McRiot Round 2? Let's Put It To A Vote!

If you've been reading my blog...and I know at least 12 of you have - you're well aware of the mayhem and madness that I experienced last year at a McDonald's birthday party.

Long story short (and hey...you can always go back and read it) - my son was one of 6 or 7 other autistic kids who rocked the McDonald's on Dixie. For the most part - it was a good time. Ok....time heals most wounds. But it was a terrible time. And I'm not sure all that much fun was had.

 Not more than an hour ago - my wife happened to mention that we got another invite, to another party....at the same McDonald's location. This concerns me. I'm not sure that I want to take my son (who I'm sure if we asked would be delighted to attend) again. It didn't work out all that well last time. My wife is totally on the fence about this. It's not as if my child was particularly bad or anything - actually....he was quite good (until some other nameless child...ok...I know his name....but I won't mention it here...threw the air hockey puck at my son's head)...but not all the other kids where.

I guess my main concern (other than my son's overall well being and safety) is that there will be acts of violence...and there will be other parents there - who again....will do nothing to intervene when their own little hell spawn decides to act in an inappropriate manner. Yes - of course, my son was really well behaved (honestly!)....but the other kids? Not so much. I can't really fault the kids for getting all riled up. Most of them have sensory issues - and when you jam a bunch of easily stimulated kids into an enclosed area....well...the volume gets up there - and voila! Another McDonald's location makes it to the 6 o'clock news when a bunch of hoodlum 11 year old tear the place apart. So....as you can see - I'm on the fence. And as far as I know....I have no vested interest in whether a McDonald's is spared the destruction (I didn't buy that stock when it was a good deal....wish I had though...)

Do we go - and experience the joy and wonder of over stimulated kids? Or do we take a pass and enjoy a quiet and peaceful Sunday?

 Let's put it to a vote...use the comment section below to share your thoughts on this pressing matter.

Here Daddy!! Drink This!

I was just handed a rather foul looking 'cocktail'.

It looked rather nasty....and brown.

"Ummmm.....thanks dude!  What's in this?"

"LSW!!"

"And that would be what exactly?"

"Lemon juice!  Soya Sauce!  And water!  Drink up!  It's awesome!"

"Um....I think I'll pass....I'm not thirsty right now."

"Oh...okay.  I'll go make you something else..."

And right now....I can hear him up in the kitchen mixing 'stuff'.  I just heard "and what should I add next?"

If you never read another post - it's because my son has poisoned me.  I'm going to hide the bottles of booze now....

Oh....just been handed something even worse.  Corn chips mixed with apple juice.....WTH?  Sure wish Mommy was home right now....

Someone is Richer Than They Think! Or Are They?

Greetings!  Howdy!  Salutations!  And all that happy stuff.

Yes...yes...I know I post far too infrequently for you people.  It's not for a lack of material mind you....it's really a lack of time.  It takes a lot of time to apply for dozens of jobs that you know you're not likely going to hear back about....but I try anyways.  I'm sure there's a job out there that was meant for me....just haven't found it yet.  If by some chance you've seen it - please let me know?  :)

Ok...were where we?  Oh.  Right.  We aren't anywhere...but the title of today's post should give you an idea as to where today's post is headed.

That's right.  Money!  Banking!  Finances!  Or....how Daddy apparently is made of money - and how someone has no concept of what it really means?

Let me rewind a bit - and put things into context for you.  My son like eBay...and Amazon.  You see there's a new fad toy out there that he's totally into.  They are called Moshi Monsters....and he thinks they rock.  He likes to browse the web looking for Moshi creatures to add to his collection.  He has quite a few already....but honestly?  I'm getting kind of tired of being pumped for coin to buy the latest fad.

So....what's a parent to do?  Why work 'em - that's what!!  There are chores that need to be done....and trust me - nothing gets a kid moving faster than the promise of a loonie or twoonie to do some inane chore.  I think my son is overpaid by the way....but what can ya do?  Nicholas is pretty good with doing the stuff we ask him to do....he'll even do it without the promise of money - but he moves faster when there is.

