Christmas Challenges with a Special Needs Kiddo

1) Santa is scary!  Imma was terrified the day he came to visit the kids at school.  Can you say an hour with her hands over her ears and her eyes shut?  Not kidding, an hour!  Thank God for her wonderful sped teacher who helped her get through it!
2) Snowmen can be scary!  The animatronic kind anyway. We have one and Imma used to love it but this year whenever anyone would say the word, "snowman'" she would literally freak-out! "I don't want a snowman!  No snowman!"
3) If you dare to put presents under the tree, expect to have presents unwrapped early.  And daily.  (So we don't do that any more!)
4) It's kinda creepy when you tell your very literal special needs child a man is going to be sneaking into our house tonight through the chimney.  So go to sleep. Oh, and let's leave him a snack.
5) Explaining why no one else gets to go up or down the chimney, no matter how good of a climber you happen to be.
6) If it is snowing and icy, expect the new bike to be ridden around the living room. And for any furniture that dares get in the way to be severally chastised.  "No, chair!  Don't do that!"
7) Trains are cool to ride but expensive.  Pre-shows to trains are loud and scary.  If you must sit through said pre-show, bring some headphones or a smartphone.  Make sure you give fair warning when train ride is almost over.
8) If Baby Jesus wants a cake, be prepared to share with Imma!  And when we sing happy birthday, it better be to her!
9) Church is fine if it's not too loud.  (In the past when it has been too loud, Daddy has spent the entire service sitting in the lobby, trying to keep Imma out of the sanctuary.)  Be prepared for statements such as, "I don't really like this book," because the Bible has no pictures.
10)  Finally, it is difficult to explain that no we can't do this again tomorrow and yes we do have to wait an entire year.
We had a wonderful Christmas and we are blessed to have two beautiful little girls to share it with.  Merry Christmas from the Van Horns!