Isabella's Hello Kitty 7th Birthday Party

Party Day

As you know this year has had it's ups and downs and many challenges with Dan's health.

We decided that Isabella would have a big party this year as we scaled things back last year.

Preparations went ahead for her 7th birthday. It was a huge task considering I work full time and Dan has just begun radiation treatment this past week and it is already affecting his energy levels and other side effects.
Regardless, I was determined to try to make it all go as close to plan as possible.

I am always a little disappointed that I cannot do all that I hope for and that all details are not exactly as I would like. I also realise I am only 1 mummy and not Superwoman. I can live with it...I'm getting better at that as the years pass.

I realised that the kids are happy if they see pretty decorations, have some yummy food and get to laugh, scream, run and get spoilt as much as possible in 3 hours. That I can do! :)

I was so pleased that Isabella was surrounded with her friends, family and her beautiful teacher also came along which all the girls were super excited about!! Thanks Jules! xxx

This year I decided to have a photographer to capture the fun. Linda Davies is just starting out with her business and I know her well from when I taught her beautiful girl a few years back. Linda did a wonderful job, she captured the mood of the party and especially my cheeky monkey, Isabella. Thank You Linda!

So, sit back and enjoy the festivities.

Once again, I am happy to answer any questions about anything to do with the party. So feel free to ask away.

Enjoy.

xxx

The PARTY Invitation

 

 

Marshmallow Pops

 

 

Sweet Chocolate Treats

 

 

Party Favour Bags

 

 

The girls loved pouring their own drinks, the drink bottles and the old fashioned straws from Paper Eskimo.

 

 

Hanging Decorations

 

Outside Party and Craft Table

 

 

Inside Food Table

 

 

 

 Isabella and her Daddy.

 

Mummy and Isabella before the fun begins.

 



 

Glass Milk Bottles Purchased at Earthborn

http://www.earthborn.com.au/

 



Pass the Parcel

 

Pin the Bow on Hello Kitty

 



 

Party All Done!

PARTY DETAILS and VENDORS

The theme- Hello Kitty

Where- at home

Guests- 6 giggling girls and the birthday girl.

Decorations- prepared by Mummy- purchased from many variety stores as well as
The Lantern Shop
http://www.lanternshop.com.au/
Large Hello Kitty Air Walker foil balloon- Balloons by the Bay
http://www.balloonsbythebay.com.au/

Guest Favours- Hello Kitty pen and note pad sets and craft items- purchased at variety store

Headband Favours- Handmade by a dear friend- Thank You Jennifer Bruce. xxx
 
Food- Prepared by Mummy

Cake- Bought at Woolworth's
http://www2.woolworthsonline.com.au/#url=/Shop/SearchProducts%3Fsearch%3Dhello%2Bkitty

Photographer- Linda Davies
http://www.facebook.com/ItsALindaThing?fref=ts

Entertainment- Hello Kitty Jumping Castle from Jolly Jumps
http://www.jollyjumps.com.au/

An Easter Surprise

My husband Dan never ceases to amaze me. Even when feeling unwell after his recent stem cell transplant he has still managed to remember his family and how important it is to have relaxing, family time together.

On Easter Monday after farewelling family we were told to pack our bags as were heading down to the Gold Coast for 2 nights for a mini break! He had been planning this secret surprise and it certainly was a big surprise!

We stayed at Mantra Legends which was lovely. Great rooms, gorgeous views and lovely facilities!

http://www.mantralegends.com.au/

 

Isabella and I were in all honesty not very enthusiastic as we were both tired after hosting family for 2 days of Easter Celebrations and we both wanted some peace and quiet at home. But, Daddy knows best, so off we went and what a great break it was! Clever Daddy!

We had a lovely ocean view from our room and the hotel had lovely facilities. Isabella really enjoyed the pool and I enjoyed the Pina Coladas!

We mostly relaxed and strolled about Surfer's Paradise and the beach. It was just what the doctor ordered! Dan relaxed and forgot about all he had just been through. Which was great because not long after we got home Thursday we were off to the hospital for a check up, which went well. Yay!

Now, we have 1 more week of holidays before Isabella and I return to school. We are all relaxed and rested.

I love you Dan Bozzoli!
xxx

 

VERY indulgent breakfast at Pancakes in Paradise!

 

 

 

Having lots of fun at Timezone!

 



 

 

Enjoying the Surfers boardwalk and evening markets

 

 

Cocktails by the pool, yum!

 

 

Jazz at the beachside

 

 

Our View!

 

 

Fun on the beach!

 

 

Morning view from bed!

 

 

 

My two very favourite people in this world looking very relaxed and happy!

 

Til next time!

 

Kym

xxx



Hippity hoppity...

