Alex's Lemonade Stand Weekend!!

Every year, this weekend will be a special weekend for our family.  Now only is it the anniversary of Sabrina's cancer diagnosis, baptism, and tumor resection, but it is the weekend of the MN Alex's Lemonade Stand events.

Saturday was the 2nd annual Lemon Run in Edina, MN.  We ran it last year with Sabrina and this year we brought along the whole family.  I pushed Sabrina and Kadence in a stroller while Ashlyn, Aubrie and Jim ran.  Within 30 seconds, Ashlyn was crying saying her legs hurt...we talked prior to the run about why we were doing this and if children can go through the pain of cancer and its treatments...we can run. Ashlyn needed a few reminders, Aubrie ran like a trooper, needing a few water breaks, and Sabrina and Kadence had it easy.  Our goal, as a family, was to run the 1.1 miles (not the full 2.2).  We finished our goal in 13 minutes...not bad with four little kids, water breaks, and a stop for a photo.  The big girls crossed the finish line with speed and strength.  In the end, it felt good to do this as a family.  The big girls even made the news...check out this link...the girls are seen crossing the finish line (about 50 seconds into the clip).

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=978090

                  We stopped for a photo at Sabrina's sign...it was near the end of the mile run.

                                             A picture of our girls with their race numbers.

A family photo after we finished the run...notice the big girls were a little tired and the little girls wanted        
                                                              out of the stroller :)

                                                 Sabrina was recognized as a survivor.

                                                                  Another family photo

                                         Sabrina and Molly (another neuroblastoma survivor)

Today we went to the Mall of America for the 8th annual MN Alex's Lemonade Stand.  We have volunteered for the past 3 years.  The same family that hosts the run, hosts this stand as well (Molly and her family).  We brought Sabrina with us, her special day with Mommy and Daddy.  Nana brought Ashlyn, Aubrie and Kadence around lunch time and they stayed for some dancing and singing.  The dancing was fantastic...Sabrina loved watching them and Aubrie loved to dance to the music on her own.  Jim and I provided some musicians to perform in between the dancing shows.  Our singers did an amazing job and we are very grateful they volunteered their time.  Some of them graduated yesterday and had an all night senior party.

                                                Sabrina ready for the dancers and singers!!

 A video was made with photos of local childhood cancer fighters, survivors and angels...this was one
                                                           of Sabrina's photos :)

                                                     Eagan High School's "Cache"

                                                      Eastview High School singers

The goal of these two events was to raise $20,000 for childhood cancer research and funding...we will find out soon what the final amount  was.  What a great weekend.

Now...for the last week of school :)

Ashlyn's Birthday and Sabrina's Anniversary

It is so hard to believe that our first born child is now 8.  Where did the time go??  I know we have 3 other children, but it is always amazing to see your children get older.  I feel like she was born yesterday.  She was my only labor (as the others were c-sections), which wasn't too bad, but in the end after pushing and pushing, Ashlyn had her own plans and a C-Section it was.

Ashlyn has been wanting an American Girl Doll for a while and we just couldn't pull ourselves to spend that much on a doll...but we decided to make a deal with Ashlyn.  We said we would buy her an American Girl Doll if she chose not to have a party this year...she went for it quite quickly.  We upheld our part and she was ecstatic!!  She helped design her doll, with freckles and pierced ears :)

We did have a family party on her birthday.  We went to Pizza Ranch (her choice) and then back home for presents and a cookie cake.  She said it was the best birthday ever...and never once did we hear "this is the worst day ever "...one of Ashlyn's favorite sayings.

                                                  Ashlyn before school on her 8th birthday!

                                                       Our little diva at the Pizza Ranch

                                                              Ashlyn's birthday table :)

                                                  Ashlyn wanted a cookie instead of cake.

                                             It is fun now that she can read her own cards :)

                                                                 Her new sunglasses

                                        She got lots of summer clothes....which she needed.

                                 Roller Blades...she can't ride a bike yet, so let's try skating :)

                                                         Her American Girl Doll!

                      A fishing pole from Grandpa...preparing for our trip to Leech Lake this summer :)

Coming up this week is also the anniversary of Sabrina's cancer diagnosis.  We remember it like it was yesterday (along with Ashlyn's birthday).  On May 29, 2009, we were told our little 3 month old baby had a tumor and it looked to be Neuroblastoma (which was later correctly identified).  We were just numb in amazement and we knew we had to just go on.  We didn't know what was ahead, but we took it one moment at a time.  There was no getting around the cancer...we just had to face it and try to fix it.

Kadence came to visit Sabrina in the hospital...who would have known in 24 hours Sabrina's life would be turned upside down...

