Kay was so excited for her first field trip with her ABA team and was all ready to go… until plans changed. Between everyone getting sick and Kay being the only one who would’ve attended, it made the most sense to reschedule. Tis the season, right? They were planning to visit a children’s museum — one Kay and I have only been to once before, but she loved it, so I know when the trip finally happens she’s going to have the best time.
Kay had also been fighting a cold, but thankfully her pediatrician took one look at her and started her on medicine to help knock it out. While most of it has cleared up, she’s still dealing with an occasional lingering cough. Honestly, it feels like everyone has whatever cold is going around right now — congestion, dry throats, and lost voices all around. Even so, we’ve still tried our best to soak up some holiday magic when we can.
One night, Tyler took Kay, Maeve, and me to a holiday event at the Clark County Museum. Each year, the museum hosts Heritage Holidays, transforming its preserved mini history town into a festive walk through Christmases past. The historic homes and buildings along Heritage Street are decorated with twinkling lights, wreaths, and classic holiday décor. These aren’t replicas — they’re real historic structures that have been relocated and preserved to showcase Southern Nevada’s past, which makes the whole experience feel extra special and nostalgic.
Kay had such a good time — she even stopped mid-walk a few times just to dance. Hehe. It was also wonderful exposure for Maeve. As a service dog handler, training never really stops, and every outing is another learning opportunity. We even crossed paths with another service dog team who was doing great, which is always nice to see. I’m also very grateful that Maeve tolerates my constant need for photos — she’s usually far more cooperative than Kay.
As visitors stroll through the grounds under the glow of holiday lights, carolers sing familiar seasonal favorites, creating such a warm, community-centered atmosphere. It truly feels like a wholesome way to kick off the holidays — simple, joyful, and family-friendly.
Now that Kay is getting older, I can really see her excitement in moments like these, and it makes holiday activities even more meaningful. I still can’t believe that in just one week, Kay will be five years old. Time has absolutely flown by, and I love watching her grow more and more every single day.