Quarantine Diaries: Part 22 - Thanksgiving, Christmas and Everything In-Between

DC has already started making his Christmas list for Santa. It is on the "refrig-a-lator". This year:

Bandaids

Frozen Princess Dolls (as if he didn't have each one 3 times over)

Jelly Beans

and

32 markers.

He's upped his request from last year from 18 markers (which then got reduced to 17) to 32.

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I have always had some sort of block at spelling out loud. I don't know if my brain gets ahead of it self or what, but there are times when I just have to write it down to then spell something out loud for DC.

With DC, it is the opposite; he can't hear it out loud but can read it when he write is down.

Me: Guess where we are going tomorrow?

DC: (Stops what he is doing and waits)

Me: M.Y.S.T.I.C.

DC:

Me: M.Y.S.T.I.C. - What does that spell?

DC: YMCA

Me: (after we both laughed for awhile) Write it down.

DC: (Screeching) Mystic! YES!!!!!

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While in Mystic, DC opted for a change in his pizza order. He agreed to sausage and bacon on his pizza!!!

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Our designated Zoom laptop decided to do never-ending updates right before the Camp Movie event. DC’s laptop doesn’t have a camera and neither does my PC. So we had to resort to his phone. #IHateComputerUpdates

He’s happy enough. Laughing loudly at

Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving. #Camp

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Apparently it’s a double mustache kind of a day. #mustachesmakehimfeelbetter

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It’s only 8 am

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DC’s aunt dropped off another “keep him busy during the pandemic” bag (complete with a rather large candy bar).

It was still technically morning when she dropped it off so I told him he had to wait until after lunch.

He then followed me around stating “Aunt ‘Lee-za’ give it to me” just to e sure I didn’t forget that it was still there and still his.

He got to have it after lunch. The note said he was supposed to share with me and Doug, but Doug wasn’t here, so he missed out.

Yesterday he worked on the other things in the bag. He’s always been good with markers but I have to say that he is pretty good with a paint brush too!

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“Mom, I do not like stuffing. I do not like mashed ‘tomatoes’ (potatoes), I don’t like soup”

I know all of this but he continued to tell me as I was cooking.

So for him, a turkey leg (as there must be bones), microwave French fries (because we can)and rolls .. lots of rolls.

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It took me a minute to figure out what DC was writing... He got pretty close!

#Substitutiarylocomotion

#Bedknobsandbroomsticks

“Treguna Mekoides Tracorum Satis Dee” #alldisneyallofthetime

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DC is a happy guy today. The “hair-dishonier ” (air conditioner) came out. It was a hard decision but I finally decided it was time. #isithotinhereorisitjustme

DC: Mom, DC is feeling happy.

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Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving!

DC, as predicted set his sights on Christmas around 6pm on Thanksgiving.

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In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time 

Quarantine Diaries: Part 20 - More DC Being DC (and me being me)

As much as we have had all of that new anxiety spring up over the pandemic and being home for so long, he has also seemed to settle in to this routine (or non-routine) faster than I ever imagined. Staying at home has become the norm rather quickly. 

I know this probably does not make any sense at all. He's anxious but has settled in - at the same time. I do not know know else to explain it.

August...

I remember responding to a status a few weeks back (I don’t know what day it is so you really can’t expect me to remember who I was “taking” to).

Their child was obsessing over Halloween. What would it be like this year? Would it be cancelled?

I remember saying that thankfully (and oddly) Halloween hadn’t occurred to DC; probably because he hasn’t been so calendar oriented over that past few months.

Well... I spoke too soon.

Sigh

Has anyone come up with a 2020 Halloween plan? I mean - I really don’t want to be wiping down 200 individual pieces of candy from the trick or treat bag.

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September:

Words I Never Expected To Hear:

I had nightmares last night/this morning and was having a hard time getting back to sleep.

I was trying to be as quiet as possible because although DC has been sleeping later during this pandemic, he is ready to jump out of bed the moment he hears a sound from me.

Any sound and he catapults out of bed, especially if there is the slightest hint of light outside.

As quiet as I was trying to be; he heard me. It was getting light outside.

“Mom! Go back to sleep!”

He gave his order and did not even wait to see if I was going to adhere to it before he went right back to sleep!

I know this doesn’t sound like a big thing but trust me - it is.

Normally (when he’s sleeping in his room instead of the couch), I have to stop in his room first to tell him I’m only up to use the bathroom - every time I get up or he would be out of bed and ready for the day at any time of night if he hears me.

Progress...

