AIDAN'S DIARY - FEBRUARY 2002

Aidan and Caitlin on rolly slide at Stirk Park, Kalamunda. Click to enlarge.

Aidan and Caitlin on bouncy spring at Stirk Park, Kalamunda. Click to enlarge.

03-Feb-2002
The local chapters of Camp Quality and Rotary organised a morning trip to visit the fairy penguins on Penguin Island and sea lions on Seal Island, just off the coast of Rockingham. Aidan and I splashed about for a wee while, before spectating feeding time for a handful of orphaned penguins who could not be rehabilitated. They are dapper little birds.
We were joined by a small pod of dolphins on the return ferry trip, which had the kids, big and small, scurrying across the boat trying to get a closer glimpse of the graceful guests. The captain was a cheery chap who gave the kids time at the helm steering the boat. The Racing Yacht Club of Rockingham organised a buffet lunch with a party atmosphere for kids, including a kid-friendly clown. We rounded out the day with my young cousin Luke for his fourth birthday.
- Dad

04-Feb-2002
Skool daze are here again. Aidan is joining a mixed year 1 and 2 class with Mrs. Thomson (his teacher from 2001), while Caitlin will be joining a mixed kindergarten and pre-primary class with Aidan's pre-primary teacher from 2000, Miss. Bingham.
- Dad

05-Feb-2002
Discussions with the Make A Wish Foundation, which began in June 2001, have finally come to fruition, with confirmation of a trip to Brisbane, Queensland for Aidan, Caitlin, Trish and myself. Some months ago Aidan told us that he wanted to visit Uncle Bob (my Uncle) when he was better. The idea of visiting theme parks on the Gold Coast came as an afterthought. At very short notice, Justine Hugo and other foundation administrators made a wish come true.
Trish departs Saturday 9th February, while Aidan, Caitlin and I will tag along a week later on Saturday 16th February.
- Dad

10-Feb-2002
Aidan, Caitlin, Liam, Evan and I trekked across the coastal plain to reach the briny blue at Cottesloe beach. The twins enjoyed their first trip to the seaside and dined on handfuls of sand to prove it.
- Dad
 
 

Beach Boys - Liam and Evan. Click to enlarge.

Sandy Brothers - Liam and Aidan. Click to enlarge.

13-Feb-2002
The local chapter of the Make A Wish Foundation, in the guise of Dean Starbuck, presented Aidan with plane tickets at the Victoria Park McDonalds and in doing so, brought good cheer and smiles to the family cluster which attended. The small people dined on their favourite delicacies of cheeseburgers, nuggets and coke and ran themselves silly in the adjoining playground. To embellish the outing rather stylishly, Aidan, Caitlin and I were chauffeur driven to McDonalds in a Cadillac limousine. I rather do believe the little people enjoyed the evening.
- Dad
 
 

Aidan and Caitlin kicking it back in style. Click to enlarge.	Aidan and Dad atop Le Limo. Click to enlarge.
Cait clocking Mach I on the slide.  Click to enlarge.	Dean presenting Aidan with the plane tickets. Click to enlarge.

15-Feb-2002
Aidan wore his Daffy Duck hat to school yesterday for "news" and prompted his teacher and classmates to see the online photos of himself in a limo. Pushy ? Maybe.
His efforts over the past two weeks have been rewarded with another merit certificate at the afternoon assembly, citing "trying so hard in all his work and for being so helpful". While Aidan did receive several certificates last year, this is still a rather chuffed father.
I think the long wait this week for the plane trip has taken its toll. Aidan gave each and every one of his classmates a big hug before they left for the day, including his teacher Mrs. Thomson. It was very touching
- Dad
 
 

Aidan received his merit certification from the principal Mr. Paton. Click to enlarge.	Le Merit Certificate for a special boy. Click to enlarge.
Aidan with his teacher, Mrs. Thomson. Click to enlarge.	Aidan and his prized Daffy Duck hat. Click to enlarge.

16-Feb-2002
Aidan and Caitlin were placid passengers for the flight to Brisbane. This may have been due to a departure at toodamnearlyoclock, 5.40 am. Not for the faint hearted  One suspects the travel agent doesn't have children. Arrived to find my Uncle Bob and Aunt Mary in good health. Aidan and Caitlin immediately set about revisiting the house, which they hadn't set foot in for two and a half years. Cait was a small bundle back then, but Aidan remembered his way about the place. The twins, Liam and Evan, remained in Perth under the watchful gazes of our parents.
- Dad

17-Feb-2002
Spent BBQ lunch with my Aunt Mary's family. Her brother Bill remembered me from 30 years ago during a visit to Mackay in northern Queensland. My memory is not that good. We left late in the day for the hour-long drive down the crazy Pacific Highway to the Gold Coast, arriving with two sleepy little people at our rented apartment on the river in Surfer's Paradise. The next three days will include trips to Movie World, Dream World and Sea World, thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation and the generosity of the respective theme parks.
- Dad

18-Feb-2002
First stop, Warner Brothers' Movie World, welcomed us with open arms. The service staff, and our chaperone Ty, rolled out the red carpet, arranging meetings and photo sessions with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Batman. One section of the park is set aside with little rides for little people, including a run amuck sprinkler. Our little people were quite taken with the setup and dug the rides. One day was not enough to make our way through all the rides and spectate all the activities.
For more pictures, see here.
- Dad
 

Aidan with Batman. Click to enlarge.

Some new friends ... Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Click to enlarge.

19-Feb-2002
Second stop, Dream World, a theme park catering to big and little people. We cruised around in Ford Model-T's, chugged about on the train (which stopped at every gift shop) and whizzed about on a variety of rides suitable for little people.
For more pictures, see here.
- Dad

20-Feb-2002
Third stop, Sea World, a theme park based on aquatic critters, education and a few choice rides. At short notice, the service staff reserved a place on their dolphin discovery tour for Aidan. He was rather impressed. We were able to squeeze in a helicopter ride from the park around the Gold Coast. While appearing nonchalant, I think Aidan enjoyed the ride. We ran out of time before we ran out of things to do. A wonderful place to visit and engage the senses.
For more pictures, click here.
- Dad

23-Feb-2002
Home again. The Make A Wish Foundation met us at the gate and escorted Aidan home in a police squad car. A little something special. Aidan told the officers all about the Police Academy stunt show at Movie World.
So many thanks to the wish makers at the Make A Wish Foundation for making the trip a reality and yielding some special time away with the big little people.
- Dad

24-Feb-2002
News reached us this morning of the passing of Lily Rose Glaskin on Thursday 21 February 2002, aged five and a half.. Lily was a delightful little girl from Aidan's ward. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday 27 February 2002. 
- Dad

25-Feb-2002
Aidan was bursting with news for his classmates at school. So much so, he was singularly unimpressed with a scheduled visit to the hospital for a CT scan. We appeased him with a brief news-stop at school. Some good news on the CT scan, if anything can be considered good at this stage. The tumour which appeared on the MRI a few weeks ago appears to be no larger. Of course, such news must be swallowed with a pinch or three of salt because CT scans are not as accurate as MRI scans. The next MRI scan is slated for 13th March, a few days after our little superhero's birthday. Hang in there buddy. You amaze us every day.
- Dad

27-Feb-2002
Trish and I attended a jam packed funeral service for Lily Rose Glaskin at Fremantle Cemetary. Lily occasionally shared a hospital room with Aidan during early 2000 while undergoing treatment. Trish and Lily's mum, Anne, became well aquainted, such is the nature of nattering mothers. It was a sombre gathering which hit too close to home. Our thoughts are with Anne, Graham and family.
- Dad
 

Last updated: 16-Mar-2002