Thanksgiving Roadtrip!

It took me a while to assemble all the pictures, but here is a recap of our Thanksgiving Roadtrip!

My sister lives outside Toronto, which is a good 500km from Montreal. The halfway point for that trip is roughly Kingston. Before having a kid and when he was small, we would do the drive in 6-7 hours. We found that as he gets older, we need to stop more and for longer and I don't think it's fair to keep a 5 year old in a car for that long. So instead we booked a hotel in Kingston and spent the night each way.

I left work a bit early on Thursday and, as planned, were on the road to Kingston by 8pm. We were checked into our room and in bed by 11:30 that night, which makes me feel like Wonder Woman for accomplishing that. We gave the Little Man a bath before we left and dressed him in his pajamas before sticking him in the car with a pillow and a blanket. Of course, he didn't fall asleep in the car until close to our arrival, but he was ready to sleep once he got into the hotel bed, which is pretty impressive.

Angry Birds help him sleep

The next morning, we had breakfast and the guys took advantage of the hotel salt water pool. I couldn't go in because of my new ink.

My New Ink!

Guys in the pool

Then we got on the road to his Auntie's place, but of course, we had to make a stop at The Big Apple. The Big Apple is really just that: a giant red apple with a smiling face, just off the highway in Colborne, Ontario. Not only do they make amazing giant apple pies, which you can watch them make, but they have free activities for kids.

First we checked out the petting zoo and fed a chicken and a goat. A llama also looked at us intently, but that was it.

Auntie left a key for us (she was still at work Friday afternoon) and we let ourselves in.

When Auntie came in from work, all the excitement led to a minor meltdown for the Little Man. He had contained all that energy and was so good with all these new experiences on the way over that is just had to burst out.

The next night we had our Thanksgiving Dinner and the Little Man was restless, so he slept half on top of me on the futon, while Dada got stuck on the air mattress.

We left Sunday afternoon and of course had to stop at The Big Apple again on the way back. This time we rode the train and then the guys climbed all the way to the top of the apple. (I had to use the toilet, so I missed out on that.)

Family selfie on the train

Then we checked back in at First Canada Inns and settled in for the night. 

And drove the rest of the way home on Monday! 

The End!

Thank Goodness For Advocacy

The great thing I noticed from reading Autistic self-advocates is how open minded they are and how they (we) consider issues of equality in all ways. In other words, these people are not just fighting for their own rights, but also for everyone's. You'll see essays against racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, and pretty much any other -ism out there.

That's pretty much how I live my life, and in the same vein, how I run this blog. It's always been the way I've thought - justice for all - and I wonder if it's just a facet of how a very logical Autistic brain works or maybe the open mindedness is one of our traits.

I've always played Devil's advocate and try to understand both sides of a story. I've always made friends with the underdogs and people no one else wanted to be friends with. Maybe because I related to them or because they just accepted me for who I am. 

 It doesn't really matter, I'm just impressed and grateful.

So I'd like to say thanks to all of those who fight daily against injustice. Your passion, energy and devotion are commendable. Because of you dedicated people, we all benefit. Thank you for standing up and speaking for those of us who cannot, for whatever reason.

Thank you to everyone who reads and learns more about all issues. We don't always have to agree, but a simple, "I hear you and you matter" make all the difference.

Thank you to all those who have opened their eyes to a new way of thinking and changed any harmful or negative beliefs or actions. Whether it's something like not using the r-word or not engaging in abusive behaviour, what matters is that you are moving forward in a new light and trying to be a better person. Don't be too hard on yourself for past mistakes.

Lastly, I'm so grateful this community exists. I've gotten to know so many amazing people and learned so much. Thank you!

Babies Save You Money

Pete was actually right: you do save money with a baby because it's so hard to go out and do anything, you can't really spend any money.


The laundry on the other hand....

We packed up our delirious selves and walked over to my mom's yesterday for Thanksgiving dinner. It went ok, though my mom was trying to snatch Baby out of my seestor's arms half the time. This poor kid. So glad I'm breast feeding because right now it's my big excuse not to leave him with my crazy mom. Not sure what to do when he gets older.