I didn't get the memo!

[minismom]

Background info.: Mini has a just-turned 8yr old brother who has Asperger's Syndrome (a form of Autism)  Last Christmas, he'd just turned 7.

The entire Christmas season last year we could not get our just turned 7yr old son to tell us what he wanted for christmas.  He would tell us that we didn't need to know because he'd already told Santa.  When we asked how he told Santa, since we don't go sit on his lap, he replied that he wrote him a letter in "code" and mailed it to him.  We could argue with that because not only did he write a letter, but Santa had written him back thanking him for the letter and ensuring our son that he would get what was on his list.  Gee, thanks!  The only problem with that is: WE DIDNT' KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE LIST!

All was not lost, though.  As an Aspie, our son has unusual fixations on objects, namely, Spiderman.  Some form of Spiderman must be with him at all times for him to function (not an exageration).  So, we'll get him Spiderman stuff.  Surely that's what he ask Santa for, right?  I mean, in his world, little else existed.  Not only did we buy him Spiderman stuff, but I found Spiderman Christmas paper to wrap it in.  Life was gonna be OK.

EXCEPT....

We woke up on Christmas morning and marched our anxiously awaiting kids down to the playroom to see the booty left for them.  Everyone was having a good time.  Our Aspie was opening stuff up..and setting it aside without a second glance.  We weren't too bothered because, as an Aspie, he shows very little emotion, especially joy and happiness.  Once everything was opened, our son left his toys and sat on the couch and began to cry, and cry, and cry.  He sobbed, "i didn't get what I wanted!  Santa lied to me!  You don't love me!"  From that point on, his voice pitched to a tone that only the farm hounds could hear.  I lost it!  I know, bad mommy moment.  I began with the whole "ungreatful" speech and threatened to pack up all his new Spidermen and find a little boy who could love them since he couldn't. 

Dh had disappeared to get our "secret weapon" gift - a Game Cube. I know they've been out for years, but hey, cut me some slack.  So, in marches Dh carrying his pride and joy nicely wrapped into the middle of absolute chaos and mayhem.  He sits it down and announces that the final gift is for all the kids.  Our oldest son declared his right-to-open and ripped in.  He started jumping and yelling and thanking us,and hugging us and life was good again.  Our Aspie son comes off the couch, looks at the box, and screams at the top of his lungs, "HE DID GIVE ME WHAT I WANTED! HE DID, HE DID, HE DID!"  He was spinning in circles and clapping.  DH and I were high-fiving and feeling good! 

Our sweet Aspie son grabs the box that the Game Cube was in, takes it back to his spot on the couch, pulls out the poppers (bubble wrap) and pops every one of them.  Santa, dude, we didn't get your memo!

Mum

[poz1970]

Gotta admire someone that knows what they want :-))

Kids are cute, 'nuff said :-)


J