Christmas Redux

What a nice white christmas we had here! The snow has since melted away and boy it was cold but it really added to the feeling of Christmas.

The kids as always scored big!

My daughter is loving her new best friend, an American Girl Doll complete with pretty purple eyeglasses. Her christmas was complete with many many a girly gift, including Pink Emu Knee High Boots, barbies, DVDs & DS games, and of course Zhu Zhu Pets.



Alex received lots of DS and Wii games, DVDs, and books that he asked for. Big hits include the Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs DS game and Wii Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs as well as his new Perry Chattering Plush. A very happy Alex, indeed.











Both kids had been longing for the As Seen on TV Touch N Brush Hands Free Toothpaste Dispenser, which Alex received. It immediately set his little sister Belle into a fit of jealousy because even though at first she thought they could "share it", this didn't work because they use different kinds of toothpaste. So, off I went to Walgreens and came home with a second one. We are now a 2 Touch N Brush family and peace has been restored. The funny thing is that several friends also with kids who have autism also had the Touch N Brush under the tree. I have noticed that a lot of ASD kids love those As Seen on TV items. In fact, I am certain that a few of the kids (my son included) can recite the commercials.

The best gift that I received this year is my son's better understanding of Christmas and the fun in GIVING gifts as well as receiving. This year he had specific things in mind that he was very set on giving.

For his sister, he gave her a Kevin Plush from the Pixar Up movie. I had already given her a "baby Kevin" that she loved but he was insistent on getting her Mommy one. Well, these are exclusive and you can only order them from Disney Movie Rewards. So, with the help of friends (and facebook) I was able to reach out and get an unused code so my husband could create a DMR account to order it (I'd used my allotment when I ordered the baby one for Belle). She loves it, and has been sleeping with it every night. Alex also insisted on giving the cats gifts. In particular he wanted to get a green collar with a Belle for our one cat that has never worn a collar. (The other cat has a red one). For the other cat he got a bag full of green cat toys. Green being Alex's favorite color and the cats being his friends, they also must like green. Happy the cat was very unsure about the green collar at first and hid in the bedroom closet for about a day. He's since had an attitude adjustment and is wearing it... happily. Of course, I think Alex likes it better than he does. If I can get a picture of the cat I'll add one to this post - because hip hip hooray - I got a new digital camera, since mine broke shortly before Thanksgiving.

Christmas was tough this year for me being the first Christmas without my Dad, but the joy on my childen's faces and being able to share in their joy helped me through. And this picture, is for my father - who I know is smiling from Heaven. My daughter wearing a dirndl dress that he purchased from Germany. I know that Grandpa, my Pop, would have loved to see her wearing it.

Merry Christmas to All.