Hallie, our niece, met us there, along with her brother-in-law and our great-niece, Emily.
Isaac was so much more independent than in prior years. He brought his speech device along.
When we got home, he had what I call the “airing of grievances” and he was unhappy about being gone and missing work. He always wants to go back in time and experience what he missed.
That said, we had a fun time and a lot of laughs.
I took some notes and wanted to share some of them.
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While packing:
Henry: Should I bring my trombone? I'd like to play it in the park.
Noah: Mom, can I tell you about a dream I had last night?
Me: No, you may not. I am in the middle of packing. We’ll have plenty of time in the van.
Noah: Mom, remember to pack your winter coat so you don’t freeze in the hotel!
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Me: Can I take a picture of the two of us?
Chris: I can't take a picture. We need to get packed up and loaded by 2:00!
Me: Isn't that an arbitrary deadline?
After everything was loaded in the van at approximately 2:05 and we got on the road:
Me: Where are we going?
Chris: I need to stop by Cup of Joe to get coffee.
Me: (silence)
Noah: Why is anyone surprised by this?
Henry: I don’t think anyone is surprised.
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Chris: Isaac, I’m glad to see you brought your nose hair trimmers!
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Isaac: Dad, take black car tonight yes! Dad, take silver car tonight yes!
Chris: What about the blue car?
Isaac: (laughing)
Isaac: Dad, open trunk tonight yes! Black yes! Dad, go out tonight. Noah golf Noah tonight yes!
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As we were deciding where to go out for dinner:
Henry: I'm totally cool with whatever is in the realm of the foods I eat.
At the pizza place that evening where we had a long wait:
Henry: Mom, don’t you want a stiff drink?
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During our day at Adventureland, our niece’s husband, Gage, bought a house and sold a house. I wonder how many other people did that at the park?
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We went to Best Buy to buy something for Isaac. It was the fastest transaction ever because they were closing in a few minutes. The employee who helped us, Kyle, seemed to know what he was doing.
Me: Well, that was painless! You're a good guy, Kyle.
Kyle: (silence)
Henry: Way to make it weird!
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We pulled into the parking lot by Barnes & Noble and saw our niece’s boyfriend coming out of the store. What are the chances? Chris waved at him, and he came over to talk to us.
Kobe: How are you doing, Isaac?
Isaac: (gets out nose hair clippers and starts using them without interacting with Kobe or responding)
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Henry: Mom, is my butt sweaty?
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At lunch, sitting outside:
Chris: You have sweat rolling off your face!
Me: Yep, it’s because I’m hot.
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Gage (just sitting down): I finally got my taco lunch!
Emily (4 years old): I need to go potty.
Gage: Okay! I’ll be back.
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As we were seated on The Monster but hadn’t yet taken off:
Me: Noah & Henry, it’s been my greatest joy to be your mother.
Henry: Mom, I'm sorry I won't be able to put you in the Western Home. And Noah, I never told you this, but… (ride takes off)
After the ride was over and we were looking at photos of our ride on the roller coaster:
Noah: I look constipated in this photo!
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Employee on the bumper cars, talking to Noah and Henry:
You guys sure you are tall enough to ride?
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Chris and I sitting in the shade, watching Isaac get on a ride alone and thinking about Isaac being able to communicate some of his thoughts:
Chris: It's so nice to see his independence.
Me (feeling a little teary): I know...