A Wish Come True - The Village

Thursday, March 12th was the much anticipated day of departure. Olivia's "wish" to the make-a-wish foundation was coming to fruition and we were heading to Disney World to "Meet the Princesses". To say the least, we were all pretty excited but I still will argue that no one was more excited than I.  "A whole week without having to do dishes, clean the house, prepare meals or go grocery shopping?!" Heaven on earth truly does exist! I started smiling the Sunday prior and didn't stop until... actually, I'm still smiling. Bill and I both did agree that there is no better way to travel to the airport than in your own Limousine!

We were fortunate enough to stay at Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, FL, 20 minutes away from Disney World. It's a village for "Wish" kids and their families to stay and enjoy. We were met in the airport by one of their "angels", holding a sign with Livi's name on it. She helped us get our bags (she was impressed that we only had 2) and then set us up with our rental car. Once at the village, after dinner, I attended

 an orientation were they gave us park hopper passes to Disney World for three days, passes to Universal Studios for 2 and Sea World for 1. On top of the tickets to the theme parks we were able to receive discounts to different attractions around the area and on sight amenities which were all complimentary. Things such as the "Ice Cream Palace" that was open from 9:30-9:30

 (with a "come and partake as often as you want" policy), the "Gingerbread House" with breakfast and dinner buffets, Katie's Kitchen, aka. Boston Market, available for pick up or delivery from 11-10 and pizza delivery 'til 10pm! And that's just the food part of the village. Their was a life sized Candy Land board game area, miniature golf, arcade,

theatre, swimming pool, horseback riding, "La-Ti-Da Spa", train, 

carousel, basketball, bedtime tuck-ins from the mayor of the village, Mayor Clayton, or his wife, Miss Merry, daily "gift givings" with a gift left at

our door for the kids. All of this was part of the stay, none of it is paid for... it was incredible.

 Our "house" as the kids called it was referred to by the "angels" as a "villa", or duplex. It had a full kitchen with a few things stocked in the fridge, along with everything else you would find in your own home, even a washer and dryer. The kids had their own room attached to the "big" bathroom with a jacuzzi tub. They LOVED how the bubbles never went away. 

The village is run 90% by volunteers who have so much love to give. At the Gingerbread House, and everywhere, they service you perfectly. I don't think I carried my tray to my table once. Or my kids trays for that matter. The tables are kid sized, so you sit lower than normal, but the table tops are made of real peppermint candies! TOO cute.

Each day at the village is a different theme. Thursday was Christmas so the whole village was decorated for Christmas and Santa was their with gifts for all. We didn't get to visit the jolly elf having arrived at 6pm after a full day of travel, but the kids dove right in to the atmosphere

and rode the carousel several times after our Christmas dinner of all the typical foods. AND, I almost forgot, if the kids, or anyone for that matter didn't like what was for dinner that night, their was a classic standby buffet of chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, french fries and other "all American kid foods". One night they even had a "Kids Night Out-Parents Night Off". Extra volunteers were brought in so that every child had a partner. It was Monday evening and I dropped the kids off at Amberville, the train station/miniature golf/arcade room. They were 

 as excited as Bill and I were. They got to pick their partners for the evening (from 6-9) and we would pick them back up in the theatre after a "Double Dare" contest. Bill and I enjoyed dinner  and ice cream, of course, while we rocked in the wooden rocking chairs on one of the many wrap around porches of the property. The kids... had an absolute

blast. When they saw us neither one of them could talk fast enough to let us know of everything they did. Thankfully I had left my camera with Olivia's partner Eddie, so we were able to put the talk to some captions. Miniature golf followed by Pizza, cake, Slurpees and popcorn!!! Sheer HEAVEN! The double dare was an audience participation, all of the kids had a chance to participate. Olivia had to toss rubber chickens while her buddy caught them. She didn't win so she got to "pie" her partner. 

Yes, she smashed a creme pie in her buddy's face! Aaron and his partner, Mike, played hot potato with water soaked sponges. Aaron didn't quite get the idea of it and instead of quickly passing the wet sponge he would squeeze all the water out of it, soaking himself, and then pass it as soon as the music would stop... so he won! Because he won, he got to "pie" his buddy! (Yes, you got it, win or lose, all the kids got to pie their partners!) Aaron didn't quite get the whole

 "pie-ing" concept either. I guess when they gave the pie to Aaron he took one look at the pie, one look at Mike, and then started eating the pie! BIll and I wish we had known we could have stayed to watch. I would've died laughing. As it was, my cheeks hurt just from hearing about it. 

