Happy Happy Holidays!

If I could describe this holiday season in one word: PERFECT . For Mason, holiday get togethers are very stressful. Last Christmas he stayed in a room by himself because the noise and the excitement was all too much and my husband, father-in-law,  and I took turns hanging out with him while the rest of the family got their eat, drink and be merry on amongst the kids running and playing and having a good time.  I cried hard that night. I hated that Mason couldn't be amongst everyone playing. 

This Christmas I offered to host all fifteen of us .. that includes six kids under seven. I told myself if Mason needed to be in his room because he was overwhelmed I had to be okay with it. I am trying to take my wants out of what Mason does. He is HAPPY playing on his own. I am the one with the issue. So with that being said, Mason had an amazing Christmas amongst everyone playing with the other kids inside and outside, sitting by the tree participating in gift opening, and watching a family movie with everyone. He did have a little moment of stress and overwhelmingness where he needed his quiet time for a little while in his room to regroup. He had it and was fine after. The best part of it was not that he was just tolerating the excitement of Christmas, but he was enjoying it just like everybody else!

Having Mason enjoy the holiday along with everyone else was the ultimate gift of the season!