Smith family fun day

Every once in awhile, the planets aligns perfectly and we have Smith family fun day.  It is rare when all three of us are fully present in the moment and able to play with no meltdowns, inappropriate behavior or anything else getting in the way.  I realize that this can be hard for all families, but when autism is in the mix, these moments are beyond precious.  Bob used to call these moments, Mom's getting all warm and fuzzy, but the name has transformed to Smith family fun.  The fun can vary from minutes or to a whole day like last summer when we went to Lake Erie. 

Yesterday, early evening, Bobby and I went out and got into the pool.   The most important factor in this event was that Bobby had a huge BM an hour earlier (TMI, I know, but huge in his behavioral issues).  Bobby had also eaten, the water temp. was perfect and it has in the upper 80s outside.  Daddy came outside and joined the little pool party and the fun began.  I did have to leave the moment and run inside to get my camera so that I could take pictures and videos since Bobby loves, loves, loves to watch videos of himself and I want him to watch videos of himself having good behaviors (a teaching technique called video modeling).

Daddy, for some crazy reason, put on Bobby's spiderman goggles and began swimming underwater towards Bobby and that was the funniest thing that Bobby had ever witnessed.  He was laughing out loud like we rarely get to hear him do.  So, of course, Bob had to swim underwater over and over so that we could hear our little boy laugh out loud again and again.

Bobby's favorite pool activity is to be sprayed by the pool noodle "nuuudle".  He brings it to you to hold onto the water intake to make a water fountain.

We played in the water for about an hour, then Bobby got out and said "all done".  Bob and I were bummed that it was over but extremely happy that it happened at all.   

The perfect ending to family fun day, especially since he had been up since 4:30 am.  Maybe, just maybe, we can have Smith family fun day again today...this is what keeps me going!!!