 

Another great thing that the village does is have Disney characters come on one of their theme days.

 So, Monday morning Goofy, Pluto, and Mary Poppins were in the outside pavilion with a special photo op. with Minnie and Mickey inside the theatre. The sweet mice, as well as everyone else who saw it that day,  LOVED Olivia's "Cancer Schmancer" shirt. It was a great hit. 

On our last day the kids got a chance to ride horses at the "Kiddie Koral". I knew Livi loved horseback riding, but who knew Aaron was such a cowboy. He loved it more than Livi.

Way too many things to list. Thank goodness for digital pictures! What a great trip. And that was only where we stayed for the week!...

Carnival Extraordinaire!

As if the weekend and previous week wasn't enough with Livi's birthday and the celebrations; Wednesday, March 4th, our family was invited to the Red Rock Casino, by Candlelighters, for a "Night of games, fun, prizes, food, magic and more!" What could the "more" be... the topics listed seemed to pretty much cover everything under the sun. The event was sponsored by Illumina (didn't know who that was) and co-sponsored by Make-a-Wish 

and the afore mentioned Candlelighters. We arrived at the casino at 10 minutes to 7pm and were put in a waiting room of sorts. There was a man on stilts tying balloons into anything the kids could come up with (Aaron a viking hat and Livi, a butterfly) as well as a few simple refreshments; drinks, nuts, crackers... simple, nice, nothing grand. Soon a lot of people started coming in with lanyards around their necks with their name and "Illumina" printed on the card. All the "helpers" were going around to all of the families, calling us by name, we had name  tags also, and introducing themselves. After several introductions to people, only one of which was from the US, I asked a gentleman from Germany, "What exactly is Illumina?" Turns out they are a childhood genetic research firm based out of San Diego, CA dedicated to finding causes and cures for things such as ... and cancer. As he was telling me all of this, in a thick German accent, my eyes welled up with tears. All I could say was "Thank you." All of these people had left their home countries, and brought with them their brilliant minds to study and work here, in the United States. To say I was humbled would be an understatement.

By the way, the "and more!" was an astronomical understatement! We were ushered into

the carnival, Olivia happened to be the first one through the doors, and the room erupted with cheering and applause. The Illumina staff along with the foundation helpers were standing throughout the room welcoming the children and

letting them know just how great of a job they are doing fighting their diseases. Olivia's arms were spread out in wonderment and Aaron's mouth hung open wide in awe. The only thing missing from this being straight out of a Fairytale was the head thrown back arms open wide twirl around the room from the unexpectant princess. Not only did my eyes fill with tears, my cheeks were indeed very wet

Words can not even begin to describe the atmosphere in that room. It was as if the room had been transported to another time where only good things happen and happiness abounds. Immediately Livi spotted the dozens of caramel and candied 

 apples and before she could even ask us for one 3 different workers were trying to get her the biggest one with the most sprinkles. Aaron was King of his domain as well. And 

 so the evening went. They had "gourmet carnival food" if that's even a possibility. Pizza, nachos, chicken sticks, jumbo dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, pretzels, ice cream!!! Too much to see let alone eat. I don't think I've ever seen so much awesome food in one room before... and so much of each item. There 

were 3 separate complete buffet tables, and waiters/waitresses carrying the food around offering you something at every turn. Carnival games, tattooing (to my own defense, I showed Aaron

 an entire board of animal and "cool" tattoos, no, he went to a different board and picked the skull and crossbones... what's that about? He doesn't even know what those are!?), photography, cartoonist drawings, crafts, clown skits, face painting, the list goes on. People were even offering to help take one of the kids around 

 if we so chose. Throughout the evening Illumina workers constantly asked how we were doing, if they could get anything for us, if they could take pictures of Olivia (I later learned that the event was a surprise to the Illumina empolyees as well.  As far as they knew, they had come to Las Vegas for a Cancer convention of sorts. In short, some wore name badges so they could help with the event, but others were not there to service us, they did anyways! They were all so genuinely interested in how our kids were doing. They never asked the diagnosis, just wanted to know how it was going. 

