Don't stop believin'....until it's time to stop.

It has been many months since I last posted.  One day I will post on the success of our relay that was the inspiration for this blog.

Today, though, it is with a sad and very heavy heart that I share that my mom, aka the kids' Gran, ended her year long battle with stage 4 lung cancer two weeks ago today on Sunday, September 2, 2012.

While my family is relieved that has suffering has come to an end, we miss her and will forever.  We are beyond proud of her courage, her determination, and the spunk she kept throughout her illness.

We love you, Mom.. You are missed terribly, and will always and forever be in our hearts.

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom, for me and you

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, dark sacred night

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces, of people going by

I see friends shaking hands, sayin', "How do you do?"

They're really sayin', "I love you"

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow

They'll learn much more, than I'll ever know

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself

What a wonderful world

~Louis Armstrong

An appeal

Mom here.  What a long time between posts.  Gran, aka my mom, had an extended hospital stay.  I spent the last week at my parents' home with my sisters.  My mom is still full of spunk and her sense of humor has yet to escape her.  She's the epitome of a true fighter.  


The Relay is in 16 days.  We have yet to meet our goal, so I'm reaching out to you, dear readers.  My husband has appealed to his Facebook page, and I'm simply copying and pasting his appeal from a few days ago here.  Any help from any of you would be eternally appreciated.

I set out this summer to do something insignificant but important.

My mother-in-law has lung cancer. It’s a fight that she is slowly losing.

My wife, McKenzie, got her extended family involved in the Relay for Life this year as a way to fight back. After looking at the team goals that can be set, McKenzie chose $15,000. The reason for this was personal. $15,000 is what is called the “Sapphire (blue)” level. Her mom’s favorite color is sapphire blue.

As of today (July 10, 2012) our team is at $9,144. $15,000 is a long ways away with 18 days left until the Relay.

So I am making a personal appeal to anyone who will listen. If through spreading the word we can find 500 people who are willing to donate $10 each, we will get there. I will have some fundraisers outstanding and expect I’ll bring in another $1000 before we’re done, but I would really like to give my wife this one sapphire in tribute for her mom.

So please, if you are able, click on the link below and ‘Donate on My Behalf’. If you can do $10, or even $5, every little bit makes a difference.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12EA?px=26867588&pg=personal&fr_id=36493

But even if you can’t donate, please spread the word by sharing this on your timeline, your friends’ timelines, through email or word of mouth. If just 500 people respond, with a donation of $10, we’ll make it, and bring a world with more birthdays that much closer. And in the process, you’ll help me help McKenzie reach a small goal with a lot of meaning right now. Thank you for your time.

Factical Tuesday

The kids made up their own day today.  Factical Tuesday, name chosen by Nathanael.  They learn new things every single day, but they wanted to dedicate one day during which they learn "many facts about one topic" they choose.  They want to keep it going every week. This week's topic?  Raccoons and rabies. 

Stay tuned for next week!

A Day In The Life

Been a few days since our last post/update.  There have been some ups and downs and in-betweens, and finding the time/energy/oomph to blog has been a bit difficult.  But we're back and still raising money, and with only 66 days left until the Relay and a lot more to raise to reach our goal, we're back with a vengeance.


In the last week, Savannah has turned 4 (going on 16), joined karate, and has changed her outfit approximately 1,200 times.  Nathanael has added yet another occupation to his long list of things he'd like to do when he grows up (pharmacist, astronaut, animal rescuer, karate teacher, and now a robotic engineer), has taken a keen interest in entomology and ornithology, has mastered Jim Carrey-ish faces, and succeeded in getting the rest of us sick with some nasty virus.  We've had the sewer back up into our basement, a raccoon on our back deck, and a power outage.


Our last fundraiser at Nola's BBQ featuring the Skycoasters was a small success.  Somewhere on this ancient laptop I have the names of people to thank for their donations for raffle items.  We do have another fundraiser coming up in just a couple of weeks at local family restaurant Cheeburger Cheeburger.  We have items to raffle, and the restaurant will be donating 15% of their sales to our team for the American Cancer Society.  We're still so far from our goal, but we're all hopeful that we'll get there.  


Keeping the hope alive has been a bit of a roller coaster ride as of late.  We're still listening to Don't Stop Believin' and Jump to keep the message present in our daily lives.  It's harder for me than it is for the kids, but their youthful innocence and naivete can be infectious.


The kids are busy preparing something that they'd like posted on the blog which will get on here by the end of the week.  In the meantime, I thought some of the dialogue that has occurred in the time since the last post might put a smile on your faces, dear readers.  Thank you for your continued loyalty to our blog.  


There is still time to donate to our team, and if you'd like to do so on behalf on Nathanael and Savannah or in honor/celebration/memory of someone you love, please visit our team page here.  If you'd like to mail a check, you may do so by writing it out to The American Cancer Society and mailing it to:
Nathanael and Savannah Haskell
P.O. Box 506
Buffalo, NY 14226


And now, may I present "Overheard In The Haskell Household" or "A Typical Day In My House"


Mom: I'm nauseated.
Nathanael: Me too.
Savannah:  I'm lazy-eyed.

Savannah:  Make it a double!  (referring to the amount of fruit snacks she was getting, but still)

Savannah:  Hey Mama, take a whiff!
Mom:  Excuse me?
Savannah:  Oh, did you toot, too?

Nathanael, attempting to speak French: Clooka dooka f*cka troolay
*when asked what he was trying to say, he told me he was asking what the time was

Savannah: Do spiders have private parts?

