Max had a breakthrough this weekend. It involved playing, newfound friends and a butt.
It's not every day that I get to say something like that.
We were at a christening luncheon in a banquet room, for our friends' yummy twin boys. It wasn't that crowded, but Max didn't want to come in. So Dave and I took turns hanging with him outside and feeding him in our car and then a friend's car, since Max decided he liked their SUV better than ours.
Max kept venturing back inside and peering through the doorway at what was going on. Finally, a magician did a show and Max stayed in for longer stretches of time.
He got even more intrigued when Sabrina participated
And then: balloons! Including purple ones! Max was all over that. The magician made Max a glorious purple sword. And suddenly, Max was running around with some of the other kids and whacking each other. At one point, they made a sneak attack on a dad's butt (see action photo above) and Max thought that was a laugh riot.
It is one of the first times I've ever seen Max hanging out with other kids like that, with them playing right back, and I was psyched. He giggled nonstop and I stood there and laughed and laughed, too. It felt good to seeing him enjoying a new kind of happiness, the impromptu kind you find being silly with a group of kids...and hitting a dad's butt.
What an uplifting thing to read first thing on a Monday morning!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Amy, I agree!
ReplyDeletesounds like fun was had by all!
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful when inclusion doesn't have to be contrived...just a group of kids unique in their own ways. Thinking butts are funny. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know that joyous feeling! Malayna used to be terrified of her own cousins, making for dreadful family gatherings. But she now finally enjoys playing with them and them with her and we just sit back and enjoy it! Congrats on such a wonderful breakthrough!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience with Billy, my grown son who has Down syndrome. Last night we had dinner with a group of friends and suddenly Billy was actually taking part in the conversation, laughing and fitting right in.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about being comfortable with others.
How wonderful--he seems to be adapting quicker to new environments. Hooray for that (believe me, I know). Fun is always a great motivator.
ReplyDeleteGlad you all had a wonderful day.
The butt attack made me smile :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful feeling that is! My 6yo suffers from anxiety, so we've done a lot of "hanging out" outside with him as well. Maybe not as much as we should, because we just tend to avoid situations like that. I think we got tired of playing the "maybe this time..." game, only to be disappointed. But we've had a few breakthroughs, and they just make my heart sing when they happen. So glad you had yours.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE when the usual boundaries and differences disappear and kids are kids! So happy your day went so well!
ReplyDeleteI love these "small for other but HUGE for us" moments! Yeah Max!!
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