Lighting of the tree

 And fireworks

Canalside Christmas Tree Lighting

 Little disappointed this year with it.  They had food trucks but not too much else. ONe year they had stuff set up and shops and the one hotel had a great display and Santa but nothing this year....  it wasn't too cold so it wasn't too bad.

Alex's Play Group in the Gym

 Very proud of him.... they have their names printed  and they move them over if they are there.  Alex found his name himself and moved it over.  What is very impressive is that he went first and I didn't help him at all.  He recognized his name..Alexander!!  YEAH!! He was impressing people as he know a bunch of his numbers.   I guess I don't know how lucky I have it with him going to preschool in January and it is full day and paid for..... some were telling me how expensive preschool was....  yikes.... Well as hard as it was to hear them say he was bad enough for classroom help on the other hand I know he's not.   After dealing with Andrew I know what to look for and what Alex does......he's totally fine.  Stubborn.... but totally fine.

Putting up the Tree

Playing at the Library

OT therapy

I watch him during this.... He does great.  Fine motor skills he is very good at.   I remember sitting through testing with Andrew. I have no idea how they got him to do anything.  As mild manner as Andrew is doing these skills for him was torture to me and him.  He would throw himself on the floor and not do it, not try it. This was for drawing and eating with utensils.    Even some of the sensory issues Alex was having he is doing great with now.   He wouldn't touch ice cream or Popsicles  at the beginning of this year now will eat them. 

Excited that There was Still Pumpkins Out

 PUMPKINS!!!!That was just about all the excitement he had for this place.  He knows it from yoga class and he gets so anxious going to that class.  He hates story time/circle time and crowds. Not that the class is big but its not his thing.  

So we toured the school and I got a bunch of questions answered.   It would be 8 am- 2pm and they would bus him.  Those would be my biggest questions. They feed him breakfast and lunch.  Its a nice new facility and they are getting more stuff added.  I know he's not bad off and honestly by the time he hits kindergarten I would think he would be right on track anyway.  He takes his time but is catching up quick.  When he had speech come the other week and they were doing an activity he wouldn't do it.  The teacher let him do it his way and it was fine.   He said the testers would say he can't do it  when obviously he can he just wants on his terms.  I said yeah I noticed that when they tested him.   If he didn't do it for them he would the entire rest of the week.   So reading the report is aggravating.   They do that all the time. When they get kids in there that test bad but are fine.   Made me feel better .   Problem is  I love my little snuggler.   Part of me wants to keep him at home. Andrew and Jonathan I couldn't wait till they were old enough for preschool. They drove me nuts and although Alex has his moments, he is  the sweetest little thing.  He met the principal for the first time there and he bent down to his level and Alex gave him a hug.  I know this is going to be a hard transition for him.  He doesn't like circle time / crowds or structure. I know he's going to have to eventually. He will be in an integrated classroom. Half  "normal" half with IEP's. 

Anyway he doesn't start till the new year.

Lancaster Fire truck Christmas Parade......

How can it be this time a year again???   This year Alex LOVED IT!!!!   Last year he was asleep till he woke up to all the sirens and cried.  This year he was mad when it ended.  He screamed most of the way back to the car that he wanted to see more. He was tired and fell asleep on the way home but he loved it!

 This one loved as he got candy

This one was from our Fire Company.....Cleveland Hill. 

Play Dough!!

 The best part about visiting that Santa was he gave gifts.  All 3 got some thing.  Alex got play dough, Jon got a yoyo, and Andrew got a dart game. Alex very much loved his present.

Santa

Christmas Pictures

 I love that he loves these big Stuffies and has to give them all hugs

Ice Arena

We stopped over at the ice arena  but it was too busy to skate. We checked everything out.

Activities

 So we went to the Library to do crafts. Andrew  didn't want to so he went to the Pizza Place that was giving away free pizza for the event. We did walk downg there and grabbed a slice and  walked to the church. They always have delicious cookies and stuff to drink and activites for the kids

 Pizza and cookies!!!

 They had a huge display of Nativity Scenes and this Fisher Price one that Alex enjoyed playing with

Jon did the crafts and was decorating cookies