So at least my son is learning that you have to work in life to get the money to get the things you want.  That's all well and good.  Problem is - he doesn't understand the savings part of it.  And that's what I'm working on right now.  I happened to mention that he should save some of his money for a rainy day (or at least the next time Daddy's car needs another round of expensive repairs)....but this kid is super literal.  "You  mean when it rains - I can spend my money?"

"Um....no.  Not exactly."

The other day (he was home from school)....he announced that he was bored and that he wanted to go out somewhere.

"Well....where do you want to go?"

"I don't care....just out!  This house is boring!"

I tend to agree....hence the increased effort in finding employment outside of the home

"Ok.  Let's go to the bank and open an account for you."

"Yeah.  Sure.  We can do that.  Anything is better than hanging out here all day!"

You're welcome to move out just as soon as you're 18.  I don't voice these thoughts....like I said - the kid is literal.


After much debate about which shoes to wear (me...not him for a change)....we pile into the car and head down to the local TD Bank branch.

Upon arrival - my 10 year old little dude marches up to the front desk (money jar in hand) and announces to the three ladies who were standing there that "I'd like to open a bank account please!  Can someone here help me?".

A nice lady - who's name I don't recall (she was Persian I think) says that "Yes indeed!  I can help you with that.  Would you like to come into my office so we can get you started?".

"Sure thing!  Let's do it up.  I have lots of money!  See!!  (coins jangling in jar noise here).  I'm rich!  But Daddy says I need to save some of my money".

For the record....he had $8.50 in his jar.....I guess rich is a relative thing.  I didn't have that much on me....so I guess the kid is loaded?

"Well alright then.  Let's do it up indeed!  And get you started!".

So we go into her office - take out seats and begin to fill out forms.  Actually....all we had to do was sign a few things, show some ID.....and voila!  Instant No-Fee bank account....with a GreenCard to boot!  My son seemed to enjoy "writing" his name on the forms....and on his bank card (which only really says Nicholas L. - he seems to prefer just going my the initial L.....none of this full surname stuff for him).

On our way out of the banker lady's office....my son grabs one of her business cards.....and then announces that she is now his personal banker....and that he only wants to deal with her from now on....and would appreciate not having to wait in line with other people.

Well....he certainly acts likes he's rich anyways.....

We leave the bank - head over to McD's for ice cream sundaes and are happily digging into our so called ice cream when I am informed of the the following:

"Daddy!  I know you're going to post this on your blog.  You always do.  I think I should be getting paid for this stuff you know.  If that Justin Bieber guy (he pronounces it Justin Bye-Ber) can make money singing....I should be making money for allowing you to write about me.  I'm totally worth it you know."

"Ok Nicholas....let me mull that one over - and see if there is anyway I can monetize your blog.  You want me to solicit donations or something?  Perhaps add a Donate Now button that links to my PayPal account so that people can kick coin into your bank account?"

"Yes.  That sounds like a great idea.  Make it happen please!"

Here Nicholas....I made it happen.  Let's see what happens now....

(Oh...and don't mind the banner image for my eBay store....seems that PayPal has integrated that into their interface).  If you got here via Facebook - close the little 'X' that appears in the top right hand corner within the gray bar....it'll work.  Trust me.  I tested it.  :)

The Tree Has Got To Go!

Interesting Christmas this year....very interesting indeed!


Yes - we were up at 4:30AM opening presents....same as usual.


Yes - we devoured massive amounts of chocolate (ok....I devoured massive amounts of chocolate).


Yes - I made a kick ass, stuff your face, lick the plate breakfast.


And YES!  The tree has got to go.


Several hours after the opening of gifts - and the subsequent stuffing of the recycle bin....it was decided by a certain little boy that Christmas was over - and that meant that the tree needed to come down.


There he is - plucking ornaments from the tree and depositing them in a non-ornament box....when I so foolishly inquired as to what was going down.


"That's it Daddy!  I opened all my loot....so that means Christmas is over!"


"Really?  It's not even noon yet man....we have lots of Christmas day left."