Happy Easter

 

I am so glad that Easter is finally here this year for a special reason.

 

In January, my husband, Dan, began a second line of treatment for Aggressive Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This treatment involved much harsher chemotherapy than the type he had last year for 6 months and it concluded with a stem cell transplant.

 

It was our hope that Dan would be completed his treatment and would feel somewhat well enough to enjoy the Easter break with Isabella and I.

 

We got our wish!

 

Although Dan is still often feeling unwell and very lethargic, and will probably continue to for some time, he has made a great recovery so far. I am so very proud of him and in fact all of us for making it through a pretty tough 3 months. I needed to take a 2 week break from my job as a Prep Teacher as the emotional and physical strain of caring and working began to take it's toll on me. Our Isabella also has had a few tough weeks as she is very close to her Dad and is always quite distressed when he is unwell.

 

We hope to get some good news when Dan has his scan in about a month from now. If all goes to plan, the cancer will be gone. We hope the spot in his lung at least will be gone. Anything more than that will be a bonus. Fingers crossed.

 

This time the toll on our family has been emotionally, physically and financially extremely difficult and continues to be so, but we know we can do it together. If not for the love and support of our wonderful family, friends and work colleagues I'm not sure we would have got there this time. Thanks and love to all of you.

 

Now Easter is here I am beginning my favourite thing to do, decorate and party plan. Although our celebrations this year will be low key it will still be very special as Dan likes to prepare most of the family lunch.

 

Please enjoy some photos of our Easter preparations.

 

Til next time

 

Kym

xxx

 

 

 Choc egg in felt sunflower, under glass cloche on footed antique, glass plate.

 

 

Bunnies from Woolworth's

 

 

Our gorgeous girl at the school Easter Hat Parade

 

 

 

My pretty Easter Wreath

 



Happy Easter to all!

 

 

 

 

Dan Update

Post Stem Cell Transplant

Gosh, it's been an age since I last posted. I apologise for my slackness however, life has been a bit hectic since Christmas.

We found out before Christmas that Dan had unfortunately not gone into remission as we so hoped for. At the end of his ABVD chemo treatment there were still 2 very small, almost negligible spots that had not gone. BUGGER!

We spoke to doctors and they told us that in the New Year Dan would begin a new regime. This one would entail 2 cycles of ESHAP chemo followed by collection of some of Dan's own blood stem cells and then a chemo treatment called BEAM which is then completed with a transfusion of the stem cells being transplanted back to his own body. This treatment would be much harsher for Dan and he would not be able to work through the duration of this treatment.

Fast forward 3 months.

Dan had his stem cell transplant last Thursday and is currently home with me awaiting the crash of his bloods. The side effects of the BEAM involves ulceration of the mouth and lining of the digestive tract and gut, severe diarrhoea, nausea, fever, acne and skin irritations...you get the picture.
The doctors expect he will be re-admitted to hospital sometime this week due to fever or generally unwell. So far, he's doing ok. We have to attend 3 clinics a week so they do blood check, and then off to day care for top ups of any fluids or blood products, or possible admission. Yesterday it was a 10 hour day at the hospital, NOT FUN! It ended with him requiring some fluids and potassium. His bloods have begun to drop significantly but not dangerously, yet. Throughout all of Dan's previous chemo treatments he has been extremely lucky that he has not experienced any fever or dangerous neutropenic (low blood count) episodes. If he gets through this one he will become one of a very small number of people who have escaped.

Dan is still able to eat quite well and he is still giving me cheek, so he's not too bad, yet.

This treatment is now complete and he will have a follow up PET scan in about 6 weeks. We hope and pray for a good result this time. Fingers crossed.

I could go on about how this has affected our whole family, emotionally, physically, financially etc. It's sure not fun. I can say, it's an experience I will be glad to be at an end, however, we have done it together, all 3 of us! I'm so, so proud of my husband and daughter. Each day they inspire me to forget how tired I am and just get on with what has to be done.

I am on leave from work at the moment. I have taken 2 weeks off from my Prep teaching to concentrate on Dan's recovery. It's truly been exhausting and I'm not ashamed to admit I hit the wall a few weeks ago. Every one kept telling me how strong I had been, but I knew differently. I was crashing, and fast! I was having head spins and heart palpitations at school and was crying every 5 mins, or so it seemed. Taking leave was certainly difficult for me but it's been good for me. I am still tired but at least all I have to concentrate on at this time is my family, til next week.

All the best to you and yours.

 

Isabella enjoying some fishing while we were away for Christmas relaxing before Dan's treatment began in January.

 

 Dan and Bella enjoying the pool at Christmas!

 

 

 Christmas lunch, Queensland style.

 

We look forward to getting away again soon to our favourite family destination, Gemini Resort, Golden Beach.