Nathanael:  Girls are better than boys.  Oh...wait a minute.  That's not what I meant.

Nathanael:   Mama is WAY more fun than Daddy!

Savannah:  Mama, I've got an itchy spot right here.
Mom:  You do?  Where'd it come from?
Savannah: 'Cause I've been scratching at it.

Savannah, hitting their little table and in a creepy voice:  I give up, you scary table!

Nathanael:  Auntie C. texts you a lot.  I hope I get to text when *I'm* a pharmacist.
*for the record, Auntie C. does not text a lot, nor do I receive a lot of text messages.

Savannah: I need help wiping!

Nathanael:  I'm over homeschooling for today.
Mom: Now what do you think would happen if you went to regular school and you told the teacher you were over school for the day?
Nathanael: She'd throw me in the dumpster.
*again, for the record, we spend about an hour and a half total homeschooling at this age.  Not long enough for him to be "over" anything.  Little turkey.

Savannah: Do we still have lemonade?
*she asks this every day.  We haven't had lemonade since our lemonade stand in MARCH.

Nathanael: I need some tape for my microphone.
Mom:  Why do you need tape for it?
Nathanael:  Uhh....so I can tape it, of course.

Nathanael: I just put deodorant on.
Savannah: Regular?
Mom, knowing all he did was slap water under his armpits: Why did you put deodorant on?
Nathanael: Because my elbows smelled like sweat.

Most of this is probably "Guess you had to be there" funny, but trust me.  In the moment, the hilarity was too much.

A World With More Birthdays....

In honor of Savannah's 4th birthday today, would you please consider donating to a cause whose mission is to fight for and preserve *more* birthdays?

You can donate to Savannah directly here or to our team here.  Any donation, big or small, is                     wholeheartedly appreciated, and can make a huge impact in the fight against cancer.

For a world with more birthdays....that's our wish.

You say it's your birthday...

Mom here.  On May 15, 2008, our family became complete.  Savannah blessed us with her presence at 2:03 p.m., and made that presence known to everyone in the room.  One look at the sweet face, the beautiful blue eyes, and I knew I had a special, special girl on my hands.  Four years later and I have yet to be proven wrong. 

Happy birthday, Savannah.  You are my sweet, smart, funny, beautiful and sassy girl, and I am SO proud of all you have done in your short time here on this earth.  You are helping to change the world, my girl, and you bring a light to this world that no one else could ever bring.  May all of your dreams come true.  May happiness and love always be at your side.  May you always know how special you are to me and how much I love you.

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be.

~Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

On 80s Music

Nathanael, age 3.
Savannah, age 1 1/2.


Who would've thought they would turn out to love old-school 80s rock?  Much to my husband's delight, even now at 5 and 3, they love to listen and dance to the cleaner songs that we grew up with.  Thankfully, they still don't catch the meanings, whether hidden or not so hidden, behind the songs.  They get this first line or two but what really captivates them both about any music is the melody.  


The rock obsession started with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."  My husband happened to have his iPod on shuffle the other day, and Van Halen's "Jump" came on.  They were immediately in love.  I've heard the song
many times, but never picked up on the first line.


Nathanael did.

"I get up....and nothin' gets me down."

Nathanael: Mom!  This is a great song for the Relay For Life!"

Mom:  Why, buddy?

Nathanael:  Well, because "I get up and nothing gets me down" means people with cancer shouldn't let cancer get them down.  They can get up and fight!

Savannah:  Like Gran.

Nathanael:  I hope she doesn't let it get her down.

Mom:  You know, of all the times I've heard this song, Natty, I've never paid attention to that lyric.  I think you're right.  I think that's a great message for the Relay.  Do you know what the next line is?


Nathanael: No, not really.

Mom:  It's "You got it tough, I've seen the toughest around."  That kind of reminds me of Gran, like something she or anyone else fighting cancer could say.  Should say.  Your Gran is one tough cookie.


Nathanael:  I know she is.  I'm proud of her.

Savannah:  Me too!

Mom  I'm proud of her, too.  She's the bravest of them all.  She's roaring her mighty roar (*we just finished reading Where The Wild Things Are*) at that nasty wild thing called cancer, and we just have to keep hoping that we can help her and anyone else who may be fighting cancer to feel like they can get up and not let their sickness win in terms of getting their spirits down.  

Hey, cancer - "I ain't the worst that you've seen."  My kids are coming after you.

Don't Stop Believin', brought to you by Excedrin Migraine

I kid, I kid.


A little.


There are many things my beautiful children do well for ages 5 and 3.


I say this with my heart full of mother's love, but....singing isn't one of them.  


Both kids, particularly Nathanael, have been singing the refrain to Journey's Don't Stop Believin' this past week.  It has become our unofficial theme song around here.  The kids don't understand the lyrics, obviously, although Nathanael thinks it's cool that the guy singing the song took a train at midnight.  They hear the words "don't stop believin'," though, and their thoughts go immediately to Gran.  They refuse to do anything but be filled with hope and won't stop believin' that their fundraising efforts will help change the world, even Gran's world.


Nathanael asked me a few days ago if he and Savannah could have a "dance party" to Don't Stop Believin' to put on the blog so that they could remind our readers to "never give up hope."  How could I resist such a request?


Simon Cowell would not approve.  It's loud.  It's shrill.  But their intent is obvious, and the unexpected message at the very end comes from their mouths, their hearts, and is filled with inspiration that, in my opinion, is infectious..

On pride

I believe the children are our future

Teach them well and let them lead the way

Show them all the beauty they possess inside

Give them a sense of pride to make it easier

Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be.

