Happy New Year

With love from,
Jimmy and family

Precious Moments

Tonight it was just Caleb and me. Jimmy spent the night with a friend, Ben is out with friends, and Elijah konked out after riding around for an hour looking at Christmas lights. And tonight has been fun and special. We ate popcorn and watched Rudolph's Shiny New Year. We shared many hugs and giggles. I love this child of mine more than words can say.

While driving around earlier tonight looking at lights, the thought came to mind... What would I be doing at this moment if I hadn't adopted Caleb or Elijah? I can't imagine it. No matter what I would have been doing, it couldn't compare to the pure joy I received from hearing my little 8 year old Russian born son, calling from the back seat, "Go that way Mom!"

The sound of his laughter over the sight of Christmas lights felt like a kiss from Heaven.

Some of my favorites

These are not jeans, they are actually pajama pants. Cool huh?





Here are some of my favorite photos from Christmas this year. They are also included in the montage below but I wanted to post them separately too, because at the end of each year I have my blog made into a book but it does not display the montages. And of course, I want to include my Christmas memories.:)

Merry Christmas!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Frosting Cookies

Caleb and Elijah did such a good job frosting cookies today. Elijah was very careful frosting his cookies while Caleb was busy pouring sprinkles all over his.:) Jimmy didn't want to frost but he did come in when they were done to have a taste.:)

2 in 1 week

Caleb lost two teeth this week.:) The funny thing is, he really doesn't care about the money that the tooth fairy brings. He does however, want his tooth back. The next morning, he eagerly opens the envelope hoping to find his tooth. I try and explain it to him (however you explain the tooth fairy) and the good news is, he does not get upset over it when he finds money instead of his tooth. But it made me start to think about if there may be a creative idea on how I can save Caleb's teeth so that he can see them later on. He really does think they are cool and it's almost sad that that darn tooth fairy takes his tooth every time.:) So, any ideas? Another funny thing is, that when he pulled the second one out this week, I have no idea where he put it and he doesn't either! So the next morning when the tooth fairy came (yes, she still brings money when she doesn't get a tooth), Caleb thought she had found his tooth and gave it back to him!

Gifts and Smiles

Caleb lost a tooth the other day and he has another one that is super loose. I love those toothless smiles.

Made by Jimmy and Caleb with Love.....Jimmy made the frame and put his new Christmas picture in it (he goes every year with his class to Penneys to have their pics taken) and gave it to me early. He couldn't wait until Christmas. I love it! And Caleb made this adorable little gingerbread house at school. Isn't it cute?:)

Elijah being smiley. He won't smile when I tell him to "Say Cheese" but he will if I tell him "Say Boo!":)

Elijah lookin' CUTE

Today Elijah's class had their Christmas sing-along at school. I couldn't go because my district scheduled an all day IEP training and I had to attend.:( But I wanted to share how cute Elijah looked in his outfit this morning. Actually Caleb wore this outfit when he was just 3.

Silly Boy

Every night when Elijah finishes his dinner, he flips his bib up over his head like this.:)

Our Busy Weekend

We had a very busy weekend! Friday night began with the School of Rock performance by students and staff from our school district. Jimmy’s Young Adult Program danced to “Beat It”. They did such a great job!:) I didn't get a good picture though because of the lighting.:( Then on Saturday, Saline had their annual Christmas parade. Jimmy was chosen to ride in one of the city trucks and toss out candy. The truck was all decked out in Christmas lights. He was so excited all week for this parade. Even though we froze our butts off watching the parade, it was so worth it to see Jimmy having such a good time! On Sunday, we went to get our Christmas tree. This was the first time we have had a real tree since Caleb has come home. When the guys were putting the tree into the netting, Caleb asked where the box was. LOL! Our artificial tree always comes up from the basement every year packed in a box, and he wanted to see the box. It was very funny! After getting the tree home and into some water, we went to our local Down syndrome Christmas party, complete with a chocolate fountain which Jimmy thought was so cool, decorating Christmas ornaments,(Jimmy made me a very cute penguin), pasta bar and Santa! There are no pictures with Santa and Elijah because even though Elijah was very comfortable climbing all over the couch behind Santa, he was no way going to sit on his lap!!:)
Have a great week, everyone!

The City truck that Jimmy rode in during the parade.

Jimmy waiting for the parade to start

Caleb at the parade

Caleb with Santa

Jimmy with Santa

Thank you Jimmy!

Bedtime

My boys are all different with the things that they have brought to bed when they were small. For years when Jimmy was small, he would sleep with Elmo and Jiminy Cricket and then it changed to Batman and Woody. Ben slept with Clifford when he was little, nothing but Clifford. Caleb is my only one who will not sleep with anything at all. He has said prayers with George at bedtime but after that, George is out. Elijah is funny. A lot of times, he chooses a book to take to bed. He has also has brought a comb, a block, a plastic egg.... But he never takes a stuffed animal to bed. Once, I put Elmo in with him and he threw Elmo out before I left the room. Tonight look what he brought to bed, two little containers from his kitchen, a can of soup and chili.:):)