A Legion for Liam: Labor Day Weekend in Review

Day One:

I sit here this morning watching my little fire, and the red squirrels fight over acorns. I have been up since before the sun, and have had very little sleep. Liam is a bed hog, and totally tore our tent up last nite. No surprise, he had a rough nite last nite. I don’t know what got into him, but it still weighs heavy on my mind…..

We are camping with friends (having a blast I might add.) Last nite, hubs made a little sit in movie for the kiddos in the cabin. By this point, Liam was starting to get ornery because he was limited on the “Big Boy” things he could do, as the younger ones want to do what he and his big brother do. He was NOT happy about this! “He kept saying, “I can’t do anything! I can’t have anything to myself. I want to be alone.” I took it as he was being bratty and having a moment. Not EVERYTHING is related to Autism, or so that’s what the hub’s says.

He was also complaining that the fire was too bright, it hurt his eyes. I got him a pair of sunglasses, and that seemed to help, though it should have been my clue that he was becoming overstimulated. I feel bad that it didn’t occur to me. Maybe if it did, I would have been able to take him away from camp for a bit and prevent the fit of anger about to come. We’re all human, and I am far from perfect, so I guess there is no point in beating myself up about it. No one was hurt, and that’s what matters!

So anyway, I am inside with the 3 younger kiddos watching The Ant Bully. The younger 2 are all over, talking non stop, excitement controlling them. Liam, whom normally acts this way at our house, was having NONE of it. He kept yelling at them, grumbling and basically being a turd. I had to get on him so many times I lost count. Finally, I got out his body sock, had him get in, and told him he needed to calm down. This worked! (For a bit) Until that is, the other kiddos started asking him where he was, what he was doing and so on. This enraged Liam. He popped out of his sock and actually put one of them in a chokehold! I was flabbergasted and quickly put an end to it. Before I even sat back down, he had his fist in the other’s face, threatening to hit them if they didn’t leave him alone. Then he started crying. When he started crying, so did one of the other kiddos. I quickly called in hubs to help me diffuse the situation.

Liam started crying harder and telling daddy he “just wanted to be left alone.” We were all staying in the cabin together. What to do, what to do!!!! Thank God hubs thought and brought an extra tent and a twin air mattress. We told our friends what was going on, and being the AUSOME people they are they totally understood!!! At 11 pm they helped us to pitch the other tent, and get it all set up for Liam and I. Within 5 minutes of being in it, he was fast asleep! Thank God for small miracles.

And so, as I sit here this am, totally relaxed, (despite my lack of sleep,) I pray that today will be better for him, for me, for all of us. After all, it is a new day!!!

<3<3<3<3

Bright light, bright light!!! (sorry watched ET last nite :) )

Day 2 :

Well yesterday went much better. Liam was in better spirits and only needed 2 alone times in the tent. We went swimming and to the splash pad. Liam was so good in the pool, he even went UNDER water!!! I was so proud of him! He did it on his own, without us asking. Just, “momma, look at me!!!!” We were even able to get him to do it again so we could capture it on camera. He was also jumping in, but Momma had to hold his hands. Still a big deal as he doesn’t like water in his face. In the tub he has to have either goggles on, or a wash cloth over his face. So the fact that he puts his face in the water is a huge milestone for my baby, and we couldn’t be more proud!

Liam has also been “froggin’” around camp. He has caught a bullfrog, a huge toad and a smaller toad. He didn’t want to let them go, but he finally did this am. Aunt Nikki told him they missed their momma’s and were hungry, so he let them go.

He is however upset that his new sandals have fallen apart. He broke a pair of flip flops the last time we were here, and when they went in the fire he had a meltdown. He gets so attached to his things, especially clothing items. Hubs said he was going to burn them, and Momma came to the rescue! Daddy forgot that about last time, so when reminded, he told Liam he could keep them. GREAT!!!! The things this child loves are so odd. He collects rocks, pop tabs, old keys, loves scratch off tickets, and beanie babies, or any stuffed animal. Matter of fact, when I cleaned out his toy room he had 5, 25 gallon bags FULL of stuffies. I was able to get him to part with a 13 gallon bag full, and that was it. Our house is too small for his collections, lol.

Yesterday B rented two pedal cars for him, Liam and Aunt Nikki. They had a great time riding them. Liam rides in the back, and it’s NOT easy to pedal those things with 70 pounds behind you. He wanted to try it himself again, like he did last time. So hubs pushed it up the hill for him (not a steep hill, just too hard for him to push it himself.) When he got up there, he got on, and away he went. Right into our van!!!! Hubs is yelling, “brake Liam, brake! Hit the brake!” Liam is screaming, “I can’t! Stop me daddy, stop me!!!” After we knew he was okay, and our van was too, we all laughed about it. Who wouldn’t???

So we are on day three. Going home tomorrow, kinda sad but all good things have to come to an end. Back to house work and school work Tuesday! I am off to make the most of our last full day here.

<3<3<3<3

As you can see, he doesn't like water in his face!

His moment to shine! I am so proud of you Liam!

Liam and his bullfrog :)

Liam laughing because he hit the car!

Day 3:

Yesterday was so much fun, and Liam had a GREAT day!!!! His little friend (we shall call her J for privacy) came with her momma and daddy to visit. She and Liam are precious and the best of friends. Liam has Autism, J has Aspergers, and the way they get along and relate is adorable. I am so glad we met J and her parents. So when they got here, J explored the woods surrounding the cabins. She somehow got into pine sap and stuck her hands together. It was funny, even she thought so. Her momma and dad were able to get them apart and the fun commenced. Her and Liam made some Smores (or schmaws as Liam calls them) and J taught us how to make the PERFECT smore! “Don’t let it catch on fire!” she says J Too cute.

Next stop, pool and splash pad. They kind of went right past the splash pad and into the pool. Liam gets out when he sees the big bucket getting ready to spill, so he can go get under it. Before long, so was J, and she loved it too. Of course wiping her face as soon as she was done J In the pool she was having a blast! She was jumping in, going under water, it was so great to see her do those things. Liam wouldn’t. I didn’t pester him, just showed him what she was doing, hoping he may want to as well, like he did yesterday. No such luck, but that’s ok. We got some great pics of them, I can’t wait to look at them all. Choosing which to print will be a big decision!

When we got back to camp, they went to the playground for a few minutes, then it was time for them to go. Liam seemed a little sad, so I took him to the game room. He got some really cute tactile fidgets from the machines, and then we played pool. He was mostly knocking them in with his hands, but he was able to sink one the right way! His face lit up like a Christmas tree, he was so proud! (I love how the little things mean so much. When you’re a special needs parent, it’s sometimes the little things that matter most.)

Liam was pretty good the rest of the nite, and when we went to bed, he was out in 5 minutes. I think the fresh air got to him.

Today is our last day here, checkout is at noon. I am sad to leave, but kind of happy to get home and see my fur babies. Liam is already asking about school. Not sure if that’s because he does, or doesn’t want to do his work.

I hope you all had a wonderful, meltdown free Labor Day weekend. I also hope you took the time to appreciate the little things.

<3<3<3<3