Cole and Ilia Massie

We are completely humbled and totally priviledged to tell you that Cole and Ilia got to paint with amazing artist Tommy Hollenstein today!   Go check out his stuff right now:  http://www.tommyhollenstein.com/

This was a  Canine Companions event (natch) held smack in the middle of Downtown Disney, so we drew (among other things) a nice crowd.  There were puppies-in-training and Elder Statesmen service dogs and everything in between.   There was great live music by a musician named Michael to help get the creativity flowing and Disney VoluntEars who buzzed around making sure everything was perfect.  What a fun day! 

After Cole created his masterpiece (with the addition of Ilia’s pawprint in the lower left corner) we went to the nearby Rainforest Cafe for lunch.  Faux thunder and lightening shook the walls, Bobo the gorilla screeched irritably directly above our table and the human din was fantastic.  All the while, Ilia did…..

Nothing. 

Now, that’s some insane training.  I couldn’t even sit still in that raging cacophony.

We went back after lunch to pick up our now-dry work and say our good-byes.  Although it was after 3:00 (the event started at noon), Tommy was still working with kids and I could see at least a dozen pictures lined up drying on the stage.  He was still patiently teaching, still giving each kid an awesome experience. 

Too cool.   Thanks for the love, Tommy.

Go here to see: http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/Hollenstein052210#

Don’t know how long they’ll keep it up on their site, so go look now!

http://www.oprah.com/own/innerview.html?page_id=8

Our fabulous friend and genius producer Judy Korin did this a while back and submitted it.  She got a newsletter from them last night and there it was!  HOLY COW!!  OPRAH!!

Enjoy!

Well, I keep SWEARING I’m going to be better about updating and not do these en masse uploads, but…

When you’re this busy, who has time???

Anyway, here’s what Senor Cole and Mighty Dog have been up to:

The Shane’s Inspiration Gala:  On March 27, Cole sang in the choir brilliantly directed by Tess Borden and ingeniously choreographed by Keith Young (choreographer for the show Glee.)  Cole also got the opportunity to introduce the video he hosted (crafted by the gorgeously talented Judy Korin.  Oh, do I love this smarty-pants woman.)  This educational video will be shown in schools all over the state as part of Shane’s Inspiration’s Educational Outreach Program.   (The video is part of a program that helps typical kids get over the discomfort of playing with disabled kids for the first time.)  We hope to post it here soon but in the meantime, click here for some snaps of the gala. 

Easter:  On March 28, Our own Auntie Jen-Jen and Uncle Kevin hosted an Easter/Birthday bash (Nick, Kevin, Grandmere and Rudy are all April birthdays and I’m March!) at their Club in Cheviot hills.  Family highjinx ensued.  Enjoy by clicking here.

Homeschooler Dinner Dance:   On April 17, we attended this fabulously fun yearly event with our homeschooler group. FaCE-LA.  Click here to check out Cole cutting a rug with cutie-patootie Darcy Rose! 

Dodger Game:  The Dodgers honored Shane’s Inspiration, so Cole, Eddie and Ilia were invited to go down onto the field to watch the first pitch being thrown out!  Word is they made it onto the Jumbotron and if I get those pictures I’ll post them (hopefully before he hits college.)   Click here to see.

Challenge Air:  Challenge Air is an amazing organization that matches volunteer pilots with disabled kids who want to fly!!!!  We were asked to volunteer for the Canine Companions info table, which we did with pleasure and pride.  And then, Cole went up in a HELICOPTER!  Oh, yes he did!!  Click here to hit the wild blue yonder with Cole!

Yup, I’m behind.  I just AM, ‘kay? 

Anyway, we had a fabulous whirlwind trip to New York in March. 

We got in late Tuesday night and Wednesday we went to the studio for our interview.  First, we got ourselves all fancied up by the lovely hair and make-up people.  Then, we met some very special kids who will all be going to college thanks to the Say Yes To Education Foundation.    Our interview went very smoothly (the video is in the post below) and we got to meet some of the audience as we exited the studio.  You can see pictures here.

And then it was on to dinner with our friend Claresa at John’s Pizzeria!  This amazing place is located in a huge, beautiful old deconsecrated church.   And it was delish pizza, too!  Check it out here.  We were staying right in Times Square so we walked to it.  But it was really crowded (even by NYC standards) and we couldn’t figure out why…until we realized that the Black Eyed Peas had decided to do an impromptu concert RIGHT THERE! 

Well, we found this pretty darn funny.  Y’see, it just so happens that the Black Eyed Peas’ rehearsal studio is at the end of our street.  That’s right, we flew 3000 miles to see the people who are usually half way down the block from us!!!  Crazy!! 

On Thursday Morning, Cole got a much-needed adjustment to his braces by his orthotist, Dr. Paul Jordan, and Dr. Jordan’s technician, Mike.  Then we had a quick lunch and a long drive back to the airport, where we leapt onto a plane and flew home. 

Whew.

Pix are here.  Enjoy!

OK.   *sigh*

I must admit it’s taken me a while to post this because I’m pretty conflicted about it.  Suffice to say that I really, really, really do not agree with the politics of our interviewer.  But, the piece was done a year before she was attached to the show and all of the releases had been signed, so I figured it was best to go ahead and take the opportunity to promote Canine Companions for Independence (I was supposed to mention the ASPCA too, but they cut it out of the piece and I ran out of time on set.  Big apologies to that awesome organization.) 

Anyway, here it is.  Take a look.  (Please give it a moment, it’s slow to start):