Our friends invited us to their home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. They are very generous to our family and set out a entire meal for all of us. Our two families together have 7 children so this can be a big undertaking.
Things can get busy while we are there with children running and having a great time. The absolute best part of our friendhsip is that they understand what it's like to have a special needs child. When our 7 year old announced his name is "Luigi" without missing a beat, our friend introduced him as Luigi. It's a sense of belonging and ease when I am with them. There is no weirdness when my children are acting like children or when autism rears its ugly head.
We aren't invited to many homes and playdates outside of a play group are rare. I don't know if this is the friends we have or because of our situation, or what but it means a lot to me to be included in a holiday celebration with another family. What an incredible extension of friendship.
The 10 year old discussed cool whip eating with me a month ago. I told him he would never be able to beat me in a cool whip eating contest. Fast forward to a month later, and I am sitting at a table participating in a cool whip eating contest with a 10 and 12 year old, both boys.
I wasn't sure if I could beat them but I had a 100 lb advantage! I shoveled it in like a champ and WON! It felt good to win but my stomach had a large ball of sugar in it afterward and I didn't feel very well. The bittersweet side of victory!
