Nine Letter Word for Nuts

Riley had her first all day play date on Friday. My friend's daughter stayed with us while her mom had a lengthy appointment.

I let the girls go off on their own, but hovered within earshot.

Soon I heard Riley bark at her new friend, "L. Look at me when I'm talking to you!" (How many times has Riley heard that one)?

I intervened, explaining to Riley that L. was paying attention, (she'd been looking over the toys in Riley's room) and that she was listening.

Perplexed, Riley said to me sweetly, "But I thought that was rude, Mommy?"

No room for give. No room for grey.

At another point, Riley got frustrated because L. didn't want to stand there and watch her do a game on the computer. I noted L. looking at her cross ways.

"Riley, why don't we read L. your cat book?" I suggested.

We did.

L. was great. She really seemed to get it.

On the page that talked about how some kids with Asperger's have advanced vocabularies, L. said, "I learned a new word from Riley today."

"You did?" I asked. "What one?"

L. tried to think of the word, and said tentatively, "Tentacles?"

"Like on an octopus?" I asked.

"No. Like on the back of the cat."

"Testicles?" I asked.

"Yeah!" L. nodded.

That oughta make her mom happy.

They wrapped it up by watching Hairspray and eating popcorn. Everyone danced to You Can't Stop the Beat.

Riley learns so much with each new social experience. Overall it was a great success. (Little L. got a lot out of it too).