a little bit normal

Liam's birthday is August 20th, and with the big move to Alaska, I decided it would be wise to have his party early.  As luck would have it, that was good thinking, as we see The Wiggles next weekend, and our household goods get shipped the next week.  He loves Pump It Up, a bouncy place that fulfills his sensory seeking needs, so his party was there.  This was the first "real" kid's party we have had, and somehow turning 3 seems like a big milestone.  Liam is a preschooler once he turns 3, and that just sounds older. 

I was worried about the party. I planned a party for his 2nd birthday, but ended up cancelling it due to Dave being about to leave for deployment training and due to the severe sensory defensiveness Liam showed last summer.  Liam just learned how to answer that he is 2 years old; how would he ever understand turning three.

Today showed me that when you are just a little bit autistic (as technically his PDD-NOS means he does not have enough symptoms for a full autism dianosis), you are also a lot bit normal.  Liam understood when he had a birthday, he'd be 3, though his special birthday shirt also helped. 

I look at this photo and I know that motor planning is less delayed now.  He couldn't do this 2 months ago.

His cake and theme were his new obsession: THOMAS!

Before cake, we needed a group photo....but where's Ben?

Oh, that's right, as normal, he is throwing a screaming fit.....he never even napped after the party.

Then the feeding frenzy started and someone got a picture of me!

The Thomas hats were a big hit!

even the sweaty birthday boy stopped to eat

Ben insisted on eating like a dog

Liam's whole face lit up when they brought his cake and everyone started singing.....this was HUGE....a year ago, he screamed during any singing of the birthday song.

Liam and Will, his best friend from preschool, sharing the throne while they ate cake

Liam LOVED the first present he got, which was a Thomas track with water tower

He started to meltdown as he didn't want any other presents, but that one, but we came to a compromise where he held it while opening all the other presents

Finally, little brother, Ben, with his trademark Elvis snarl being held by our awesome babysitter, Clara