Christmas can now start!

Every year McKay's teacher (and Michael's former teacher) Mr. Harris does a Christmas party for all of his students and former students. As soon as we go, we know we are in the final countdown to Christmas. Singing, treats, games, a visit from the Jolly Old Elf himself...how could it BE more fun? And it is all autism-friendly, so it is a party ALL of our kids can get into. We look forward to it each year and are so happy that we'll be able to go for years to come.

First order of business was finding old friends. The boundries were split and a lot of the kids are in the school on the west side of the freeway now and some kids move into their neighborhood schools and full-time mainstreaming, so the Christmas party is a GREAT way to get back in touch. This crew has been Michael's buds since 1st grade. And they always find each other at the party. (They also come play sometimes at the house.)

Ella shows off one of her very impressive 5th baby skills: Sleeping through a whole party of about 50 kids. She slept until the last 10 minutes or so.

We saw VERY little of Garrett all night. He raided the cookies first and then found a group of two-to-three-year-olds and they all ran in a circle around the stage. He had an excellent time.

The kids sang their traditional songs. Here is the group doing the actions to the Twelve Days of Christmas...which day could THIS be? Hmmmmmm.

Hannah has gone enough times that she gets in on the action too. The fact The Twelve Days of Christmas is so repetitive is on her side as well.

McKay did some pretty rockin' dancing to We Wish You a Swinging Holiday. I think we could have a rock star on our hands.

McKay watching as the kids listened to the rules for the snowball game. (I didn't get any pictures of the snowball game, since I was checking on Garrett. But McKay won a few lollipops, so he was quite happy.)

McKay has a darling little friend at school. She came and stood with him in line to meet Santa. And he loved it, which is quite a change for him. He is generally ok with adults, but is not a huge fan of kids. But he LOVES this sweetie. His teachers were telling me how they sit together, go to lunch together, play together, hug each other, etc.

Yay! McKay has a friend!

Michael and Hannah pow-wow with Santa.

Garrett warmed up to Santa pretty quickly, especially after he realized Santa was giving him a little present!

McKay hopped right on Santa's lap and told him all about the Teletubbies.

McKay shows off his Santa present. How did Santa KNOW that McKay loves yo-yos so much? Man, he really must be magic.