This was a big weekend for Tony (and everyone else really) because it was the Freeze Yer Toe Edisto camp-out. I accompanied Marlaina and Anton with Tony for a weekend of VW bus fun. Tony did really well on the way up in the truck on Friday, he actually slept most of the way. After we got to the beach, Tony was very stimulated by the new change in environment. He was running, jumping and laughing all around the camp site. He was very social, running up to new people and saying “Hi!” Since everyone was trying to set up, I took Tony over to the playground to slide. I had to walk him up to get on the slide (up the stairs and over a chained wooden bridge) and then I would slide down with him saying “slide” everytime we went down. After only 2 times Tony was manding very clearly for “slide.”

Aside from playing around the camp site (splashing in puddles, throwing pebbles, and occasionally distributing hugs) Tony and I played in the camper with crayons, singing songs and watching Blue’s Clues. I did a lot of songs with Tony that we put in maintenance like “Wheels on the Bus,” “Head, shoulders, knees, toes”, and “If you’re happy and you know it.” Tony also learned the word “rain” when we were on a walk with Dad. While Anton was carrying him, it started raining and Anton said “that’s rain, Tony” and Tony echoed “rain” and later was raising his hands up feeling the drops saying “rain.”

As far a sleeping was concerned Tony was so wound up the first day he didn’t want to go to bed. When he finally did around 9:30, he only slept in 3-hour increments which left it a very sleepless night for Marlaina and myself. On Saturday Tony was much more calm (probably just exhausted from the day before). After another exciting day of walking, sliding, running and watching Blue’s Clues, Tony finally slept soundly through the night on Saturday and slept most of the way home.

This weekend went really well. Although Tony was noticeably over stimulated by the new environment, he seemed very happy throughout the trip.