May 23, 2010

Sunday-Today was an amazing day! We hung around all morning. I took Cody to get his mohawk shaped up and then we headed to Dave and Buster's for the fundraiser. We met Richard Park and his family there early and Cody gave him his birthday present. Cody was so excited and so thrilled to see him. I knew he was nervous because he had to head to the bathroom and almost got sick. He hung out with him and played games while we waited for all the people to get there. At one point he was playing that basketball game and he beat all of them, Richard, Tom and Richard's son Preston. I was thinking I was going to have to carry him out of there. He would follow Richard and Preston would follow Cody. I know he had a great time. The room was amazing and our video montage was playing. I cried when I first saw it but I was ok there with everyone watching. A former parent, Dayle Dalia did this whole thing herself. She ran all over Long Island getting people to donate. There were 42 baskets for raffling. There was a TV, laptop, a signed Islander jersey, and so many good prizes. We hung out and I got to see a lot of my teacher friends. Cody's 3rd grade teacher came too. Pat and Frank Petrone stopped by and it was good to see them. There were a handful of Cody's friends there and he enjoyed seeing everyone. A parent from the school made a money plant loaded with 5's and another parent won it and then handed it to Cody. That was really nice. Then they did a 50/50 raffle and they pulled Cody's name. Cody said he did not put his name in it but everyone else did. He was so surprised. My mom won a basket of games and Richard Park won 2 baskets. It was a good time and we made some extra cash to help us get through the next few months. We are so lucky to be surrounded by this amazing community. I have a family here and I know that. I am sorry that I did not get to hang and chat with all my teacher friends but it was kinda hard to. Please forgive me. We are definitely blessed. Thank all of you for your help, donations and support. We love you all.

P.S. Before Cody fell asleep tonight he said, "mom, I can't believe all those people were there for me". To me, that about says it all.