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Monday, December 29, 2014

Alex at Christmas


My favorite memory of Christmas this year was watching Alex.
He usually has to be prompted many times to open a gift
and he often submits to Spencer's bossiness and lets
his brother take over and unwrap them for him.




This year he was very engaged and didn't need any prompting at all!
He initiated everything himself, was focused and even smiling.
I also observed this at our business party in our home
earlier this month, but actually thought it was a fluke! ha.




When I sat down to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve with my four 
men, I didn't even have my camera with me.  It's usually over in a
60 second whirlwind and they gather their treasures and run to
their bedroom! ha.  But when I saw Alex enjoying it so much,
I had to snap a few photos.


Sometimes, the best gifts aren't wrapped and under the tree!


65 comments:

  1. That is just too special, Betsy. I love seeing all your men in their PJ's and opening gifts. You know, I didn't get one picture of us opening our exchange gifts....too busy having fun, and when it was over.... remembered the camera. These will be treasured photos.

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    1. I usually do that, too...just savor the moments in my memory and forget the photo taking! Glad I caught these on camera though!

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    2. I forgot to tell you how much I loved looking beyond the Mister and boys and enjoyed your home in the backgrounds...Everything is so lovely.

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    3. Well, thank you. I've always loved this little house...we built it when we were about 25 years old...just kids ourselves! :)

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  2. Brilliant! You must be really happy. Is that a train DVD I see being opened there? We had some in our house too. And a great thick train book as well. And I love all the not quite matching trousers/ pyjama bottoms: very smart. (And on a completely other subject you can see my new earrings on Brown Bag Crisps Slightly Salted). That last sentence might look like a code to anyone who doesn't know me!

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    1. Oh yes...trains! Our triplets LOVE them...it's their whole life..such an obsession.

      Coming over to see your earrings! I love secret coded sentences! haha....

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    2. You can't beat a good code. We love trains in this house. Many many books and DVDs. And we travel by train whenever possible. The train trip from Sion to Venice is just lovely. Sion to Florence a lot more stressful as you never know how long you'll have to make the change at Milan - but the journey from Milan to Florence. Oh boy! Very fast indeed: we made it to 298 km/h!! Very impressive to those who care.

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    3. We've taken our boys on some short train trips but I keep saying we need to travel across the country in a train some time...they would love just going for the ride and we would love it as a relaxing site seeing trip. It doesn't sound as fun to The Mister, though, as he makes a face every time I bring it up. haha. I think a trip during the fall when all the leaves are turning would be wonderful!

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    4. I think train travel is great but you can buy some very nice DVDs these days if The Mister doesn't fancy it in real life.I don't know where you'd travel from or to, but you always seem to have such great autumn colours I'm sure that would be a lovely trip.

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    5. Yes, some of those travel DVD's are what made me think we should take a trip....very scenic!

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  3. He sure looks involved and wanting those gifts indeed
    As I see the train dvds taking seed
    Never would have guessed they'd get that lol
    Looks like a merry christmas even* lol at your mat

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    1. We still have gifts laying there..
      they ones that seeing, they didn't care.
      They could tell they were clothes just by the box.
      I tell you, they are slier than any fox. haha.
      The DVD;s were grabbed up quick as a flash
      as to their room with them they did dash.

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    2. lol yeah who needs clothes
      Dvds are better as they are lined up in rows

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    3. how very true!
      they would agree with you!
      DVD towers they certainly love
      and if you touch them, you'll get a shove.
      haha.

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  4. Hi Betsy - so pleased for you .. and interesting to see they are taking more notice ... that's great - thank goodness for trains is all I can say! Love the PJ day ... happy times ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Yes, thank goodness for trains! lol....and there seems to be many more websites selling train related items...so fun for them!

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  5. So glad the boys enjoyed their day!
    Is that one of your new angled shots with your new camera gadgets?
    Enjoy your evening.....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. No new camera stuff there...I hadn't opened my gifts yet! ha.

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  6. I wonder why he is more into it this year, isn't it great though, I have learned from our Gracie to not question the successes but to just enjoy them, you have five handsome men Betsy!

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    1. I don't know! We haven't seen any new things in a very long time...in fact, to be honest, I've kind of stopped looking for things. I mean, they are 21 years old and I almost think what we have is what we have now....so it was a wonderful surprise. We haven't done anything new, so I have nothing to attribute this success to. Yes, you just don't question them...just enjoy! A sweet gift on Christmas, that is for sure! Now if they would just talk! Well, I'd faint...lol...but after someone revived me, it would be amazing! lol...

