The Day

We had such fun yesterday at the Play School concert.

Play School has been around for generations and the same songs are still as fresh with the newest generation as they were for the 30 and 40 year olds back in the day.

So of course, a Play School concert is an exciting outing for the whole family, because it brings back wonderful memories for the parents and creates a whole new set of memories for their kids and absolutely everyone in the room feels a connection that is bonded by smiles and happiness.

Being 'Aspie', Chicklet needed lots of mental preparation for this outing, so for days leading up to it, Vegan Chickie described everything that was going to happen and lots of things that 'might' happen and explained to Chicklet the coping mechanisms she could use whenever she felt overwhelmed or insecure.

It was a big day for Chicklet.  She was so excited all morning, asking many times if it was 'time' yet and then finally we were in the car for the hour long drive to our concert destination.  Within 20 minutes, Chicklet was asleep as the excitement had caught up with her.

This turned out to be a good thing, because the concert was on during her normal nap time!

We got there about an hour early, making allowances for getting lost and finding a good parking spot, and we were hoping to find a coffee shop or a kiosk, but alas there were only vending machines, so everybody got a drink and we sat in the sunshine waiting to join the queue.

Chicklet was coping very well until a child walked up to say hello.  It was a brief chaotic moment that didn't cause any damage.

Then we joined the queue.  Kids running around everywhere - the kids outnumbered the adults by about three to one - except us.  Some kids screaming.  Some kids climbing anything that was climbable. Some kids being lectured by their parents.  Some trying to undress themselves.  Some wanting to eat the 'emergency' food that was in their parents' bags.  Lots of noise and chaos.

Chicklet stood quietly behind Vegan Chickie's knees when it became a bit overwhelming - that was one of her coping strategies.

We got inside and luckily were quite close to the front of the stage .. it was 'on the floor' seating, except for a few chairs around the outer edge of the floor, so the family sat on the floor, near the chairs and I sat on a chair where I had a decent view of Chicklet and I could get the happy snaps (which I posted yesterday).

When the show started, she was SO excited.  For the most part, she joined in and clapped and danced and sang and did the actions.  Every so often she zoned out and did her own quirky thing, but was quite easily brought back to the moment.

Vegan Chickie and the Bare-chested Chef seemed to enjoy the show just as much, if not more, than Chicklet!!  They clapped and sang along with the Play School show, but obviously got overwhelming enjoyment out of Chicklet's happiness.

I felt overwhelming enjoyment watching the three of them together.  There are no words to describe the emotional fulfilment that you get from watching your family feeling and expressing so much love together.  I felt so lucky to be sitting there and sharing a moment that would be a happy memory for us all in the years to come.

The show only lasted for 40 minutes, which is just the perfect amount of time for so many kids in that age bracket.  Everybody left the show still feeling happy and excited and no kid complained about it being over, because they played the same closing song as the TV show, so the kids didn't even question that it was time to leave.

Quite a few dollars later, after leaving the merchandise stall, with our arms full of a confusing group of Play School family ... 1 x big Little Ted, 1 x small Big Ted, 1 x small Humpty and 1 x Jemima ballerina ... we then headed off to find some lunch.

The Chicklet family took me to a Gluten Free restaurant at Mooloolaba, where we had a very pleasant lunch and Chicklet got to play in the kid's area.

We all arrived home safe n sound, no meltdowns, no dramas .. just all very grateful for our happy and wonderful day together and a great collection of photos to remind us in the years to come.

Today, Chicklet and I went shopping for a toy.

We spent 30 minutes in The Reject Shop.  Every toy that I pointed to, she said, rather vaguely "Um.  Nooo."

We spent 30 minutes in The Warehouse.  Same story "Um.  Nooo."

We spent 30 minutes in Toy World and again, "Um.  Nooo."

No to ALL the dinosaurs, including 'Dinosaur Train'.  No to all Octonauts.  No to all the stuffed toys.  No to all the teasets.  No to all the dolls.  No to all the cars, boats and trains.  No to talking penguins. No to dress up clothes.  No to balls.  No to farm animals.  No to aliens.  No to 'My Little Pony'.  No to Barbie (surprise surprise).  No to Smurfs.  No to giant spiders.  No to reptiles.  No to shopping trolleys full of groceries.  No to plastic kitchens.  No to Monsters Inc.  No to giant teddy bears.

Eventually, I said "We will have to go home without a toy."

"Noooooooo!" she squarked.

Finally, she decided on a plush toy octopus with huge shiny eyes, named 'Legs' (and I don't even have a photo!).

So THAT is how I have spent my day .. playing with Chicklet and Legs at the foot of the stairs!

Now, I'm going to watch some Greys Anatomy and get some sleep, ready for another big Chicklet filled day tomorrow.

... and absolutely loving it!

Nite all.