Abby's Reflections Contest Song

***It takes a while for her song to start playing after you push play, and make sure you turn of the music on my left side bar first***

Abby wrote a song for her reflections contest.  She has LOVED piano to say the very least.  And I am a proud mom that can say she is really good at it.  She just has the ear.  Which is good and bad.  She doesn't like to read music.  She wants to just listen to something and then play it.  Which is a great talent, but I really want her to read music too.  So she used the things she has learned in her piano class so far and wrote a song.  The theme was diversity means......  This was hard because Abby didn't even understand what diversity was.  So we checked a few books out of the library so she could get an idea of what she wanted to do.  She used some ideas from the books and compiled them into a song.  She and I first sat down and figured out what words she wanted to use.  She would tell me the main idea of what she wanted to say and then together we would find a way to make the words she wanted to use rhyme.  Once she got the words she played a melody for me on the piano that she wanted to sing the words to.  We used the same melody over and over on each line of the music.  Then all by herself she sat down and put the left hand cords to the melody.  This is where she amazes me.  She just knows what sounds good and actually wrote in the cords on her manuscript paper where they needed to go.  I was so proud of her.


First she won in her age group for her school.  Then she won again for her age group for 10 area schools.  Then she won again for her age group for the whole region.  Now her music piece is being judged for the whole state up in Salt Lake and we will find out in Feb if she won or not.  She worked really hard on it so I am glad that she has done so well.  She is pretty proud too.....

All the Region winners were on display at the St. George Art's Museum so we headed down to see it.

After Christmas Clinic & Mason 15 Month check

I didn't want Chase to be on steroids for Christmas so even though he was supposed to go in for chemo the Friday before Christmas I pushed it back to the next week.  First, we headed to Dr. Thompson's office.  Chase loves it there because he gets cool stickers.  And he loves Dr. T too.  Mason had his 15 month check up at the same time and he is only in the 23% for his weight.  He is my first child to not be in the 90%.  He had to have shots and he did really well.  He let Dr. T poke and prod at him all the wanted.  He gagged him with the tongue depressor and still he didn't care.  The nurses poked him and he cried for maybe 5 seconds then he was find.  Such a trooper. 
Chase had is fever on Saturday (Christmas Eve), and then his chemo was on Tuesday.  So when we pulled up to the hospital he was not as excited as he usually is to go to the hospital.  He told me he had already been to this hospital and didn't want to go again.  I felt so bad wishing that he didn't have to go again either.  So we headed up to the fourth floor to visit another favorite nurse Melissa.  She always takes such good care of Chase.  She knows how much cancer can effect a family because she had a sweet little girl pass away from cancer.  She talks about her and tells me stories often.  She seems so strong, even though it has been a while since she passed I would still have a hard time talking about it, but she does so good.  Maybe talking about the memories of her keeps her close.  Anyway, we love to hear her stories and she is always so good to us. 
Chase again started with requests as soon as he got there.  He had given cookie monster to mason from his last visit, so his request was that he needed to pick something from under the tree for himself.  Of coarse they let him.  I would not have allowed him to take another gift except that he was right.  He fully picked out cookie monster with Mason in mind and gave it to him the second he got home.  Since he was so thoughtful, I thought why not let him pick something for himself.  It was cute because he knew exactly what he was looking for.  He said to me, "mom, where's the monkey's."  He had seen something last time that apparently he wanted, but got cookie for mason instead.  We found the monkey game and sat in his room and put it together to play it while he got his chemo.  He again did awesome!!!  The only hang up this time was his ANC dropped a TON!!!  I was so mad because he was at 1900 just a few days earlier and now he was at 500.  GOOD because it was low now and not when he had his fever a few days earlier.  If it would have been that low we would have had to stay the night...On CHRISTMAS EVE!!!  That would have sucked to say the least.  So I was grateful that it dropped when it did, but now all our plans for the Christmas break were shot.  We wanted to go see a few movies in the theater and now his counts were not high enough.  I had promised him we could go to walmart after chemo if he would get out of the car (that was when he was saying he didn't want to go).  Now I wanted to take back my promise because Walmart is the last place I want him to go with low ANC.  But I had promised him.  So after chemo we went to walmart.  We went in the back door by the tires with a mask on.  We went straight to the toys and then straight back out.  I think we saw three people and I didn't let him touch anything.  But I didn't want to break my promise to him.  Just not fair if mom promises you something and doesn't follow through.  So I was hoping chemo dose at home would drop a little but the onc said to keep it the same and see if we could get him to come back up.  We just got him on a full dose after almost a whole year so I am really hoping that his ANC does come back up and not keep going down.  After all the work of slowing raising his chemo to 100% and then as soon as we get there he goes back down.  We have another CNC on Jan 9th so hopefully his ANC will be up again. 

