Around the Movies Resort pics

So we stayed at the Disney All-Star Movies Resort instead of the Music Resort like I posted earlier.  They told us wrong the first time.  We weren't at the resort much but we enjoyed it while we were there.  The Love Bug buildings were way at the end of one of the wings of the resort. So we had a long walk to the main bldg to eat and go out or get free drinks in the mug.  We planned well and didn't have to walk back and forth much at all.  The other building themes that I can remember were The Mighty Ducks, 101 Dalmations, and Fantasia.

 Nate lovin' his unicorn lolly pop while watching cartoons.

 Small salt water pool.

 Broomstick entrance to one of the Fantasia bldgs.

 Kids eating unicorn lolly pops.

 Entrance to The Mighty Ducks bldg.

Tools on the side of our Love Bug bldg.

 The side of our Love Bug bldg.

 Our traveling t-shirts

 Kids by Herbie

 Entrance to the Love Bug bldg acrossed the courtyard.

 Ellie by Daisy.

 Nate by Donald.

Ballerina on the side of the Fantasia bldg.

5 Days 'til Disney!

We are getting pretty excited for Disney World in Florida!! We have our suitcases out and started packing breakfast and snack items! They give us 2 meals a day and 1 or 2 snacks so we are bringing breakfast items so we can eat it in the room in the morning, fast and easy.  Ellie has been counting down on a calendar we posted.  She is excitged to cross off the day every night. We are making last minute purchases of little things so we are well prepared. Ellie was given a bag of goodies to take for traveling.  Games and coloring things to keep her busy on the busy and plane rides. There are 75 total people going consisting of a doctor, nurse, chaperones and the families chosen to go. We found a journal with Mickey Mouse on it so Ellie can document her trip.  We are going to get signatures of characters, take pictures and write down her favorite activities each day. Should be a neat little book when we are done! If I can get pictures posted while we are there then I'll get them on right away. It may have to wait if we don't have easy access to a computer. You can check out facebook though. I can easily send pics there from my phone/Blackberry. The pics will show up on my wall and in the mobile uploads folder. ttfn!

Volleyball team update!

Well we have been following the UNI volleyball team closely since Ellie has been adopted by them. We have gotten to join them at practices and evening activities some. Last weekend they went to Indiana for a tournament and won 1st place! This was exciting because we got to listen to it on the radio. It was neat hearing their names being said and actually knowing who they are. This past weekend they went to Minneapolis for a tournament and tied for 1st place! Another great victory! This week they head to Ames and Kansas for another tournament. We hope to find it on the radio again. Most of all we look forward to their first two games at home Sept. 17th and 18th. We will be there!! Congrats to all the ladies and the coaches so far. It's been a great start to the season!!

Below is a picture of the locker they gave to Ellie! It's so neat. She's excited to put things in it.

More good news

Wednesday, September 1 we went to Iowa City for another 4 month MRI check-up.  We got good news again that her MRI was clear and nothing to worry about. We are so happy and relieved for this news again. We spend the four months enjoying our time and focusing on school with Ellie but then the one day we have the check-up the stress and anxiety comes back.  Then after good news we return home to more everyday things.  Her next check-up is Sept. 16th at the eye doctor in Iowa City.  We hope to find out her vision is almost the same as in her left eye so we can back off of atropine drops to a few days a week instead of every day. Her eye seems to be closing a bit more and keeping moisture in better because her eye doesn't get as red so often anymore. This is nice.

Ellie is enjoying school so far. She is in the combined first and second grade classroom with Mrs. T and Mrs. S as her teachers. We like her teachers a lot.  The teachers at Price Lab care about the kids so much.  It really gives us peace of mind to send her there every day.  Ellie has spelling lists every week now.  For her first week and test she got 6 out of 6 correct! We are proud of her because we forgot to practice her words every night except one. We have to get used to this home work stuff again.

Nathan is doing better also. He doesn't cling to me anymore when I leave him at Son Rise for daycare. He hasn't fussed or anything all last week. Also when I pick him up he is very happy to see me and comes running and giggling over to me.  I think he's not in competition for my attention anymore since Ellie has been in school.  He is sill his 2 yr old self with struggles for independence and telling us he's mad when he doesn't get his way. We continue to correct his bits of hitting or flinging his arms at us but his is typical 2 yr old stuff we will get a handle on. 

