Barnes and Nobles with friends

Today Alex and I went to Barnes and Nobles with our friends Rebbie and her boys Cory and Jordan. The boys had a very good time playing with the Thomas train set. I was also able to get some books for Sabrina and Alex with what was left on a gift card.

Marie-Anne

Alex’s best friend’s b-day

Yesterday was Jacob’s birthday so we took the kids to Chuck E Cheese. It was Jacob and Robert’s first time. I wasn’t too sure if Robert would love it or hate it- you never know with autistic children. Thankfully, he loved it!

I had a coupon for a whole bunch of tokens, (we didn’t eat there). Jacob got free tokens because it was his birthday. Then right before we left Chuck E Cheese came out and gave some of the kids including Jacob free tickets.





Thankfully Robert and Sabrina’s favorite rides were next to each other so I watched them while Tamie was with the big boys.



After Bible Study the church sang Happy Birthday to Jacob and gave him his presents. He got books and Legos. He was one happy 6-year-old!

Marie-Anne

What God Wants for Christmas

I bought this interactive nativity at a thrift store a couple of years ago. It is a huge hit with my kids.



In each box is a character to add to the nativity with a mystery in box number 7.



Spoiler: What God wants for Christmas is revealed as a mirror- You!

Marie-Anne

Christmas Dinner

We invited some church members to celebrate Christmas dinner with us. We had a wonderful time. It was funny to see the grown-ups more interested in the Gears!Gears!Gears! Building Set than Alex was. We listened to “The Gift for Madge and Guy”, a humorous rendition of the “The Gift of the Magi” by Adventures in Odyssey. Overall, the day was a lot of fun.

Merry Christmas!

We opened gifts this morning. Thank you to all who sent gifts, we are very blessed to have you and thank you for showing your love to us.(We agreed that since they got mostly toys for b-days {last month} that they would get mostly semi-educational things for Christmas.)



Both kids got puzzles, games, an easel, a Gears! Gears! Gears! Building set, and books.



Sabrina got lacing cards, magnetic dolls, lacing beads, a princess hairbrush, and some stuffed animals.



Alex got Legos, Imaginext, some science kits, and Rescue Heroes.





We actually even got a few gifts for us.

Marie-Anne

Bass Pro Shop

We took the kids to the Bass Pro Shop to play in their north pole activities. The kids love going there.



Alex and his Papa raced cars.



Both kids practiced their putting skills.



No trip to Bass Pro SHop is complete without climbiing on the boats and four wheelers.

Marie-Anne

Christmas Party

Last night we had a special Christmas service reading the account of Jesus’ birth and singing Christmas songs. Afterwards we had a Christmas party.



Sabrina and Robert



Alex opening his gift from Jacob.

Marie-Anne

Christmas Caroling

A group of us from church went to a retirement home next to the church to sing Christmas carols. The residents enjoyed our visit and invited us to come back to visit any time.

I have been looking for a way to volunteer with Alex. I think I found it. Alex wants to go back to play games with the residents.

Marie-Anne

Children’s Church Concert

Sunday the kids participated in the Children’s Church Christmas Concert. They both enjoyed it; Alex was by far the loudest and Sabrina attacked the flowers.



Marie-Anne

I'm Dreaming of a WET Christmas...

Not quite the Bing Crosby classic I remember...

Fall Fun

This is probably our last bit of fun with the leaves since they are now mostly on the ground and there’s construction in the courtyard.

UpDate: Later that day I saw most of the neighborhood kids (over 20) playing in the leaves and making the pile even bigger.

Marie-Anne

MLK Park in December

We took the kids to MLK Park since the weather was nice enough.

Marie-Anne

More fall fun

Don't let city living stop you from enjoying nature!





Marie-Anne

Free lego training

Saturday there was a free Lego Ninjago game at Toys R Us. All who played got a free set (sword). Alex and Frank went there for some father-son time. Alex had a whole lot of fun.


Marie-Anne

Another year two more missing teeth

Last year around this time Alex was missing his two front teeth. This year he has two more gaps just in time for Christmas. All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth! (Of course, we all know that isn’t true. He wants almost everything in Toys R Us.)

Marie-Anne

Hoover Dam bridge

We went to see the bridge over Hoover Dam. It is so incredibly high. My Dad wanted pictures from Hoover Dam and from the bridge. To get to the bridge for pictures you have to park below it and walk up a whole lot of stairs. It was a bit too much for us with the kids, and it was so crowded, so we’ll save that part for later.

Marie-Anne

Alex’s second sleepover

Last Friday Jacob spent the night. We kept it a secret from both boys so we wouldn’t here, “Is it time yet?” 50 million times. We took the kids to McDonalds. They also loved playing with Alex's Legos. The boys were excellent they played so well together and just had a great time. I am so glad Alex has a best friend.

Marie-Anne

The Prince and the Pauper

This morning our family went to the library for a production of the Prince and the Pauper by the Hampstead Stage Company. It was a wonderful play! I was amazed that the whole thing was done by two actors. This was Alex’s first play and he really enjoyed it. Both kids did much better than we thought they would.

After the performance there was time for questions. Alex started a trend when he asked about the swords. (Several other kids asked about them following Alex’s question.) We asked if we could get a picture of Alex with the cast. When asked which costume he wanted them in Alex replied, “A Knight.” We had to rephrase the question, “Which character from the play would you like?”

If you get a chance to see this or another play by the Hampstead Stage Company I would heartily recommend it.

Marie-Anne

More fun with fall leaves

While we played Frank was busy…



Marie-Anne

Sorting colors

This is Sabrina's first time doing this. I was impressed.

Marie-Anne

The leaves are falling

I have been impatiently waiting for this.

Marie-Anne