Samuel is FIVE!!!!!

Almost impossible to believe that FIVE years ago, we were blessed with the birth of this amazing young man. What has changed about Samuel in the past five years? Not a whole lot! He came out smiling and mellow but incredibly energetic, and he's pretty much just gotten taller.

The kids woke up this morning to their bedroom PACKED with balloons, stuck to furniture, hanging from ceiling, covering the floor...and then of course a fully decorated house w/ streamers, more balloons, presents, and sprinkle cake! What a way to start the day! After birthday cake breakfast + presents, they played their little hearts out w/ all the cool stuff (THANK YOU, NONNA!!!!) and are now peacefully KNOCKED OUT for nap time. This is the life :)

Samuel's first picture w/ his OWN NEW CAMERA!

A self-portrait of the birthday boy :)

School Days

Even though Samuel is not able to start "school" this Fall, we have been hard at work, and both of the little ones LOVE learning. We've frequently taken our lessons to Panera where the added incentive of cinnamon crunch bagels motivates them to get their work done!

GREAT NEWS!

So, we are a bit ridiculously happy that Dr. Yeager gave us the go-ahead for swimming at our community pool - with certain precautions and limitations, of course, but WHO CARES?!?! We get to go swimming this summer!!!! Needless to say, we are a bunch of SUPER EXCITED campers :)

No News = Good News :)

We are so happy to report that this saying is proving true for us. All is proceeding in treatment without major development - which is GREAT under the circumstances. Our Monday treatment days have been going amazingly well, and Samuel is wow-ing his doctors with his blood counts (which are remaining pretty good considering the chemotherapy). We are settling back into the routine of things after our 3-week drug hiatus, and it seems that Samuel's re-growth of hair may have been due to that little break since it has started to fall out again. It's a good thing he looks SUPER CUTE bald! ;)

 The look on everyone's faces notwithstanding, a good day - haha

good times at the toy table

passing the time, waiting for meds

too kool for skool

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snuggle time