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  7. That's wonderful. I'm glad they enjoyed their day.

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  8. It is a tremendous gift. Seeing change and development is what it is all about with all kids. I bet he will always remember to joys of opening a present now.

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    1. I think you're right! I'm expecting to see it again, next time.

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  9. Love these pictures! He looks absolutely happy with gifts and all, he really enjoyed:)

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  10. I love the pictures you got - they really are treasures and I'm so glad Alex enjoyed himself. Seeing your kids having fun is really the best.
    PS - I think I see a train video. I know they'll like that!

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    1. Oh yes, they only opened the presents that looked like DVDs. haha...

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  11. That is a great set of pictures. Nice to see the boys enjoying themselves, they will want a Christmas every week now!

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    1. They have been ready for Christmas all month! Poor boys checked their stockings every day and looked under the tree for presents. Then they had to endure those yucky white elephant gifts! They were so glad when it was finally time for real presents!

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  12. A wonderful Christmas gift for Mom :)

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    1. It really was! I tucked it away in my heart. aw.

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  13. How wonderful! A nice gift, indeed.

    Looks like you had a great Christmas in others ways, too. Love the steak and crab legs idea.

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    1. It was a very nice Christmas all the way around. And I really enjoyed your Christmas posts, too....so fun!

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  14. That's very sweet. It does the heart good to see development occurring. A lovely Christmas gift for your family. And thank you for sharing your joy with us.

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  15. A wonderful Christmas memory to be cherished from this day forward. It doesn't get any better than that!

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    1. I think so, too....so fun to watch and a nice surprise!

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  16. Aw, Betsy - this made me a bit teary. Tugged at my heartstrings.I love his reaction.
    Do you think it may be the cumulative effect of the new school they have been attending? It seems you have mentioned little things here and there in the last number of months that lead me to believe their new surroundings are helping all of them. No matter the reason, I just love his smiles and he truly seems to be very engaged in what's going on.
    Also, I love the curious kitty nosing in the gift bag and the sleeping kitty in the background. Jammies and kitties and men - can't go wrong!

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    1. It's hard to tell, really. Seems I see things Spencer does more often because he's the ring leader, after all, and has always been more communicative and responsive. I hope it's a glimpse of some new steps for Alex...he is so far behind his brothers.

      yes...jammies, men and kitties...three of my favorite things! haha.

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  17. It is so heart warming to see Alex opening his presents without any prompting . . . . I can see than gladdened your heart . . . :)

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    1. Yes, so fun....I love it when it smiles....it's so rare and he usually seems anxious. He really did enjoy himself. I hope something clicked in his little head and we'll see some more new things!

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    2. I hope so too Betsy . . . . . :)

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  18. That's so nice :) Sounds like had a great Christmas. I love how you always appreciate the little things that most people wouldn't even stop to notice. xoxo

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    1. We did have a nice Christmas.....now we are on vacation this week....feeling wonderfully lazy. Ha.

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  19. How delightful! Love it!

    And how very true, sometimes the best things are not the gifts under the tree! We spent Christmas in Ohio with my family and it was the best one in a long time!!

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    1. Well, that is nice...and you didn't have any bad weather to travel in, either!

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  20. I so agree Betsy! What a wonderful gift you received.😃 We've watched our autistic 9 yr old grandson blossom this year and sing along with a group of kids as he's never done before. Amazing!! The little things in life really are the big things. Happy New Year to you and yours.

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    1. Oh, that's so nice about your grandson! How fun!

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  21. Wonderful memories to keep and ponder them in your heart! Thanks for sharing.

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  22. As you say, the best gifts are not the wrapped ones. Lovely.

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  23. How very sweet, Betsy. Yes, these memories are by far the best! And I'm looking forward to seeing more photos with that new lens...very fun! Your moon pictures are awesome already, but the tripod will be fun to use too. For me it is a discipline thing...I just don't feel like setting it up. I keep mine in the car...I rarely wish I had it in the house (and my car is home if I am ), but it's for those amazing outdoor shots that I wish I had it...and I do if I keep it in the car!

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    1. I've been thinking that about the tripod. It seems that it would hamper moving quickly to capture a photo...such as a bird, etc. In your hands, it would be so much easier. I don't feel I need it for the steadiness...as my hands are fairly steady. But maybe I'm just naive about it all. I need you to come down here and give me lessons. haha.

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  24. Looks like they are having a wonderful time!
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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