So close, and yet ... not

We survived the winter concert. Some success, and some not success. During the first first-grade song, DB tried his best to shout down all the camera flashes, and got yanked from the stage. I think twice, it's a bit of a blur.

But all the people who helped him prepare all week who I felt like wasted their time felt like he made headway, because he pulled himself together and managed to stay quietly on stage and even sing for the other 2 songs. Well, not sing Auld Lange Syne, which he told us he hates. (It may be the key it's in ... really could hurt his ears.) But he stood for it.

No duck was won by him today. But he also didn't get an emotional beatdown by anyone -- and I was the one most upset so the most likely candidate to do so -- because, thankfully, the social worker checked in with me and gave me a suggestion of what to say and how.

So. I'm just glad it's over. I wish I'd gotten to see him succeed. Maybe next time I can go to dress rehearsal.

It's going to take some convincing to get me to do that again. There's got to be some alternative. Maybe I just won't go. Like maybe he'll just be sick next time. Or have a really important family emergency that day. Omigosh, he's going to have to miss the concert. Gee...

Mixing with the Typicals

Sometimes I wonder who needs the social skills lessons, DuckyBoy or me. Yesterday I talked with the social worker for a long time about my anxieties about setting up playdates!

I feel awkward asking for playdates when we live so far from school and most of DB's peers are walking distance; I don't feel like it's a valid option to suggest "Come to our place," yet also don't want them to feel they have to invite us over. But I'm working on that.

Meanwhile DB had a GREAT time after school today with 2 girls from his grade -- one who sits next to him (may be new girlfriend, though he's playing this one close to the vest so they may just be friends. After all, they still are only 6) and another we know less well.

For more than an hour they played on the swings, and his friend taught him a new way to climb partway in and out. (Yes, a new way to clonk his head, great!! but I'm glad to see him trying anything new; anyway I was standing right there.)

He cried when we finally all had to leave, and while I was trying to explain that crying and sounding angry isn't a good way to leave off if you want to play again, she was saying to her mom, "He's crying because he loves me." Boy, would he be lucky to have her as a friend!!

Getting with the Program

DuckyBoy has been getting into playing school from time to time.

This is a big deal. Not only because he writes out a schedule but also because it means he's processing it as part of his life.

I remember the parent-teacher conference last fall when one of the kindergarten teachers was encouraging us to set up playdates for him with a classmate who loved to play school. As in, nonstop. I guess they thought it would help DB get with the program, I'm not sure. (The other boy's dad later told us that when he got home from work, he had to play school. All evening.)

My reaction was twofold:

"Why I'm gonna make DB do MORE of something he already doesn't like?"
and ...
"That's the typical kid?"

An Unsolicited (and Much-Appreciated) Compliment

I was very excited yesterday. On a whim, I packed something unusual for DB's snack -- a package of fruit gummies AND a few cashews. The packages of this brand of gummies are hard to open so I cut one open, then put it in a ziploc bag, where it just fit to hold it closed, so I tossed a few cashews in the same bag, knowing the 2 food items would not mix. I always like to remind him that it's important to eat the nuts, since otherwise he may ignore them, so I slapped on a label that said, "Brain Food/Fun Food" with arrows pointing to the 2 sides of the bag.

And, much to my surprise, when he was at home yesterday afternoon, he remembered it and said with a smile, "I liked your brain food, fun food." WOW! He thought of it on his own, and commented about something he liked, with no prompt!

Update on holiday concert practice: Vacuum-cleaner-tested paraffin-style earplugs are awaiting their official tryout at the next practice this week. The OT is also developing, or has already made, a fidget to attach to DB's belt.

He's being given the option to stand on the end of the first riser or on the floor in the front row, and will be (or has been--I always get the info on a delay, like I'm in another part of the world or something) given the chance to choose a reward to work for.