Christmas Eve And Christmas Day

I think Christmas Eve is just as fun as Christmas day.  The anticipation of Santa and getting ready for him to come is just magical.  I love watching the excitement of the kids.  Chase was especially excited to open that one present that said "open on Christmas Eve."  I thought he would be dissapointed when it was just pj's but he was very excited about his foot ball jammies.  Abby also loved hers and Mason like the wrapping and boxes like always.  I was so excited for Ashton to open his.  I ordered his online and have been waiting for this night because I was so excited for his reaction.  You will have to see the picture below to understand why, but he loved them.
We all got our jammies on and this year the kids had green grinch crystals to keep the grinch away from our house instead of reindeer food like we have had other years.  They went outside and sprinkled their grinch crystals and Mason happily followed.  He punched and hit the blow ups a few times while the kids sprinkled their stuff and then we headed back inside.  We got out milk and cookies along with a carrot for Rudolph.  This year Rudolph got a real carrot instead of the bite size ones.  Abby thought he would be happy about that.  We read a few Christmas Stories and the story from Luke and talked about Christmas with the kids.  We watched the Joy to the World DVD from the church and the kids actually watched it pretty good.  Abby was even asking questions.  After wards we headed to bed.  The kids were so excited and Abby was afraid she would have to get up to go to the bathroom and Santa would be there.  She didn't like this because we told her that if Santa is here and you get out of bed he will leave without leaving any presents.  We got her nerves calmed a bit and she finally went to sleep.

My husband spends more research time on his fantasy team than he did studying for dental school.  Don't tell his patients I said that!!!

The tag from the grinch crystals.

Mason thinks he is pretty cool stuff. Everyone had come back in and he was hangin out outside by himself.

Abby was up bright and early, but she never came out of her room.  I had went in to check on her at 6:30 and she was just laying there because she didn't dare get up.  I went and got ready and about 7 I went and got her and brought her into my room to lay by dad.  Around 8 grandma and grandpa Prince called and said they were outside.  So they came in and we all went and woke up Chase.  Mason had just woke up and had no idea what was going on.  Chase also woke up a little confused.  We had to remind him that it was Christmas and then he perked right up.

Kids favorites this year I am guessing were.......first, Mason got a lot of different favorites because he likes anything.  He enjoys his 4 wheeler (runs into walls because he can't steer), and he likes Alphie, and his singing dog....the list could go on because I think he liked it all.  Chase likes his hot wheels tracks, and his transformers.  Abby loves her dog Cookie, and has played with her barbie house a lot also. Grandma made her a new blanket which she has told me since that is why she can't get out of bed in the morning for school because she is just tucked in so comfy!  Ashton got me some pots and pans and new knifes.  All very much needed since the others are from when we got married and they were needing some help.  In fact the pots and pans my have been the ones I had when I was living with roommates so they were pretty beat up.  I got Ashton some new clothes and bike stuff for the the bike that he never rides.  I keep thinking that if I buy him stuff he will be more motivated to go, but it hasn't happened yet ;)

The day was lots of fun.  Grandma Larsen's for breakfast, church at Brian and Kristin's, presents at Grandma and Grandpa Princes......It was a long fun day.  I always get depressed after it is over though because I love the holiday's and once December is over then we have nothing until spring hits and we can start fun spring activities.

