Family Time

We were back in Iowa for the weekend for a wedding. Saturday we spent the morning at Alisa and Scobies new house on the river. The kids thought it was the best place! They walked along the dock trying to catch fish. They took golf cart rides. They found turtles. Thy went on a boat ride. They sat in their hot tub. All of that in the two hours we were there! I thought they were going to move in with them!

We then spent the afternoon with the Bunches at the botanical center. They had a kid garden with a stream and squirting animals. At first I said the kids could wade in the water, but I didn't have extra clothes, so they needed to be careful. After about ten minutes, we gave up on that and just ended up soaked too to bottom, but they had a blast and we ended up spending a long time there! 

Ended the night with a Blackhawks win, so all were happy in our house! 

Camp

Alexis had a blast at camp! Each day, she came home excited and talking our ears off. They swam every day, had breakfast, lunch, and dinner there (yes, not surprisingly, food was a highlight for the week), did arts and crafts, had ice cream, made Olafs, played mirror games, had campfires, sang songs, hula hooped, and played games. She made friends with Lenor and Olivia. We got accolades about her behavior, politeness, and helpfulness. She loved her personal counselor, Magda! They had a great week dressing up the same for each of their theme days. What a great place!

Each day, she asked if she could spend the night like the rest of the kids. Finally, we asked, and they said she could try and spend the night on Thursday. So, we sent her with her bag not knowing if she would actually make it through the night or not. She did, and had a blast!

Conner also got to go to gymnastic camp. He loved the gymnastics and arts and crafts they did there and the fact he got to take his lunch. He was a little sad he didn't get to spend the night at his camp. Gavin was excited that I let him try out a gymnastic class one day. A great week for all!

Best Day of her Life

Alexis started the day with a closing session for her Daisy troop. They met at a kid salon where they dressed up in clothes, got their hair done (which consisted of glitter sprayed in since she doesn't have hair), got make up done (which she refused), and had their nails painted (which she loved!). After this, they had a run way show and dance party. She showed off all the moves she has learned in dance this year. 

Grandma Bunch stayed in town, so she shopped during this time, but met us after for lunch. After we had eaten lunch, Alexis asked if we could stop at one store. I said sure and asked where, and she replied, "The Gap." So, we headed there, and she kept picking up shirts and shorts and saying how cute they were. I let her pick out an outfit, since she was so excited. She had a blast, and I saw the first glimpse of a teenager.

Luckily, she fell asleep on the way home, as she still needed to start Rainbow Camp. We took her up around 5:00 to a state park near our house. There, we met with her counselor (each camper has a one-on-one counselor) named Magda. At first, she would not tell anyone her name. She just hid behind me. Soon, she was sitting next to Magda. Magda is a local high school student that had ALL as a kid, and has been cancer free for several years. She went to this same camp herself. 

We also talked with four of her oncology nurses that are there volunteering for the week. One of the nurses was the first nurse we had the very first night she was diagnosed, so we know him well. They were asking why Alexis wasn't  staying overnight (most campers do), and I responded that she wasn't ready for that. As I got questioning looks, the nurse we know well chimed in, "yes, Alexis wouldn't be ready." Then, he said, "if we play by her rules, everything will go better." We knew then she was going to do fine. 

Three hours later we returned to pick her up at 8:30. I have never seen her beaming so much in my entire life! She told me all about the bounce houses, the mac and cheese, the ice cream with sprinkles, the bonfire with songs and cheering. I expected her to pass out, but instead he talked my ear off the whole way home! Then, she ran in so fast to tell Dad about camp and ended up falling and getting rug burn and slamming her glasses into her face. After a minor settling down town, she was right back to motor mouth about camp. She told us this was the best day ever! We are going to bed tonight with our hearts so full of happiness.