Brady’s wild trip to Kings Island
Clark Griswold would’ve been proud. He shoulda been a Smalley.
Picture this scenario. Sarah, her mom and dad and brother, me and Brady and Ty jammed into a Toyota Sienna for the 90 minute drive to Kings Island.
Linda (sarah’s mom) marks her territory in the cramped 3rd row of seats. The family squirms, occasionally bickers, laughs, etc. Linda starts singing along with her Ipod-forgetting that she’s practically yelling. Sarah’s dad gives her driving advice such as “it’s a parking lot not a freeway!” David (bro in law) is hanging on by a thread. There have been several violations of Sarah’s strict no-profanity around the kids law.
Lord, take me now!
Brady and Ty are the best behaved people in the car. Ty’s asleep (somehow) and Brady’s rocking out to a Laurie Berkner band DVD.
“Sarah! That lane ends!” Mom and bro yell out. “I know i know...” Sarah shyly replies, just moments before the Mason exit off I-71.
A long set up for this… Tuesday we took a day trip to Kings Island because Brady loves the Nickelodeon kids area. He lights up around the characters and smiles and giggles on the little tyke rides.
A beautiful day...we pay 15 bucks to park the Smalleymobile. We get everyone in and head straight for Nickelodeon land.
This is when the whole clan comes together. It’s like the Wonder Pets say, teammwork. Everyone takes turns taking Brady on a ride, making sure he’ll actually sit in the car and stay buckled in. The little man did a great job, even riding his first roller coaster.
It takes a village to do a trip to Kings Island. Let’s call it Brady’s autism posse! We pushed a double stroller and dragged a wagon along with all of Brady’s supplies. Kid had food, toys, clothes-anything he needed within reach. He was never bored and smiled till his cheeks hurt. By 3:30, Brades and Ty were good and tired, so we piled back in our trusty Sienna and headed home.
The whole point of this bizarre account is to remind all of us that we need to take days away from B12 shots and ABA and just treat kids like kids. Go to the park and play, listen to music, get out in the sunshine and laugh a little. Every now and then, leave autism behind for a day.
All of us battling autism need this kind of release, to just relax and feel like your average family. That includes the embarassing car ride and the hassles of a trip. Brady will thank us later. Unless we threaten to do it again! Haha
-Jerod