All in all it was a very fun day.  I am just grateful to be able to spend it with my family all together.  Our scare on Christmas Eve made me realize how easily our plans could change and Christmas would not go as planned.  We have been very blessed this year and hope that our blessing continue to flow.

Annual Christmas Eve Eve Festivities 2011

My kids love this day.  What kid isn't excited to sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house?  I don't know how many times I had to tell Chase that it wasn't time to go yet.  He and Abby had their pillows and blankets packed up to go just after breakfast and we weren't going over there until dinner.  They were in for a long wait.

So dinner, like always, was awesome.  Grencole (the best soup ever), and rolls.  After dinner downstairs for the games.  I wasn't a very good photographer this year.  I don't know why but I didn't get a ton of pictures and the ones I got weren't the best.  We did a few minute to win it games and then settled down for the viewing of an all time favorite Muppet's Christmas Carol.

Morning came and Abby was the first one awake.  She is always full of anticipation and just can't lay in bed.  I guess she is kinda like me (but only if I have a good reason to get out of bed).  I found her upstairs cooking away with Grandpa.  So we got started on her pancake for the contest.  I thought if I didn't start early there was no way I was getting three children's pancakes made on top of my own that I really didn't even know what I was going to do.  The theme this year was voted on and we all did Christmas Songs.  It turned out to be a little challenging just because I was trying to pick a song that no one else would do.  Everyone else woke up and got started.  Chase and Abby both finished theirs, but in the mean time I can tell Chase just wasn't feeling very good.  Ashton took his temp and of coarse it was high, but he is always a little high when he first wakes up so we gave it a minute and took it again.  Still high enough that we are going to have to take him in.  I again pushed it back thinking it is going to drop, but Chase came running up to me and tells me he needs to throw up.  So we ran to the bathroom and up comes breakfast :(  Take his temp again and it is above 101.  So I made all the necessary phone calls and was pleasantly surprised with all I found.  When I called Dr. T he was standing on the peds floor next to one of our favorite nurses.  I told him we were on our way and to get the antibiotics ordered so we could start when we got there.  It was amazing and all on Christmas Eve when I thought no one that knew anything about cancer kids would be around and willing to work.  I was so thankful for everyone that is willing to work on holidays so that my little boy could get the care he needed.  Anyway, so I left my half finished pancake and told Ashton to finish it anyway he wanted.  He did a great job, but I can say that I wasn't in any of the winnings!  Chase has only had three fevers while here at home.  Of coarse one of them has to be on Christmas Eve....DARN!  But at least his pancake was all done and it wasn't Christmas morning instead of Christmas Eve.  He was so excited because they let him pick a present from underneath their Christmas tree.  He picked out Tickle Me Cookie Monster and told me he was going to give it to Mason, because Mason would love it.  What a nice brother (he doesn't act like he likes him when we are home.  Lots of pushing and yelling and tell me that Mason is ready for a nap, Mom!)  So I was glad to hear that he wanted to not only share, but he gave cookie monster to him.  While we were there there was a company walking around handing out poinsettias.  Again, Chase was so excited because he was going to give that to Abby.  Once we got the antibiotics going and labs on their way I was just anxious to find out his ANC.  I kept praying that it would be high enough for us to go home.  If it was below 500 then we would have to stay the night.....yes, Christmas eve or not they would not let us go home if he was neutropenic.  Heather came in and told us his white count, which is not his ANC but gives us a good idea of where his ANC will be.  It was really high so I relaxed a little and knew that there was no way we were staying here.  His ANC came back at 1900 and we were on our way...YEAH!!!  But as we were leaving and walking past other rooms with little kids in them it broke my heart to know that we were going home, but there were those that were not.  There were also some that were not only not going home, but were not in good condition at all.  Most the kids at Dixie I believe are in better health than others.  There are those that I know of at Primaries that are not in a good place right now.  Either having a relapse or having been told that they would be lucky to make it to Christmas.  I gave my Chase a big hug, scooped him up in my arms, put his mask on, and we headed out the door.  I just love that little kid and I am such a lucky mom to be able to spend Christmas with my little family.  I wanted to be home to see Abby wake up and the anticipation in her eyes.  And I wanted to see Mason open all his presents even though he would be more excited about the boxes.  I was just overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude and thankfulness for all my kids and my husband.  We are all healthy and happy and spending Christmas together.

