It took a while to get these posted, but Andrew had a fantastic third birthday party back in April. It was aPlay-Doh party where we supplied Play-Doh and all sorts of utensils for cutting and shaping it.
A lot of people attended, and everyone had a great time, especially Andrew.
The crowd.
The Aftermath!
Andrew and a friend having a blast with some balloons.
Everyone singing happy birthday to Andrew, and his priceless reaction!
Andrew found his copy of The Giving Tree on his bookshelf earlier today. I don't think we've read it to him in over a year, and probably less than five times ever. Well, our little smartypants kid grabbed it, sat down, and read it. He struggled on a couple of words, but he isn't even three yet. (Sorry that the sound level is so low. I had to be sneaky. Whenever I try to film him reading, he stops as soon as he sees me)
Andrew had his school Valentine's Day party on Thursday. It was a blast! He made a craft with his friends, handed out valentines, and got to eat some chocolate covered strawberries!
Delivering valentines to his classmates.
He had to make sure that each child got one.
Painting with his friend Bradley.
Pure heaven. Chocolate covered strawberries.
This one must have been a little tart!
Trying to get a family photo, but he didn't want to put the strawberries down!
Andrew's class has been working on a big painting for a couple of days. You can always tell when Andrew is getting into it because he comes home COVERED in paint. Here are a couple of photos from today. (I don't like sharing pictures of other people's kids without their permission, so that's why you'll rarely see their faces)
Four happy artists, hard at work.
Contemplating the deeper meaning of the painting.
It needed a little white right there.
His friend Mary Reid is getting a little hands-on.
It took some convincing, but Andrew decided to add his hands, too!
We were able to get a whole different side of the family together just after the New Year.
We took a trip to Foley, AL, and got together with Sam's mother and stepfather, sister and boyfriend, and step-sister and husband. It's the first time we have all been together in the same place. Andrew had a great time seeing everyone and playing with all sorts of new things, especially his air rockets and the "goofballs" (golfballs) on the green.
The family together!
Just playing a little game of bocce.
Andrew thinks it's "fetch".
"I gotta the goofballs!!!"
High five for Aunt Jodie.
Looking at the trains in Foley's model train display.
Riding the train and ringing the bell.
The visitor center had a train that took visitors on a train ride
around the park. Andrew loved the train.
Chugga chugga chugga chugga choo choo!
Playing puzzles with Aunt Jodie.
Playing with Jon and Bill dropping marbles.
Andrew did NOT want to leave!
He misses his family!
We had a great Christmas vacation in Memphis, and Andrew had a fabulous time not only getting spolied with presents, but also playing with his cousins, who he's only met briefly one time before.
Seeing Andrew interact with his cousins brought tears to our eyes. With Andrew's autism diagnosis, interaction with other kids has always been very reserved, or nonexistent. With Ellie and Will, it was like he had two best friends. In fact, the first day they got out of the car, Andrew ran to the driveway and yelled "Hi, Ellie!!" while waving to her (we had only practiced names one time two days prior). It was adorable. Any time they were together, Andrew was always around one of them playing, and even taking turns. It was amazing to watch.
Anyway...on to the pictures...
Playing letters with Jaja.
Playing letters with Jaja.
Three generations working on a puzzle together. Andrew loves puzzles.
Opening some presents.
Dancing with Jaja.
Opening his present from Ellie and Will. Andrew absolutely adores this car track toy.
Playing games with Ellie.
Jumping on the cousins' new trampoline.
Playing piano at the Gober Christmas Eve party.
Hanging around with the cousins at Christmas dinner.
Playing cars with Will.
Helping Ellie groom her horse.
Just being cute.
Apparently, this is how you eat whipped cream off a piece of pie.
Saying goodnight at the end of Christmas Dinner night.
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