Anyway I digress.... Apart from some everyday stuff, it's the trips and special events and outings that are my best memories, and so I wanted to recreate that for my own kids. With Angel it was easy, there was just her, and she was always so enthusiastic about everything, from a boat trip to see Fungie the Dolphin, to dressing as Hermione Grainger for a Tesco photoshoot. Smiley is easy in a different way: I don't know how good her memory is, but she certainly shows her appreciation for trips, especially shopping trips. CD is another matter. He can meltdown at the mere mention of leaving the house. But this week I had the chance to tackle that as the girls were in school while he was on mid term break. So on Tuesday we went to Tesco. He sat on the floor in the toy aisle and played his DS while I threw everything in the trolley as fast as I could and, as agreed, he was still there when I returned. Yesterday we went to four different places, and while he started to grumble, we got through it, and I got everything done.
So, remembering all his interests, I took a deep breath after lunch yesterday, and asked: "Would you like to go to the Natural History Museum tomorrow?" "Yes," he replied. It wasn't said with much enthusiasm, but I nearly fainted on the spot.
So the plans were made. I carefully explained where and when we were going, and what we would be doing. He happily hopped in the car just after 10 this morning, and off we went. Admission is free, woohoo! And basically the Museum is two large rooms full of stuffed and preserved animals, birds and skeletons. CD was fascinated and couldn't have been more excited if I'd bought him a new Zelda game :) He skipped around the room looking for his favourites: wolves especially and I was instructed to take this photograph:
We also had to find the ducks, the rabbits, the anteaters and the gorillas.
He ran past some exhibits and lingered by others.
All went really well for about 45 minutes. It happened when we were looking at the sea anemones. One moment he was listening to me talking about rock pools. The next he was legging it for the door. So off I ran. "My tongue is dry," he said. Or perhaps I was just getting boring. So back to the car we went to get a drink, but then the spell was broken and it was time to go home. Still that was our most successful outing ever, and hopefully it will be a happy childhood memory for him :D
ah what a lovely trip you both had, he will of corse remember it and treasure it
ReplyDeletesometimes i think aspies forget how to enjoy the trip as their so overwhelmed by the actual going that they forget the fun they will have when they get there, its hard but worth it when everyone gets through it xx
Hey Coolkid, thank you so much for this and all your other comments, love all of them :D
ReplyDeleteI had a big comment done and blogger ate it!! This is brilliant news, I am really delighted for you. In my missing comment I threw down the gauntlet to you and bet you a guest post (you guesting over at mine if he asks) that he would ask to go again, deal? 45 mins is great, it is a long time to stay engaged!! Jen.
ReplyDeleteThats fab missus! The museum looks like a great place to spend an afternoon. I bet it won't be long til he wants to go back! xx
ReplyDeleteAhhh...glad he enjoyed it and hope he wants to go back....see the skulls caught his attention!! There is a museum in Rome that is made entirely of old bones and skulls - old monks made artwork out of them all - its very macarbe but strangely fascinating at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant, and so encouraging for us parents waiting for that spell to be cast over our own kids.
ReplyDeleteI can see many more lovely episodes like this in the near future (I have a crystal ball beside my laptop).
XXX
Brilliant! So glad you both had a good time! I'm with jean on this one, waiting for the day when Button enjoys an outing (other than Disneyland! The boy has expensive taste!) xx
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely story and sounds like a great place to go, Liam loves Wolves! I remember not the gifts but the times I spent with my parents doing something together, they are memories etched in my brain so I think you have got it right x Hope next time you get longer together!
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you had a successful trip, I love museums like that too. xx
ReplyDeleteWe tried making it to the Natural History Museum, but the queue was around the block :-( If you decide to go again, give me a shout on fb and we will join you!
ReplyDeleteGlad you all found this encouraging and thanks Jen, for the challenge, and Truf, I'd love some company for our next visit - and I'd say he would as well xx
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents took me and my sister there when we were little and it was a brilliant day out for us both. We both still remember things about it now. Sounds like you all enjoyed the day :)
ReplyDelete@MrsShilts: Thanks so much for dropping by commenting :)
ReplyDelete45 minutes in a museum! That must be a record. They do remember this stuff, they really do. For the first 12 months after the event at least...
ReplyDeleteThank for Rewinding at the Fibro today. :-)
Fab - glad it went well. 45 minutes is pretty impressive I''d have thought. Well done both of you xxx
ReplyDelete@life in a pink fibro - Actually it would be great if he forgot, cos then I can take him again :)
ReplyDelete@LittleMamma - Thank you xxx
45 minutes is great - did that include a super-charged coffee for you, too?
ReplyDeletewe went to the Kelvingrove museum on monday with eilidh's powerchair - always a pleasant but nerve wracking experience - she lasted well, didn't kill any children and tried to ramraid the donations box! the best part was watching her play - for the first time - hide and seek amongst the exhibits - a truly magical moment. so i don't care what anyone says, museums rock! (and they are free in glasgow...)
@hopeful mummy - magical moments are so special, I hope you have many more of them xx
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