In no particular order here are the pancakes of 2011 with the theme of Christmas songs.  I put the songs at the bottom.  Try to figure out what songs they are.....

Cam Cam's and don't try to hard on the song...you'll never guess it!

Kristin, and you can see hers was O Holy Night.

My half finished pancake was finished by my husband.

Brian D. Hill

Diane aka Grandma

Taylor Douglass Hill

Nathan Robert Hill

Bob aka Grandpa

The Awesomely talented Abby Prince

Jakey

Chaser boy

Ashton Houdini Prince

Chelsea's submission by email from Texas

Ben's awesomeness....sorry gave away the title again.

Titles along with winners are:
Adults.....
1st place goes to Ben with O Holy Night
2nd place goes to Kristin with O Holy Night and Tied with Bob who did A-"weigh" in a Manger
3rd Place goes to Chelsea with Joy to the World
Kids.......
1st place goes to Taylor with Frosty the Snowman
2nd place goes to Nate with Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer
3rd place goes to Abby with The 12 Days of Christmas who tied with Jake's Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

For those of us who didn't place.....
Me - Silent night
Ashton - What child is this?
Brian - Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Grandma - I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
Chase - We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Cam - Elmo's Christmas (yep, he made it up)
Mason - Poor kid never got a parent to help him make one :(

Chase and I headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house to help clean up.  We had some lunch and headed home.  Chelsie Frazier who is the one that did all the fundraising to fund Chase's Make A Wish trip called me on our way home from the hospital and wanted to bring over presents for the kids.  She is one of the most amazing girls I have ever met.  She is so young, yet so mature and just understands what life is about.  She knows what it feels like to go to the doctor all the time and miss out on things she wants to do.  She is just amazing and we are so lucky that we have gotten to know her.  Anyway, she brought the kids the cutest hats that she made.  Mason loves his and keeps putting it on all by himself.  

So even though we had a few little changes in our plans for the traditional party, it turned out ok.  Chase didn't mind going to the hospital.  He actually loves it there and didn't even hesitate when I told him we were going.  I guess that is a good thing, but it still makes me sad to know that he has to even know what the hospital is and what it is all about.  There was a little boy out in the hall when we were there for chemo a few days later and he was crying.  Chase is always interested in why they are crying because he loves it there.  So he asked his nurse why that little boy was crying.  She told him that he had to take some yucky medicine and he didn't want to.  She then said to Chase, "like your medicine, is it sometimes yucky and you don't want to take it?"  Chase said to her, "No, I like my medicine.  It is tasty!"  If only he remembered the day that he used to cry.  We would spend hours trying to take one tsp of medicine to have him throw it right back up.  I love that he doesn't remember it.  I love that all the bad memories are fading for him and he is only remembering the good.  One day we will all be able to look back on this time in our lives and only remember the good.  Heavenly Father is preparing us for something.  I am not sure what, but I know that Chase is going to be tough enough to fight any battle that comes his way.