I realize how cliche this may be, given the recent passing of Whitney Houston, but this particular verse from Greatest Love of All has been going through my head for the last few days.  When we last checked our P.O. Box, someone included a note to me that said "It's children like yours that give me hope for our future."  As a mom, that is perhaps that greatest compliment I have ever received.  

My husband and I don't feel as though we have done anything differently than any other parents.  We love our kids.  We teach them right from wrong.  We teach them that love, honesty, and kindness and the most important virtues one can possess. These children of ours, ages 5 and almost 4, have taken what we have taught them thus far and run with it.  Every word on this blog is truly from them.  Every expression of love is unprompted.  Every expression of desire to fix the world and rid the world of "the kind of sickness Gran has" is genuinely theirs.  We feel incredibly blessed to have these two.  They're good kids.  They're not without their days, as all young children have, but the sense of pride we have for them is overwhelming, especially since the planning for the Relay has begun. They have become an inspiration to others, and have been invited to participate in other local Relays.  They have a following of celebrities, athletes, top-level professionals, musicians, and regular people like ourselves.  People are inspired by them, and I hope that, one day, they realize just how amazing that is and how amazing Daddy and I think they are.

I think I had a good teacher growing up.  My mom taught me well.  My mom taught me the importance of inner beauty and what made me unique from others.  To this day she reminds me.  She told me, and still tells me, to be proud of who I am.  I hope that I can do the same for Nathanael and Savannah, and that they grow up knowing how special they are, no matter what they do, no matter what they become.  We'll always be proud of you, kiddos.  We love you more than all the stars in the sky.   

Jackpot!

This is what Nathanael exclaimed as we opened the door to P.O. Box 506 this morning.  We found it overflowing with responses to his Knock Out Cancer Challenge, and many were addressed to Savannah as well.  All of the envelopes, with the exception of two, were left with no return addresses.  Thank you, dear readers, if you are among those who sent the anonymous dollars.  They are wholeheartedly appreciated by not only the children, but by me and by our Relay For Life team as a whole.  Your kindness humbles me.  


The kids wanted to thank you all in their own way.  I apologize for my loud voice; I didn't realize I was holding the camera with the mic right near my mouth until we played it back.  

Up Close and Personal

Not with Robert Redford, unfortunately.  
I wanted the kids to have a little running dialogue on here, so while we were waiting for karate class to start, we sat in the car and played interviewer and interviewee.  Interviewees, to be precise.


Mom:  Who would like to talk about their favorite part of the blog?
Nathanael, making sure he was the first to answer: Me!
Savannah:  That's not fair!  Natty answered first!
Mom, who has a little bit had it with the week: It's fair because Natty answered first, Sav.  You can have a turn after him.
Savannah:  It's still not fair.
Mom, really REALLY wanting to go into a lecture about how life isn't fair but realizing it would be lost on a 3 year old: Natty will answer first, and then you can answer.  Enough said.
Okay, Natty.  You're up.  What's your favorite part about our blog?
Nathanael:  That's easy.  My Knock Out Cancer Challenge.
Mom:  Why?
Nathanael:  Because I've gotten some responses to it, and because I can see it anytime I want to on the blog.  And our blog makes us kind of famous. (at least he's honest)
Mom: Well that sounds like a good answer to me.  How about you, Savannah?  What's your favorite part about having a blog?
Savannah:  Making videos.
Mom:  Do you have a favorite video?
Savannah: The princess one.
Mom, realizing this is going to be like pulling teeth now:  Why do you like the princess one so much?
Savannah:  Because I did it myself (forget the fact that I had to feed her the lines for some of it) and it's MY challenge and not Natty's.
Mom:  It's fun to have something of your own, isn't it?
Savannah: Yes.  Like a horse I could ride all by myself.

I wasn't about to get into the horse discussion again.


Mom:  So guys, we've raised a lot of money so far.  Between what we have gotten donated directly to our team, and the fundraisers you two are coming up with, we've raised the most of all the teams who are walking in Geneva, and we still have 3 months to go until the walk!  How important do you think that money is?
Nathanael:  Well, the different fundraisers are fun, and counting the money we make from them is fun, but I know the real reason we're doing it.
Mom:  Why, buddy?
Nathanael:  Well, we're trying to help people who have the sickness like Gran (he doesn't like saying the word cancer very much), and I hope that some of the money goes to the hospital where Gran gets her medicine so that we're helping her get better.
Savannah: I hope ALL the money goes to Gran.
Mom:  Well, the money that we're raising will go to an organization that gives support to people with cancer and their families.  They also help people understand ways they can prevent different kinds of cancer by being healthy, and they do research to find ways to treat different cancers.  
Nathanael:  That's cool.  So we're helping them do all that?
Mom:  Yes sir.  That's where the money you're helping to raise will go to.


Mom: Okay, I have one more question for each of you.  Savannah first this time.
Savannah:  Good.
Mom:  Savvy, what does the word hope mean to you?
Savannah:  I hope Gran feels better.  I love her and I want her to  be able to visit us again and play with us!
Mom:  I think that's a great answer, kiddo.  How about you, Natty?  What does the word hope mean to you?
Nathanael:  It means wishing.  I wish Gran would feel better.  And I remember that we learned how daffodils represent hope, and we have lots of daffodils growing in our garden, so it's like our whole house is surrounded by hope.
Mom: It certainly is.  Okay, it's just about time to go into karate.  Is there anything you'd like to say to our readers?
Savannah:  Hi Gran!  Love, Savannah.   I love you!
Nathanael:  I don't know what to say.  Can I say "could you please donate?"
Mom:  Sure, if you want to.
Nathanael: Could you please think about donating?  We love our Gran!  I love you, Gran!  Knuckles!

