Monday, December 28, 2009

December 27



After a very quiet Boxing Day, we spent Sunday with friends. Mercedes, Kevin and Stella met us for brunch on their way to NJ. Then Aidan invited Suzanne, Karen and Nick over for a pizza and dance party. He played a mean air banjo to the Beach Boys!

Christmas


Aidan had a very special Christmas! We were able to see many of the people he loves, and he was showered with wonderful, thoughtful gifts. We started the day in Philly with Carole, Jo, Alison, and Ellyes. Mid-day, we stopped at AI duPont hospital to share gifts with the kids on the bone marrow unit. One child was alone, and we stayed and played with her for about an hour. Then we made our way home for more presents and a family dinner. Aidan loved his evening with Ali, Lizzie, Chris, Emily, Nick, Nini and Pops. Karen and Jenny joined us for dinner which was followed by a Nerf gun battle in the basement (Nick, Ali, Lizzie, Aidan and Jenny).

December 24



As has been our tradition on Christmas Eve, Aidan and I went to see the trains at the Brandywine Museum. This year, however, we had a special VIP visit thanks to Paul and Gail!

Dec 21


Jazzy round-up!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

SNOW!






Aidan has enjoyed the snow! We've done some shoveling, sledding, shoveling, snow painting, shoveling... And some resting and snacking!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Tree Trimming





Aidan has been talking trees for a couple of weeks now, and I promised that Saturday after his MRI we'd get one. So we did. We faced a big decision over whether to go the live or cut route. Aidan really, really wanted a big tree, but can't stand the idea of composting a cut tree. As you might imagine, we did considerable shopping around before finding a great compromise - a medium sized live tree at a reasonable price (from a store that's going out of business).

Next dilemma was how to get it in the house. Lucky for us, Francisco and Teribio were still around. Though they struggled and strained over what was reportedly a 300lb tree/rootball combo, we were able to decorate it same day! Thanks guys. Karen joined us, and we had a lovely evening getting ready for the holidays. Of course Elizabeth was a part of the preparations, though I think she's planning to celebrate Christmas in the tropics. Betty, Aidan was ecstatic to be reunited with his Thomas and Percy ornaments as well has his Jetson's and Fisher Price barn ornaments! Thank you for single handedly stocking the tree with his favorites!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

MRI Week



We covered a lot of ground this week and were able to mix in fun with friends and family around and between the medical appointments.

Dec. 6th Aidan enjoyed the first snow of the year with Ali, Lizzie, Chris and Emily who came up to PA to celebrate Pops' birthday.

Monday Aidan was able to go to school before we drove down to DC for his Tuesday scan. The hospital gown/popsicle picture was taken just as he was waking up from sedation for the procedure.

That same afternoon, Aidan went to see Carol, Edna and Margarita for an official dental visit, though there was lots of unofficial fun. He had his teeth cleaned and received a fluoride treatment without a bit of fuss. Woo hoo. Margarita let Aidan visit the prize chest several times, so he made out pretty well.

Next we visited Nick and romped with Ava. That was lots of fun for a while, but then the guys got hungry... So we headed to Cactus Cantina for chicken tenders.

Wednesday was a quiet day - we were much over due for sleep and rest, but in the evening, we met Amy S. and Tessa for dinner. A great treat to reconnect/meet old friends. Aidan ate a whole cheese pizza himself (Amy ate the crust).

Thursday we headed back to CNMC for our follow-up meeting and received confirmation of the stable scan report. That made for a very nice way to end our trip to DC! We headed home that afternoon. I've fallen asleep several times trying to work on this post which is why it is Saturday and you're reading news from Tuesday.) Tomorrow I'll post pics of Aidan decorating our tree.







Tuesday, December 8, 2009

YEA

Prelim read of scan - stable!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Thanksgiving





We've had lots of fun over the past two weeks. A little taste of it will follow with the pics...

Highlights: trains at Longwood, 1st trip back to the RR museum since radiation, dress-ups at Ali's and Lizzie's,

Aidan has an MRI on Tuesday, Dec. 8th. I'll post again when I have news about it.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Nov. 15 - A Beautiful Fall Day


Aidan had two impromptu visits on Sunday first from Stephanny and Stacey and then from Matthew, Christina, Kevin and Nora. It was the perfect day to be outside enjoying friends!

Nov. 9

Gamelan with Ali and Lizzie

Nov. 8


Autumn Stroll with Ruby, May and Elizabeth

Nov. 4

Tracks reach 2nd floor outpost!

Nov. 3


Catch That Pancake!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

This Just In


Aidan is home sick again today. Nothing too serious, just a cold. We've been hanging around the house doing quiet things (videos, TV, journaling and trains). We just received a cute picture of cousins Ali and Lizzie from Halloween. Aidan wanted to post it.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Halloween and Beyond!



