Pete's coping music/phone conversation

[Guest guest]

Thanksgiving went well for us this year, too. Pete ( Ben)

stayed longer at the table than ever before because my sister put " La

Boheme " , the opera, on the stereo. Pete was in *heaven*. Pavarotti

was singing in this particular version, and he was practically in a

trance. It didn't hurt that the rest of us enjoy hearing this music-

it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.

We also had a phone call from Uncle Dan, one of my brothers, who

lives in Las Vegas. He and Pete had an actual conversation! It went

like this:

" I say a BOOM da da boom " (Some camp chant/silly song that goes on

and on in this vein.)

(Uncle Dan repeats it, kinda singing it "

Pete Paper scissors ROCK!

Dan Paper...

Pete scissors...

Dan ROCK!

Pete One two three paper!

etc. etc.

Repeating the first line....

That was about the gist of it- for about five minutes last night and

15 minutes tonight, this time with more singing of patriotic songs in

between. In the meantime, Pete is gazing at a photo of Uncle Dan as

he is talking to him.

This has me floored because we haven't been sure that Pete has

understood about listening to the person on the other end- he mostly

just sings them a song and hands the phone to me. But Uncle Dan, who

has only maybe seen Pete a half dozen times in his entire life, " gets

it! " (Yes, it does sound like Communicating Partners, Jim

Mac's work). It was clear that Pete was listening and

responding and Dan knew what to say to keep it going.

In the meantime, I had the most relaxed Thanksgiving of my life.

Nobody expected me to do the lion's share of the cooking because we

are still without a kitchen due to the remodel/addition. As much as

I enjoy cooking, this year I was so happy to be going to my sister's

(after we brought Nonni over for a turkey lunch.)

Anyway, hope that those who've struggled through this holiday take

solace in that it is over for 2004. Over the years people have

posted different tips about how they manage or decide not to manage

during the stress of the holidays. This list has been a blessing to

me many times over for such helpfulness and support and knowing that

we trod the same path- and can do it together.

God Bless us, Every One!

Love,

Beth Mum to Pete (aka Ben) age 14 central Ohio

[Guest guest]

I think Pete need a cellphone for Christmas :-D

Sherry

[Guest guest]

heehe thatmis so cute, nathan will occsionally answer the phone with a hello

and then goes on to order his pizza usually,lol shawna

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/27/2004 9:45:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,

ppaul1@... writes:

Pete Paper scissors ROCK!

Dan Paper...

Pete scissors...

Dan ROCK!

Pete One two three paper!

etc. etc.

Am obviously JUST catching up on mail...LOL

I am ROTFLOL over Pete's convo with his uncle!!!! How sweet!!!! And MB,

I think it's tremendous that he knew the photo of Uncle Dan was the person

on the other end of the phone. Awesome!!!!!

<<In the meantime, I had the most relaxed Thanksgiving of my life.

Nobody expected me to do the lion's share of the cooking because we

are still without a kitchen due to the remodel/addition. As much as

I enjoy cooking, this year I was so happy to be going to my sister's

(after we brought Nonni over for a turkey lunch.)>>

See, there ARE some benefits to having your life in disarray.....;-)

Hey, how IS Nonni these days?

Donna