This morning as I was dropping the kids off in the lunchroom at school I saw a kid who was completely overwhelmed.  They were having a  Halloween parade and this boy was from the Autism support classroom.  His TSS was trying to calm him and turn him around to go back to his classroom.  As he screamed I thought I know, I know, I am so on your page kid.

I should be enjoying these holidays with the kids because the kids get big and won’t be into Halloween anymore blah blah blah blah.  Ugh.  I hate the fall/winter holidays and I will hate them if I want to!!

There are a million reasons these holidays are hard. These holidays are mostly food based. Since Aaron won the food allergy lottery I have to cook a ton from late October till January.  I used to love cooking but these days it is becoming my least favorite chore. I cook constantly to keep the allergic one safe. Today I made cupcakes for the classroom party so that Aaron could participate and even more cupcakes to donate to the school bake sale so that Aaron can buy cupcakes I made tomorrow.  After trick or treating we pour the candy on the table with three bowls.  There is a safe for Aaron bowl, safe to have in the house but allergic bowl, and get this out of my freaking house because it has nuts bowl.   I guess I should be used to this by now since I started this blog six years ago this week with a post about Aaron having his one and only accidental bite of a peanut butter sandwich. Even though is has been six years I am not used to this, and I am not sure I ever will be.

Then there are the sensory overload issues of gatherings, parties, and stuff like that. Those always overwhelm Ryan as does getting off schedule. Ryan never does a crowd well so the weekend holiday events are usually off our calendar.  Actually my favorite part of our holiday traditions involves a hookey day from school when we visit Santa. No school means less phone calls and fun running around the city for a day. Another favorite holiday tradition is an early trip to the indoor pool to play and swim on Christmas eve.  Usually I leave my husband home to wrap and stuff and I get to play with the boys in a place where Ryan is  usually successful.  We have our traditions but it is hard to watch the typical ones pass you and your family by.

The middle finger salute goes out to Halloween today. Only 10 hours and you will be all but a memory.  (I’d have cute pics of the boys but we were late for school after four days off and I was busy helping Aaron with his costume)