After much planning and anticipation, we played Halloween quietly. It was raining. That didn't matter too much for Aidan who had a super cool vinyl Buzz Lightyear costume (thanks Bonnie!). The only part of it that doesn't repel water is the hood. But we had been to the theater in the afternoon with Ruby and Bonnie (Aidan did go dressed in full halloween regalia), and he was coming down with something. We ended up having a Halloween sleep over with Carole and Jo. Pics are of Aidan having quiet time and making a brief appearance at their court yard party.

He's been to school Monday and today. Tuesday he had a sick day at home. Tonight he was in bed before 6 - unheard of! And asleep before 7 - shocking!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday


Aidan has had his best week to date since his radiation treatment this summer. He's still not back to baseline as far as stamina is concerned, but in all other ways he's leaps and bounds ahead of where he was when he started treatment. He had glowing reports from school - the basis of which I got to see for myself when I went in as a substitute assistant teacher today!

He's been highly productive at school and has generated numerous projects. One of his favorites was his "Haunted House." Haunted House has become the center piece of our island, and we have decorated it with some of my favorite projects, "Campfire, Ghost, 5 Little Pumpkins, Itsy Attic Spider, and Pumpkin." See if you can find them all. Did you notice the marshmallow? I had the perfect music to tape it with (Bach for the organ - spooky) but couldn't find it. What I came up with sounds more like something from a seance. I'll run it by Aidan in the morning and change it if he doesn't approve. (Having trouble with uploading the video. Will add it later.)

Yesterday, he and Amy started a scarecrow. Now he's fully prepared for Halloween - plans to be Buzz Lightyear, but is having just as much fun with the accoutrements for my Woody costume.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday



Aidan has had a big few days. Sunday morning he spent creating and orchestrating life in various worlds (train, Lego pirate island, the Castle of the Crazy Cat Lady and Co, and Bobby's kitchen).
Vanida and Bob took him to Longwood for the afternoon, and then Carole had a date with him that evening.

Aidan had a full day of school on Monday followed by music therapy. When we got home we finished a joint art project we had started in his art class (I joined in part way through the afternoon), and then he helped me make a salad!

He tells you in his own words what he did today... Translation: I had a flu shot (H1N1) and I got to shoot the nurses (with his water gun) and then after that I went to Borders and got a Sonic (comic book)! What he doesn't tell you is that he later went to school then had a fun evening with Amy.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

A Quiet and Rainy Day


We might have over-done it a bit yesterday. Aidan was pretty tired and in need of a quiet day at home. That was mostly good, since it was very rainy and windy outside (though fun to watch the pretty leaves from indoors). The down side was that we missed his friend's birthday party. Sorry Carter! We did a lot more building today. See Aidan's tower titled "The Statue of Liberty" - he gave it the name after he heard that Amy would be bringing him a picture of the Statue of Liberty back from NYC.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Back to Gym Class


Aidan had a great, full day! He spent the morning in school (went a little late). This afternoon he went back to The Little Gym for his first class in months. He had a blast. He was all smiles, waves and silly faces! When we got back he listened to music and built an elaborate work shed for his cars. Has been building and playing for over an hour.

Way Overdue!











So I haven't been so great about posting lately. I guess the good news in that Aidan is doing much better and settling into a pretty typical routine. Of course, I've missed a few of the highlights, so I'll do my best to catch up with those and post regularly again. If the posts get too mundane, please comment accordingly.

I think I really left off with the conclusion of our trip to Chicago. We spent our last hour there romping around the park. Enjoy the pics.









Then we got back and had some chill time (i.e., quiet evening followed by sick day from school). The evening of our return, Aidan did some work on my halloween costume. Well actually he did his "work" while wearing the costume. The next day, he adaptively turned feeling sick into a situation of treating Vanida using his high tech medical cart and equipment (cart compliments of Francisco!).


Last but not least, Aidan has been enjoying autumn and the anticipation of halloween. He took a wolf spider alive in a bug box to school today. Tonight he carved a pumpkin with Amy.


















Saturday, October 17, 2009


Aidan had a quiet week, resting after his great visit to Chicago. He was home for a few days but managed to go to school twice during the week. This weekend he's in Washington for a visit. He spent Saturday morning playing with friends, went out for lunch, and visited his Uncle Nick's new house. While there he had a great time chasing Nick's dog Eva in circles around the house, much to his amusement. He's modeling his new "hat" in the car.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Sunday in Chicago




Aidan is having big, big fun with his Chi-cousins.







See documentation of today's all-afternoon outing with Uncle Joby and Co. to the playground and Lincoln Park Zoo. Burr.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Week in Review



So here's the deal. We're in Chicago. Left Philly yesterday at 8 AM. Aidan is digging playing with Zoe, Senna, Mason, Joby and Martha and all of their cool stuff (like Sonic comics).

The big event of Thursday was catching a very green grasshopper. Aidan wants to keep it forever. Aidan's animals think that is a very good idea.

Wednesday Nini took Aidan to school and stayed to visit in the classroom and go to meeting. Quaker meeting that is - preschool edition.

Tuesday night Aidan had a jam session at Dan's house. I missed that as Amy took him. I do know from Amy's photos that Aidan was on guitar.