Big Brave Boy: Birthday boy

So much has happened in the last little while, all awesome and fun, and all while in good health.

Luis just celebrated his 6th birthday. Since he was pretty much in a bubble at his last birthday, I threw him a fun and educational party at the Canada South Science City with his best buds and cousins.

Some of our guests (we took the picture after people started leaving...oops!)

DELICIOUS egg-free and nut-free cake by Sweet Sisters Bakery

A few months ago, I learned about a website called ECHOage. ECHOage is an online birthday party service where kids get the birthday gifts they want AND guests donate to charities of their choice. Before planning his birthday, I asked Luis if he would be willing to share his birthday money for cancer research. I was proud when Luis said yes. He raised $150 and through ECHOage, half of that was donated to POGO - Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario. This organization is involved in research and supporting families facing childhood cancers.

Thanks to Luis for being selfless to share his birthday money for cancer research, and thanks to our family and friends who contributed!! Let's not forget that Luis also got a pile of presents from other people too. So really, it was a win-win.

In recent news, Luis started playing T-Ball. It's good for all of us to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air. He is really getting into it. He looks like an all-star in the making :) So handsome.

Also, we just got back from a weekend at Camp Trillium, yet another amazing organization that supports families faced with childhood cancer. This is a free camp that is all about providing good, clean fun for every family member. And lucky for us, the weather was just perfect. The kids were each assigned buddies, Tyler and Kelly, who played with them almost all day. There were events that we did together, like fishing and playing in the park, and there with activities the kids did with just their buddies, like pretending to be spies, and building race cars. I kept the trip a surprise from Luis until the day we were leaving. Last year at this time, I had the trip booked, and he got a fever. He ended up getting hospitalized at that time and the trip was cancelled. I'm always leary about planning too far in advance. Plus, by finding out right then and there that the weekend was going to be a blast, it satisfied that instant gratification that kids crave these days.