Something is going on. Things are changing. And I think I know why.
As you may or may not know, Nicholas doesn't have a lot of variety in his diet. Pizza, fries, bacon, chips, pretzels, macaroni and the occasional piece of fruit are all he's been interested in the past 5 years or so (we do hide veggies in his pizza and his macaroni though). Chicken nuggets are a recent addition to his food repertoire....quite the breakthrough indeed!
Over the past few weeks - he's decided that he needs to eat 'heath food'. That's his phrase - not mine.
All of a sudden he's actually asking for blueberries and yogurt, and things like that. This morning he wanted raspberries on his cereal (not that he ate more than two bites....but hey! It's a step in the right direction).
So I asked him, "what's with the sudden interest in health food dude?"
"I need to be healthy so I grow big and strong like you!"
"Hmmmm.....really now? You sure you don't have a girlfriend or something?"
"Well of course I have a girlfriend. Her name is Jayden. And even though she goes to a new school - I still love her. One day - I'm going to go to her new school so that we can play like we used to".
My son loves everyone it would seem...but Jayden is a really nice girl - and has always treated my son the way she treats everyone. Nicely and with a very highly developed sense of respect - and she only in grade 2. I was kind of sad when I learned she had to move to a new school. She's an awesome kid!
"Well....that's just great Nicholas! I'm really happy for you!"
At this point - I'm breaking out the cereal that he selected (Corn Flakes), and washing the berries....while he's doing stretches.
"What's with the stretching Nickels?"
"Well you know dad.....not only do I need to eat healthy...but I need to exercise as well. I can't be all out of shape and nasty looking you know. That just won't do!"
I'm thinking to myself that I am in for a world of hurt at some point. He already likes to grab a shirt and tie from my closest and strut around like he's the cat's meow. He obviously pays more attention to what I say and do than I ever thought possible. I need to be careful. I appear to be a role model now. Which is cool with me...as long as he stays away from my beloved concert tshirts (I bought him a Rush one....he only wore it a few times before he outgrew it).
"Well....ok Nickels. I'm down with that. Just make sure you don't over do it".
"Yeah yeah Dad. Thanks for the cereal! Can I watch tv now?"
"Sure - go ahead". Now I know he didn't get that one from me.... I don't really like tv all that much - and if I had my way - we wouldn't have one".
So - I know what's going on. My son is trying to impress a girl. I guess that's fine and all...what male hasn't done that? Now I just need to make sure that he understands that he needs to impress himself first....and that if a girl likes it - cool....but not to live his life thinking that he needs to seek female approval all the time. There's way more to life than that.
I wonder what he's gonna want for lunch?
My son never ceases to amaze me. We just put him to bed a few minutes ago....and voila! Here he is (right over there actually....see...I'm pointing that way) to let us know that he has concerns about his night light. He is worried over the possibility that it will burn out tonight - and that he would like the bulb replaced right now if you please! My wife is taking care of that as I type this. Now - where was I? This posting wasn't to be about night lights and suspicions of monsters that are waiting to get him....that was just an interesting aside. Live action blogging!!
So last night....we put the little man to bed (we tend to do that every night....go figure)....when he decides that after a mere 30 seconds that he can't sleep and that I need to deal with it. What am I? Mr. Sandman or something? He climbs on top of me as I'm sitting on the couch, gets himself all nice and cozy....and proclaims that sleep will be impossible this evening. Here follows the conversation:
Dad? I can't sleep.
Really? You've only been in bed for a minute....you haven't even tried.
I know what I know. And I know that sleep will not happen tonight.
Really?
Yes. Really. Aren't you listening?
What?
Don't say that!
Ok...well...how can I help?
You can't.
Really now?
Yes. Really now.
Well.....have you tried counting sheep?
Sheep? What sheep? There are no sheep! I don't understand.
Well....sometimes when people have trouble sleeping...they try and count sheep.
Where are the sheep?
They imagine them in their head.
No they don't. You're making that up.
No dude....I'm serious.
Well....that just won't work for me. I don't like that idea one bit. Who ever heard of imaginary sheep?
Well....how about we go downstairs and get some of your plastic sheep?
Oh. Yes. That might work.
So.....we go downstairs, and by some miracle are actually able to find the complete set of plastic Playmobil sheep. No small miracle there considering the state of the basement.
Nicholas herds all the sheep together....and we bring them to his room. The sheep are tossed on the bed where he proceeds to literally count the sheep. 1....2....3....4....and so on.
All the sheep have been counted and placed in a row on his shelf above his bed. Nicholas proceeds to lay down, and I tuck him in. All the doggies have been accounted for. The blankets are in the correct order. Everything is good.
I ask him if he will be able to sleep now....he mumbles something - I'm not really sure what it was....as he was actually falling asleep before my very eyes.
See Nicholas? Counting sheep does work! :) Turns out I am the Sandman! Eat your heart out Lars Ulrich!
If you've enjoyed this blog posting and look forward to being able to read more, then perhaps I can persuade you to sponsor me in the upcoming Walk Now for Autism event which is taking place on June 20 in Toronto. My goal is to raise $500....and I'm already about half way to my goal. Please contribute any amount that you are able to by clicking here.
