Gary loves going to VBS each summer! Well, I should say he loves it once he gets there and gets settled in! He has gone to VBS at 4 different churches over the past 4 years. This year, he is getting to attend for a second week.
Last week he went to VBS at the church we are currently attending. It was awesome because they have a special needs classroom that he attends on Sundays. His teacher on Sundays was his shadow at VBS. She met him each evening and took him in hand and made sure he had a great experience. Each time I picked him up he was bubbling with enthusiasm. I asked him if he wanted to go to a different VBS this week. He was all excited but then wavered. He has a really hard time with anything new or different.
Last night I took him for the first night of VBS. It was at a church that we attended a few years ago. We still go there every year around Halloween because they have a fun trunk or treat night. Anyway, he was NOT wanting to go when it came down to it. I was not sure if I should drag him there or not, since he already had one week of VBS. However, with Gary, sometimes we just HAVE to drag him to places despite his protests. 99% of the time he ends up having fun, so it's just getting through the initial process of him saying NO!
Well, we arrived and were directed to his "crew" table, where the leader was getting dinner plates ready for the kids. Gary was soooo grumpy. He was trying to tear up his nametag and pushed away his cup of lemonade and plate of spaghetti. I finally moved it away so he wouldn't end up spilling it on one of the other kids. I felt bad for him because I knew he was just uncertain, but at the same time knew he would have fun once he was settled down.
I made sure the leader knew that he had autism and would likely settle down. I just didn't want him thinking that Gary was being a bratty kid, because that's definitely the impression he probably makes on people when he's in a mood!! Gary started crying and holding on to me. "Don't lose me!!!" Poor baby! I assured him that I would not lose him, that I would come back for him. Then I made a quick exit, hoping he wouldn't throw a tantrum!
Well, I didn't receive any phone call that he needed to be picked up, so I figured he must have settled in okay. I went to pick him up at 9:00, and he was all smiles and happy! I knew it! He was telling me all about the games, crafts, and songs. He just LOVES VBS! Let's hope that he has an easier time going there today!
UPDATE...He went to VBS happily tonight! Let's hope it keeps up all week!
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