Meet Buster...

No.. not this Buster...

...this one!

I would like to introduce the newest member of our family - a 3 month old goldendoodle puppy we brought home last Thursday evening and named Buster. If you've never heard of a goldendoodle, they are half golden retriever and half poodle. They can have either curly hair like a poodle or straight hair like a retriever. Either way, the best part of a goldendoodle is that they don't shed. Buster has straight hair and he is absolutely beautiful. He is also very smart and affectionate. And, he is well on his way to being spoiled rotten...



... by all members of our family. (Here is Michael sharing his ice cream cone with his new best buddy.) Buster has all of the energy you would expect from a puppy and Michael is having a ball keeping up with him. And the farther away from chemo we get, the more energy Michael seems to have. I never thought he was really "down" from chemo but now I know I was mistaken. It is so comforting to see Michael acting like any other 6 year old boy - that's right, SIX years old.



Since I last posted, a lot has been happening but the most exciting thing (besides Buster) was Michael's sixth birthday on May 7th. We celebrated on the Sunday before his birthday with a party at the YMCA to which Michael had invited his entire Kindergarten class and a couple of friends from our neighborhood. Jenny and Ralph were also able to join us. The kids had fun playing on the indoor soccer field for an hour and then we had the use of a "party room" for the next hour. Michael really enjoyed his party and I think it was everything he had hoped for.



Then on the night of Michael's birthday, we had a quiet dinner and cake at home. Brian, Janain and Jeff's Mom joined us for this little get together. I have always let my kids pick their favorite meal to have on their birthday and Michael picked spaghetti and meatballs with ice cream cake for dessert.



In other news, we participated in the Make-A-Wish Walk for Wishes on May 2nd. We had set a fundraising goal of $1,000 for our team and we were actually able to raise over $1,300. Thanks to everyone who helped us reach our goal!

Michael starts t-ball next week and he is so excited. He has Daddy in the backyard practising every chance that he gets. He has quite a little throwing arm on him and he can hit the ball quite a distance! And before we know it, the end of school will be here and we will be attending Kindergarten graduation. I will be sure to share pictures with you all. Then after t-ball, soccer starts in July.

Michael and I are also going to take Buster to puppy training classes so that Michael learns how to handle him correctly. I have to say that I am amazed at how quickly we all got back into the swing of life. Jeff and I have been very busy working on some projects around the house that got forgotten for the last 2 years.

Next Tuesday, we have to travel to Rochester to meet with Michael's neurologist. Keep your fingers crossed that they agree to let us try weaning Michael off of the anti-seizure medicine. I will keep everyone posted. Actually, I've had numerous requests to keep sharing Michael's life with all of you so I will do my best to post more frequently. In the meantime, please keep Michael in your thoughts and prayers, JoAnne.