Hope was our house guest for the holidays. She arrived via the US Postal Service from Canada one afternoon just before Christmas.
I thought my four boys wouldn’t be too interested in her, but they immediately took her out of the box, checked out all the goodies in her suitcase and dressed her in her pj’s.
They then made her feel right at home by including her in decorating the Christmas tree.
I don’t think she knew she’d be an actual decoration on the tree though.
Since this is a house of boys, of course there is a train under the tree – and poor unwitting Hope was sent for a ride.
Before school let out for winter break, Hope, my youngest and I went to school for the holiday concert and to visit my first grader’s classroom.
Mrs. W, the first grade teacher, invited us to listen to a story at the end of the day. Hope joined other stuffed friends in the children’s arms.
Before we left, my little man just had to share a drink from the classic green water fountain that is just his height. I made him keep the lollipop away from her.
Sadly during Hope’s visit my father-in-law’s passed away. The weather forecast was so bad for the day of the funeral, so we stayed two nights in a hotel. Hope got to play with a dozen cousins all crammed into one hotel suite.
I don’t know if she liked the thought of so many siblings or if she was overwhelmed by it all. Bedtime sure was fun though!
Since the proceeds from Hope’s sale will go to Shriner’s Hospitals, we had planned on taking her with us to my youngest’s follow-up appointment in December but it snowed that day and we stayed home.
Another snow day in early January meant sledding in the backyard instead of going to school. Here Hope is in the sled with my little guy and the handmade teddy bear and afghan he got when he had his surgery at Shriner’s. We treasure all the handmade gifts we brought home.
Before going home to North Carolina, Hope had a busy week. Here she is sharing her journal with my after-school “daughter.” I think they both liked the quiet time together. Boys can be so rough and loud!
Once I broke into my old steamer trunk (one of those rambunctious boys locked it way back when), Hope got to meet my handmade doll. An aunt gave her to me one Christmas. I always loved that this aunt gave handmade gifts every Christmas.
And before she was packed up with her suitcase and journal, Hope kept me company while I did some work on the computer. I don’t know who enjoyed looking through all these vintage children’s books more, her or me. (She’s wearing the hat I made for her and a bracelet made by one of my nieces.)
Back to school meant Hope had to go back home. She has a slight booboo on her leg that needs to be repaired and for some reason, her mom doesn’t think the SpongeBob band-aids my boys “fixed” her with should stay there permanently.
We had such a nice visit with Hope and can’t wait to hear about the rest of her travels.
02/05/09 09:14:59 am copied from original blogWe had the joy of hosting Hope, the Travelling Doll in our home in November (actually she arrived just in time for Halloween) and here is a little bit of her Ontario adventure:
Hope arrived just before Halloween. What a lovely girl she is! Rowan (age 3) was immediately smitten with her and set off to make her a Halloween costume. When the time came for Trick or Treating, it was unseasonably warm for Northern Ontario and Hope was decked out as a Fairy Princess~ crown, wand, wings and all! She enjoyed visiting with the neighbours and seeing all the other children in their disguises.
Early the next week, Hope joined Rowan at her Music for Young Children class. Hope clapped and danced and even played the triangle with a little help from Ro. The children enjoyed meeting Hope and they all helped her play London Bridge with them.
Hope arrived at our place with her little suitcase of treasures from her travels and a lovely scrapbook. Hope and Rowan often sat together and enjoyed the chronicle of Hope’s journey so far. inspired by photos of Hope’s camping trip in the UK, Rowan decided to set up a Canadian camping experience for Hope… in the living room. Tent, sleeping bag, camp chairs, fire, marshmallows and all. The girls played for hours around their makeshift site, including Rowan’s best friend Puppy and our real dog, too!
On November 11th, which is marked as Remembrance Day in Canada, Hope joined us for our town’s service at the Royal Canadian Legion. We live in a small town, so we all walked to the service where veterans are honoured and sacrifices remembered. A children’s choir sang a version of “In Flander’s Fields", youth read their own poetry, a roster of names of the war dead from our community were read, the trumpeter played Taps and Reveille and then the bagpipes played Amazing Grace as memorial wreaths were laid by the families of those who had died in the past year. Some of the wreaths represented vets and community members we know and miss. It was a moving service, and many people were curious to meet Hope and welcome her to our community. The mayor even pinned her with a town pin!
