I really need to keep up better with this. So helpful as we go on with our life just to look back at how far he's come! We did our 2020 trip that we couldn't take then. Ended up with a large flight credit that could only be used within the country of Australia, long story with Virgin Australia. So as it was not a great choice financially this year for us, we went as to not loose the credit. Also, I've always wanted to go to Australia since I was a surfer girl dreaming about meeting Cheyne Horan ;)
So we went. A very different kind of trip because Lila didn't join us. Another long story but she went to a summer program in NY at The NY Times on the biz of music. And it was just the three of us. I was stressing quite a bit because of all the usual things; super long flight, jet lag, how was he going to handle it all and not being with sister (although the stress of their frustrating each other driving everyone nuts so that was a relief ;) How would he keep up with everything without any kind of chair.
We agreed he'd "outgrown" his Convaid as we couldn't imagine using it unless we were at somewhere like Disneyland, and even then Mike never thinks he needs it, although I know better ;) But there you can just borrow one.
And, as he often does, he far exceeded any expectations. The boy kept up like a rock star. Sure he got tired off and on, but so did I. The day I was most surprised was an all day outing, starting with walking to "art" and then off to a Footy bonanza! By the time we plopped down in our seats at the game, I was ready to fall over and quite irritated with everything, although absolutely enjoying the day. Ended up at a friends' kids Footy field where, very similar to our soccer fields on a Saturday, there was about 6-9 games going on at one time across the chunks of the field. I was nervous about this but he LOVED it! He ran around the field like it was his. Of course the whole time Mike and I trying to intercept him from "joining" many a practice game ;) Of course the older girls group was his fav, as often is.
When the Uber driver dropped us off, what felt like a mile from our seats in Marvel Stadium, and we were booking it trying to get there before opening bounce, he just held onto my arm and hoofed it with the rest of us. This boy is just remarkable!
And of course, having to make something we were nervous about a positive association, as soon as we sat in our seats he got a device. The place was bright, loud and it was going to be a long evening that we wanted to make the most of. When I couldn't get his headphones working I was about to loose it but luckily Mike worked it out. And I noticed our friends' mom, the amazing woman she is, had a set of corded ones coming out of her bag when he finally did ;) Love this woman!
We created a "Footy lover" as from then on, he was taking for "sports game" ;) Mike LOVED that!
I could see him petering out before the last quarter so I thought I'd be proactive and leave before a melt down. As we were heading out, we went with the "fair-weather fans" as the score was too high for their team to come back. Just kind of followed the block of people onto the train. But ended up doing probably not much less walking than we would have had I requested an Uber. Also my phone was low battery with no backup and my sense of direction off, but we made it back to the flat. Another day of such progress!
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