Farmworks & Downtown Celebration - July 4th 09

We have had a great 4th of July weekend, starting with a party at our friends farm on Friday evening. They have a gathering every year this time at the farm with swimming, lots of fun, cooking out and a cap off of fireworks in the pasture. It's a great time and we love going. Greyson did great this year and had alot of fun. Towards the end it was getting obvious that some sensory overload was taking it's toll on him though. We almost had to go before the fireworks went off. He had been there since 3pm, we ate around 7:30ish and he had been swimming and playing all that time, swimming again after eating. Once he is overloaded the biggest thing we notice is his inability to deal with any little thing that may be challenging. Normally now he has developed the skills to cope better with things, like minor disagreements or things not going quite his way, but once he has had too much he can no longer cope and starts to have tantrums or meltdowns. He gets tired, too much going on for too long and then it's on like a pot of neck bones. Poor guy. He had several towards the end while swimming so we decided to go. We got all of our stuff in the Jeep and he was balling. He wanted to see the fireworks so bad. I was balling because in those moments I feel so helpless to help him and it hurts to see him so bewildered. Michele and I decided if he could get it together we would go back up and see the fireworks. He said he would sit still with us on the blanket so we went back up. he sat still and loved the show. I had ear plugs but it wasn't too loud and he did fine. Afterwards we left right away as to divert any further issues. He was sooooo tired and ready for some peace and solitude. we headed home and went straight to bed after a quick shower. What a guy. He has come so far but to see him struggle at all still breaks my heart. I do not forget how far he has come though and I am thankful each and everyday for it.

Yesterday...July 4th, we stayed at home and hung out. we needed some us time because we have had company for quite some time here lately. it was nice to have time to ourselves finally. Michel went to the grocery store and we cooked out. We had some chicken, corn, pasta salad, broccoli slaw, and squash, zucchini, and onions grilled. It was so delicious. Afterward we met some friends at Independence Park for a night of Charlotte fireworks. They were really nice and Greyson did fantastic. No ear plugs needed again. I brought glow bracelets and necklaces for all the kids and we just hung out. When they were over we headed home...slowly in the uptown crazy traffic. It has been a great time and we topped it off today with going to see Ice Age-Dawn of the Dinosaurs in 3D. It was a cute movie and now it's time for lunch and just chillin' out. time to take naps, wind down from the hectic holiday weekend and relax. It"s been great with momom here at home and not working. We loved our time with her and hope we can do it more often. Thanks for sharing our world. We feel privileged to have such an awesome extended family and happy to have seen some of them this weekend. Happy 4th of July to all! Hugs...until next time.