Oliver's Journey

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.

Des Moines Blaze Football - Assistant Coach of the Day

Saturday, June 5, 2010 - Des Moines Blaze vs. Capitol City Crush

A little background on how this fundraiser came about -- During Oliver's radiation, a friend of mine had gotten a meal plan for us since we were driving an hour and a half back and forth every day for six weeks. Nikki, a stranger to me, heard about Oliver and wanted to bring us a meal. She stopped by and shared with us that she had lost her son in 2007 to a brain tumor, medulloblastoma, which is in a different part of the brain. He sadly passed away two days after she had found out about the disease. We sat and talked and cried together. A while had passed and she had contacted me about a friend of hers wanting to do a football fundraiser for Ollie. He and his wife saw this as an opportunity to start raising awareness for pediatric cancer as well as SIDS awareness. What a WONDERFUL couple! They invited us as well as Nikki and some other teammates and friends to a spaghetti dinner in their home. They even had gotten each of my kids gifts and all of us Des Moines Blaze t-shirts to wear to the event. Their generosity and love truly showed in the way they treat others. We felt so welcome... like we were old friends! I'm so grateful for all of the support from perfect strangers, for support and love that was shown to Oliver during the game from all of the players! It was a WONDERFUL day and I will forever be a Des Moines Blaze fan!

Oliver -- I was going to make him a Blaze eye patch, but wow... it was a difficult one to try and create! One of the players made the towel to wear during the game and gave it to Oliver. I think this is one of my favorite pictures of him during the fundraiser!

Most of the following photos were taken by someone that takes photos for the team. I wish I could take credit for them... they are awesome! I'm so glad we have these photos because for some reason most of mine didn't get saved to my computer!

Ollie playing catch with Matt before the game.

Ollie - we didn't even think to have him wear regular shoes! It was hard to run in his crocs!

The entire team gathered for a photo with Ollie before the game! The game truck behind them was full of several flat screens and game systems! Ollie played some Madden football on the Wii before the game started!

The items for the silent auction. I had a photo of Amanda, Matt and Ollie after the game, but that was one of the photos that didn't get saved. Bummer. Amanda is wearing a white Ollie's All-Stars shirt and was about 7 months pregnant! Thanks for EVERYTHING you and Matt planned for us!

Oliver and Matt in the locker room before the game. Don't worry... Ed took this picture!

Oliver leading the team out onto the field!!

This was from my point of view as he led the team out. I think they had to tell him to stop running... "Run, Forrest, Run!"

Oliver warming up with the team. You can tell by the look on his face that he was just loving it!

I love these next pictures of the team in the last minutes before the game.

The coin toss.

And the game begins...

Oliver, Chad, Me, Mom and Bry on the sidelines.

One of the coaches carrying Ollie off the field on his shoulders during half-time.

Chad, Oliver, Bry and one of the coaches.

My mom took this one of Ollie, Chad and me up in the box. Ollie got to announce some plays and work the videocamera. Unfortunately all of my pictures and video of him announcing were deleted. UGH!

After the game.

Oliver and Matt walking off the field after the game.

Nikki, Jaydn's mom, and Oliver

I thought it was only fitting to have a picture of Nikki's cute little boy, Jaydn, who I'm sure was there in spirit!

Again... THANK YOU to EVERYONE who made this day possible for Oliver and our family!!! We truly appreciated it!

Hickory Hills w/Grandma's school - June 2010

Grandma Young reading some facts about the birds at the park.

Oliver feeding and petting the elk. Their antlers are fuzzy and soft like velvet.

Oliver - age 8

Ollie loves to climb trees and this one is a great one to climb!

Ollie on a boat ride. The driver was telling that there are about 10 or so four feet long catfish in the lake! I saw three of them right underneath the surface of the water.