Ice Cream for Breakfast

August 18, 2011

On the first day of school we have a tradition of having ice cream for breakfast. We decided to do this to remember Oliver's Make*A*Wish trip at Give Kids the World (April 2010) where they have an ice cream shop on site and insist that you have to have ice cream for breakfast at least once while you are visiting!

Today was the first day of school for Eden. She is in 3rd grade this year! I can't believe she is getting that old! She has Mrs. Burton for a teacher and is in class with some good friends. She's excited for the school year, although they implemented uniforms this year which she isn't so fond of! I know she'll do well this year. She's always been a good student! They should actually be going to Irving Elementary because of boundary changes, but they've granted the kids special permission to continue going to Edison. I especially wanted Eden to stay there because if Oliver does pass, I want her to have a support system in place. She has friends there, it is familiar to her and she's been seeing her school counselor since Oliver was diagnosed, who is wonderful. I think it just makes sense to keep them where they are. I'm grateful they are able to continue to go there.


Oliver is in 5th grade but is currently home for several reasons.

1. His school isn't wheelchair accessible, and although he can still walk, three flights of stairs are nearly impossible for him to manage.
2. He has nightmares a lot and is scared to go to bed at night so he's up several hours after most of the kids are in bed. I'm always up with him because of insomnia problems. This obviously makes it hard to get up in the morning.
3. Because he missed a lot of school (Half of 3rd grade and all of 4th grade) he feels like he's extremely behind and is embarrassed because of it.
4. He cries a lot more, is more difficult to understand and doesn't want to be around others while he's going through the increase in these symptoms.
5. He doesn't feel 'normal' at school.

So... many things made my decision to keep him home a fairly easy one. The biggest reason is because I know the reality of this tumor and the little time I may have left with him. It's important to me to be able to spend time with him and for his siblings to spend time with him as well. He's in 5th grade now and his teacher this year is actually his 3rd grade teacher, Mr. Galloway! :O) I'd like to visit his class every so often. They put a few of his good friends in his classroom so he'd have friends to see if he went, but he's just not up to it, so I'm not going to push it. I'm working on things with him at home so he is getting some schooling because you can never gain too much knowledge! I also need to have some play dates set up as well to see some of his friends!

Eden

Phineas and Sissy

Oliver (man... he LOVES cherries!)

Oliver getting Finny some whipped cream. That's all he wanted... no ice cream... just whipped cream and sprinkles! :O)

Finn (somehow this kid is always photographed with a booger hangin' out of his nose! Jaren always has his hands down his pants and when I was little my mouth was always hanging open like I was dumbfounded!!!)

Eden on the first day of 3rd grade at Edison.

Eden's Chorus Concert

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Eden with some of her classmates after the concert

McKenzie and Eden

School Christmas Parties

Friday, December 17, 2010 - Ollie's 4th grade Christmas party and Eden's 2nd grade party.

I made my first fruit pizzas and they turned out fairly well. It was fun to make them!! Definitely one to get the kids involved with making! Eden called me and told me that her party time was changed and since I only had a sitter for the two younger boys for an hour I could only come to Ollie's party. I think he had fun seeing classmates and eating and playing games with them. One game they played was dancing to the music and when the music stopped they had to freeze. If they moved, they were out. I could tell Ollie was having fun! So good to see.

This is Oliver with his teacher, Mrs. McCombs. She comes and tutors Oliver in math and science every Monday evening for about an hour and a half. His counselor, Mrs. Hay, tutors him on Thursdays in reading and writing. They've been so great when working with Ollie!

Mrs. McComb's 4th grade class. Ollie has 'the monkey in my chair' on his shoulders in the photo! :O) The monkey represents Ollie and sits in his desk when Oliver isn't in class. I guess the kids have been raising his hand to answer questions and such! I'll have to get some pics of that!!

Eden, age 8, and her 2nd grade teacher, Miss Farrell.

McKenzie and Eden after their Christmas party. Such good buddies!

Last day of School (1st & 3rd)

Monday, June 7, 2010

Eden did GREAT this year! She is such a smart girl and even got the Music Citizenship award for her class! A day never goes by that she doesn't sing!

Eden and her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. White.

Oliver's award assembly. He hadn't gone to school much of the second semester, but I made sure he got to be there on the last day! His principal announced that he was there and everyone clapped for him. Of course... I started crying... (he's the shorty in the yellow shorts)

Oliver and his award. Love that smile!

Ollie and his 3rd grade teacher, Mr. Galloway.

"There's a Monkey In My Chair is a program developed by the
Love, Chloe Foundation.
It is designed for pre-school and elementary aged children who are away from school because of a cancer and/or brain tumors.

Each child is provided with a "monkey kit" which includes a big stuffed monkey that takes their place in school when they are unable to be there. The kits include the monkey with a backpack, a book, and other items that can be utilized by the child and/or their classmates. All kits are sent out at no cost to the families or hospitals."