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(You all know that DC slaps on a fake mustache when he is having a bad day) - Practically woke up with a mustache on. I had to go to the office (that will do it for me) and he had to come with me.  - I don’t blame him.
I could have used a mustache too but he won’t lend me one.
#mustacheday #crabby

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'Kepp-en Beezy' (Keeping Busy) In September and October (so far):

DC, telling me the story of the walk we took today (I was there)

DC: I was doing the walking.

Mom and me.

I walked and walked and walked.

I walked up the hill and there was a fart.

#IsntThereAlways #Boys

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Out to lunch today. Normally as soon as DC is finished, he begins haunting us to use the restroom; only because he is done eating and is now bored.

If you’ve haven’t been tortured with waiting outside the door for DC to get out of the restroom because he is in there singing show tunes or revisiting the Wizard of Oz script, then you don’t have any idea of how much we hold our breath hoping he will not ask to go.

He started his routine:

“I .... I ... I .. want to .... I ... want to ... want to ... I .... want to .... (wait for it)

Go to the dollar store”

We were so shocked and relieved that of course we took him to the dollar store.

Well played, DC. Well played.

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DC’s Dad just sent him a case - not just a ream; a case of white paper, band-aids and sharpies (to make up for the 3d puzzle he sent that I couldn't even do - <not really to make up for it. I'm joking> but seriously I was ready to throw it out the door and stomp on it. Those need to be done by someone with a lot better eyesight than me ).

You probably all heard the screaming from where you are when he opened these packages!

Perfect timing - he is HAPPY! #Paper #Bandaids #Markers

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Early October:

DC’s old “All of Oz” costume came in handy. Waiting a week or two to get pumpkins so they will make it to Halloween. Can’t wait for the mums to bloom! (Yes, I stink at scarecrows - I can’t ever get the head to stay on, so he’s headless).

I kept singing "Do you want to build a scarecrow" at DC but he wasn't finding me as hilarious as I was finding myself.

OZ is second to Disney to DC... maybe even tied. #AllOzAllOfTheTime

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DC watching the Doctor and Seven of Nine singing “You Are My Sunshine”, but he couldn’t listen without getting into the Von Trapp pose. #StarTrek #Voyager

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We really don't know what Halloween will look like this year but I better think of something because DC is READY! I don't know if he can face another cancelled activity or disappointment this year.

We Will Come Up With Something! Trust Me!

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You all know that Halloween is always a post of it's own! We will talk about it then.

DC did start back at his day program as well (a few days per week) and we will talk about that very soon.

See you then,

Vickie and DC

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In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time 

Ridiculous

Salli's* mother texted this morning looking to see if Salli left her lunchbox in my car yesterday. DC and Salli went back to their program last week. Salli goes every day, DC only 3 days per week for now.

(We will talk about this later)

Before anyone gets their back up; my car was wiped down and sprayed before Salli got in and again after Salli got out. Masks were worn by all and windows were open for ventilation.

Anyway...

I checked my car. It was there. I brought it into the house and texted Tonya* that we would drop it off on their porch some time today.

I did not put the lunchbox on DC's "sitting chair".

I did not put the lunchbox on DC's "book holding chair".

I did not place the lunchbox on the left side (his side) of the kitchen table.

I put the lunchbox on the right side of the table. It was close to the middle, but more to the right.

I left the room to get ready to do our errands and drop it on Salli's porch.

Apparently the middle of the table was not a good pick in DC's eyes. The middle of the kitchen floor was much better.

After finding DC's friend's lunchbox in the middle of the kitchen floor after I put it on the table (Apparently he was preparing the space for his laptop, pile of paper, markers, band-aids and DVD's later in the day.)

ME: DC, Why is this in the middle of the floor? Don't you think that is a little bit ridiculous?

DC: I am sorry to be "dic-less"

That is all.

I'm the Mom so I am not supposed to laugh.

I did.

A lot!

He came back at me a few more times to "apollo-gize" the same way.

Fortunately he stopped apologizing by the time we left the house.

 

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In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time 

Quarantine Diaries: Part 19 - On-line Camp

 

After our free-for-all zoom experiences with DC's day program, I did not know what to expect when it came time for virtual camp.

Obviously I knew that the Camp directors would put  much more thought into camp than his program put into their zoom meetings, but still - I didn't know just how this would work.

I have to say. It was impressive!

The premise:

The schedule was made for each camping group (the same groups campers are broken up in at real life camp - with their group leaders and usually either the assistant director or director) to log in for two activities per day.

Camp was held three days per week and by the end of the week, the campers would have completed a full day of camp.

They went though all of the activities that they would have done during a day of real life camp.

Monday:

DC signed in for Arts and Crafts at 11:15.