"Doesn't matter!  It's time to clean up this place....the tree is taking over the room."


-YESSSSS!!!!  He is my son!!! I totally agree....the tree has got to go!-


"Well....Mommy likes the tree...maybe we can leave it up for her for a few more days?"


"Hmmmmm.......why?"


"Ummm....because Mommy likes the Christmassy stuff to be up until at least mid April?"


'Uh uh....no way.  That is NOT happening.  The Easter Bunny will get mad and not stop by....that just won't do!  Santa was here - he ate the cookies, drank the milk....and left me a pile of stuff.....but that's over now!"


"Over now?  You haven't even played with half the stuff yet!  Man....you're kinda Grinchy aren't ya?"


"Don't say that!  My name is Nicholas L!"


"Well how about this....we leave the tree up for a few more days....and then we'll take it down together.  OK?"


"How many is a few days?"


-I like this...precision!  Set and defined time lines and goals.  Such a Capricorn!  Just like Daddy!-


"A few days is more than 2 - but less than 4."


"3?"


"Yeah - 3 days"


"Why didn't you just say 3 days?"


"Easy there man....I don't work for you....you don't write my evaluations."


"No!  Mommy does!!!"....and then some rather maniacal sounding laughter.


And so on...and so forth....the conversation went on for another 15 minutes.  Not sure there was any clear winner...but there was no freaking out - so it's all cool.


It's been over 3 days now....the tree is still up.  My kid is a slacker!  Gonna have to remind him about this....I want that plastic piece of crap boxed up and stashed away....it really is taking over the room.  ;)

Where Are All The Autistic Kids?

I have a question.  


Kind of important...and I'm hoping for some feedback.


Where are all the autistic kids?


If the statistics are correct, with there being an incidence of 1 out every 150 kids developing autism - you'd think there would lots of autistic kids out and about.


But there aren't.  I should know - I get out and about....and I'm a pretty good observer of my environment.  I'm also pretty good at being able to identify autistic people.  I've had some experience in the matter.  I live with a little boy who has autism...as by now I'm sure you've all figured out.  So - I'm a bit of an authority on the subject.


So.  Just where are all the autistic kids?


And I think I have an answer.  And it's not one I like.


The kids are at home.  Living an isolated life because it's often just easier on the parents to leave them at home.  And no - I'm not blaming anyone for doing something like that.  I totally get it.  I've found myself on occasion wanting to do the same thing. 


But I don't.  He's my son.  And sure - he's a little off the wall sometimes....but he's a really cool dude.  So...I take him out with me.  We go to Wal-mart.  We go to the lake.  We go to Little Caesars. We go to the zoo.  We've even been to Disney World in Florida.  We go lots of places.  


No - it isn't always easy.  Sometimes it can be really difficult in fact.  But I have to take him places.  Our house is nice and all....but it isn't exciting - and it isn't all that the world has to offer.  There are times when I'm out with my son that I'll get the 'look' from other parents.  The 'look' usually implies "can't you control your child"...and "you must be a rotten parent".


To answer the questioning looks.  No - I can't always control my son.  And quite frankly - he doesn't need controlling...he's actually a really good kid - he needs understanding.  No - I most certainly am not a rotten parent.  I'm a kick ass parent.  I've got a son who tells me that all the time.  A rotten parent would have bailed a long time ago (sadly - that does in fact happen a great deal).


So...what's the point of this none too frequent blog posting?  It's this:  if you have an autistic kid.  Get him or her out there!  Experience the world with him or her.  And expose the rest of the world to the fact that not everyone is 'normal' and that these kids are part of society as well....and deserve everything that the world has to offer them.


And please, please, please...enough with the stupid looks when I'm in line at Wal-mart.  It's bad enough that I'm in the store as it is (I really don't like Wal-mart...and don't know anyone who admits to actually liking the place - and yet it's full all the time?)....I don't need people giving me weird looks.  Besides - we're going to around for quite awhile...going to lots of different places.  


So suck it up and get used it.  We're going everywhere.  You can watch...but please don't look.