Candlelighters 5K Race

On Saturday September 12, we attended the Candlelighters annual fundraiser run/walk. This year we had many of our friends and neighbors join us to walk or run for the event. We also had our friends Olivia and her brother Aaron with us. Olivia who was diagnosed with Leukemia two weeks after Leila is also doing very well. We had decided to join a team that was honoring the memory of a boy who had passed away this last year from Leukemia. This team alone helped to raise over $20,000 for Candlelighters. After the race was over, there was plenty of food and drinks for everyone. There was also face painting for the kids, inflatable jumpers, balloon artists and games. Leila had a great time with the kids.

Disneyland trip

A few days prior to school starting, we decided to take the kids to Disneyland. Leila had been asking to go all summer long. Leila had a great time at Disneyland and enjoyed the rides and parade. California Adventure was so much fun for all of the kids. Rami and Ziad rode the roller coaster over and over again.

Leila and Deena enjoyed having dinner with the princesses at Ariel's Groto. They got to meet Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine and Belle. That was the highlight of the trip for them. On the last day of our trip, we decided to go to the beach for the day. Although the water was freezing, Leila had a great time playing in it. Rami built his usual sand fort and Deena just ran from the water to the beach and back.

Back to school

Leila is very excited to be back to school. She is happy because several of her friends are in her class this year. Her teacher is great and seems to be very interested in helping Leila and cares about her overall well being.

Leila has also decided that she wants to be on the school tennis team. She will play once a week on Wednesdays after school for one hour. This will give her something physical to do without invloving too much contact. She is doing well with getting her homework done and keeping up with the class.