Oliver and Adora

Ollie and Tyler

Eden with her buddies at recess...

Sayde and Eden

Haylie and Eden

Eden and McKenzie

I took the kids to Rudy's Tacos to celebrate their last day of school and the great job they did!

Eden, the school counselor Mrs. Hay and Ollie.

It was Mrs. Boller's final day teaching P.E. What a goofy bunch!

To reward good behavior (Responsible, Caring, Respectful) the teachers gave out orange feathers when they saw the students displaying them. For a certain amount of orange feathers earned, they were replaced with a black feather to add to the Edison Eagle's wings on the bulletin board right inside the front door. IF the eagle was full of wings by the end of the year, Mrs. Steggall, the principal, would do something crazy!!! She became a HUMAN SUNDAE!!!

Two students from each class were chosen by their teachers to go up and help 'top the sundae'! Eden was chosen and got to toss on some vanilla ice cream! It was the craziest thing! The kids, and teachers, had a ball!!! She was such a good sport to do this for the kids! They will be talking about it forever!

Eden and Haylie ready to launch the ice cream!

BEFORE... Shower cap, goggles, rain gear... or sundae gear, and duct tape!

AFTER... vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, strawberry topping, caramel, sprinkles, chocolate chips, marshmallows and whipped cream! Stuff was flying EVERYWHERE!!!

Oliver and Takoda during the assembly.

Spring Conferences & World Fair

Thursday, April 8, 2010 - Edison Elementary

Tonight Oliver and Eden had their school conferences and again we were very pleased with what their teachers had to say about our kiddos! They said they are both model students especially in the Character Counts aspects and they do great work and are constantly trying to do well in school.

We met with Oliver's teacher, Mr. Galloway and counselor, Ms. Hay to talk with them since Ollie hasn't been back to school for several weeks. We don't think he will be back because of his weakness. Ed had to carry him up the stairs just to go to the conference! Since the school is a two story building it isn't equipped for a wheelchair... unfortunately. I know that everyone would do everything in their power to try and allow him to feel comfortable there, but it's just not possible... plus... I like having him home with me. Anyways, since the kids did great we celebrated with some Dairy Queen! YUM!

Saturday, April 10, 2010 - Samara's Birthday

Today we went to Takoda's sister's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese and then Pizza Hut for pizza. She is such a doll!

Oliver, Eden, Jaren and Phineas at Chuck E. Cheese.

Takoda and Ollie at Pizza Hut (Samara is behind Takoda)

Jare doing the 'birdie'!

Finny boy

Eden and Oliver at the World Fair in Waterloo. A former classmate of mine formed 'Over the Rainbow', a non-profit organization that brings health and education to the people throughout struggling countries. Once a year, usually in the spring, they host the World Fair at the Pepsi Pavillion on the National Cattle Congress grounds. There's food, activities, booths and entertainment for the whole family. We found out about it last year and we really enjoy going. It's fun and it's for a great cause!

Eden and Angela, a childhood friend of mine. I helped her apply temporary tattoos and face paint on the children there! So fun!

Capoeira Club that Ollie was once a part of. A year ago he was playing with these same guys at the World Fair.

It was rough seeing Oliver not be able to participate in something that he once loved. He's so weak that he can't physically do the same things any longer. Heartbreaking to see.

Lou Henry Elementary Dinner & Movie Night

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - Lou Henry Elementary Movie Night

My mom works at Lou Henry Elementary here in town and for their movie night the Student Ambassadors had refreshments available for the movie and asked for a donation to help Oliver. I am AMAZED at the kindness and thoughtfulness of others. It makes me want to be a better person. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's soooooo true. I want other people to feel the way that I've felt, the gratitude that I've been able to feel towards people who have helped us out. I don't know half the people who donated, they just did, and they didn't need to be thanked for it. But, I want to say THANK YOU!!!! Thank you to all the students who helped, the teachers and people who made and brought the food and for all the people who came and donated! It really means a lot to know that so many people care about Ollie!

Sign made by the kids at Lou Henry Elementary.

The kids helping with food and drinks.

Jayden Jolley, a friend from church and student ambassador who helped out.

Oliver, Uncle Chad and Grandma Young

Jaren AKA: Barf Vader

Other staff members and friends that helped out. :O)

Oliver and Alison

(This little girl wanted to help Oliver so she made baked goods to sell during a teacher meeting held at her church and raised $150! She never had even met Oliver. So sweet!

One of my mom's co-workers made this especially for Oliver. :O)

Mom, Mr. Ortman - Principal at Lou Henry, Me

He has gone above and beyond with helping Oliver and my mom! The staff at that school is AMAZING! I can't thank them enough!

Some of the kids and their families that came out for the family movie night!

My mom shaved her head with Oliver and then got his name carved into her newly sprouting hair! It's interesting to see that the letters "L-I-V-E" are the only letters that could fit in the frame. What we are all praying for............ the fact that he will LIVE through this.