Hope is pictured here with the trumpeter/ piper; with the wreaths and with 90+ year old Sam~ local retired principal, active townsman and veteran. Sam was a little befuddled as to why we wanted a 90 year old man to hold a *doll* but he went along with it and Hope was very gracious with him, as she admired his medals.
The final visit Hope made with our family was to attend a church service in November. She was introduced to the children during the children’s time and went to Sunday School with them. That didn’t last very long as Rowan decided they didn’t want to stay and during the prayer for the Offering (I am the minister) Rowan and Hope came running up the aisle declaring “we don’t WANT to stay in Sunday School Mommy!". After the service Hope received lots of hugs and attention from young and old captivated by her lovely appearance and interesting story.
It was a delight to have Hope visit with us, to share her story and to show her around our small community. We wish her all the best on her continued journey!
Hope left to visit Lori last week, and I apologize for the delay! I typed out a wonderful journal for her, and I must have failed to push the upload button because I didn’t even didn’t even realize that the entry wasn’t here! I’m so sorry!
Hope spent a wonderful 3 weeks with us. We have a very close caring community with lots of services and programs for children with disabilities. My husband works for the Community Living Association which provide services for people with disabilities. He works specifically in the area of Family Support. He sees several children during the week and works one on one with them. Some of the children are autistic, or have genetic disorders, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Hope tagged along for many a day with my husband to spend time with the children, and I know that they all enjoyed themselves during those visits!
I’m very involved in our Family Place centre in town. They run weekly support and development programs for children from birth to age 6. Hope got to spend time with the children during Toddler Time, Rhythm Circle Time, and the weekly Open Space. (She especially enjoyed helping to make the pumpkin soup after helping pick the pumpkin from the Community Garden that we take part with).
Another program that Avari and I go to is called Strong Start. It is a parent involved preschool begin run in many centres in BC. It’s focused on Early Child development for up to kindergarten age. She also had a chance to visit an infant development preschool and meet the kids involved with that program!
In between her visits, Hope also got to tag along with Avari for her daily fun! She had fun with music class, gymnastics, La Leche League, and skating. It was our Fall Fair during her visit and she and Avari decided that their favourite animal was the baby goat!
October 11th was Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada and I can’t imagine any better way for Hope to spend it, than to be with a young girl with Leukemia. Maggie is a 6 year old who has been battling Leukemia for over a year. She is still undergoing chemo, but hopefully will be in remission soon! Hope had a weekend sleepover and then came back to spend some time with us before we packed her up to go.
I included a needlefelted ladybug in Hope’s suitcase. Avari’s birth board are named the Junebugs and they have a mascot Ruby that is passed around. So I made a replica of Ruby for Hope to bring along, so that she could always remember her visit!
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Hope has arrived for her adventure in BC, Canada! It’s such a pleasure to be able to take part of this journey and we have quite a bit planned for Miss Hope during her 3 weeks with us. Our small town is very involved with Community Living, and Child and Infant development, so we have a lot of interaction with children who are living with special needs; both through my husband’s work and through the weekly activities that Avari and I are involved in. We’re also hoping to be able to make a connection with some families involved in an organization called YANA - we’ll be visiting at least one special family for sure just before sending Hope on her way!
My daughter Avari was quite pleased to have a playmate arrive for Karrot in the mail (almost as happy as I was!)
Hope really must be something special, because Avari isn’t super cuddly, and poor Karrot doesn’t get the attention that she deserves- but she was sure ready to love on Hope. She even had them shake hands, and introduced them to each other “Nice to meet you Hope!” “Nice to meet you Karrot!” - It’s the first time I’m really witnessed her do creative play like that before, so that was very exciting for me!
Hope has accumulated some wonderful souvenirs in her suitcase so far, so we’re going to go in search of something special to add during her trip here. I’ll be updating this weekend!
Hope in the hanging Rainbow
Story Time
She did a lot of running around with us on her journey here,
including getting to meet Grandpa, some of Madeline’s friends at
play-date. She brought smiles and love to everyone she met.
Hope doing some running around with us
Hope, Madeline and Grandpa
Hope and Friends
Madeline very rarely left her at home and she was always sleeping
with her at night. I saw this doll bring out love in Madeline as she
attached to Hope and she became her best friend for the time she was
here, it was hard to let Hope go, but Madeline understood that the love
and joy that Hope brought to her, she was going to continue to bring to
other children around the world. She helped get her ready for her trip
and right before she left, gave her a big hug and kiss goodbye.
