'Tis the Season

Bobby's Christmas traditions are continuing right on track this holiday season.  This morning I got Bobby dressed up and in the car, he used his own personal turn signal in the car to direct me to where he wanted to go (he clicks his tongue and it sounds just like a car's blinker).  He directed me to exactly where we were going, just like he knew what was in store.  We turned into the Playworks parking lot, went inside....exactly like we have done during previous years on a Saturday morning just before Christmas. Yes Bobby, you are right, we are going to go see Santa at Playworks.

Practicing taking pictures before we left.

There were many less kids than previous years when we walked into the playroom, which was just the way Bobby likes it.  He did a great job and went off to play.

 Bobby and his new BFF, Natalie....

His feet now touch the floor while up at the top of the coaster....

 Yes, he even managed to find a basket....

What is that I hear????????  Sleigh bells???!!!!!!  Santa has arrived.....

Uh oh, Santa hurt his foot.  Oh well, his lap is still in perfect condition for the kids to sit down and tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

Noelle and I, of course, felt the need to get Bobby and Natalie together for a Santa picture...

Bobby even posed for a picture with me....

For those who really don't know Bobby that well.....No, he doesn't tell Santa what he wants for Christmas.  We don't really even address that aspect, for us it is all about getting the picture for Mommy!!!

This week at school Bobby participated in the school wide winter holiday program for the first time. He participated somewhat last year because he practiced in the rehearsal with his class, but this year he went into the gym full of parents and stood on the stage beside his classmates while they sang. Who knows, maybe he will even sing with them before he graduates!!

Last weekend we went to one of Bobby's favorite places on earth....the Hardy Girls Gym at Nemacolin Resort.  Just like I had anticipated....Bobby had an awesome time, as did ALL of the kids in attendance.  We once again went to a Christmas party for kids with autism and other special needs put on by one of our fellow autism families.  The kids went right in and jumped, laughed, giggled and did not cry, tantrum, hit, push.  They had F.U.N.

This Christmas party is just about our favorite event of the year.  Just look through the pictures and you see joy on their faces.  A group of kids with special needs all bunched together on a trampoline and getting along and having fun....true Christmas magic.  

It's Party Time...Autism Style

One of our fellow autism families, which I met through the Mon Co Autism Support Group, invited Bobby back to the Hardy Girls Gym at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for a VIP Christmas Party for children with autism and other disorders.  We were so excited to go back to this gym because Bobby had such a wonderful time when we were there for a birthday party.

Grandma Carolyn had the day off of work, so she came along to witness Bobby having so much fun.  We stopped off for lunch on our drive to the gym.  Bobby sat very well and ate his lunch...

I didn't take my camera in, so we took a picture with Grandma's phone. 

Then the funniest, best part of the day happened....we got back into the car and I started driving.  We hadn't told Bobby anything about where we were going, we just wanted to see his excitement and he didn't disappoint.  I took the next right and turned onto Rt. 40....Bobby started bouncing in his seat with the biggest smile on his face....he knew exactly where we were going!!!  He could hardly wait to get out of the car when I parked at the gym.

He ran right in and claimed his spot on the yellow trampoline!

He was joined by Lucas...

and eventually more kids came along...

I just worry that Bobby jumps way too hard and high for some kids, but no one seemed to mind.  Every once in a while Bobby would get up and run a lap around the room and come right back to his spot.  He looks sad in this picture, but he's not, he's just intently watching other kids jump...

Sonny came over and watched the jumping too...

Bobby spotted the guy that works there, who jumped with him the last time we were there.  Bobby went and brought him over to the trampoline to jump with him again...

He remembered Bobby and commented how Bobby wore him out the last time we were there!!

There were cookies from the resort as well as some other treats for the party guests...

Our friend Lucas was in his glory with these cookies!!!  He kept sneaking away to get another one.  Just like at the birthday party....the treats and drinks were there for you if and when you wanted them.  The kids didn't have any schedule of events dictated for them...they just got to play.

We were happy that the other Smith family could attend this party.  Sonny and Joey came over and joined Bobby and Lucas on the trampoline...

Everyone else needed a break, but Bobby is still jumping...

Alright...break times over...everyone back to the trampoline!!!!

Sonny decided that he would go ride the stationary bike...

Joey went to help a little girl try to get on the rings and when they weren't successful, he decided to swing from them himself...

We had to start telling Bobby that it was time to leave about 15 minutes before we were ready to leave so that he could start the transition.  He finally left the trampoline and went to put his shoes on and go get in the car.  The good thing about it being a very rainy, foggy day was that we could stop the car in the middle of the road and look at the animals (and I could take pictures).  However, because of the rainy, foggy day the pictures are not that good.  Oh well, you can't have everything.

The kids all had an AWESOME Christmas party!!!!!  Thank you so much Mike and Jen for the invitation.  We had a great time!

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Friday was pajama day at school.  I took a couple of pictures of Bobby before we left for school...