to go back to the men's department to have it removed.  As we were walking out of Macy's I saw the sweater that I came in for, in the color and size that I needed.  It was the only one left.  I picked it up and went back on line. This line was long.

The woman at the counter was taking her time, folding everyone's clothes neatly, asking if they needed boxes and gift receipts. What I would have done for incompetence?!

Norrin was getting impatient and no longer interested in his cars. He started scripting; in a high pitched voice he says, "Oh No!  I've forgotten something really important." He hasn't forgotten anything, it's a line from Charlie and Lola.  He started squirming and asked to be picked up.  I calmly told Norrin that "we are waiting."  I stroked his hair, I squeezed his hand, gave him kisses, told him he's being such a good little boy.  But he's ready to go.  

The man in front of me, looked at me and Norrin.  "Benedryl usually works," he said.  

"Not on my kid."

We both laughed.  I am used to strangers putting their two cents in, offering advice or just staring trying to figure out what's wrong with him.  I don't let it bother me.

Norrin started pressing his face against my hand, his mouth open as if he's going to bite me.  He won't - he craves the deep pressure.  He then raised his hand to hit me.  "Don't hit Mommy,"  he said.

"That's right Norrin.  Do not hit Mommy.  That is not nice."

And then Norrin hit me.  (Not hard, just a little tap) The man in front of me turned around.  The cashier stopped ringing.  They both looked at me.  Judging.  I smiled and said, "he warned me."