Telethon Recap

We spent the weekend participating in our local CMN telethon.

Will & Ellie are this year's "Miracle Children" & they had a blast being on tv throughout the weekend.

We were interviewed live (I botched my first interview question completely!)... Will demonstrated his (high on sugar, low on sleep, getting hyper, showing off for a new friend, active little boy) personality on live television while I tried to gently control behavior below the camera line, presented some checks, got to answer phones, and basically had a blast all weekend long!

Sunday morning, Will woke up and asked, "do I get to go to the tv station again to be a movie star?"

I didn't have the heart to tell him that the audience was local... not so much a movie star.

But he's four.  And he had a lot of fun!

What we saw upon entering the "red carpet" walkway:

pretending to be a newscaster with Mrs. Robin (CMN Director)

 presenting a check live on tv

 behind the scenes - practicing her walking

(I let her know this would be a great time to take her first steps on live television... but she's not quite ready.  She'll do it on her own timeline!)

 hiding on Mrs. Robin to get away from the therapet bird

 playing with other kiddos

(One of my fav parts of the weekend - getting to know other families who have been miracle children in the past... and learning their stories.  The sense of community with other families who have unique parenting journeys and who know the challenges and struggles and heartaches, and victories and celebrations... priceless to make those connections.)

 hanging out with the therapets

 One of Will's preschool friends surprised him backstage with a visit Sunday afternoon

 CMN surprised Will & Ellie with some fun new toys - perfect for their personalities!

Ellie received some books, a new doll, and a purse with a doggie inside.

Will received an "adventure chest" filled with about 6 new dress up costumes!  He has had so much fun playing with his new costumes.

He shared with the other kids "backstage" and even went on live tv as "Fire Chief Will"

So many restaurants generously donated to the telethon weekend to provide all of the meals for us and the hosts, other families, and crew.  

There was so much extra food that after the show, everyone was sent home with some leftovers.  Yet there was still tons of hot food so R & I made a trip downtown to Salvation Army & carried in tons and tons of pizzas, Olive Garden spaghetti, cupcakes, & Dairy Queen ice cream treats.  We were quite popular at Salvation Army as they helped us unload the car. :)

Then this morning, Fire Chief Will & Ellie & I delivered leftover brownies to our neighborhood fire station...

The firemen were awesome with Will - they explained all of the tools all over the truck and even let him climb in the truck and try out the lights and sirens and megaphone.

He asked several important questions (How do fires start in houses?  How do they spread?  How do I become a real fire chief?) and they were great at answering him.  

We learned a lot and had fun delivering brownies and thanking the people who work hard to serve us (& inspire a little boy's imagination.)

Thanks, CMN, for letting us be a part of such a fun weekend!  We had a blast and were so humbled to participate and represent an incredible organization.  

The kids really felt like movie stars - thanks for celebrating them and all they have overcome.

And to those who generously donated?

a HUGE THANK YOU!!!

With your help, this was a record setting year for the CMN telethon - 

over $750,000 raised in 10 hours of television!!!

WOW!!!

Thank you - your generosity is saving lives and transforming lives and helping make this journey easier.

We are humbled and so very grateful.