Christmas Recap

Hi friends.

I feel like I've let this blog get a little bit cold during this Christmas season, but I couldn't let the end of the year pass without sharing with you all a few of the pictures from my phone {which fell flat in my eyes; I always have big plans for emotional and nostalgic shots of the kids, but the business gets the best of me}.

The kids were so excited to get a tree this year. Caleb is finally remembering and understanding seasons and holidays, so it made this December exciting. Christy and Steven were recruited to help us get a tree, and it took all of five minutes to find one. We cruised around Home Depot with candy canes while the tree was being tied up, and I found an old school nativity to bring home.

My dad comes down to visit just about once a week, sometimes twice. One of Caleb's all time favorite things to do it play in cars. We let him escape into ours when he's having a sensory overload while playing outside, and he loooves Grandpa's Honda Car. He found a phone charger that had him pretending to be an eye doctor for about fifteen minutes.

We did lots of impromptu "baking" with store bought sugar cookie dough and Christmas cookie cutters. And by baking I mean Lilly would just eat the dough. She won't eat a cookie or cake unless there's frosting on it, and even then she'll just lick the frosting off the top...but she'll devour the dough.

One of the last days before Caleb's break, Christy and I took Lilly to South Coast. She was so happy to ride the reindeer, but not too excited to smile for the camera.

I discovered Caleb's ONE pair of shoes were worn down to a hole. He had one pair because it's all he ever wore. Ever. Kids with autism have a tendency to love routine and sameness, especially when it has to do with their senses. In this case, he has had these shoes for about a year, and before that had another pair of slip on Vans with a Yo Gabba character. I tried to get him to wear sandals in the summer and it was a bust. 

I knew it was time for new shoes, and I knew I had to get creative with how I presented them to him.

I told him the new shoes were from his Uncle Matthew in Virginia {who he adores}. And guess what, folks?! It worked!! He was SO happy to put them on and run around outside. 

The first day of break, Caleb came down with a little cold and finally gave in to resting.

This picture is not from him resting with a cold, dispite his red nose. This day he had thrown the iPad into the wall of his bedroom when he didn't complete one of the levels of Mickey's Castle of Illusion. So I deleted the game. And he cried and tantrumed for two hours before crashing with exhaustion. This is the second time I've had to delete a game {the first time was Sonic}, but he's made good choices ever since.

Christmas Eve at my mom and dad's was fun. I didn't take any pictures of Caleb and his cute Christmas sweater, or even Lilly in her Christmas jams, but I took plenty of her in this cute little dress from Target that I embellished with a sequined bow to match her sparkly shoes. Oh and maaaaybe I curled her hair...

Tj said he had a good Christmas service, and everyone was so happy to be able to chat with him {on Christmas Eve and at Christmas dinner}.

Caleb left treats for Santa...milk & cokes...

I finished up a Christmas gift, had a few texting convos from across the country with dear mom-friends, and my best friend, my TBoner came over and kept me company until two am. We laughed and gabbed like we always do.

Christmas morning we FaceTimed with TJ while opening every present. I missed him so much. 

Caleb was so excited to engage him in every present he opened.

It was 80° on Christmas Day. Not my favorite, but it made for some nice tea weather.

Caleb was given a music maker melody harp, and it's his favorite. He didn't even play with the iPad before bed. Just this. Oh and he had a blister on his finger the first night.

The next day we...I mean I...set up his new k'nects. He loves roller coasters right now.

This girl.

Puffy cheeks are my favorite.

Well now that Christmas is over, I can kindof sortof start the countdown until TJ comes home. We don't have an exact date yet {oh military}, and if I did I wouldn't be able to post it, so don't ask, haha! We're looking at some time before Valentine's day...but I'm crossing my fingers that he can be home for Lilly's third birthday. Wishful thinking.

We were blessed beyond measure this Christmas. So many people had their hand in helping us through this season without TJ, and to each of you and I am so thankful. From gift cards to presents, text messages and voicemails, facebook hellos and instagram comments. With love from the bottom of my heart.

*love you Tj