Christmas Eve… the big day for us.
We put the tree up and decorate on Christmas Eve, then spend
the evening with our family at one of my brother-in-laws house. The kids
usually fall asleep in the car on the way back home, so after we carry them off
to bed “Santa” finishes any last minute gift wrapping and takes all of the
presents out of hiding and places them under the tree.
The highlight for me is usually playing Santa at the family
gathering. I started doing it the Christmas after Bianca was born. She is a
November baby, so when her first Christmas came around she was only like 6
weeks old and so was her little cousin. Playing Santa allowed for both of them
to get a picture with the jolly elf for their first Christmas. They family has
expanded at an incredible rate and 7 years later, there are now 13 kids ages 7
and under so Santa is now a big hit. The adults in the family like it as well
because Santa works a little “blue”.
Bianca is a challenge at these family events because she is
running all over with one of us right behind. We are in constant fear that she
is going to go outside without us noticing. Unlike at home where we have the
place on lockdown, my in-law’s house is your typical home with lots of possible
points of escape. Plus if you take into account the number of people going in
and out, at any moment Bianca could walk out of the house. So my mom, my wife
and I trade off chasing after her to lighten the load.
This year it was all about cookies. She wanted to hit the
cookie tray every few minutes. She eats so well that I always feel bad having
to limit her on something like cookies when she gets in one of these moods.
I have to admit though, Bianca is a lucky girl. Her extended
family really loves her. Even if they don’t quite understand the exact dynamic
and how she ticks, they love her and I know that she feels it.
I am thankful for them and the way they look out for her. I
am thankful for another year of incredible achievements. 2012 has been really
good to us. I am just wishing for an even better 2013. I hope that doesn't make
me greedy. I just know that Bianca has so much potential. I can’t wait to see
what advances she makes!
Time to watch A Christmas Story and devour the cookies and
milk that Sofie left for Santa.
Merry Christmas to you. I wish you all a holiday filled with
love, acceptance, peace and tranquility.... and most of all, lots and lots of milestones.
If you have not already, please take time to watch my videos, "Fixing" Autism and Autism Awareness with Nichole337 and share them with your friends.
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