Mom:  Know what?  I'm very proud of the both of you.
Nathanael:  For what?
Mom:  Because you're good kids with big hearts, and you're doing a good thing.
Nathanael:  Thanks, mama.  I'm proud of you, too.
Savannah:  Me too.
Mom:  Thanks, kiddos.  I love you.

They'll never really understand why I'm proud, but I have a feeling they'll never forget the good that they're doing.  I think this will stick with them for always.

Just For You

Through all of the fundraising, through all of the ideas on how to bring in the green for the American Cancer Society and our Relay For Life team, never once have we lost sight of why we're really doing any of this.  


Gran.  My mom.  


This was my idea, as I was feeling very sentimental this afternoon and I asked Nathanael if he would be willing to do something for the blog that would mean something to me and to Gran, but not related to raising money.  He happily obliged, and Savannah was more than happy to sit by, be cute, and listen.


When I was around Nathanael's age, my mom used to read me the Mercer Mayer Little Critter books.  I remember many of them, but our together favorite was Just For You.  The copy was so tattered and loved because it was read so often.  


On my first Christmas as a new mom, back in 2006, my mom gave me a special present for me to share with Nathanael.  It was a bound collection of Mercer Mayer books, the first being Just For You.  Hormonal and postpartum, I remember being moved to tears a) that she remembered, and b) that I would be able to share this story with my own child as she and I had shared, enjoyed, and loved it.  We have, and Savannah, too.


I wish I could do a million and one special things for my mom right now.  This comes to mind, and it's so trivial, but if she sees this, she'll understand.  


Mom, I wanted to do something special, just for you....








...and I did.

On twisters, The Exorcist, and pennies

Recognize the bike?  It's a replica of the bike Almira Gulch rode in The Wizard of Oz.  It's been that kind of day around here.  Sweet children seem to have fallen off the wagon....er, bike, and turned into Almira Gulch and her male counterpart.  And who turns into that big ol' green gal who throws a fireball at a scarecrow, all because she sent them to bed early?  


Mom here.  


Whew Nelly, there must be a full moon, or something in the water, or maybe their cuteness was just a clever ruse, but I swear I was ready for pea soup to come spewing out of their mouths and at least one 360 degree spin of the head to happen.  My husband said they're just tired from being up early and that they're just being kids.  Psssh.  What does he know?


Some friends of my husband have been dropping off pennies for the kids to collect for the fundraiser.


Like the clever segue there?


...erm..  As I was saying, my husband knows some very thoughtful people who thought a "penny drive" might be a fun way of raising funds for the Relay.  Genius.  My kids love money.  Not in the the-more-we-have-the-more-we-can-buy way, but they love finding money in stores and stashing it in their piggy banks.  They each have their own bank account.  I wouldn't call them mini-Scrooges, but they are very frugal, and it seems to come naturally.  This is a good thing.  


"Penny drive" has blossomed into "coin drive," as we have begun to receive more than just pennies.  We took the kids to our bank today, which has its own coin counter, and they had a blast dumping in handful after handful.  At the end, they had $35.17.  Nathanael said we can call them "hope pennies," and thus, another fundraiser was born.  


Change For Hope, Hope For Change will start tomorrow.  We're going to go around to some of our local businesses, restaurants and stores where we're "regulars," and ask if we can keep a canister near the registers to collect any spare pennies any patrons may feel compelled to give, with a slip of paper on each canister explaining our story and where the money will be going.  


Mom, ducking in case the pea soup comes flying: So where do you think we should go tomorrow to ask if we can leave containers for pennies?


Savannah: Um, the mall.


Mom, already knowing the answer:  Why the mall?


Savannah: So we can stay for a few whiles (her trademark phrase) and so I can buy something. 


Mom: Well, maybe we can go to the mall another time for a few whiles and see what we see.  Let's see if we can think of something closer to home.


Nathanael: Starbucks!  They sure know us there!


Mom, having just been thrown under the bus by her kid:  Uh...yep.  They sure do.  We can see if they'll do something like that.  Anywhere else?


Nathanael: Salsaritas!  We go there almost every day!


We don't.


Mom: We do not!  But they know us there, that would be a good place.


Savannah:  THE. MALLLLLL.


Mom, ignoring Savannah:  That's a good start.  Maybe we can ask Laportas, too.  


Savannah: Mom.


Mom: Savannah.


Savannah:  MOM!


I swear, this is when I thought her head was going to spin.


Mom, in a sickeningly sweet voice: Yes, Savvy?


Savannah:  We can ask the bank for all the money back that we just dumped in the machine.


Mom, feeling bad for likening her innocent 3 year old to Reagan: Can't do that, kiddo.  We traded those coins for dollars, and now the dollars are going to be donated to our team.


Savannah: Ohhhhh.


I'd just like to say that, when we found out Savannah was a girl, we briefly considered the name Raegan.  


Nathanael:  Listen.  If this is going to work, we're going to need at least a thousand buckets and a thousand places to bring them.  I don't want to wait in the car.


Annnnnd.....cue creepy crab walk down the stairs?


I'm curious to see how this one turns out.  I frequently see plastic containers on market counters around the area, and while they're never chock-full, it does seem that people pay attention and plop in a few coins.  While a few pennies, nickels, dimes, or quarters won't cure cancer, together they're combined and put toward research and resources that will, hopefully some day, help to put an end to all cancers.  

