Parade season

We survived the first parade of the season. This past week was Tower Days in Spring Lake Park. My parents are still residents and the parade route nearly goes right by their house. The weather was absolutely perfect, so I took the boys to the parade. We all met at my parents before and Grandpa Denny did the usual. He hooked up the trailer to his John Deere and loaded it up with grandkids, lawn chairs and blankets. The kids love this part, I think it's the best part of the parade. What better way to show up to a parade than to be escorted by your Grandpa driving a cool John Deere tractor. 

We lucked out and found a great spot real close to the road. Cole did quite well. He was a little impatient at first, but then he saw the long line of fire engines start up the street. They blared their sirens and sounded their horns. This caught Cole's attention. It was loud for all of us. I wasn't sure how Cole would react. He did great. He covered his ears and took a close look at all the shiny trucks. The parade continued on. It didn't take long for Cole to tell me, "Mom, go home in 10 minutes." (That's his new thing... to tell us how long he's going to do something... 20 more minutes mom, if we're at the park and 3 minutes mom, if we're eating supper). I told Cole we would go home after the parade and tried to ignore his anxiousness. 

Cole found ways to cope. If he wasn't in the mood to sit by the crowds or look at the floats, he would simply go check out the fire hydrant or play on Grandpa's tractor. It worked great. We would constantly check on him and call his name when we knew there was something of interest to him. I was so proud at his ability to self regulate himself, without direction. Cole knew when it was getting to be too much for him and he knew what to do about it. He didn't get mad or throw a fit. Instead, he played on the tractor or came to snuggle up with me on the chair. I was so proud of him. 

I was also proud when he took it upon himself to join the kids and get some candy for himself. He even sat down on the pavement to catch a glimpse of the band. When we looked at our watches, it was 8:10 and we had been there for over an hour. We decided to pack up and leave and beat the rush. Cole and Grandpa drove the tractor back. Soon after, the boys and I left for home. It went just great. Connor had an awesome time and got a lot of attention for the cool green mohawk he was sporting that night. He was especially excited to see his Jam Hops gymnastics friends in the parade... that was super cool! 

I thought it was super cool that we were able to see the parade and enjoy ourselves. In the past, Cole has not allowed that to happen. It's not his fault, it's simply that some things are just too hard for him. Think of how much sound and stimulation there is at a parade. Not the best and most appropriate place for a child with Autism. 

Once again, Cole impresses us with his ability. He is improving with every single day. I could not ask for anything more. Life is good. In fact, life is great. My two boys are amazing and they fill my heart with so much joy and love. I'm just plain lucky. 

On a side note, I have to share something Cole said to me this week. He has been cutting the grass quite a bit for us. Well there is an open area of long, tall grass about a mile from our house. We drive by it nearly every day. Cole was in the truck with me on Thursday and said, "Mom I want to cut that grass." I said, "Cole, that grass isn't ours. You can cut our grass." Cole replied, "I would really LOVE to cut that tall grass Mom."  

And to think I was wondering if he would ever be able to say "want juice".