The Sunday Slide

A spectacular day today: sunny, warm, breezy, so not your usual San Francisco April day. Isaac had been edgy all weekend, and since we didn't want to get kicked out of any more hotels, we thought we'd rely on our three most powerful tools in the global war on meltdown: protein, humor and exercise.

We took a walk, during which Isaac chattered happily about anything and everything that caught his attention: buses (of course), people, dogs, porta-potties (all, thankfully, padlocked). As the map on Dora the Explorer would say, "Say it with me: Spontaneous. Meaningful. Language."

We crossed into the Presidio and took the footpath, making our way over rocks, branches, and beds of pungent eucalyptus. As we rounded the last curve, the Palace of Fine Arts came into view. Suddenly, Isaac announced he wanted to go to the Exploratorium--a place with mixed memories for us.

First, imagine an environment that is completely devoted to engaging the senses. Then mentally fill it with tourists. Then go back to the sensory part. Would it surprise you if I told you we had to carry Isaac out bodily the first time we went because he just could not stop stimming on a series of spinning disks? Would it further surprise you that we have a family membership? Yes, we are masochists. But over time, as Isaac has matured, he's become able to sample more of what the museum has to offer, and to stay regulated (mostly) and have a good time.

That's not to say it's a perfect experience. The transition from exhibit to exhibit can be tough. He's not the suavest turn-taker. The elevator is a highlight, for no other reason than that it's...an elevator. After a time, we managed a quick lunch and a successful trip to the bathroom, where we met another one of our people. She totally twigged when she saw him with his hands over his ears.

I love those complicitous smiles: we're everywhere, aren't we?

The highlight? the big bubble exhibit. Check out that expression as he huffs and puffs and blows the house down.

Comments

[Christa]

Wow - we were at the Exploratorium today too! We must have just missed you. We were with a school pal of Ben's.

It was Ben's first visit and it went quite well - he didn't spend a ton of time at any one exhibit, but rather he ran around "sampling" everything first, which is exactly what he does with a book: scan: then focus.

I totally agree with your description of the place. After my first visit 20 years ago I renamed it "The Headache Museum." But when we arrived today at 10 a.m. the only people in the place were a handful of locals with toddlers. The tourists were still sleeping or waiting in line for overpriced brunch. Perfect.

[Jordan]

You were brave, Susan, and I'm glad it went pretty well. This post brought back memories...a couple years ago I brought a client of mine to the Exploratorium - he had autism and it will be your turn to nod sagely when I say that for a long period he was lying on the floor with his hands over his ears in horror as other children stepped over him. And he was too big for me to lift. But when you get to something that really resonates (like those awesome bubbles!), it's a wonderful place to be. I love Isaac's face in that shot!

[Niksmom]

Looove that expression! Sigh, it's places like that which make me miss living in a city.

Glad you opted to stay away from those hotels! ;-)

[drama mama]

I know the hotel. We will never ride our elevators there AGAIN.

As for the Exploratorium, kenohorrah - go raise children - I can't go into that place. Nope. Too much. But I admire Isaac's fortitude!
Let's do a playdate soon -

[Emily]

The Exploratorium had exactly the same effect on TH. We watched him come completely, crazily unglued within minutes of our first visit there. He was nuts. And we were always tense watching him with other kids around because he'd do such unpredicatble things that would freak the other kids out. Sigh.

I read the hotel story. I think J did exactly the right thing, which was whatever seemed like the right thing at the time. If I had been in his situation, dealing with a melting four-year-old in a hotel lobby while some worthless fool stood there asking me questions, I probably would have shot out one foot and kicked him down the stairs. Good thing I wasn't in his situation, eh? ;) He dun good, as we like to say here in TX.

[andrea frazer]

Awesome shots. My kids would love that place. How awesome for you that Issac is adapting so much better now.

[CC]

I love this..."As the map on Dora the Explorer would say, "Say it with me: Spontaneous. Meaningful. Language."

Witty. Poignant. Elegant. Memorable.