We are all looking forward to Disney World in a few weeks.  On the 12th we get to meet the other families and get details about the trip!

Ta Ta For Now!

Biggest news from this summer!

We had a fun summer but it went way too fast.  Every year seems to go faster and faster.  The biggest news to share is that Ellie was chosen to go on a trip to Disney World in Florida this September with Magical Mix Kids.  She gets to take us with her! So leaving Sunday, Sept. 26th we will head out of town with a group of 14 families who qualified, Magical Mix leaders, one doctor and a nurse to Moline to catch a plane to take us to Disney All-Star Music resort in Florida. I am so excited! Ellie is so excited! This is such a neat opportunity. WE CAN'T WAIT!! We will return Friday, Oct. 1st. We get to enjoy four parks in four days. Sounds busy and tiring. There are a couple pools at the resort to relax by which will be much needed by the end of the day.

Disney World

Epcot

MGM Studios

Animal Kingdom

We are going to have to plan our days carefully, but with the help of a Disney book from friend Jenny and free maps I ordered online highlighting what I think we would enjoy, we should be good to go.  I'm picking up tips from those experienced at Disney so if you have any please leave a coment or email me with your tips.  I have been a few times when I was a little girl so I have memories but I wasn't in the planning position then. So I want to make the best of the four parks. I'd love to hear tips if you got any.

Disney All-Star Music Resort

This is a picture of the resort!  I can't believe how these All-Star Resorts look. They are overstimulating to me just looking at them in the pictures. I'm wierd that way.

This is part of the guitar shaped pool where there is also a baby pool area.

Here is what they say is the quieter pool the grand piano pool.

Thank you Magical Mix Crew for choosing Ellie/our family to go on your trip. We are truely appreciative of this vacation much needed for our family. So... that's all for now. I'll update more about our summer, hangin' with the volleyball players and first days of school. Toodle-oo!

Award pictures

This is Ms. Kelso giving Ellie the $100 for the award. Ms. Kelso is the mother of the boy who died but her family gives out an award for courage to one student each year. Her son loved to shop so she gives them money to shop. Ellie also likes to shop. She bought some summer sandals, bathing suites, Barbies, flowers for Grandma and still has money left.

 This is Mrs. Bromwich, Ellie's teacher giving Ellie a hug.

This is a blurry Mrs. Bromwich reading a little about Ellie before she gets the card and money. On the big screen in the back is Ms. Struck looking down.  She met with Ellie weekly to help her process and deal with all that she went through. I saw a huge difference in the way Ellie was talking about, expressing her feelings and dealing with the fears of the hospital trips. Thank you so much Ms. Struck, you played a huge role in Ellie's recovery. We couldn't have done it without you and many others. Ms. Struck was at her son's graduation from law school this day so she pre recorded a message and introduction about the award, then named Ellie. Part way through her talk Ellie realized Ms. Struck was talking about her and turned to me and asked if she was talking about her. I said yes, then Ellie turned to her friend Ahmad next to her and his mother and said, "She is talking about me!" It was so cute when she recognized. Then Mrs. Bromwich came down the aisle to get Ellie with a huge smile and Ellie went right up with her. It was quite emotional. Lots of us had tears. I was shaking taking these pics. Hence their blurriness. sorry.

This is a picture of the little boy that died and that the award is named after. Scott Paul Weston.

Pics of people that came. I didn't get everyone though. Sorry I missed some of you.

This is Ms. Bigler, one of the nurses that took such good care of her all year. Ms. Bigler and Ms. Christiason did a wonderful job. Thanks to them also.

Here is Ellie with her teach Mrs. Bromwich.

Here are Ellie and her good friend Abbey.

...and Nathan pooped at the end of the day Sunday. I thought this was so cute. Had to include it.

Stitches out

Here is what Ellie's scar looks like.  Looks so great already. We are quite happy and amazed how good it looks! We do have to keep sun block on it every day for the next year. Something else to add to the morning routine of eyedrops etc.

I'll blog again when I get back from Cali, unless I have something to blog about while I'm there. Have a great week yall!