 On May 31/June 1 - Sabrina was rushed to the PICU and sedated.  Her heart was beating so fast and her blood pressure was going up...once she was sedated, the doctors could help control that.  Her tumor was messing with her system and it almost took her from us.

 We can't explain what it was like to see our little baby hooked up to so many wires and trying to balance our other 3 children (including another infant)

 On June 2, we chose to have Sabrina baptized in the hospital.  We didn't feel comfortable with her going into surgery without being baptized first.

 I was able to hold her the night before surgery...the first time in a few days.  It took a little help from the nurse with all the wires, but we made it work.

June 4, Sabrina had her 3 1/2 hour surgery to remove her tumor...she came out and was a different baby.  Cancer free and much happier.  Ashlyn came to visit once we were back on the Hem/Onc floor and out of the PICU.

It is amazing how fast the last 3 years have passed, but Sabrina is now able to talk about how she had cancer and she can show people her scar and explain to people that is where the doctors made her better by taking out her cancer.  She won't remember any of it, but we want her to know and we want her to grow up trying to help others and help in finding a cure.

May is beginning to wind down and summer is in our sights.  Ashlyn and Aubrie are deep into their soccer season and Sabrina and Kadence are perfect little cheerleaders.  It is always fun to watch the girls play and see the difference between 4/5 year olds and 8/9 year olds...the speed picks up and the kids begin to realize there are positions and they shouldn't just follow the ball around the field (as cute as it is to watch).

                                                                         Aubrie

Ashlyn

                                               Kadence and Grandpa watching the games

The weather is warming up, which we are all grateful for.  As much as I don't care for humidity, I welcome the warm weather.  We have spent time outside, eating on the deck and jumping through our various sprinklers...by "we" I mean the 4 little girls.  Just so you know, the grass was cut shortly after these photos were taken :)

                                                                Hopscotch Sprinkler

                                                                Our "Old" Sprinkler

 Kadence got a little thirsty...she kept asking when the ice cream truck was coming...she must remember that from last summer.

Sabrina had an "accident" in her swimsuit (we chose to skip the swim diapers)...potty training stinks...we told her to go clean off in the sprinkler :)

This past weekend Grandpa planted our garden.  Each girl chose one vegetable that they wanted, so we ended up with lettuce (Aubrie), carrots (Ashlyn), tomatoes (Sabrina) and peas (Kadence)...we added green beans, various peppers, and radishes (for Grandpa).  Our goal is to keep Dora out of the garden...I think she may be interested in tasting a few items.

On Sunday, Jim went out of town for a choral performance in Des Moines.  The girls and I chose to head to the zoo in the morning.  It was cool and a little rainy, but that meant less people at the zoo :)  The girls were able to get up close and personal with many animals...which they loved.  It is nice to be able to have all 4 girls with one parent and survive!  The big girls walk the whole time and the little girls ride in the side by side stroller and then climb out when they want to look at animals...it works pretty smoothly.

                                                 The turtle they always have to climb on.

                                                        Visiting the penguin exhibit

                                              Our other favorite picture spot...the wolf.

                                                The wolves came and visited the window.

                We watched this man feed the fish in the coral reef exhibit...the girls LOVED it!!

                                                          Hanging with the sharks

Next up for our family...Ashlyn turns 8 on Friday the 25th!!  I can't believe our first "baby" will be 8.  It feels like yesterday Jim was making whale noises as I rolled over in bed, he put a garbage bag under our sheets on my side of the bed in case my water broke (didn't want to ruin the mattress), and we tried to figure out how a car seat worked.  Ashlyn Grace came into this world after 6 hours of labor, 2-3 hours of pushing, and finally a C-Section...she still likes to do things her own way.  We were so excited to welcome our first child (not knowing there would eventually be four).  We are having a family party Friday...that should be fun.

We will have a fish fry for memorial day...Grandpa wants to cook.  Ashlyn has an eye doctor appointment on Tuesday (she has been complaining of her eye sight), Jim has a concert Tuesday night, I have my final concert Wednesday night and then we both have graduation ceremonies on Saturday the 2nd.

The weekend on June 2 and June 3 is also our Alex's Lemonade Stand weekend.  If anyone is interested in joining us for the events or donating, you can visit www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/82262 .  There is a great run on Saturday morning and the Mall of America Lemonade Stand on Sunday.  That weekend on June 4th, will also mark Sabrina's 3 year cancer free mark.  That is the anniversary of her tumor resection!!

What a busy day!