 The carnival was 2 hours and then we were off to see the show! Yes "more"! We moved to a theater room of sorts and sat around a center stage. A speaker from Illumina spoke about the company and expressed their success. "While other companies are laying 

people off right and left, we can't seem to hire people fast enough." (That would explain them sparing no expense for the evening's event.) The kids, along with parents, were then mesmerized by a fabulous magician who made doves appear and disappear, (one got away under the feet of the audience), cut a lady in half, and among other great magic tricks did the Chinese Rings. 

It was fabulous. 

(Ever since the performance, Livi has been going around the house with the "magic" hat that she made at the carnival pulling different things out of it, like the magician.) To end the evening we were dazzled by a Cirque du Soliel performance.

  

WOW! WHAT A NIGHT! 

 We departed at 10, the kids wide awake for the 1/2 hr drive home, and are still talking about it today. I don't know what could possibly top that night. Maybe our Wish trip... we'll see.

These three young girls were amazing at how they could move their bodies, but admittedly some of their poses were a bit creepy. The bottom two pictures didn't turn out very good, but you get the idea...!

 

Party of the Century

Olivia's birthday party was held on Saturday at the location of her choice, "our new house" and with the theme of her choosing as well... Strawberry Shortcake. I was more than happy to help fulfill those wishes especially with Aunt Cara's help. Cara, Bill's step-sister, drove in from Long Beach, once again, on Thursday to hang out and help with the party. It was so great to have her visit and to have her help with all the things that needed to be done. We had a great time together as we always do and I "hired" her as my apprentice for decorating Olivia's cake. I loved having Cara's help with the cake! It was so great to have another woman's opinion as to how something should look and to mix all the colors for me. Note to self: Never do that much detailing on a cake without an apprentice! It turned out FANTASTIC! All the girls loved it...especially Olivia.

The party started at 2 on Saturday with the girls doing foam sticker door hanger art. (Bill took Aaron for some male bonding time, with instruction to arrive home in time for singing "Happy Birthday".) It was very quiet with all the girls at first simply getting used to each other and the 

situation. Hailey, one of Livi's friends said, "Olivia, aren't you going to

  introduce me to your friends?" It was perfect.

The first game was Musical Chairs. It was cute to watch, as many of them had never 

played before. Naomi was the first one to get out and was GREAT! She was so excited to sit on the "comfy carpet"(later confirmed by her mom). She ran and jumped on to it then lay down to watch 

the rest of the game. As each of the girls got out she would excitedly tell them to come join her. By the end all the girls were just as excited to lay with Naomi as they were to keep playing the game. As it was, Livi and Brea were the last 2 standing... a little rigging was needed to insure the game prize. Livi was upset for a split second but thrilled when she realized she got to give her friend a prize (a shower loofa with a scrubber fish attached to it- Livi's choice).

The "Silly Dance Contest" was the best part of the party. I had

borrowed wind wands from the kids' music class for the girls to dance with and blasted the "Silly Dance Contest" song. They had a blast! It was so much fun to see all the girls participate with so much enthusiasm and spunk. Their little 

personalities really shone through. The song ended with having them get as low to the ground as possible... no, I didn't have them take a nap.

We wanted to be able to play some type of pin the ____ on the ____ so we did pin the strawberry on the cupcake, because of the whole Strawberry Shortcake theme. It was cute. the girls all tried fee

ling where the target strawberry was and in doing so got it confused with Livi's 1st placed strawberry. Because of the mix up, Ashlyn, who went

 towards the end won because her berry was furthest away from Livi's, thus closest to the target.

Lastly we painted toe nails. Let me just say that Cara and I agree, we know without a doubt why her mom never did pedicures in her nail salon! It was all good... little girls feet, what can you say.

 

At last it was time for presents cake and ice cream, strawberry of course. It was so fun to hear 8 little voices saying, "Livi, Livi, I want to see. Oh Livi, that's cool..." She's never had a group of girlfriends before. It's fun to see her starting to get into that social realm.  Olivia sent her guests home with pink bags decorated with a strawberry (colored by her and Cara), a pink bow, and lip gloss and nail polish inside. What FUN!

Cara, thanks for all of your help. I couldn't have done it without you! We Love You!