Spring Fling!

One of the patients here had the brilliant idea to hold a "Spring Fling" party, which was on Good Friday.  The Amazing Angela (the Child Life Specialist) documented all the details that this patient had envisioned for this party, and made it happen, right down to the formal invitations!!  It was an amazing party, and I had an awesome time!

Hanging out with Olena, one of the many amazing volunteers I've become friends with! 

The morning was spent painting Easter eggs, which I've never done before.  A lady from the Kylie Jane Long Foundation brought all the necessary supplies.  She got the kitchen to hard-boil 72 eggs, and helped everyone decorate the eggs.  We used decorated shrink wrappers, rubber bands, and crayons to make cool designs on the eggs. The craft room was full of kids happily decorating!

Painting my first Easter eggs!  

Rachel and I doing our eggs

There was a really fun game to open the party.  On the center of five plates were two small jelly beans.  Then a nurse covered the jelly beans in a veritable mountain of whipped cream.  Each plate was set before five people sitting in chairs, with their hands behind their back.  The five included the two pediatric residents, the palliative care doctor, and two nurses!  On the count of three, each of them used their face alone to find the elusive jelly beans and place it outside the plate first! It was hilarious to watch each of them with a face full of whipped cream.  I'm proud to report that my resident, Dr. Brown won first place!! Unfortunately, the pictures of his whip creamed face turned out too blurry to post :(

Doc Brown hugging his prize- Brutus!

People had donated a sno cone maker and a cotton candy maker.  There was also pizza and an ice cream sundae bar.

Friends sharing sno cones...

The ice cream bar; note the invitation on the right

After the eating festivites, Rachel brought out her nail polish, and we had a nail party!  All the little girls loved it!

Rachel painting Carla's nails...

Little Totty wanted to paint Big Miranda's nails...and Miranda graciously let her!  

Everyone left with a huge Easter basket.  One nurse's church made and donated all the baskets. There were enough baskets for all the patients, and even all their siblings!  The baskets all had different themes, and were age and gender coordinated, with candy and fun goodies. Thank you to those who made them!

Some  of the Easter goodies!

All in all, it was the most fun I've had in a very long time.  But it couldn't have happened without so many people who had given of their time, energy, and money to make a special Easter celebration for the oncology ward.  A huge thank you to the many people who worked so hard to make it happen.  People like you are tangible reminders of the love God showed at the very first Easter, and helped us have an amazing Easter weekend.  

The Easter Bunny with her basket! 

Thank you to whoever packed this awesome basket!