9 Cool Things About Simon's Birthday Party

COOL THING #1 | This photo. Katie snapped it during the craziness of the birthday party, after the kids had finished the treasure hunt (the glasses were some of the prizes). I'm thankful that this was my prize.

COOL THING #2 | Simon getting an email from my parents first thing in the morning with an interactive card and fun Spongebob game. I'm thankful for all the ways my parents have connected with Simon.

COOL THING #3 | For his party Simon really wanted to have "marshmallow lasagna." The idea for this dessert came about from a show called Wubbzy and he's talked about it from time to time in the past. I googled "marshmallow lasagna" and found a few different recipes. We ended up doing a modified version of this one - it's basically a smores casserole and it is super, super sweet. For some reason (most likely it's part of the Wubbzy episode that Simon has memorized) he asked for grated cheese on top of his. I'm thankful that he wanted to try something new.

COOL THING #4 | The kids really played together. There was chasing (Simon's favorite), and laughing, and running around upstairs and downstairs, and light sabers and swords. More than half (actually most) of the kids at Simon's party are somewhere on the autism spectrum. They've been in the same program with each other since kindergarten and we've watched each of them grow and develop over the last few years. Most of the same kids were here last year and this year there was really a difference in the way they interacted with one another. I'm so thankful to those kids and their parents for showing up.

COOL THING #5 | I got some photos that I really like of all the kids together eating at the table. I'm not going to be sharing them here but I'm really happy that I took them. Those photos especially remind me just how old he is getting. I'm thankful for the chance to share these photos of friendship with Simon.

COOL THING #6 | My sister sent a bouquet of birthday balloons for Simon. I'm thankful for my sister who is always so thoughtful when it comes to celebrations.

COOL THING #7 | Chris organized a fun treasure hunt (you can see the flier he made up in my Project Life post here) that included five different pirate treasures. I'm thankful for the relationship that Chris has built with Simon and for the one they are building now.

COOL THING #8 | Lots of Ninjago. I'm thankful that Simon's current favorite lego theme has books available.

COOL THING #9 | The nap time after the party. An early in the day party meant time left in the day for a nap on the couch for me. I'm thankful that Anna took a nap (she was exhausted from the excitement) and that Simon was ready and willing to play in peace and quiet with his new toys.


JUST A NOTE | Today is the last day to join Tara Sophia Mohr's Playing Big program (the program begins on Thursday).

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43 thoughts

  1. Cynthia says…
    01/24/2012

    another great post! I so love love love that first photo...priceless! I kind of miss the parties we had when Nick was younger. there is nothing better than a bunch of kids running around having so much fun.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Sue I. says…
    01/25/2012

    Absolutely love that photo of Simon and Anna with the glasses! Hysterical!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Heather says…
    01/25/2012

    Ninja go has a show also, it started last week, been taping it for my kids who love all things lego

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. patty says…
    01/25/2012

    LOVED reading this post...
    you do have a way with life . with words . with stories .
    with L*O*V*E...
    thank you for sharing it all!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jamie Stahl says…
    01/25/2012

    Cool thing #10? How positive you are about everything. I'm sure you don't always feel that way, but expressing thanks the way you to is a gift. Happy birthday to Simon.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Suz says…
    01/25/2012

    Fabulous day for Simon and for all of you. TFS. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Liz Ness says…
    01/25/2012

    What an awesome photograph (the featured one)--all of them are great, really. However, I'm imagining another done in the same glasses some day when they are about 10 years older--than twenty. The glasses are classic! (You know, the then and now photography, like this: http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/03/then-and-now-portrait-photography-by-irina-werning/)

    Also, happy birthday to Simon and HUGS to you! =)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Liz Ness says…
      01/25/2012
  8. Julia S says…
    01/26/2012

    So happy to hear he had a great party. My special guy is also on the Autism Spectrum and would of loved all the fun! ;-) Too bad we're in St.Louis...thanks as always for sharing Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Creative Photo Albums says…
    01/31/2012

    Ali, you have this way of telling stories. I mean they are short descriptions but I seem to be in the party. Happy birthday Simon. The first picture with your sis is definitely cute. And oh, I the lasagna looks delicious. Hope you'd share the recipe one of this days.

    Annabella

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. seo says…
    01/31/2012

    Just about all of the things you articulate happens to be supprisingly appropriate and that makes me wonder why I had not looked at this with this light previously. This piece really did switch the light on for me personally as far as this particular subject goes. But at this time there is just one point I am not really too comfortable with so while I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual central idea of your position, permit me see exactly what all the rest of your visitors have to say.Well done.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. able mabel says…
    01/31/2012

    I love reading your writings. They are so thoughtful and well said.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Tina says…
    02/10/2012

    Happy birthday, Simon! I can't believe I've been reading funny and sweet stories about you for at least 6 years now! It's awesome to be 10. I was 10 about 33 years ago and I sure wish that I had all the cool Lego sets back then that you have now. Yes, I'm a girl that loves Lego, and I'm glad my 9-year-old son loves it too. Oh, and my son likes chasing, and he recently got a red balloon that he named Fred.

    Cheers!

    Reply 0 Replies
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    06/06/2012

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    08/04/2013

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    Reply 0 Replies

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