Stepping Up

Our little karate kid was feeling frustrated that he hasn't received a lot of response to his challenge, and he asked if he could make another Knock Out Cancer video.




How can *anyone* resist such a challenge?  


If you or anyone you know would like to accept Nathanael's challenge and make a donation, big or small, directly to him or to our team, please make checks out to The American Cancer Society and mail to:


Nathanael and Savannah Haskell
P.O. Box 506
Buffalo, NY 14226


We all thank you for the donations received so far.  Your money is going to a great cause, and I like to think that, some day, no one will ever have to know this awful disease.

100 days

Look at the excitement on their faces.  For all of their awesome work with homeschooling the past few weeks, for all of their patience with mama as she goes through the motions of dealing with an ill parent, and for the dedication and pure love driving them to make this Relay nothing short of a success, we took a field trip today to the National Museum of Play in Rochester.

They had such a blast.  We spent SEVEN hours there, playing, being kids (yes, even me), and no one                  wanted to leave.

They got to play on a sunny dirt road, deep in Bear Country with some of our family's favorite characters....

 

Mama was reminded of a difficult lesson, and wished that the Bear Family could make it all go away.

 We visited the Dancing Wings Butterfly Conservatory, and this species was attracted to all three of us.  One landed on my neck, one landed on Savannah's leg, and one landed on the back of Nathanael's head.  I wonder if there is any significance?

We officially have 100 days left until the Relay.  We have our fundraiser in Rochester scheduled for May 11th with The Skycoasters.  We also have a local fundraiser coming up hosted by a family favorite restaurant, Cheeburger Cheeburger.  The date just needs to be confirmed, and more details will follow.  Of course the Kick Cancer In The Can and Nathanael's Knock Out Cancer Challenge are ongoing.  We're selling luminaria bags for decoration around the track for $5 apiece; bags are to be decorated, and at dark will be lit in honor of, in support of, in memory of, or in celebration of anyone whose life has been affected by cancer.  100 days.  A lot can happen in 100 days.  We have set a lofty fundraising goal for ourselves, but those little cheerleaders at the top of the page seem to think it can be done, so I'm following suit with their positivity and allowing their light to shine the way to achieving that goal.  

Rockin' For Relay

This photo is one of my favorite photos of my children.  It was taken in 2008 not long after Savannah was born; Nathanael was 18 months old.  Their feet have grown since then and still have a lot of growing to do, however they're already taking huge steps to change the world around them.

When we started this little blog, the intent was simply to document Nathanael and Savannah’s efforts at changing their little corner of the world.  A funny thing happened on the way.  They began to inspire others to want to change the world as well.

Enter our friend Shannon, whose own mother is a lung cancer survivor. 

Shannon is active in the Relay for Life and other American Cancer Society events in Western New York.  With the desire to help my children raise money in honor of their Gran, Shannon reached out to legendary Rochester rockers The Skycoasters, and set in motion a fund raising event. 

On May 11, 2012, at Nola’s BBQ in Rochester, NY, The Skycoasters will play at a benefit for the American Cancer Society.   There is a $5.00 cover charge for the band, and there will be silent auctions and ticket raffles, with a 50/50 raffle capping off the night.  The Skycoasters will be taking the stage at around 9:30 PM, with the big raffle drawing at around 11:30.  All proceeds will go the American Cancer Society on behalf of the Cave Crashers team.  

The event will obviously be a little late for Nathanael and Savannah to attend in person, and they are a little young to be hanging out in a bar, but this event would never have happened without their inspiration.  Many thanks to Shannon, for taking the initiative and making this happen.  I will be there, and aside from the auctions/raffles, donations will also be accepted.

I am, once again, humbled by the generosity of others. 

Don't stop believin'.

The Catcher

No, not ...In The Rye....


Not Jorge Posada....


Not the guy who snags the stray dogs.


Watch your step, cancer.  Fear your every move.  For behold....


It's the CANCER CATCHER!

Nathanael: I am dressed up as a cancer catcher.  Yep.  A cancer. Catcher.  The helmet I have on is to keep me safe on my motorcycle.

Mom, baffled as to where in the world he came up with this idea:  Okay.  Why does The Cancer Catcher drive a motorcycle?

Nathanael:  So I can go to places to catch cancer.  *If he knew enough to say "Duh, mama," I have a feeling that would've been tacked on to the end.

Mom:  So tell me about your cape.

Nathanael:  It's not a cape.  It's the thing that flies in the wind on the motorcycle.

Mom, unable to resist:  Oh.  So...like a cape?

Nathanael, annoyed:  No.  It just flaps on the motorcycle.

Mom, deciding against trying to push his buttons any further:  So what else can you tell me about your....uniform?

Nathanael:  Costume.  It's not a uniform.

Mom:  My apologies.

Nathanael:  Well, the mouth cover is to keep me safe if I fall off the motorcycle while I'm catching a cancer germ to destroy.

Mom:  Where do you put it?

Nathanael:  The motorcycle?

Mom, wondering where the sudden fascination with motorcycles has come from:  No.  Where do you put the nasty cancer germs once you catch them?

Nathanael:  Ahh, yes.  Of course.  Well, I put them in my special jar, and then I lock the jar.
He begins to run down the hallway.....

Mom:  Anything else?

Nathanael: That's it!

So.  A cancer catcher.  Be afraid, cancer.  Be very afraid.  And if not for the picture above, then for the picture below.