Minivan Express

So that terrible thing called pintrest traps me some days.  There was a day I got trapped, but some good came out of it.  I found tickets for the minivan express.  I printed them out and put them on my kids pillows.  I told my kids they needed to get in the shower and get their jammies on.  This isn't completely unusual because I make them shower a lot, but we hadn't had dinner yet so Abby was a little confused, but still did what I said.  After they got out and I told them to go get in bed that is when the protests started.  "WHAT?  We aren't tired, and we haven't had dinner yet mom!!!"  I told them to trust me and just go get in bed.  I had to walk Chase into his room because it just wasn't going to happen for him.  When he found the ticket his eyes perked right back up.  I headed out to the garage while dad helped them out after me.  I punched their tickets and the got on the minivan express.  Chase said to me, "mom, you tricked us!"  It was pretty cute.  I had the muppets Christmas music playing so they were excited to hear the 12 days of Christmas.  Mason was pretty pumped too because we put the forward facing carseat in for the night.  I thought it might spoil him when we switch him backwards again, but after the night I think he likes being backwards better.  He can see both Chase and Abby instead of the back of Ashton's chair.  I can say that he cried more facing forward than he does when he is backward.

Chase's face in the picture I took is classic.  I love it!!!  The Christmas lights were a hit and they wouldn't let us take them down until after Christmas so our car was festive for the next week. 
We headed to McDonalds for some dinner and then drove around to see Christmas lights.  There were some good ones, and we had a really fun night.  I had made hot chocolate and had it in the kids sippy cups in their cupholders.  I had also popped popcorn for snacking after dinner.  We had a very fun night.  I just love Christmas.

Package for Ben and Chels

Ashton's brother Ben and his wife Chelsea live in Texas and both work at Nordstroms so they weren't going to get enough time off work to make it up here for Christmas.  Abby loves them and kept telling me how much she missed them so we decided to do the 12 "ways" of Christmas for them.  They were little stories and treats for each day.  Then I made a book of all the pancakes done in the past on Christmas eve's eve and sent that to them also.  I am sure they had a great Christmas on their own though.  They are always finding fun things to do and living in Austin they don't have a quiet moment (at least it seems that way).  We miss them a lot and can't wait for our cruise in April when we will get to spend a whole week with them.

The Bathtub

Since Chase was diagnosed we don't let him take a bath with anyone else.  He showers a lot so it isn't too big of a deal.  Some of my favorite memories were when I was young taking baths with my brothers.  I am not sure if that is weird or not, but I know it was only while I was really little.  We were old enough though to make the back of the bathtub into a slippery slide and I am sure we had the bathroom floor covered with water.  So I kinda feel bad because Chase isn't getting that sibling bath time that I am sure most of us have had.  So the other night I was home without Ashton and it is a lot easier to throw them all in at once, wash up, and get everyone out when you only have two hands and not four doing the baths.  Mason was in the bath and Chase was supposed to be getting in the shower and I turned around for a second and when I turned back around I found two brothers having the time of their lives.  Chase loved playing with Mason and making him laugh, and Mason thought having Chase in there was the coolest thing ever.  He loves Chase when Chase decides to play nicely with him and not treat him like an annoying little brother.  I love watching them play together and I am sure with time they will only play together more and more.
I got some good video of them playing, but it may be PG-13 because there is some slight nudity:)  So here is the cute and somewhat cleaner photo.

Chase's Preschool Christmas Program

So I got lots of video of Chase's program.  The thing is that he doesn't sing much.  Mostly stands there and looks handsome for the camera.  So I will not be taking the time to post them, but the pictures are still cute.  They sang Jingle Bells and rang their bells while "singing" (again Chase didn't sing).  And then sang Rudolph, and finished off with Here Comes Santa Claus so that Santa would come.  After sitting on Santa's lap and telling him he wants Hot Wheels tracks they sang "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" to Santa as he left.  They were pretty cute!

Chase sometimes has rough time staying at preschool when I leave him, but the second he gets home he tells me all about school and that he just misses me and that is why he cries.  Very sweet that he misses me, but the struggle to get him to school without crying is not fun.  He really likes his teachers and I think he has a lot of fun while he is there.  And the cancer mom in me loves how clean it is.  I know Chase is not in there doing the white glove test and doesn't really care how clean it is, but I am so thankful for his teachers and all the work they go to to keep their preschool germ free and healthy.  At the same time they make it a fun environment for the kids.