Boys Birthday Bash

We celebrated Conner's 4th and Gavin's 2nd birthday at the soccer complex where the kids both enjoyed soccer games as well as several bounce houses. Conner has been looking forward to this party for weeks and the excitement for the celebration showed on his face the entire time. They had such a great time and loved every minute. Gavin loved every minute of keeping up with the big kids and going down all the bounce houses himself. Alexis even got to attend with special permission from the doctor and lots of hand sanitizer. A great success of a day!

Friday Mix-Up

We mixed things up this week and had Tuesday as a school day and Friday as a treatment day. Mimi went with mom and Alexis to the hospital and Papa stayed with the boys. Alexis did a great job. She cried a little when they accessed her port, but didn't scream and kick like she normally does. We had Brittney as our nurse, and she is one of my favorite. She is so good with Alexis. She distracted her by letting her push in her own meds and chemo. So, I guess our six year old is totally self sufficient at this point! She got Vincristine and IV Methotrexate again this time. The Methotrexate they went up by almost double from the last time. As long as she tolerates it, they will continue to push that level up. So far, she seems to be tolerating it fine.

We then met dad at a park on his way home from work to get out a little bit. There was only one other family there, so it was perfect from a germ perspective. The kids had a great time getting out and getting in some good run-around time. So thankful for this weather, as this winter when we are stuck inside will be a little difficult. For now, we will relish these days where we can get her out in limited public.

Star Student

Alexis was Star Student at school this week. Luckily she made it for most of the week. On Monday, she took a poster all about her with her favorite items. On Tuesday, she talked about our trip to Florida. On Wednesday, she discussed our May Day family tradition. On Thursday, she took a bucket filled with stickers for her friends to guess how many were in there. She had a great time discussing all of these and drawing/writing about them. However, I think she was a little nervous to talk about them in front of people. The one morning on the way to school, she rehearsed the entire way. It was really cute. Her teacher said she did a nice job with a little probing. Very proud of our Star Student in more ways than one.

Ella

Alexis got a new friend tonight. Children's hosted a tea party for kids with cancer. So, Alexis and mom dressed up and headed down to the hospital for some fun instead of pokes. We made a craft and then had cupcakes. Alexis got Barbie's new friend, Ella. Ella has cancer and doesn't have any hair. She comes with wigs, hats, and hankerchiefs. Alexis liked her, and we also ran into a friend from the first few days at the hospital. It was a nice night to get some positive experience at the hospital.

Conner's "I get to do anything I want" birthday

Conner had a great 4th birthday. He started the day at school, and Grandma Phyllis joined him for cupcakes there. He also has a special friend at school that spends a special half hour a week with him (they thought this would give him a little extra attention with everything we have going on), and she came for the cupcakes as well.

Then, mom picked Conner up from school and took him out to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. This is Conner's favorite pace for lunch, and today mom realized it was not because of the cheesecake, but because he likes the whipped cream that comes with the cheesecake. That's an expensive lesson! Then, we headed to the carousel. After one ride Conner asked to go again. When I said that we needed to get going, he responded, "It's my birthday and I get to do what I want." Yep, that would be the lesson mom instilled and now has to live with...oh the choices we make.

Next, we headed to the bowling alley to meet his friend Liam. They had a great time bowling, and Conner got soda which meant he was in heaven. Liam hadn't bowled before, so Conner got to help him learn. For a kid that likes to be in charge, this was a great birthday treat as well.

Finally, dad came home from work, and we opened presents and had cake. Conner had waited all day for his presents. Leading up to his birthday, he had asked for Rescue Bots, and we had explained that you can't get them all, as that is expensive, but he could maybe ask for one. Like any smart kid, he started assigning people different Rescue Bots. Mom was to get Heatwave, Dad Chase, Grandma Boulder, Mimi Blades, and Papa Optimist Prime. So, when he ripped through all his presents and finally got to the big box, the excitement on his face as he ripped through a box containing all six Rescue Bots was priceless. He was in pure joy and didn't want to go to bed that night or school the next day, as he wanted to play with them non-stop. Such fun and a great 4th birthday!