April 19th was a big day! First of all, Luke turned 11 months old. He's so close to being a big boy! Unfortunately, he spent this monthly birthday in the hospital, still trying to resolve his pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart). Secondly, we had the very special opportunity to party with the Princesses! A wonderful company called "Enchanted Events" volunteered their time to come throw a party for Claire, Sophie, and Johnny to commemorate Luke's successful bone marrow transplant. Really, it was a chance to bring some magic back into our older kids' lives, if only for an evening. They, too, have given up so much to get Luke better. This party was for them.
The party was held at the preschool, and it was a beautiful spring evening. We invited some friends to join us, and instructed all who could to come in princess or super hero attire. Friends from Grandma Call's ward helped with the cotton candy machine and refreshments, Aunt Julie manned the popcorn machine, and some cute young women from Grandma's ward helped with face painting, tattooes, and the fishing game at Ariel's Grotto. Mrs. Rowley, our favorite preschool teacher, came with her daughter to paint nails. It was an amazing party! Grandma Call was able to sell some of Luke's bracelets to help raise a bit of cash for us to help pay his mounting medical bills, and we are so humbled by and appreciative of people's kindnesses.
Now, before we launch into a series of adorable pictures that really show the magic better than I could ever write it, I have to say how amazing these princesses were. They all stayed for three solid hours, answering every question from every child, playing games like "Princess, Princess, Frog (a royal take on Duck, Duck, Goose) and "Rapunzel Says", dancing, and allowing themselves to be at the beck and call of 20 little kids. Seriously, these princesses had stamina! It did my heart good to see the pure joy in Claire and Sophie's eyes as they got to interact with their heroes. It really was a wonderful night. Saying thanks is not enough, but thank you to all who helped with this amazing party. Thank you from the bottom of an exhausted mother's heart. Thank you.
Eventually, the clocked chimed midnight (or 8:00 pm in our case), and it was time for the princesses to head back to their castles. It was hard to see them go!
We're so grateful to Grandma Call and Aunt Julie who really put this whole night together. We love you guys!
And, of course, we had to give a shout-out to Luke! As a thank you to our Princesses, we gave them each one of Luke's bracelets, and a thank you picture from Luke. I'm sure he would have absolutely loved the party...we'll throw a big one when he's completely recovered.
I can't say enough how much fun the kids had. They talked about nothing else for weeks! Even Johnny, who wasn't too into the whole Princess thing, had the time of his life. It's a rare thing for Johnny to stay asleep from car to couch. I don't think a freight train could have woken this boy up.
Best. Night. Ever.
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