Holiday Happiness

This year has brought so much more joy than last year, which was, quite simply, hard. It's been so good to enjoy the holiday season with less sadness and tears, to read our story a day until Christmas, celebrate St. Nick's, head to multiple holiday concerts, and decorate with our big kids. 

Yes, AJ is taller than me.

St. Nick brought us ugly Christmas sweaters. The great thing about the boys getting older and bigger is that now I can steal their clothes, so I have even more holiday sweaters to wear! (The downside is I can never find my clothes because they get sorted into their drawers!) St. Nick even brought all our big kids holiday sweaters, which will make for hopefully some fun holiday pictures.

We also continued our 3rd year of Christmas baking and decorating with the big kids. It makes the double batch of peanut butter balls go much faster with more hands, plus Teddy is all in to hang with everyone else. We always have lots of laughter and end up with goodies made for us to enjoy (as much of my baking in December is for the bakery until I get through my last farmer's market). 

Teddy worked on that peanut butter ball for 45 minutes.

It's not the presents or the gifts that matter, but it's the presence. The time spent together with family and friends who become family. The laughter, shared stories and ability to lift each other up. We're so grateful that Teddy's care needs have helped us build this incredible tribe. 

Our cookie and candy crew is all smiles (and aprons)!

Santa & Smiles

Teddy loves trains. Teddy loves Santa. Teddy loves the Santa train we have done the last 3 years. We snag extra brochures, so he can talk about it all year long (because his way of talking usually destroys a brochure after a few days of incessantly showing it to everyone). 

This day trip is always a highlight of our holiday season. It's perfect for our family because it's a bit low-key, not usually jam packed and ends up being a bit more sensory friendly for us. The hour-long train ride includes carolers, official ticket punching and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with a treat from their elf helpers. 

Teddy loves the jingle bells of the carolers. And the fact that most of them are teenage girls.

Teddy is drawn to Santa, and he invited Santa to sit next to him. He was also trying his darndest to convince the elf to squeeze into the foot of space between him and Santa, but AJ took one for the team and squished in there. I felt this Santa was extra attentive to Teddy this year, giving him (and AJ) plenty of time before moving down the train.

Teddy was still trying to convince the elf to join him.

AJ had prepared Teddy's talker for him, so Teddy had several buttons he could use to engage with Santa. He told Santa what he wanted for Christmas (twice to make sure he heard him) and told Santa his name, along with sharing that he loves trains. This was the first time Teddy used his talker to talk directly to Santa and, candidly, his first time using his talker in public. 

It had snowed quite a bit the night before, which made the train ride beautiful. It's one of the traditions we have that aligns with many other family traditions. The only difference is our children our older, but Teddy will enjoy the magic of Santa for years and years to come.