The Santa "VIDEO" Call ? : S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom's (NOV.) Online Mommy Time-Out Video

" Dialing The North Pole is Nothing At All, Because "NOW" ........
  You Can Make A Santa Claus "Video" Phone Call!"

Yep, you read that correctly.

For most young children Santa Claus can be a bit scary at times. For a child, teen, or maybe even adult with Autism it can sometimes be terrifying. For my son, it took ten long years before I could get that "What Most Moms Live For" SANTA PHOTO with their child. What a rush of emotions ran through me that very special day. AND... MY Mom was there to be able to share it with me. I couldn't ask for more that day. Definitely one of my top ten favorite memories. Well needless to say, I'm sure I'm not alone in regards to Autism and Santa Claus. So on that note... I have the video for you this month! It involves your cell phone, $1.99,Go to playstore or Ap icon, search: Santa Video Call, download,  and find that eager person who is ready to make a Video cell phone call to Santa ;) I hope you enjoy this month's Mommy Time-Out. Please come back next month to watch Dusitn see what Santa is bringing him. I know I can't wait ;) Until Then, I hope this Helps YOU like it has Me...Happy  Holidays!
S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom

S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom Angela's "FIRST Santa Photo"

Dustin was 10 years old

(CLICK ON PHOTO TO WATCH NOV. VIDEO)

(THIS IS DUSTIN "THIS YEAR". HE'S COME A LONG WAY.)

                                             
                                                         

Autism @ "ICE" at The Gaylord Palm Pictures: S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom Shares her Visit to "ICE" at The Gaylord Palm

Hello to all of My S.M.A.A.R.T.Moms!

         I just had to share this really cool field trip Dustin and I had the opportunity to go on before Thanksgiving vacation. I had to give Dustin a chance to experience this place. He's always talking about snow when the holidays stroll around and well, I thought what a better place to take him than a place that will not only beam with the Christmas Season being upon us, but maybe he would finally be able to give Santa his Letter ;) Anyway, it called "ICE" at The Gaylord Palm and what a very cold experience....a "9 DEGREE" experience at that. I don't think Dustin realized that all of the Colorful Sculptures were completely carved out ice. It was truly amazing all the detail and time it must have taken the artist. By the time we got to the last room was when I think Dustin came to light that everything was ice. The only reason is because the last room was a Giant ICE Slide! OMG! It was the coolest thing we had ever seen! Dustin loves slides! It was so funny because as cold as he was and before entering this room he was saying "Cooooold Mommy, Time to see Santa?" However, in spite of this....he went down that very cold slide not Once, but Twice (LOL). We followed up our Ice Tour to an unexpected Birthday Party for a fellow High Schooler where all of the kids got to dance, eat  pizza, and meet some famous characters :) But of course as nice as it was of that family to invite us to her party, Dustin only had Santa on his mind. So when the time came  for us to wrap up our field trip group and use the restrooms before the long ride home I whispered to a school staff person that I was going to discretely take Dustin down to give Santa Dustin's Letter. So off we went. I wish I were able to video tape this moment. We approached the area where Santa was and we were the FIRST and ONLY ones there! Dustin was glowing with such a Smile! He was so Proud, Happy, and Thrilled to be able to FINALLY Give his letter to Santa "IN PERSON." I couldn't believe how much he was interacting and trying to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas! It was so adorable and so touching. Santa was wonderful too! He was so great with Dustin, talking to him, reading his letter, and even gave Dustin a Mini Santa Photo, Candy Cane , and a Lucky Christmas Token. You can't imagine how much all of this meant to my Boo Bear; But maybe you can.......I have three really nice pictures of Santa and Dustin, but I'm only sharing one for now. Come back and see me in December to see the other two Santa Claus Pics. In the mean time.....Hope you enjoy the moments I couldn't wait to share with you all! Oh, and IF there is anyone that would like more information about "ICE" @ The Gaylord Palm. Here is a link for you to check out ;)
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms/christmas-in-orlando/about/index.html
 Remember it may be extremely cold there, but it made some of our warmest memories ;) BIG HUGS & Happy Thanksgiving!
 Take Care! S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom Angela

A Tired ,But Excited Dustin ;)

                               
 DreamWorks' Merry Madagascar         

   "It's toooo Coooold Mom."(Good thing "ICE" provided everyone with these flashy blue coats to help keep us warm.)

    Are we there yet?

    Everything is Ice!

  Mom & Dustin with an "All  Ice Christmas Tree"

  Yes it's "9 Degrees", But Dustin can't Slide just Once ;)

  This is an "ICE  SLIDE!" Dustin has to slide Twice ;)

Done Sliding....Time to get Bugs Bunny & Daffy out of his pocket ;)

                                                         

   "Mom, It's too cold at the North Pole."

    "Mom! Lion !"

       "Time to go?"

Santa Letter? Mom, Santa Letter???

    Mom's Boo Bear & Friends

This is the letter Dustin gave Santa. Below you can see Santa holding it and Dustin asking him for  The Road Runner and Elmer Fudd too;)

      What Santa gave Dustin. He Loves his Lucky Token!
                            Happy Holidays!

Autism Speak's 2012 Autism Walk Pictures : The S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom TEAM for Autism Speak's 2012 Autism Walk

What a Beautiful Day it was for this years Autism Speaks Walk! This year we had 11 walkers sign up to join the S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom Team and I can't tell you how much that meant to Dustin and I. Hopefully next year will be just has wonderful ,but with more walkers.....So if you missed this years walk , PLEASE subscribe to this site so you will be informed of 2013's Autism Walk. In the mean time I just want to say Thank You again to my TEAM and BIG HUGS from S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom ;)
Here are some pictures from this year's event. Enjoy and I hope to see you next year!
Until then, Take Care! S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom

                                                          
 "Hats Off To The S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom TEAM for Raising $200.00 for the 2012 Autism Speaks Autism Walk!"

                                         S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom TEAM Shirts ;)

                                  What a Wonderful Day for an Autism Walk!

            Charles (R) having a difficult time with the bridge; but got over it like a                   "CHAMP." Great job sweetie! We're all so very Proud of you!

                          S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom's TEAM was meant for Walking ;)

                                 Dustin really loved the Christmas Decorations!
                He's already been getting excited about the holidays getting closer ;)

                        S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom Supporters and Unconditional Friends

                                Autism Speaks "Sad Facts" along the walk.
                                    Can't really call them "Fun Facts" now can we?

                          TEAM S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom and what she stands for;)

                          2012' S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom TEAM! ( From left to right)

 Charles, Allyson, Belinda, Bryan, Doug, S.M.A.A.R.T.Mom Angela, Helen, S.M.A.A.R.T.son Dustin, Dawn, and Shalley.

 Thanks for the photo Belinda, unfortunately mine didn't come out very good. I also want to give a BIG Thank You to my Team this year. It means sooo much to me that you chose to walk with Dustin and I this year. It was a beautiful day , maybe a bit too bright in some areas.....sorry about that Allyson. I know it looks like she is crying here, however, she was actually just irritated by the bright sun glaring in her eyes that day. Pictures aren't always perfect maybe, but I'll take this one anyday ;)
 BIG HUGS to my AWESOME TEAM! — at Cranes Roost Park.

 Got to be a bit much for Boo this year, not shocking though...This event as my photos clearly show how very crowed it gets at the Autism Walk. But we try every year just the same. So we could only stay until about 11:00/11:30. We said our good-byes and immediately left to get some lunch. Lunch of couse made my Boo Bear much happier ;)