Yep. It was. I didn't really have a choice, okay? 

It's hecka gorgeous outside. There was NO way I was going to keep my kid inside for respite today. But here's the deal:

I can't take him to a park because he's a runner. Like a miniature autistic Usain Bolt.

I can't take him to the store because he hates the cart, hates holding hands, and looooves to put things in his mouth.

I can't take him to a play place at McDonalds, etc. because he's non-verbal and I wouldn't be able to get him out of there.

It makes finding activities for him is a smidge difficult. Today we tried going to the greenhouse. It started off great! He held hands nicely, ran his fingers through the fountain, touched the leaves with "gentle hands", put the hose down when I asked him to...

And then he saw the sprayer.

There was an employee watering the plants, and Homeboy wanted in on that action. I caught him just as he reached the guy's pants and scooped him up. The kid screamed and cried and flailed and did that thing where they freeze and arch their backs hoping you'll let go.

Nice try, Cowboy. This ain't my first rodeo.

Back to the car we went. After a second meltdown over some pool noodles at the grocery store, I knew he was done. So we drove around the city. Fifteen minutes later he was out cold. 

I still had an hour of respite left, and there was NO WAY I was waking up Crankypants McGee. So I turned on the radio and kept driving. Through the suburbs, into the country, down through the coulees. It was so relaxing.

He didn't wake up until 2:57. Just as we pulled up to his house. Score.