McDonalds

Max started feeding therapy at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. We've gone for two sessions now, and each time, we found ourselves making a stop at the McDonalds which located on the first floor. Therapy starts at 2, but we're usually there early. This way, Max can use his wheelchair to get himself around and, like most 3.5 year olds, he likes to wander and take his time. He's quite social, so really enjoys wheeling himself up to complete strangers and saying "Hi" with a sweet voice and a wave. Anyway, we usually have at least a half hour before our session, so we typically make a stop at McDs so that I can get some coffee and a snack for my younger daughter, who by then is really hungry. I get the same order each time: 6 piece nuggets, fruit & walnut snack, and a drink. Well, it turns out my son really likes apples....or, I should say, he likes the idea of apples. He can't quite eat them yet, but he loves to pretend to bite down and chew the crisp pieces. (His feeding therapist suggested we put the apples in some organza and allow him to have the experience of biting and chewing, without the risk of choking on the pieces.)

Well, all this is just background for what happened today. I picked Max up from school, and as I was settling into the driver's seat, I hear him calling me from the back. The conversation went something like this:

Max: "Uhm-ma (Korean for "mommy"), McDonalds!"

Me: "McDonalds? Why do you want to go to McDonalds?"

Max: "Want to get some apples to eat."

Me: "Apples? You want apples from McDonalds?"

Max: "Go to McDonalds. Get some apples to eat."

I couldn't believe my ears! I had just had a full conversation with my son, without coaxing, without prompting, and without initiating with questions of my own. This is the first time...for both of us!

So, of course, after that, we had to stop at McDonalds. Way to go, Max!