Wow!  What a Saturday!  We are used to having a busy schedule, but today was crazy and Ashlyn had to do most of it.  I worked in the morning, which I do every Saturday.  Then, Ashlyn had a dress rehearsal this morning and after that rehearsal she went straight to her piano lesson.  We came home for lunch and the Jim took the big girls out for some shopping (hmmmm...I wonder why they needed to shop, oh, wait, Mother's Day is tomorrow).  Ashlyn took a quick shower and then we rushed the whole family to church for Ashlyn's church musical.  They had two performances this afternoon...with a quick dinner in between.   After Ashlyn finished her church musical, we drove straight to her Allegro Choral Academy concert a few miles away.  Once she arrived there, she had to do a quick "costume" change and then she was ready.  Needless to say, Ashlyn had no problem heading straight to bed when we got home.  Both concerts were so good and I want to say a big thank you to all the directors and helpers.   Here are a couple photos as well as 2 videos...I hope, you never know what will upload.

                                                            Ashlyn's Church Choir

                                                         Ashlyn and her friend Piper

                                                  The Allegro Choral Academy choirs

                                                      Ashlyn and her friend Ella

Ashlyn's Church Choir singing their Finale!!

                                     The Allegro Choral Academy singing their opening piece

Another Star!!

Our last entry was a video of Ashlyn is Eastview High School's Bravo! performance.  Now, Aubrie had her time to shine.  I needed a child soloist for a song my 8th graders were performing, so I thought Aubrie could pull it off...and boy, did she!  Here is a video of Aubrie's 1st ever solo!!!  The first of many, I think.

Aubrie also turned 5!!!  She had a small party with 4 friends (and her sisters) at Chuck E Cheese...every parents dream (sarcastic).  She had a great time and that is the main thing.  Along with turning 5....comes a very important doctor appointment, with shots.  We chose to keep the shots a secret and we saved them until the end.  She didn't like them, but she is healing nicely :)  Aubrie continues to be healthy.  We had her vision checked after a minute clinic doc said to...but, it is perfect.  She is tall and slender.  She grew 3 1/2 inches since her 4 year check up and that places her in the 95%.  She also gained a few pounds and is in the 81% for weight...growing perfectly!  We are so proud of the little girl she has become.

Bravo!

Ashlyn had the chance to be a part of Eastview High School's "Bravo!".  Bravo! is a musical variety show and this year the theme was "The Envelope Please"...songs from the Grammy's, Emmy's, Tony's, Oscar's, VMA's, and CMA's.  Ashlyn was a part of the Children's Chorus and sang "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from The Lion King.  She had a blast and was just beaming on the stage.  I am not just saying that because she is our daughter, she really did come alive on stage.  She always had a smile and did everything 100%...I think we need to give her more opportunities to be on stage :)  I took a video of today's performance...I couldn't zoom any closer, but she is in the front row, third from the left...in orange :)

Life

This is the time of year where we start looking forward to summer.  Between our school schedules and the kids' activities...life is busy and we don't have a lot of time together.  June can't be here fast enough.

Jim and I just had solo/ensemble day for our district and had a very long day with students, but so great!  We really missed our girls, but they had a great time with Grandma and Nana :)

Ashlyn is involved in Eastview High School's Bravo! (a huge musical production...like a variety show).  She is super excited to be in the children's chorus...her first big stage production :)  Ashlyn also has a church musical in a few weeks and they sing a preview in church this Sunday.  Not only does Ashlyn have a church musical...on the same day she has her Allegro Choral Academy concert.  She sings in this community group as well on Thursday evenings.  Ashlyn will be starting soccer on the 30th of April and continues to take piano.  We were able to play a duet together the other day...a fun moment for mommy :) Here is a little video of Ashlyn playing.

Aubrie has a birthday coming up on the 30th...she has been counting down the days all month!  She will have her first "friend" birthday party on the 28th with just 4 little girls (plus her 3 sisters).  Aubrie is preparing to sing in my 8th grade choir concert...the same solo Ashlyn did when she was 5.  We will post a video when it happens.  Aubrie also starts soccer on her birthday...she can't wait to get outside to play.

Sabrina has been enjoying being a 3 year old.  She is cute, naughty, clever, and goofy.  She is still working on potty training...which has been up and down...someday we will be there.  We thought she had pinkeye and brought her to the doctor...turns out she has a double ear infection and she needs her albuterol and pulmacort (steroid) for her breathing.  Luckily she loves medicine and does her neb like a pro.  I am just glad we don't have to do eye drops...no pinkeye :)

Kadence is becoming very verbal...you can't always understand her, but she will talk and talk.  She also has a little stubborn side, as do all the girls in our family (mommy included).  She is doing well with potty training, but still not quite there.

Overall, we are busy, but blessed.  We will probably update again after Aubrie's birthday!!