The Cancer Catcher earned his orange belt in karate this morning.  He's rough and tough.  You heard that "Kiai! he gave you in his Knock Out Cancer Challenge.  I think that challenge just got kicked up a notch!

What would a princess do?

Savannah, seeing her brother's success with his Knock Out Cancer Challenge, asked if there was something she could do that was just hers.  

Savannah:  I want to do something.  Not karate.

Mom:  Ballet?

Savannah: No.  My leotard is too tight.

Mom: A song?

Savannah:  No, I already did that, remember?

Mom, having clearly forgotten:  I absolutely remember.  What do you think you'd like to do?

Savannah:  Something about horses.

Mom:  We don't have a horse, Sav.  And I don't know how we could incorporate horses into our message.  Or where we'd even find a horse.

Savannah:  Um, the yellow pages.

Mom, feeling The Headache coming on and rubbing her temples:  Any other thoughts, kiddo?

Savannah:  Yes!  Rapunzel!!

Mom:  Okay!  What would Rapunzel like to do?

Savannah:  Ride a horse.

Mom, having flashes forward of what the teen years are going to be like:  Something without horses.

Savannah:  I don't know then.

Mom:  Do you want to talk to our readers?

Savannah:  Yes!  I could read them a book!

Mom:  You're just learning how to read, kiddo.  We're not quite there yet.  But I have an idea.  Remember the Disney princess books you have where they all try to solve different problems?  And how they all say the same thing as they think about what to do to solve the problem?


Savannah:  Oh!  Yes!  Just like when Ariel had to tell Triton that the pitsytooter was hers, and not Alana's!

Mom:  Would you like me to help you say some things to our readers, and then maybe you could end with that one line from the book?


Savannah:  YES!

And so, ladies and gentlemen, may I present Savannah, aka Princess Rapunzel, in our Cyrano de Bergerac style of....an interview with Rapunzel.  No horses were harmed in this interview.

‎  

Who can resist a beautiful princess?  If you would like to donate to our team, please visit the team page for The Cave Crashers.  From there, you can see Savannah's name toward the bottom listed as a team member, and if you'd like to donate directly to Savannah's page you can click on her name to donate.  If she raises $100 on her page, she gets a pretty awesome Relay For Life t-shirt.  You can also visit Savannah's page directly, but the default Relay picture of a random mom and daughter pops up when you click on the link and I don't know how to fix it; I just don't want anyone to be confused if/when you visit the page and don't see Savannah.  Our American Cancer Society rep is working on it.  


As always, dear readers, I thank you...WE thank you...for your continued support.  

Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs

Mom here.  We spent a long Easter weekend out of town with my parents, sisters, and their families.  It was a very tough, very emotional weekend.  The kids had a blast playing with their cousins from the other side of the country (also fellow Cave Crashers), but it was very bittersweet.

The kids' new favorite song from the last few weeks has been Journey's Don't Stop Believin', particularly the end, because they don't want anyone to stop believing in hope, to stop believing in the fight, to stop believing that Gran will get better.

It's spring break time around here for the schools, and, as homeschoolers, we tend to follow the public school schedule as far as days off are concerned.  Today, though, I wanted to get some reading, writing, and spelling in.

Mom:  Okay, kiddos.  Time for some work.  

Nathanael:  I'm drawing something.  Please please please can we wait until I'm done?

Savannah:  I'm ready.  Let's do it.

Mom:  Let's go, Natty.  Let's get it out of the way and then you can have your play time.

Savannah:  Yeah, let's go....Natty Bananers.  (She knows what buttons to push.  She's only 3.)

Nathanael: Do NOT call me that, Savvy-anna!  (So does he.)

Mom, losing patience:  I'm going to count to three....

Savannah: I can count higher than that.

Nathanael: I'm done anyway.  See what I drew?  It's a cancer crusher to help get rid of Gran's germs!

Mom, feeling like dirt now:  Wow, bud.  What a great drawing.  And what a great idea.  A cancer crusher.  

Nathanael:  Wouldn't it be great if we could just push a button, next to everyone with this sickness, and it just blasted the germs right out of their bodies!  When I'm 49 I'm going to invent one.

Savannah: Just like Mama!

Mom, seriously rubbing temples now: Savannah, I'm 35.  Not 49.

Savannah: April Fool!

Mom:  Ha ha.  Right.  Okay.  Let's get some work done.

Finally.  They humored me and completed their work, and when we were done I asked them if they wanted to stay at the table to draw and keep me company while I started dinner.   They both said yes, drew for a few minutes, started whispering, and then told me not to look. After maybe 20 minutes they wanted to show off their work.  Whenever the tell me not to look and then they want to show me something I get a little nervous.  This is what they were working on:     

Big bro instructed Little Sis on how to find the song on my iPod 

to make sure he spelled "believin'" the right way.

She loves her Gran, whom she used to call "Lady."  She wanted her picture taken wearing the purple flower brooch Gran gave her over Easter weekend.

This little one never ceases to amaze me.

Never ever.  

The two of them worked together on this one, but Savannah didn't want to be in the picture.  She wanted it written and asked Nathanael to write it.  She actually wanted "Cancer stinks like the cat's litter box" written, but Nathanael apparently vetoed that idea.

I know I'm biased, but I have pretty great kids.  Mom, if you're reading this, thank you for teaching me everything you did that helped me produce two amazing kids.  I love you.

Easter

The Easter Bunny made an appearance a few days before Easter to hide some eggs in our yard.  Nathanael decided to put his magic hat on to help him find more eggs.

