How about birthday parties for pre-teen boys? AAAUUUGGGHHH!!
They are impossible! Nothing is "cool" enough, then they get their feelings hurt if you just have a small family thing! HELP! <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
HEE, HEE, HEE!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Most pre-teen boys are interested in something (I mean BESIDES girls!) Music...sports...skateboarding...computers/video games...
The key to pre-teens and teens is to give them a very hip and cool place to hang out.
For Michael, how about a kayaking trip for him and a few friends, or rent kayaks for the afternoon...
If there is a good Jazz group that plays in your area, take him (or him and some friends) to a show. This would be especially great if the group has a feature sax player. Maybe you could contact them ahead of time so that he could meet the sax player...
Another teen friendly option is to just invite some friends over, order some pizzas, and listen to some tunes...
On a sidenote:
I feel as if I know your family already, as I have followed many of your posts regarding the Autism Spectrum (My nephew who's 10 is Autistic, and I teach preschool in my home in an area where there is not a great deal of educator experience with autism, so I am constantly striving to increase my knowledge to give parents the option of a school with a stronger autism background)
Best of luck!