Searching for the red lion puppet

More of Madison on Sunday. Julia and I went to an amazing festival held in the local convention center. It was called Celebrate Youth and there were two floors and multiple stages of presentations, exhibits, and hands-on experiences for kids (and daring adults). We were there from noon to after 5 and Julia enjoyed all of it. She did make use of my hands over her ears when music, especially drums, got too loud, but she watched Chinese dancers, Tibetan dancers, Spanish dancers, Indiana dancers, and Ho Chuck dancers. She indulged in face painting for the first time, made a fairy crown, ran through a plastic jungle (many times), and tried the tight rope, a trapeze, and a giant wheel. The day ended with a really lovely kid performed circus – jugglers, clowns, trapeze artists, and unicyclists. The show was well done and well lit. Lots and lots of stimulation, and Julia did great.

The first Chinese dance starred a two person red lion puppet. Julia was a bit scared by the red lion but wanted to see it once the dance was over. We waited for the dances to be finished and then went in search of the empty puppet. It must have been put away after the initial dance but we looked through different rooms and behind stages and curtains. Julia remember to look or the lion the entire time we were there but did not act terribly disappointed when we could not find it. I told her that we would probably seen a lion like that at the Chinese New Year's Party in a few weeks.

Julia is stuttering again. She begins to stutter each time she make some leap whether it is new words, some new skill, or new behavior. I usually don't recognize what the leap is until after it happens.

This afternoon, Julia opened a big box of toys that were sent form Robin and dear, dear Alison. Alison, very grown up 8, is utterly finished with princess playthings and so was ready to ship them off to Julia. Julia is in no way finished with princesses and was in hog's heaven with the dressup clothes, high heeled shoes, and a three princess castle with lots of little plastic figures. Dinosaurs did visit the princesses' castle but only for a tea party.

I went to dinner tonight with a new support group for families with kids with Asperger's Disorder. It is called a high-functioning form of autism, and kids with it generally keep up in school and some are even very bright. We met one of Julia's classmates, one who is a favorite of hers and the two of them were delighted to see each other out of school. I got to talk to a few parents and learn a few more terms and watch a few kids. It was good for both of us.