Patrick has been learning about Disney World. For a time when asked where he lived he said Disney World. Patricks wish granters would send a package every once in a while to let him know that it was still happening.
A few months ago we got the dates for the trip. There was a lot that needed to happen between then and the trip, so it got put off in our minds. We had a trip to Omaha, I had a business trip, Patrick started Kindergarten, and we had an attempt at camping (gee most of those should be blog posts, I’ll see what I can do about that). A few weeks ago we got a call from one of Patricks wish granters Beth, she told us that they were working on planning a wish granting party. Something to tell Patrick that his wish had been granted, and he was on his way.
About a week ago we got details of his wish granting party. And started inviting family, and close friends (sorry to those that didn’t get invited, the group was fairly large and we didn’t think it would be right to go larger, we still love and appreciate you).
We had coordinated the details with Beth. We would send Patrick to the neighbors, the guests would come, and then we would surprise him, and then an ice cream truck would come as the cherry on top.
As with all things in our life, things change. Emily started exploring some new therapy for Patrick yesterday. They said great would it be possible to come tomorrow afternoon. This caused our plans to change a bit. The new plan was that I would come home early and meet everyone, help Beth and Natasha setup and then Emily and Patrick would arrive home from therapy to a group of friends. With the contingency that if they got back too early they would play at the neighbors.
I got home from work early thinking I needed to help clean the house. Cleaning the house with Patrick around is sometimes an effort in insanity. When I arrived home Emily had the house in great shape. I sat down and read for a while. Then I decided to grab some chairs.
As I got outside Beth pulled up with balloons. We tied balloons around our front yard. Guests started arriving. Natasha arrived with more balloons, which made things look all the more festive.
The majority of the guests arrived, and I texted Emily to let her know we were ready.
A few minutes later Emily pulled into the drive way. Patrick looking out his window noticed we were all there, and started grinning. Emily reports that Patrick saw everyone and yelled, “Hey! Why everyone here?” Then, grinning ear to ear and climbing out of his seat before we were even parked, “I want talk to them!”
Patrick got out of the car as fast as Emily could get his door open. Ran to the driveway and just grinned.
He saw the present that was waiting for him on the porch and ran to it. Beth cut him off, and presented him with a certificate stating that his wish was granted. Then he resumed his quest for the gift.
He pulled all the things out of the gift bag, and around the corner comes music from and ice cream truck. It stops at
our house and Beth leads him over to the truck. Emily got there just in time with Patrick safe (soy) ice cream. Patrick was more fascinated with the van than the ice cream, but none the less it was a hit.
The rest of the evening was spent with everyone getting ice cream, and Patrick running from person to person hugging and saying hi to them.
Then Beth let him play with her car (big points from him). And she led him up and down the street naming all the car makes, which is one of Patricks favorite games.
I pulled Patrick aside and told him we were going on a trip on Sunday, and that we were going to go to Mickey’s
other house (he’s been to Disney Land a few times).
The night was great. Big thanks to those who came. Even bigger thanks to our wish granters Beth (and her husband Tim who accompanied her tonight), and Natasha.
We are super excited to go on our adventure.
Patrick Hoopes 