Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Thanks to some "lessons" from her big bro, Cora's dancing has now dabbled in the world of robotics. Take a peek! (btw if you're getting tired of me posting videos of her dancing, just stop checking our blog. I will never tire of this! It's hilarious to me and such a blessing that she's strong and healthy enough to do it!!!)

School Daze!!!

Introducing CADE with his new grown up school haircut!!!! He's NEVER had his hair this short, but he wanted it cut and he loves that it doesn't get tangled! He looks like he's 15 to me!

HOORAY FOR PRE-K!!!

Run Run As Fast As You Can!

Cora started PreK yesterday (which reminds me I need to post her first day of school pictures).
SHE LOVES IT! Her teacher told her that she even gives out treats for cute outfits, so I'm pretty sure they were made for each other! So yesterday her first priority was to gather hugs from her two teachers last year, and then to get in there and get a "good seat."

She had a great day today. At dinner she was retelling to daddy and Cade what they did at school.
Cora "Daddy, today at school we made gingerbread mans, like the real ones that are cookies. And we put them on a tray and took them to the oven. Then later when my teacher went to get them out she just opened the oven door and BOOM!!! they just all jumped right up and ran right out of the oven! "

We all giggle! Cade's eyerolling ensues. I'm no psychic, but I'm pretty sure he was thinking, "geez Cora, you really believe that crap?" Rob says, "Whoa! They jumped out? Where do you think they went?"

Cora continues "Well we looked and looked all over the whole school for them. We looked in the sancutuary, the offices, the closet, the baby classroom, and even outside. I couldn't even play at recess because I was too busy looking all over for those guys. I sorta even felt a little tear, I almost cried because I worked so hard on mine, we all did! But my teacher said that we'll probably find them tomorrow."

Cade thinks and then looks at me, "mama, where'd they really put those gingerbreads?"
I assured him that I had no knowledge of what happened to the gingerbread men.

Cade says, "Cora, is your teacher fat?"

Cora replies with a very firm, NO CADE!! (she thinks her teacher is beautiful)

Cade says, "You sure, Cora? I think maybe she just ate them!"

Meet Survivor, Madison!!!

Here's the second of the survivors I'd like to introduce you to this month for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Look at these sweet faces!!! Who does that bald princess remind you of??? This is Madison.



Madison is four years old, just like Cora. Madison has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) just like Cora. Madison is treated at Backus Children's Hospital in Savannah, GA just like Cora. And Madison is a princess, just like Cora!!!

Madison was diagnosed about 7 months ago with ALL. She is a twin. This is her twin sister, Jaci with her above. Madison's mom has 4 children and Madison and Jaci are the youngest. Madison's story reminds me so much of Cora's. She is such a strong little girl with a great spirit! Madison has just finished her delayed intensification phase of chemotherapy and we're praying that her counts will stay up so that she will soon reach her much less intense maintenance phase!

Madison is another shining example of how effective prayer and research can improve treatment and save lives! Please help support the Leukemia Lymphoma Society by donating to our Light The Night Fundraiser to improve treatment for these little ones!
If you'd like to read more of Madison's story you can visit her caringbridge site at www.caringbridge.com/visit/madisonreesejones

Isle of Hope Bike Parade!!!

Happy Labor Day!

Clare Bear's 7 month Update!

I'm 7 months old!!! I'm growing and doing so many new things even since a month ago.
I weigh 16 pounds 6 ounces.
I eat lots of baby food and even real fruit when mom puts it in my Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder (which btw, happens to be mom's favorite new baby invention). I wave and say "hi" or something that closely resembles hi.
I LOVE dogs! I make this high pitched squeaky squeal everytime I see one!
I can dance to music. (cora's been teaching me)
I HATE my carseat.
I can sit up unassisted (although mom's not sure enough that she'd sit me on tile or concrete.)
And (drumroll, please......) I CAN CRAWL!!!! I can! I really can do it! I just started really getting around a few days ago. I'm very slow at it and I don't always go the direction I want to, but I can definitely do it. Today I crawled backwards from one side of the family room to the other! I can move myself from crawling position to sitting position.
I've tried drinking water from a sippy cup, but I'm not that good at it yet.
I have two bottom teeth.
There's only one complaint mom and dad have with me. I no longer sleep through the night. We're not really sure what happened, but I wake up 3 or 4 times each night and mom has to come in and give me my pappy and then I'll go back to sleep. It doesn't make mom to happy, but I just sleep better with that thing and I can't find it on my own. She's tried letting me "cry it out" but I just "cry and cry and cry."

We're gonna work really hard on that. Nobody's perfect, but I'm pretty close!!!
Happy Labor Day!
XOXOXO - Clara

Cora's "Addi Face Dancing"

We have a big girl friend named Addison. (the one who had the rockstar birthday party last year) She is on a competetive dance team and she's VERY good and animated and fun to watch! We went and watched her dance school's Wizard of Oz performance last Friday and it was great! Cora LOVED it! Last night I caught Cora doing her "Addi faces" while she danced in her room and I had to run for the camera!