Savannah let out a squeal every time she spotted an egg.  If I could bottle up their joy from that morning and sell it I'd be a millionaire.

Every year, the Easter Bunny hides two golden eggs, one for each, and places a special surprise in each.  This year EB left $5 in quarters - the kids' favorite coin, naturally - and immediately upon opening his, Nathanael said he wanted to put them in our loose change donation jar.  Savannah  followed up with an enthusiastic "Me too!"  We have a quart-sized Mason jar that we're keeping our loose change in until about a week before the walk.  At that time we'll donate it to our team.  The fact that my kids were so selfless as to want to donate their money from the bunny to their fundraising efforts melted my heart faster than a Cadbury Egg left in the sun.

...the aftermath

Mom here.  The kids are still on Cloud 9 from their spot on television.  They're asking to see their video every five minutes.  My cell phone has been ringing and dinging and bleeping with calls, texts, and e-mails with people telling me how well they did, how they needed Kleenex after watching them, and so on and so forth.  They're asking about the next time they'll be on television, and have both picked out their outfits.  I don't yet have the heart to tell them that this was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  


My heart continues to swell with pride.  People are giving me props for teaching the kids a lesson in doing good things for others at such a young age, but the truth is, while my husband and I are certainly encouraging of their ideas, they really are coming up with everything on their own.  It's almost as if we weren't needed to teach them a lesson in "doing good."  We were fortunate enough to be blessed with two children with hearts the size of....well, here is what the kids have to say about it.


Mom:  I'm so proud of you both.  I still can't believe you were on television!  Natty, you did such a great job in the interview letting people know why you're doing what you're doing, and Savannah, when you said that you wanted to tell Gran you love her, I was so proud that I wanted to cry.  You both have huge hearts.**

Nathanael:  Is that normal?

Mom:  What, to have a huge heart?

Savannah:  I'm not going to the doctor.

Mom:  No no no.  "Having a huge heart" means that you have lots and lots of room in your heart for love and for caring and for doing kind things.

Nathanael: Ohhhh.

Mom:  I'd say you have hearts the size of....

Nathanael, before I could finish: Canada!

Savannah: No, Natty, not Canada.  As big as the statue of Prince Eric in Ariel's grotto!

Mom:  You got it, kiddos.


**While it's true that my husband and I were lucky to have naturally good and good-hearted kids, they are kids, and boy - do they come out with some whoppers.  I'm beginning to draft a post that will surely amuse you, dear readers.  Some days they're from Hogwarts, some days they're from Slytherin.*
* My husband came up with that one.  Forgive me.  

Makeover time!

Mom here.  To get ready for our big television debut, I headed over to our local Sephora to get some assistance on picking out and applying good television makeup colors.  Being a stay-at-home mom, I usually throw on some mascara...only if I leave the house...and I'm good to go.  I knew that wouldn't cut it on television, and I knew I needed some help.  Okay, a LOT of help.  

The first thing we did when we arrived was pick out some nail polish for both kids.  That was my bribe for actually getting them to come with me.  And yes, I said both kids.  Don't judge.  I paint Nathanael's toenails, otherwise he looks longingly at Savannah while I paint her fingernails and toenails.  Savannah chose a lovely 

pink color, while Nathanael chose a fabulous vomit-green color.  Mission accomplished.

Thankfully, a nice young woman approached us and asked if we needed help.  "Ohhhh yes," I replied, and explained that we were going to be on television and I needed some help.  Okay, a LOT of help.  She asked a few questions, grabbed some colors, and went to work.  I drew the attention of an older woman who was also shopping, and for some reason I can't remember, she started singing "Oh Danny Boy."  The young woman and I referenced The Muppets' version of Oh Danny Boy and we began laughing.  Ohhhh Danny.  Oh boy.

Meanwhile, Thing 1 and Thing 2 were having a blast hanging out near my makeover chair, ooohing and ahhhing over all the sparkly colors.  After restraining themselves for, oh, a minute, they began to experiment.  And experiment they did.  Eyeshadows, blushes, mascara lines drawn on necks....you name it.

After my transformation..."Mommy, you look like someone who has already been on television!"...I just chose to take all the products the lovely woman used, hoped I'd be able to reproduce her fabulous work the next morning,....and then I saw my children.

They were so proud of themselves.

Thank you, Tricia at Sephora.  For helping me learn how not to look like a tired mom, and for the message you sent after you saw the news.  

Nathanael and Savannah, Changing The World

Dear Readers, here is our segment from our local ABC news affiliate, WKBW-7.

Making Good Things Happen

Two Weeks Later and We're On The News!

Mom here.  The kids and I were invited by our local ABC affiliate, WKBW-TV, to sit down for a short interview about the blog's origination and why the kids have chosen to let the world know what they're doing.


We were up bright and early and took the exciting drive to the studio.  The kids' jaws dropped as we pulled into the parking lot.

They were wonderful.  Savannah was a little camera shy, I was beyond nervous, but Nathanael was a natural.  This should come as no surprise to anyone who knows him.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Patrick Taney and the WKBW News 7 team.  Nathanael told me on the way home, "Mama, Patrick Taney helped to make our dream come true of letting the whole world know what we're doing."

Two weeks after going live, our blog has had approximately 2500 hits, followers from 13 countries, and retweets/mentions from approximately 100 celebrities on Twitter, ranging from movie stars like Minnie Driver to television stars like Tim Daly to athletes and sports news icons such as Aaron Boone, Bob Lorenz, Jack Curry, and Chuck Knoblauch.  Not bad for a little kids' blog.

