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'.