Snowflakey

The Elf tradition isn't one I appreciate fully. I don't enjoy getting out of bed once the kids are asleep to make sure Snowflakey the elf has moved.  However, my kids love the magic and they know about the Elf from school.  There is no escaping it unless I want to be a real Scrooge. 

Thankfully our college friend and babysitter stayed at our house for a few days and took over the adventures of the elf.  She did a great job too.  

While Snowflakey (aka Snowflake) only moves locations when I check on him, Snowflakey is far more creative when our friend is here.  When she left our home, she left a cheat sheet with ideas for the rest of the month.  She even left the items to make the magic happen.  

Snowflake brought his ( her?) house one night.  

The kids planted seeds and candy canes grew the following day!

How adorable is this Elf swing?!

A marshmallow angel with marshmallow-men.  The kids ate the marshmallow and Snowflake's house.  

Happy Holidays friends and family!

Elf on the Shelf

While waiting for Alex to finish dance class one Tuesday evening, the topic of Elf on the Shelf came up. I admitted that we didn't have an elf at our house. My thought was that it's too much work. The holiday season is busy enough without adding a doll to the mix. 

The other parents told me stories about the joy from their children from their elves. They convinced me that it wasn't necessary for the elf to be naughty or for the daily flight change to be time consuming. I do not need a doll influencing poor behavior.  My kids figure that out on their own, thank you very much. 

I caved. 

Meet Snowflakey.  Snowflakey was adopted on Thanksgiving and joined our family for the holiday season.

Those parents were right. The kids adore our elf and look for him every day. Lane insisted on buying a skirt for Snowflakey. We decided that Santa elves can switch from boy to girl without a problem. 

The story of the Elf on the Shelf tells the children that the elf filed to the North Pole every night to report to Santa.  Sadly, the elf has not influenced my kids. They don't care that Snowflakey will report to Santa. 

At least they enjoy searching for our elf each day.  

Autism Night Before Christmas

Autism Night Before Christmas
by Cindy Waeltermann

... Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
... ... The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…”
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions…

But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you

That you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned…