Oh Happy Day

Tonight, we had Christmas at my mom's house. This can be a time of stress for everyone, but especially for Boy Wonder. Due to the joy that is Asperger's syndrome, noise, bustle, deviation from the normal routine and Too Much Fun in General can throw him into meltdowns of epic proportions. Last year was memorable in the fact that he told me I pretty much sucked. Only the fact that I know it's not him or me saved his arse. But I digress.

This year was different. So, so very different. The boy was nothing but delightful, and was thrilled with each and every gift he received. He used appropriate manners, thanking the giver each time he opened a present. When he felt like things were getting to be too much for him, he left the living room to chill out in the TV room with the cats away from all the activity. I don't think they liked the commotion either. ;)

The behavior specialists who have worked with him told me that he was high-functioning enough that eventually he would start policing his behavior and recognizing when things were too much for him before the meltdowns happened. I had faith he'd do just that, I just didn't think that the holidays were the time when he'd start doing it.

I got some awesome gifts this year. There's a bottle of wine chilling in the freezer because the fridge is just too slow for my tastes, and a new set of wine glasses that need to be thoroughly tested for drinkability. But the best present of all is putting on some cool new Wii pajamas and calling me "mom".

The blessings have been double-counted this holiday season. Sing me out, Bing.