Christmas Tree

Junior loves Christmas and gets so excited when it is time to put up all the decorations each year.  He loves to sit next to the tree and look at all the lights and also loves Christmas music, crafts, and pretty much anything Christmas.
This year he was a extra excited because we needed a new tree and I told him I would see if we could find one that was a little bigger.  We don't have much space so for the last several years we have used a very small tree.  This year we found "slim" trees available so we could get a taller tree without it being wider and being in the way too much.
Doesn't everyone have a trach and HME on their tree(he made these in 2014 the year he had his trach placed). 

 Each year he gets a new ornament for the tree and this year it was the Dr. Pepper ornament.  Abigail also got him a new Star Wars ornament.

Checking out the tree after it was all done.


He approves.


A little tootsie roll pop taste before bedtime

 
Talking to "a-ah" about his Christmas gift.  He was trying to tell her how sneaky he was and found out what he was getting.  Any doctor or school person who claims this kid doesn't understand things should have been here this weekend.  I was on the phone chatting with family about his gift(all our amazing relatives are going together for a very special gift for him).  It was early and he was acting like he was still sound asleep so I wasn't too worried about him overhearing.  Well I hang up and walk in his room to find him with his eyes closed but a big smile on his face.  I asked if he was faking it and he started to giggle. I then asked if he heard what he was getting and got a "ya" and even bigger grin and giggles.  He proceeded to smile and burst into giggles repeatedly throughout the day.  He was quite proud of himself and also very excited. 

 Last night I asked for a smile and he gave me the smile but would not look at me.  Yes, teen attitude for sure.

These are him today with his solar system and switch toys. 

 

 

 The face of a boy who was sure that the UPS man was there to deliver his gift.  Poor kid it was only medical supplies.  Tomorrow we are making a chart so he can count down the days.  He needs something visual to show how long he has to wait.  The time concept has always been a hard one for him. 

 I hope everyone has a very special Christmas season full of joy and love. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! 
We had a very nice and quiet day with lots of food and smiles.  Junior is feeling much better and was quiet the giggly guy. 
 We started out the morning watching the Macy's parade but within a few minutes Junior had, had enough of that and was ready for something else.  So it was a Home Alone marathon instead which we all enjoyed. 

  
 
Junior started making it clear he wanted something and was a bit upset by something and we were all trying to work out what he was trying to tell us.  Turns out he wanted to move to the double recliner so he could sit with Abby while watching the movies.  He also was a bit worried because Mellisa was wearing his beloved Grinch hat.  Once she assured him she was only borrowing it and would not take it home with her he was fine again(he actually is quite a giving, sharing guy but his grinch hat is his absolute favorite hat). 
Movie watching, then a quick nap before dinner.

  
Junior decided he needed a nap more then a group photo so slept through our craziness.
 
 
After a nap and some food Junior was energetic again and ready for his toys and more movies.
 


On Wednesday Junior loved getting to hang out with his best buddy for a few hours. 

 

We have so much to be thankful for this year and look forward to seeing what the coming year hold.

Busy Week

It has been a busy week and Monday and Tuesday both ended up having last minute outings.  Monday we needed to meet someone in Elk Grove so Junior and I decided we may as well take a quick walk through Toys R Us since it was right where we were meeting.  He had a ball and loved checking out all the Star Wars Toys.
This picture was a few minute after we got home.  He promptly fell asleep the moment we walked in the door.  I asked him if he had fun shopping and though he kept his eyes closed his smile says it all.

Then on Tuesday Abby needed to go to the Apple store so we decided to go along.  Junior was a mess and was so sure he needed to bring home an Ipad Pro.  He seemed sure if he tried hard enough he could convince me to get him one.  He was grinning and trying to tell the sales lady all about it, she was so sweet and told me she loved how joyful he is.  His old ipad is a few years old and getting glitchy so time to start saving our pennies, he relies on it so we can't wait until this one completely bites the dust. 

 He did awesome at the apple store and didn't complain or get impatient once even after being there for nearly 2 hours.  I expected him to be ready to head home after that so was surprised when he was instead ready to walk around the mall.  The Disney store was of course a must, and there were so many Star Wars toys to look at.  Hahaha, can you tell he was happy. 

   Junior was having a wonderful time at the mall but this is the face when I dare make him pause for a picture in front of the Christmas display when there are still so many cool stores to investigate. 
 
On the way home Abby got us all a yummy dinner for going along with her to the mall.  Junior was asleep until he heard her say she was getting him a  treat at Chick-Fil-A.  This boy definitely has the best Chick-Fil-A face.

Relaxing on Wednesday and watching Andy while playing with his vibrating, light up mirror(it is touch sensitive so vibrates and lights up anytime he moves his hand).  Can you see his smile? 

Today has been a rough one.  A storm is moving in so Junior wasn't feeling good and then he had an appointment for his yearly physical.  As you can see in the picture he wasn't at all pleased about being at the doctors.   To top it off he had to get a couple immunizations which didn't go over well at all with him. 

 When we got home he wanted to go straight to bed and watch tv but within moments he was sound asleep.  Praying the weather changing and immunizations don't trigger any seizure activity.  This boy is rocking 84 days, that is 12 weeks without a monster visit.  In our world that is totally amazing. 

Eagle Eyes

Junior is having a sleepy day today but the past few days he has been a very energetic guy.  In a great mood smiling, and trying to talk almost constantly. 

The after halloween sales were perfect for picking up some pumpkins for Junior to decorate.  We got a bunch of the fake ones and he has had a great time decorating them.
First we have darth vader pumpkin.
  

Then it was on to the melted crayon pumpkin.  Junior used his head switch to turn on the hairdryer and melt the crayons over his pumpkin.
 
Of course he has to add to his thankful pumpkin each day.
 
 

Junior had some irritation in his eyes so had to take a break from his eagle eyes for awhile.  He was super excited to get back to it earlier this week.  He did awesome and we switched from large to small

 so focused, I took some video but haven't gotten it downloaded, he was totally rocking shooting those aliens.  

School Time

Yesterday was not a great day for Junior.  I think it was likely some autonomic stuff because of all the weather changes lately.  He was sleepy and most definitely not his happy self.
We did a short school session and he made it clear he wasn't up to anything else.

He decided it was time to nap by the time we were done.


It was November 1st so time to start his yearly "thankful pumpkin".  Each day he chooses something to be thankful for which we add to his pumpkin along with a fall sticker.   We went through a large list of possibilities and he kept telling me no.  Then I mentioned his vent and got a big yes. 

Today has been much better and aside from needing a few short naps he is back to his happy self. 

School was successful today and he finished up the section on the moon. 

Here he is doing a little review then answering some questions. 

 I had to take a few moments break after this pic to compose myself.  I told Junior he was about done with his moon section and it was time for a quiz.  Without missing a beat he looks over at his ipad and says "whatever"(followed by a big, quite proud of himself, grin).  Yes, my child is mouthing off via communication device.  It was impossible to get mad when I was trying to hide my laughter and though I could not let him know I was also pleased to see such totally typical teen behavior. 

 Using cookies to learn about the phases of the moon.

 Moon sand to make moon craters

  

Sun, star, and moon sections are done, now on to the planets.

 

Today Junior is thankful for his lift.  I am thankful to see that smile again and know he is feeling better.