We met and exceeded our initial goal of $1000.  When we reached $1000, we attained the "Rising Stars" level for fundraising for the Relay For Life.  It was time to start working toward the next level.  We have met and exceeded our revised goal of $2000.   When I learned about the different levels of fundraising, I decided to shoot for the moon and make our ultimate goal $15,000.  If a team raises $15,000 in donations, it reaches the "Sapphire Level" of fundraising.  The "blue" level, if you will.  My mom's favorite color is blue.  There was no question about it. Attaining that goal, that sapphire level of fundraising, will make this event even more special to me than it already is.  The Cave Crashers will do their best to fill in that purple box and raise $15,000!

Thank you, dear readers, for your support and for keeping this blog going.  Thank you to those of you who have accepted Nathanael's Knock Out Cancer challenge.  You have all touched my heart.

Yankees Fans and Mermaids

Two new hairdos for a special event coming up.  Stay tuned!

Mom:  Natty, I have some exciting Yankees news about the blog.

Nathanael:  What?

Mom: Well, some of the writers and researchers from the YES Network have checked it out.  A writer for ESPN has, too.

Nathanael: What's ESPN?

Mom:  It's a tv channel for a bunch of different sports.  It's the channel that Salsarita's usually has playing when we go there.

Nathanael:  WOW!  I wonder if any of the real Yankees have looked at it?

Mom:  Well, a former Yankee named Chuck Knoblauch has looked at it.  All of these guys have found out about the blog through my Twitter account.

Savannah:  What's a Twittter?

Mom:  It's something on the internet where you can write what you're doing or about things you want people to know.  Daddy and I spend a lot of time on Twitter after you two go to bed, letting people know about your blog and why you're trying to raise money.

Savannah: Well, why can't you just call them on the phone?

Mom:  Because I don't know their phone numbers.

Savannah:  So look them up.

Mom:  *speechless*

Nathanael:  I hope Derek Jeter reads it!

Mom:  We'll see who we can get there, bud.  We have lots of readers and we're trying to get people to spread the word so we'll have more.  We want everyone to know what awesome kids you are.

Savannah:  Well, I want Ariel to read it.

Mom:  Sav, Ariel isn't real.  You know that.  She's just a cartoon character on a movie.  She can't really read.

Savannah:  Yes, mama, actually she can.

Mom:  Nope.  Sorry, kiddo.

Savannah:  Okay, well then how did she read Ursula's agreement before she signed it?

Mom:  *speechless*

Savannah's Solo

Mom here.  Been a rough few days around the house.  Unruly kids with germs, mom's got an ear infection, and some stress over Gran, aka my mom.  There are some days when it seems like one thing after another after another is thrown our way.  There are days when I'm ready to throw in the towel, thinking that I can't handle *this* part of life.

But then a sweet voice comes up behind me, asking if she can sing a song for the blog "so the readers can know Ariel's song," and the stress temporarily melts away.  One look into those baby blue eyes, and all seems right with the world.  Until, of course....well, just watch.





I love you, Sav.  *hack*

Kick Cancer In The Can Kickoff

Mom here.  Today was the first day that people were asked to drop off cans and/or bottles to support the kids' efforts in fundraising.  Friends and neighbors were kind enough to donate, and it was off to Wegmans we all went, again, like a Griswold Family Vaca, to return what we had received.

Putting in the first of their donated cans.  I was terrified they were going to cut their fingers off.

  Nathanael is fascinated by the conveyor belt that brings the bottles into the "land of the unknown."                

Savannah, all smiles as usual.

Whew!  That was hard work!

After about 45 minutes, all of the cans and bottles had been returned.  Earnings for our first day of the Kick Cancer In The Can and Seal Up The Can fundraiser totaled $36.70!  Not bad for one day!


Thank you, R., for your very generous donation of your bottles and cans.  The kids were laughing the entire time, thinking it was hilarious that you two brought so many bags over.  


This fundraiser is open until some time in mid-July, just prior to the walk 

Nathanael's Knock Out Cancer Challenge - Update 1

Mom here.  Nathanael issued his challenge on Monday of this week.  We decided that we would check the P.O. Box once a week, and chose Saturdays because it would be on our way home from karate.

The entire family went to the post office, almost as if it were a Griswold Family Vacation.  The kids knew right where the box is, and I couldn't unlock it quickly enough.  We were getting lots of stares for taking pictures in the post office, but we didn't care.  We were all surprised to find 3 envelopes in the box!  One was sent to both Nathanael and Savannah, one to just Nathanael, and one to just Savannah.  I knew who one of the envelopes was from, and R., I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You know what this is like, and the fact that you thought of my family has touched my heart.  Sender of the other two envelopes, you chose to stay anonymous, you sneaky devil, but you made the kids' day including a note to each of them.  They were so excited to receive your dollars, and *I* appreciate it with my whole heart.


In the end, on our first day of checking the box, a total of $14 was received as part of the challenge.


So the challenge has been officially accepted.  I think we're all looking forward to next Saturday!


For those of you who haven't read the challenge yet, take a look at Nathanael's Knock Out Cancer Challenge.  He's challenging all of our readers to send just $1 to the post office box listed below because, in his words, "One dollar is a small amount of money...but imagine how much it could help in our fight against cancer."  Are *you* up for a challenge?


Thank you again to those of you who have sent donations so far.  You have a special place in my heart.


If you'd like to accept Nathanael's challenge, please send your donation to:


Nathanael and Savannah Haskell
P.O. Box 506
Buffalo, NY 14226


We will be logging all donations onto the team website once a week.