Alex's 3rd Birthday

Alex's 3rd birthday was planned for the weekend after his actual birthday (January 3rd). However, we had a snow storm instead and had to postpone the party until the next weekend. Since both boys were diagnosed that first week with flu type A, I was glad for the delay of snow. That gave us plenty of time to get well and have better weather.

I did let the boys out for a few minutes to play in the snow. They loved it. Alex had his 3 year old check up with Dr. Parra the week after the flu. Yes, we gave the flu to Dr. Parra the week before, and it was the first time every she had gotten the flu.

We finally celebrated Alex's birthday the next Sunday evening at Pump It Up, a local fun place with the blow up bouncy houses and slides. All the kids loved it and were mostly self-entertaining for the first hour. We then adjourned to the party room and ate pizza, cupcakes, ice cream, gold fish crackers, apple juice, water, and Sprite. Alex opened all his gifts and loved when everyone sang to him. Alex's guests included one boy from class and his little brother, and our good friends, the Walkers & the Rolands. His theme was Blaze and the Monster Machine (one of his 9 favorite cartoons at the moment).

Christmas 2016

This is the first year that I did not take off any vacation time to celebrate the holiday. It was kind of strange having Christmas without my extended family around us to celebrate. Christmas Eve we had a nice steak dinner with twice baked potatoes and apple pie.

Jerry & Barbara joined us. We laid out cookies and milk for Santa, and got the boys to bed by 8:15pm.

Santa actually visited the boys just before they fell asleep and gave them each a toy in person. Alex was so excited. Evan looked skeptical.

Christmas morning we set up the phone on the mantel and Facetimed my parents so they could watch the boys enjoy their toys from Santa. Evan did not seem interested in the Santa toys, but he did not want them on the couch where he likes to sit. He pushed them off onto the floor. Alex loved them all. After opening several gifts, he no longer wanted to open any. We finally talked him into opening the rest after he played with several new toys.

I cooked a breakfast casserole. We cleaned up and went to the 11am church service. The boys enjoyed the music. Vince's parents and Jerry's daughter Jenay (and her family) all gathered for Christmas dinner. Barbara fixed a great lasagna dinner. Alex asked me to make Jesus a chocolate birthday cake so that was our contribution to dinner.

It was a nice Christmas overall. I missed my family, but we are so thankful for technology that allows them to watch everything with us. Merry Christmas!

Pre-Christmas Festivities

This was the first Christmas in my life that I would not be spending it with my parents or siblings. Vince's work schedule did not allow us the time off to travel to Florida to be with them. We have done Christmas in Florida every other year for the past 10 years. In fact, that's where we were when we got engaged on Christmas week while on a cruise. I wanted to fix the traditional Christmas dinner so we had our dinner a week and a half before Christmas with Kim, Elise, my parents, and Barbara & Jerry. It turned out great. I cooked the turkey in the large roaster, and cooked the ham in the crock pot. Both were put on a table on the back porch so the boys wouldn't get to them. I fixed sweet potato soufflé, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, yeast rolls, fruit salad, and pumpkin pie. I also made divinity, cake pops, and cookies during the week.

We ran into Santa Claus during a few outings as well. Evan's therapy shop hosted activities and Santa one night, and both boys were able to participate.

 Our Down Syndrome support group (BUDS) hosted a Christmas dinner as well. They invited Mr. and Mrs. Claus to visit.

 The Piedmont Club hosted a family night and also invited Mr. & Mrs. Claus.

We had no shortages of Santa pictures this year! We saw him during Thanksgiving weekend as well.