Gifts from Sweet Friends

Oliver's 4th grade teacher, Mrs. McCombs, stopped by with some gifts for the kids a few weeks ago. We chatted for several hours and it was nice to have her in our home again. She tutored Oliver once a week last year along with Oliver's counselor, Mrs. Hay.

This was a hit with all the kids!! We had to go outside and try it out in the dark!

Yes, that is a Harry Potter scar on his forehead. I think Oliver drew it on for him!

Jodi heard about Oliver and has been following his story for the last couple of months. She has sent Ollie several packages full of fun things for Oliver to do. I hope we can meet her soon as she is our northern neighbor in Minnesota! Thank you for your love and prayers!

How cool... it's a mini Hogwarts!

She also remembers the other kids... :O)

I have to say that I try to get a photo of Oliver with every gift he gets and who it's from. If you don't see a picture of a gift you've sent him, it's most likely because I wasn't home when it was opened and the contents have been well played with -- all throughout the house!!! :O)
THANK YOU all so much for thinking of Oliver and wanting to help him throughout this journey. He loves checking the mail and seeing if anything is for him. It adds a bit of excitement to his boring day with mom!!! It also gives him something else to think about instead of fearing the uncertain future. Again... THANK YOU all for thinking of Oliver and sending him goodies and sweet notes full of encouragement and jokes! They help to buoy us ALL.

Ollie's 10th Birthday is NEXT MONTH!!!

**OLIVER'S 10th Birthday**
JULY 11, 2011

I'd love to surprise Ollie again with a card shower... more like a stormy downpour of cards! If he could have as many candles on his cake this year that he received cards during Christmas, we'd need a cake the size of a house to put them on! So if you'd like to help make his 10th birthday one to remember just send a card to:

Birthday Boy - Oliver Palmer
417 Oaklawn Avenue
Waterloo, IA 50701

As the months have gone by a few cards come in here and there, so I'd like to see that excitement in his face again when the mail lady comes with cards and notes just for him on his special day! Please let as many people know as you can. I often send cards to children I've never met in hopes of brightening their day a bit because I've seen it first hand in my own child's face. We are hoping for a fun, sunny day to celebrate. Still don't know what exactly we'll be doing, but hopefully he'll be swamped openning up his cards. :O) Thank you...