He's 9!!!!

Nine years ago today, after a pretty easy pregnancy and then after a mere 6 hours of labor, Cale entered the world with gusto!!!!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone!! 

Here he is at just under 3 years old on "vacation" in Galena with Grandma and Grandpa....

  ...to today as the WWII Army guy with 2 of his biggest fans (the little ladies love him)!!!!

He went from loving ceiling fans and trailer hitches to being infatuated with the Army and WWII!!!  Drive through our subdivision and you will most likely see him in full combat gear along with his friend Ryan. 

This year, we had the family over for a BBQ on Sunday to celebrate.  We feasted on brats, hot dogs, burgers and of course cake and ice cream (Diabetes Schmiabetes...no such thing on your birthday!!)   He got LOTS of great presents.  Most of which pertained in some way to the Army...a make your own fort kit, several military books, 2 military guys, new binoculars, a super soaker, camo clothes, money and the promise to be taken to the Army Surplus store and his very own basketball hoop!  He is getting pretty good at basketball and now we can practice more at home!  FUN!! 

I think his favorite thing was having his best friend spend the night and all of today at the house.  Surprisingly, they passed out in the army fort by midnight....another big surprise, they were awake at 5:00 am!!!  Really???  They spent the whole day playing and we are all a bit tuckered out now.  Time to relax and get ready for the last couple days of school!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!  I LOVE YOU!!!!

Sad day....

Let me first start off by saying how great we have it at our school in regards to Cale's diabetes care.  Everyone is so helpful, concerned and cooperative.  He has never been denied anything!!  It is a dream.  The teachers, principal, secretary and most of all our nurse!!  Salena has been an unbelievable godsend!!! 

She came on staff the same time that Cale was diagnosed almost 3 years ago.  At first, she was only at our school part time, but she was ALWAYS there for Cale at lunch.  She made that her priority.  Then came the glorious day that we found out she was to be at our school full time....insert happy dance here!!!  No one could ask for a better person to take care of their child.  Salena even went above and beyond by taking time away from her family at night to attend the pump training with us!!  She has attended every field trip that she was needed to attend.  She has let me give her phone number to a baby sitter when we were able to spend an evening in downtown Chicago (70 miles away), just in case!!  She treats Cale like he is her own son.  She has become such a great friend!!

Today, I find out that she is not returning to our school next year!!  Can I just say...I cried.  I thought I had one more year with her taking care of Cale before he went to the Upper Elementary School in 5th grade.  No such luck!!!  I often kidded her saying that she had to go to 5th grade with him. 

I completely understand why she is leaving.  She and her husband own their own business and their medical insurance premiums are killing them!!!  The very sad thing about this is that she is ONE MINUTE shy of her time she works at the school to be eligible for the district's insurance.  ONE STINKING MINUTE!!!!  She has fought this for 2 years and doesn't feel she can fight anymore considering the amount of staff that has already been cut (that is totally another post).  She has gotten a job at an immediate care center nearby and has already asked to be kept on as a substitute at our school for anything, lunch room, nurse, janitor...but she cannot sub for our secretary, that's mine!!!  Plus, should we need to go to an immediate care, guess where we will be going?

She will be missed at the school so much!  I can only hope that we get another nurse next year that is half as good as Salena!    SNIFF!!!!!

He Did It Again!!!

I am so proud of Cale...he wrote an essay and once again, he won a scholarship to ADA Camp for this summer!!!  He cannot wait to go.  He had so much fun last year.  He made friends.  He really connected with one of the teenage counselors.  He was JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!!!! 

So, towards the end of June, we will all pack up to stay near the campgrounds and we will have a mini vacation in good old Des Plaines, Illinois!!!  Sounds lame, but camp is close to 60 miles away from our house...we are so hoteling it!!!!

Cale on his first day of camp in 2009...he looks so little!!!!!

Next summer....overnight camp!!

All of my boys having fun in the hotel pool last year!

Friends...big and small!!