Break for lunch.

Sign back in for Indoor Rec at 12:45.

Because we’ have talked so much about how bored DC is during this lockdown, he has now begun using it as a way to get out of anything he doesn’t want to do.

Virtual camp starts today and because his only experience with Zoom meetings so far has been with his day program, which are boring and unorganized free-for-alls - he is not looking forward to camp (I know he will change his mind once there because theirs will be structured activities) - Until he realizes that they won’t be like his day program, he will continue to try to get out of it by repeating: “Mom, I’m boring” over and over again.

Virtual Camp - Arts and Crafts (or as you all know in DC speak, “Hearts and Craps"). He looks traumatized, doesn’t he? NOT! He laughed and giggled the whole time (see earlier post) #VirtualCamp success!

Wednesday:

Music at 11:15

Break for lunch

Outdoor Rec 12:45

There's nothing better than music in DC-land

In-between all of the daily camp activities; on Tuesday and Thursday nights they had "Camp Special Days"

Disney Day:

Tonight is Disney Night at virtual camp. If you thought participating virtually would keep him from dressing up; you thought wrong. #AllDisneyAllOfTheTime 

Phew! It was shaky for a little while as I was running around rebooting modems and trying to connect with any device in the house, thinking our internet was the problem - while DC got more upset by the second. But we finally got in and had fun at Disney night at virtual camp. (He had his costume on a full hour ahead of time so I didn’t want to be the one to tell him he couldn’t attend - phew again!)

 

Things I have learned at DC’s online camp this week...

DC often mentions someone named “Par-ee-ka”. He has mentioned this person for years.

This week I discovered that “Par-ee-ka” is actually the assistant director, Rebecca.

#TheMoreWeKnow

Friday:

Pool (?) 11:15

I never did find out what the "Pool" component would be because DC had it in his head that he had Fridays off. 

Break for lunch

Group Chat at 12:45 - DC not being very conversational opted out of the group chat but of course there was also his Fridays off, so he wasn't attending anyway.

More ‘Hearts and Craps’ (DC-speak) projects over the duration of online camp.

 Or should we say "Hearts and Crabs"?

A purple dragon.

 Yes, he followed the directions and drew all of these himself. I don't think the dragon was supposed to be purple but you know... in this house, of course it would be purple.

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Monday on-line camp - Indoor Rec

Playing "would you rather".

We had determined that DC would rather be a super hero than whatever the other option he was given.

Camp Counselor: DC, what Superhero would you want to be?

DC: Anthony.

Camp Counselor (and me) Who is Anthony?

DC: Anthony Wiggles!

#TheWigglesWillNeverGoAway

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DC is getting ready for Camp Music.

He has tortured them over the last two weeks by choosing songs from Anastasia. Not only is the movie 23 years old, but not being "Disney" makes it not as popular as some of the Disney choices he could have made. The only person who seems to know these songs is 'Par-ee-ka', the assistant director.

Hoping to get a different thought in his head before camp started, I asked him that maybe he wanted to suggest "Here Comes The Sun" (Beatles, but also Disney's Parent Trap) this week. I had to try to come up with something that is 1. Well known and 2. Known to DC - that seemed to fit.

DC: NO! Paris Holds The Key To Your Heart!

He already had his pick in his head and yes... #Anastasia.

#SorryDGroup I tried!

We did not know that it was Hat Day this morning for music (for those who have been here awhile, you know it is one of his favorite days), but he’s ready with hat for outdoor rec this afternoon!

#HatDay

 Outdoor Rec:

There were games, like Simon Says but DC's favorite outdoor rec day was the dance party.

Outdoor Rec/Dance Party - I think we’ll never be free of this song. DC loves it, though.…

What an excellent job they did with camp this summer. I was really impressed.

DC loved seeing his friends and enjoyed every bit of it. 

He was very sad to have missed the entire last week of camp due to the power outage after the storm.

We have just been notified that the annual Halloween party will be a virtual party as well.

So he has something to look forward to.

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Quarantine Diaries - All 

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In case you are new here: “I tell stories, most of the time; single individual stories about this or that. Some may be written with humor and some may come across as “Oh, look at the cute thing DC did or said” (he does crack me up at times) but my object is always to make people understand how his mind works, never to "make fun of him"

It is difficult to explain “his” autism to anyone without resorting to 1000 examples and 1000 stories. So I tell 1000 stories to make clear that there are other sides to autism than the characters seen in TV or movies."

This blog is used for shorter posts, off topic posts and also for longer Face book statuses. Please visit my official blog site at: Taking it a Step at a Time