The Kelley For Ellie Fashion Show

Wow! What an amazing time I had last night! (Thank you Kristi for coming with me - I had so much fun!) The Kelley for Ellie Fashion Show was held last night at the Boston Harbor Hotel in the Wharf Room. The room looked fantastic and everything was donated from the lighting and stage to the champagne and cocktails.

I made my speech as planned. I cried through the whole thing but I think that helped my message get across to the people there about how much I went through and the wonderful work The Ellie Fund does. I got a standing ovation when I was finished and a huge hug from Susan Wornick - the co-chair of the event (with Kelley Tuthill). I was able to meet one of the founders of The Ellie Fund, Jeff Popkin who started the Fund in honor of his mother. I also finally got to meet Kelley herself and we were able to talk for a few minutes. The publicist from Channel 5 gave me her business card and I am in contact with her to see if there was any way I could collaborate with Kelley on upcoming projects. I would love to do more! After my speech, so many women came up to me and told me how much my words touched them. What an amazing feeling!

We got to rub elbows with high society (the VIP tickets were $500 a piece) and see all of the gorgeous news women from Channel 5. There was one Celtics player there. Because of this event last year, The Ellie Fund went from serving 10 families per month to 50 per month!!! That is truly awesome! The gorgeous Wharf Room.

Natalie JacobsonCeltics player, Brian ScalabrineLiz BrunnerMe speaking...

Ellie Fund Fun!

I am conquering one of my big fears...public speaking. The director of the Ellie Fund (the fund that helped me last year while going through treatment with housecleaning, meals, etc.) has asked me to speak at the Kelley for Ellie Fashion Show next Thursday night in Boston. It is the show named for Kelley Tuthill - the channel 5 reporter who went through breast cancer treatment last year about the same time I did. All proceeds from the event go the The Ellie Fund. The director has a slot for a survivor to speak (for about 2 minutes) about going through treatment and how the Ellie Fund made life easier. I am very nervous but it will be a great opportunity for me!

The Ellie Fund has also asked me to be in a video for their website and one they can run at events. That is in April.

I'll plug the Fund again....go to http://www.elliefund.org/ to see upcoming events. They have a cool mother's day event coming up. If you donate $25, they send someone of your choice a mother's day card and you get tickets to the Neimen Marcus Champagne Shopping Brunch in Natick for free!

Like Father, Like Son

It must be in the genes. Jeffrey has started to insist on sleeping with only underwear on - no shirt or pants. Just like daddy. It's cute and will save me money on pajamas this summer!!

Add One More First

Add another first to the list - Collin's first real injury. He is obsessed with the bathroom and was walking in there towards the tub. He slipped and fell, smashing his face into the side of the bathtub. He gave himself a nice bloody nose! Jeffrey was VERY concerned and wanted to call the doctor himself. Cute!

What Jeffrey has been up to

Jeffrey is loving school. He goes 2 mornings per week - next year he will go 3 mornings per week which he is excited about. He brings all sorts of crafts and projects home and they are the cutest things. He is so proud of what he is able to draw and make. If you have been to our house lately, I am sure you have seen the "art gallery" that is our hallway near the bedrooms.

Over the past week, Jeffrey has been pointing out to me and Jeff all different words that have certain letters in them. He knows a bunch of letters and can spell his name. An occasional "e" is left out but that's okay. Before bed last week, he decided he didn't want to read any books. Instead he wanted to do his "homework." My dad, his grampy, gave him a couple of alphabet workbooks for preschoolers. We did a couple of pages in one of them - he found letters and even traced and wrote some himself. He made me so proud and I was just amazed to see his little mind working like that! We went out last weekend and found some more books for him and he is loving them.

This August my dad, Jeffrey, and I are heading overseas to visit my brother, sister-in-law and nephew in Finland. Jeffrey talks about the trip everyday and can't wait to go on an airplane. He says it's a "little scary" but he can't wait to eat snacks and dinner on the plane. He already knows which backpack he wants to bring and some special things for the plane. He even told me to "put it on my list" the other day. He is my little planner! I am excited to take him with me as I think this will make me less homesick. I wish Jeff and Collin could come to but airfare is so expensive and the thought of travelling that far with Collin isn't that appealing. :)

JEFFREY (Jeffrey typed his name)

A Week of Firsts

Collin got his first official haircut last week. He wasn't thrilled when the woman used the clippers but was fine for the scissors. He doesn't look like a baby at all anymore.

Collin also fed himself a whole yogurt with a spoon today. Not as messy as I expected but good thing he is washable. He was so proud of himself!