Bobo's Bodacious Birthday

The scene was grave about 3 p.m. yesterday as we prepared for Brody's third birthday party. You can see the kids wistfully looking out the window. Our guests were late, and the kids spent a lot of time looking out the window for any signs of life on the cul-de-sac!





Meanwhile, it gave Rob and I extra time to prepare the scene.

The cupcakes were prepared. For the pool party, they were a pool-water blue with little bears floating on them or bobbing in "life saver" tubes.

The "tablescape" (watch a little Sandra on Food TV) was set with pool party favors and a sign designed by Corey in wikki sticks (a reward from the library's summer reading program). And the kids were so excited when our first guests arrived!














I have to mention that though it got up to about 90 yesterday, it made for a very cold pool day. The kids had no issues getting in, but often got out after very little time (and then, forgetting as kids do, got right back in anyway.) There were no moms in the pool!

After a great deal of swimming, guac, chips and drinks, we came inside to eat our hamburgers, hot dogs, mac 'n cheese (it was Brody's party!) and melons. I admit I didn't plan ahead too much, because I dug around the junk drawer for candles, and felt victorious upon landing on three of them. But the plan went awry, because apparently they were the re-lighting kind, which is a little lost on a three-year-old-to-be. I think the other parents just thought I was mean!

Corey and Dilly were anxiously awaiting the present-opening part of the evening, and there's no surprise, since big-brother Corey was carefully supervising every tear and rip to be sure Brody didn't mess anything up.

Brody's friend Delaney was among the two near-three-year-olds in attendance, and he talked about her all day up until the party, and hasn't stopped talking about her yet. In fact, earlier today, he said that yesterday he and Delaney "talked about sliding" and he had a good time with her.

When he opened one of the cards, he took off for the family room couch, which kind of stunned the party-goers. It was easily explained: he clearly thought he had to "read" the card, and he likes to read books on the couch. Once he was back, he was thrilled to get actual books for his birthday as well as a very loud (thanks again, Nancy) dump truck with flashing lights. It was a big hit with all the kids.


Our gift to Brody was a water table. He's been loving the pool lately (he basically hangs from the edge and scoots around the perimeter) and he's been more brave (dunking his own head under water, for example), but it's nice to be able to play in the water without swimming, I guess. He loves that water table and the penguin, polar bear and seal that came with it!


Corey's Cancer Survivor Ceremony

Every year Banner has a cancer survivor day, and this year, I completely dropped the ball and didn't submit a photo or RSVP. We decided we wouldn't crash the party, but when Corey found out about it, he decided he would indeed like to attend. It surprised me because last year he was bored silly and begged to leave early and I had to excuse us from the ceremony! So, last-minute and without an RSVP, just he and I headed over.

Fortunately Becky (the music therapist he always loved) spotted us in the crowd and added his name to the second ceremony so he could go up and get his certificate and his hugs from the doctors. He loves all the doctors - these were Dr. Williams and Dr. Panchoosingh (aka Dr. P) - and a new doctor we haven't yet met.

Many apologies for the very blurry photos. Our camera is broken, so I took the mobile phone with camera, and I can't figure it out! Plus I didn't want to hold up the ceremony.

After the ceremony, we played Bingo until Corey won three pool balls (just what we need). He also treasured a free highlighter from the Childhood Cancer Network (he wouldn't let me hang on to it for him!) It was good to see all the nurses, doctors and child advocates he loved, even though he swore he didn't remember many of them (he did say he remembered Dr. Williams and Dr. P, but I think that may be as much about Dr. Williams being a Red Wings fan than anything else!) It seems he's remembering less and less about cancer, so I'm thankful. Although, he did tell one nurse that he's writing a book about it, so I'll be anxious to see that myself!!