What Are You Thankful For

So at dinner last night Aubrey shared what she's thankful for. Disney and Mickey Mouse. Hmm... I guess coming from a 3 year old that's okay. I'm happy she's thankful for something. I was just thinking it might have been a little something else.

We also talked about watching the shuttle launch tonight. She got excited about watching it launch. Then she said she would like a telescope. I was so happy she was showing so much interest. Then, she said her telescope had to have the princess's on it. Cinalella, Snow White, Sweeping Booty, Jasmine, and Belle. She's so silly!

Here are a few pics from the past few weeks. Enjoy!














TaDa!















Clap! Clap! Clap!














Bailey loves this drum. She's an amazing dancer when it's playing!














So serious.














Our little basketball player in a dress and lei. Hmm!?!















We don't always let her run around in just a diaper. This was a rare occasion, but I really think she was enjoying it.















Just thought I'd gross you guys out with her infected button. It's much better now!















Look at those beautiful blue eyes!















Looking good! She's gonna make contact with the ball!
















Look! She made contact!















Oops! Her tee fell! Poor Aubrey.

Disney

Living in Florida has a few perks. Disney is one of them! We live only 30 minutes from Disney and are fortunate to have passes so we can go anytime we want! Lucky us. So, we woke up Sunday morning and decided it would be a good day to go. We'll have to plan next time so we can invite a few people to join us.

So here are more pictures!
















The 3 pictures above were taken during our boat ride to the gate.
















This is the first show we saw after arriving. This show is about dreams and I get teary eyed every time I see it and every time I see the excitement on Aubrey's face. Shhh.. don't tell Keith. Oh, and this probably won't be the last time you see Aubrey's rear/crack! Sorry!
















Then, we rode the carousel.


















Then Dumbo.


















Waiting for the parade.



















The parade.

















Exhaused.

Circle B Bar Reserve/Nature Discovery Center/Naturefest, Backyard Adventures

November 1st was a busy day for us. It started with everyone getting showered and dressed and heading to Circle B Bar Reserve for Nature Fest and the opening of the Nature Discovery Center. This is a project Keith has been working on for over a year, and it was well worth all the hard work. The property is beautiful and the educational buildings and activities even kept Aubrey's attention. She loved everything... except the reptiles. I even think she wants granddaddy and grandmolly to take her to the Audubon center near their house. Here are a few pictures.














This is Aubrey playing in the field while we wait for the shuttle.














Beautiful. I think this was one of Aubrey's favorite parts of our visit.















All that hard work to climb to the top, and she gets upset!















Bailey liked the reptiles.














Aubrey was a participant in a presentation on the history of Florida.















So sleepy.





After that visit the girls and I took Keith home so he could watch the Florida/Georgia game. Go Gators! During the game, the girls and I went to Backyard Adventures for a little indoor fun.
















This is Bailey's way of playing with the bounce house.















She made it to the bottom! Way to go Aubrey!















I remember the days when I was that active... 30 years ago!






























So sweet!

Halloween Pictures!

These are pics from Halloween. For some reason I'm missing pics of Bailey, but I'll post them as soon as I find them. Until then... here's Miss Jasmine... umm, Aubrey.

Cancer Sucks!

Once again another child has won his battle and is in Heaven. I want to thank Renee for opening my eyes and helping me understand this horrible thing called cancer. Before having Bailey and meeting so many amazing people I just thought having a child was all fun and games. I didn't realize there are so many people, so many children, that are fighting this battle each and every day. I knew it existed, but I never truly understood. I was blind. So today, I'm upset with myself for telling Aubrey I'm too busy, or sending her to her room to play because I want quiet time. I'm upset with myself for taking what I have for granted, when there are so many other parents who wish they could just hold their child one more time. Thank you Renee for opening my eyes. Thank you Matthew, thank you Cody, thank you Hope. Just remember to give your child one more hug and kiss today. Take time to show them just how much you love them. They deserve it!

Here are a few facts Renee posted on her blog about cancer. These stats are hard to believe. It's scary.

*Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer.

*On the average 12,500 children and teens will be diagnosed with some form of cancer each year in this country.

*One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.

*Although the 5 year survival rate is steadily increasing, one quarter of children will die 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

*Cancer remains the #1 disease killer of America's children - more than Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Asthma and AIDS combined.

*In the U.S. almost 3,000 children do not survive cancer each year.

*Over the past two decades, only ONE new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use.

*Currently there are between 30-40,000 children undergoing cancer treatment in the U.S.

*As a nation, we spend over $14 BILLION per year on the space program, but only $35 MILLION on Childhood Cancer Research each year.

*There are 15 children diagnosed with cancer for every one child diagnosed with pediatric AIDS. Yet, the U.S. invests approximately $595,000 for research per victim of pediatric AIDS and only $20,000 for each victim of childhood cancer.

*Research funds are scarce as most money is diverted to well-publicized adult forms of cancer, such as breast and prostate.

*Right now, this second, somewhere in America, there are 7 children fighting for their lives who won't live through the day.




Please click on Zoey's picture to learn more about her. She and her family are just beginning their battle with AML. She, like Bailey, has Down syndrome. She, like Bailey, is just 1 1/2 years old. Isn't she adorable!