Parker loves singing 'Happy Birthday.' I hear him singing in the car, at home, in the tubby...you name it, he's beltin' it out anywhere he can. He loves singing SO many songs. He sings more than he talks to be honest and 'Happy Birthday' is on his top 10 list. Thing is, I want him to understand what birthdays are and that they are very special days. He doesnt enjoy a lot of people around him or to be the center of attention. He likes the very opposite pretty much. This year for his birthday, I wanted to scheme a way to let him know that his birthday (July 12th) is a very special day and that it's a day all for him. I know it is hard for Parker to identify special occasions like other kids would. Birthdays, Christmas, Easter baskets, etc. I didnt want him to feel uncomfortable or anxiety but still recognized and celebrated. Let the scheming begin....
So the night before his birthday, I ran to the dollar store and picked up packages of balloons and some window markers. I wanted to have visuals for him that something was "different" about that day. I blew up balloons with Louise (AKA "Weezie) after the kids were asleep. Almost 2 bags of balloons and a few explosions later, I filled his bedroom with balloons. Right from the get-go I wanted him to see something fun and giggle. I mean, what's a birthday without an abnoxious amount of balloons?! Then I wrote on the bathroom mirror upstairs "Happy Birthday Parker!!" so that he would also see something different in the house. Something bright, colorful, and just for his birthday. Parker really doesn't play with toys so Tim and I got him mountable lightsabers to go next to his bed. They're remote controlled and make noises too. Pretty badass if you ask me. HAHAH!
When he woke up (at the insane hour of 1:30am), he just walked right through the balloons to our bed. No real reaction at all. Honestly, I was kind of glad because the LAST thing I wanted was for him to be playing at 1:30 in the morning. So when it was time for everyone to wake up, I grabbed as many balloons as I could and dumped them all on him. There!! He started throwing them! Excellent. We then went upstairs where I made him some birthday waffles. Washing his hands in the bathroom afterwards, I showed him the writing on the mirror. He looked and smiled.
We then went to Cottage Grove's community water park...which by the way is AWESOME for smaller kids. It's just sprinklers, sprayers and waterfalls for them to run in. Plus there's a playground, basketball courts, etc there too. All free! My kinda waterpark. Parker ran around the sprinklers and waterpads. He was so excited to be around water. He wouldnt run in or through them but he would stick his hand by them for some sprinkles. He would yell for joy, "DINOSAUR!!! DINOSAUR! DINOSAUR!!!" We went with Tim's parents, Ron and Mary, and we had to switch off who would keep tabs on him because he runs away so fast. At one point, he randomly darted off out of the waterpark and towards the playgound. In a flash he was gone running away from us. We corralled him up and played at the park til lunchtime.
When we got home, Tim went to work and I had a plan. I made a "superbed" in the living room. Sheets, pillows, stuffed animals...everything. I then made up a fort over the "superbed" and couch. "Man, this is going to be GREAT! He's going to LOVE watching a movie under here!" I heard him humming the Star Wars theme song so the choice of movie was pretty obvious. No sooner did I turn my back to pop in ' The Empire Strikes Back,' Parker was examining the fort and ripping it all down. I told him it was ok to have the sheets up like that and we will watch the movie from under it. Well, it was a sad excuse for a fort after that but it worked. :)
Tubbies consisted of glow sticks and star wars soundtracks. He loved it. He was not easy getting to bed when it did come to bedtime but luckily it was his birthday so I went easy on him....a tad.
His party was low-key and was just immediate family. Even with a small amount of people there, he still would be in the opposite place most people were. We set up pools, slip-n-slides, water tables, etc, at Tim's parents house. Since he doesnt play with toys, Tim and I asked for the money people would have spent on toys to be put into a pot to buy him a MN Zoo year pass, therapy swing or some iPad apps. Then he also wouldnt have to open presents (which he wont and gets really uncomfortable doing anyways).
After the birthday events being done, I cannot believe that our Pman is four. Four! Knowing of Parker's autism for two years now seems like forever ago but being pregnant and feeling kicks was just like it was last week. Every day he has been on this earth, he has enlightened, taught, created smiles, challenged, and brightened our lives.
Here's to you my beautiful boy. Happy birthday my Pman, my little stinks, my love. Mama loves you to the moon and back.
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