Bunn’s Prairie

Thanks to all who have sent cards and wishes, gifts and flowers. Welcome visitors included families, choir buddy Mary, good friends Malia and Trisha with their little girls Aislin and Lillian. Rick and Sara brought birthday cards from our favorite fifth graders. We rolled Kaley through the hallways to deliver valentines to the staff. One nurse provided an authentic “singing telegram”! Kaley grinned as we sang “Happy Birthday” and blew out the candle herself. A few tastes of frosting brought a big smile. Andy brought DVD gifts and we all watched The Wizard of Oz, one of Kaley’s all-time favorites. Thanks to everyone!

When we visited Kaley Tuesday evening she was very alert and interested in the great items Andy brought from the TwinsFest. She especially studied Justin Morneau’s message on her no.33 shirt. How cool! We got out the puzzle Rick and Linda brought and worked on the lap desk. Kaley placed four edge and corner pieces, with some prompting and fine tuning, then she patted them into place. It was slow, but she really concentrated and seemed quite pleased. Yea! If anyone frequents toy departments, she could use another 24 piece puzzle or two, or fewer pieces if you can find such a thing.

Andy brought some of Kaley’s valentine village to kick off the valentine birthday season, always the highest of holidays!! Bring on the hearts!! We are nearly done opening the gifts from Sara’s fifth graders. The socks and hand lotion have been fun. Last night Kaley unwrapped a pretty pair of red and white socks herself and we put them right on! Thanks, kids!

We have been following Christa’s trip to China, reading Kaley the blog and showing her pictures…fun for us, too! Thanks to everyone for their continued love and support. This has taken loads of patience on everyone’s part but is all worth it when we see her enjoy an activity, a story, a visitor…Thank you all!

And congratulations to Andy on earning his yellow belt (8th kyu) in Aikido!

A sleigh-full of thanks to all the friends and family who have visited with Kaley over the holidays. She received so many cards, pictures, and gifts… we are all enjoying them over and over. Most importantly, thanks for your gift of time and love. There are new fuzzy friends, blankets, videos, music, digital photos, and stories to read. (Kevin Kling’s “The Dog Says How”) And wonderful socks.

A special thankyou to Sara’s fifth graders at Birch Grove who sent a big basket of presents and handmade cards. Kaley enjoyed visitors home from all parts of the country including the newest, little one-month old Jude from Illinois. His mom Susie is a life long friend and neighbor. She and Kaley played giant M&Ms in a wacky production of the Wizard of Oz. (They were “Munchies” instead of Munchkins.) Christmas Eve brought not only Santa but Mandolin Paul with jingle bells on his mustache and Kaley’s brother Dana from USD in Vermillion and girlfriend Susan of St. Cloud. Li’l Fuzz found a tiny bottle of rum in his stocking. Andy’s recording of Kaley’s Colonial Chorale in their Service of Nine Lessons and Carols was a big hit with all. Eileen, thanks for bringing the “King’s College program” Now as the calendar turns to 2008 we can all say how thankful we are for everyone’s love and support and the blessing of each new day.

Just a note to let you know that Kaley is getting ready for the holidays and would love some visitors. Christmas is her favorite time of year! We are decorating her room, holiday music is playing, we have loads of Xmas videos, and song sheets for singing carols. She can hold the music and mouth the words to the familiar tunes. She can interact by answering yes/no questions with a smile or head shake and can spell some words on her message board. She understands what you are telling her…just speak clearly and not too fast! She would love to have you come! We were able to take her downstairs to the cafeteria on Thanksgiving and although she couldn’t eat the turkey she enjoyed her orange soda and seeing her friend Jessica from La Cross and her sister Christa home from college. Andy is getting a much needed break in the form of a company outing to Florida this weekend Nov. 30 – Dec. 2. If anyone is available to visit she would love it. Kaley took 15 steps (with assistance) in therapy yesterday and sat without assistance on the edge of a therapy table for 28 seconds today. Yea!!!