Hope, wishing you safe and happy travels, you brought so many fond memories and love to our family & friends.
Love Always,
Marice, Mike and Madeline
Hope made it out of Texas right before Ike hit. Her host family and Hope weren’t in immediate danger, but the impact still has an effect on surrounding areas. Everything was in disarray and some places still are. We will have to wait for Marcie to update Hope’s adventures in Texas. Please be patient and do check back once in a while.
Hopes itinerary is booked solid till the end of November. And it looks as if she gets to spend Thanksgiving in New York. As much as I would love to see her back with me for Christmas, I am sure that she can do good out in the world. May be with YOU?
Please consider inviting her into your home and taking her to children in need.
09/22/08 04:29:26 pm copied from original blog
Hope came to UK to visit Ocean 3, Tallin 5 and Nayan 7. She spent a day with Ocean at playschool and really enjoyed the slide;
Hope arrived in time to come on our camping trip. We live in the
centre of England, but travelled about 2 1/2 hours west to camp on the
border of South Wales, in the Forest of Dean. We had a great time and
Hope really enjoyed camping. She slept in a perfectly sized pocket in
the bedroom - sleeping bags were a bit big and she got a little lost.
We travelled all over the area. Hope declined to go down a local
coal mine with us, but had her picture taken with the boys, by the
pit-wheel;
We walked through part of the forest - Puzzle Wood - Hope in her make-shift sling, in a good friend’s bag;
We had to find 7 things on our walk through Puzzle Wood. This was one -
a seat. Here’s Hope having a rest with Ocean, Tallin and Nayan;
Hope checked out the tiny Shetland ponies;
Having a story in the tent with Tallin, close to bedtime;
We visited a small steam railway. Here’s Hope on the train with Ocean;
And on our way home in the car. We had a fabulous time and Hope enjoyed herself too!
And helping Ocean with his medication at bedtime. Ocean has Cystic
Fibrosis and has nebulised antibiotics twice a day as a small part of
his health regime;
We had a lovely time with Hope. She was much loved by all of us and she brought joy to the family and friends who met her too. She’ll be missed, but we parted with her happy in the knowledge that she’ll bring love and smiles to the next host family.
Thank you so much Annette for making Hope and her travels possible.
Shadow, Ilan, Nayan, Tallin and Ocean xxx
Enjoying Popcorn and the movie
Hope meets a Modesto Police Officer
Hope meets a Modesto Police Officer
Hope is enjoying the Modesto Nuts baseball game!
Hope at a baseball game - Modesto Nuts - July 4th, 2008
Hope meets Valorie (working in a special ed classroom)
Hope checking out a new wheelchair at Sonoma School donated by the Shriners
Hope meet Margie - the SWEETEST Physical Therpaist we know!
Hope meet Heidi - our FAVORITE Adaptive PE Teacher
Hope enjoying cookies with the Wolf girls
Hope playing at the Wolf House (w/O, B and O)
Hope trying on Katlyn’s AFO’s (see her feet?)
Hope trying out Katlyn’s AFO’s
Hope hanging out in Katlyn’s swing
Katlyn thinks Hope is pretty cool!
Katlyn thinks Hope is pretty cool!
Jenny, Katlyn and Hope
Jenny, Katlyn and Hope
Jenny, Katlyn and Hope
Hope with Brenna, Onnalee and Olivia
Hope with Brenna, Onnalee and Olivia
First of all let me thank all of you who have already gotten in touch with me, it means so much to me. I will work on Hope’s schedules to ensure that she can visit as many of you as possible.
All seams are closed, her eyes are bright and her cheeks are rosy. She is dressed in little knitted shorts, a blouse, a knitted dress, felt vest and shoes embellished with needle felted flowers. Her hair falls softly over her shoulders and a little band keeps it from falling into her face. She turned out beautiful. I believe a soft, warm doll like Hope brings warmth and happiness to children. My wish is that Hope will bring hope to the children in need and awareness of the struggles that a lot of families have to go through to everyone.
Once I have finalized everything with the chosen Non Profit Organization a link for donations will be added. Donations will then go directly to the Non Profit Organization. The donation will not be part of the raffle, which will happen once Hope returns from her travels. Dates will be posted well in advance. Please donate, as it serves a good cause, thank you.
Her first destination will take her from North Carolina all the way across the country to California where she will be staying with a lovely family. Sunshine from Flutterby Baby will be her host for a while. She will be updating the blog on Hope’s first adventure.
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