party

Back home and got all the “good pics” out of my camera so I can post about all the fun we have had lately.

The holiday party for Bass Center patients. Walking in I noticed the sign….”survivors party”. This was the first party of its kind…for some reason I expected it to be only current patients. But it was also for past patients. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hard to read the word survivor on the sign…But onto happier things….

She was so excited about this for a few weeks. Jennifer adores her drs and nurses and couldn’t wait to show them off to her brothers and her brothers off to them. I am pretty proud of my little family and JLK certainly is too. I have some pictures of them together…not sure if its appropriate to share…But if it is I will add it in later. You can just see the love and bond that has already formed with her oncologist …and its obviously mutual.

Immediately I was able to go back and check out all special gluten free food that had been purchased especially for her. There are so many patients all with different needs…it meant so much for my daughters dietary needs to be addressed. It meant we were all able to let loose and enjoy the night.

First up were the capes. All our kids got super hero capes that they picked out and their initial was then embroidered on it. All 3 big kids picked out capes that perfectly suited them. Then they moved onto making a craft. It was necklaces….I was apprehensive about letting Jennifer do it since I am not sure how hard it is with double vision, but she did quite well with just a little help.

She loves face painting so we went there next. Nicholas wanted the same thing as sissy. While we were waiting for him to get his done “Roar” came on and we danced and sang together. I held her in my arms and even though nobody else was dancing we danced with no shame.

They had times to meet Santa and ours was up. He was amazing…And they were able to all spend a good amount of time with him. All the kids got to pick out a present from his elves. Big toys…so they were very happy.

 

We ate and Mrs Claus came for a visit. I’m not sure what it was exactly but this night was emotional for Tony. I think we are lucky that we seem to trade off struggles…since mine came this weekend. But he was often moved to emotion through out the party. 

Back in the main room we did a photo booth and Nicholas Jennifer and I danced again. All the kids got to win gift cards in the dance contest. JLK was so excited to have won…I mean seriously thrilled!  The next day we went to Target to spend her gift card and she wanted to buy a gift for herself and one for her friend. She wanted lots of bigger things for herself but stuck to the idea of one smaller for her so she could buy something for her friend.

And I danced with her. And I laughed and I smiled. In that moment we were just mother and daughter and brother on the dance floor. I am so thankful for those moments. 

Back at the apartment all the kids went to bed really well together…And Tony and I got to watch the glitter photo shoot video together for the first time.

 

Radiation the next day I blogged about http://love4jlk.org/?p=277

And then we went to the park. It was the first time in what felt like forever all 3 of our big kids got to play in a park together. It was simple and wonderful.