Kaleidoscope 2014 - Hospice of Lubbock Grief Camp

July 25-26, 2014 - A Day at the Farm for Kids Experiencing the Loss of a Loved One

We continue to be so grateful for Hospice of Lubbock.  Even though Nathan gained his angel wings over 3 years ago, Hospice was gracious enough to let Jacen still come to grief camp.  The suggested age is 5, so this was the first year that he could go.  The staff and volunteers were amazing.  I think it was a good experience for Jacen to see other people who have lost loved ones as well.

Friday evening, Lalani suggested that I stay the whole evening, so I got to see some fun events!!!

Playing a relay game - Jacen at this point was the bridge

Jacen with friend Ella from church (She lost her Nonny - Grandpa)

More of the relay game

Yoga - She talked with them about breathing exercises and yoga poses to help with handling grief.

They also had like a petting zoo out there as well.  I think this was his favorite part. Jacen informed me these are the same animal he saw with Grandma at Critterfest at Science Spectrum :)

Ella and Jacen

A baby Kangaroo with a diaper :)

Jacen with one of his group leaders

Ally, Ella, and Branson

Jacen trying to feed the horse some grass

Later on that evening, they talked with their group leaders about who they had lost.  They were then supposed to draw a picture or write something on a piece of wood.  It would then be thrown in the fire to get rid of the sorrow.  Jacen drew Nathan was an X across him because he is no longer here. He didn't want to throw his in the fire though :(

Roasting marshmallows to go on our s'mores

Saturday morning - I was supposed to drop him off and return that afternoon for a parent session and balloon release.  He found his friend Eli that he met the night before, and he chose an apple from their breakfast selection and was ready for me to leave.  

When I returned, he said he wasn't ready to go yet and was worried he had to leave right then.  Once I convinced him that wasn't the case he was ok!

Jacen and Ella using their yoga mats to rest on :)

The card Jacen made for Nathan to attach to his balloon to send to Nathan at the balloon release.

Releasing his balloon to Nathan

The blue one

He had to go see the animals again before we could leave!

Green Group Pic

Whole Camp Pic

Summer Break Week 8

7-21-14 Jacen and I spent a couple of hours at Bodyworks.  Jacen had gone to a birthday party there for Ella in the Spring, so they called and asked if I wanted to have a 5 day trial membership to check it out.  We did!  We went 5 days straight!

He loved this part!!

I convinced him to get in where he couldn't touch with a life jacket finally!  We even went down the slide once!

7-21-14  That evening we played Chutes n Ladders :)

7-22-14 Back to Bodyworks again :)  This time we spent our time inside at the SplashZone :)

Going down the slide :)

7-23-14  We met Briley, Avery, and Elizabeth at Premiere to watch The Croods and then let the kids ride some of the rides :)

They are all in the fire truck :)

Then Jacen and I made our daily stop at Bodyworks!

7-24-14 Bodyworks again :)

7-25-14 Before going to Bodyworks, Jacen immersed his grass guy from church on Wednesday in water to let it grow :)

7-26-14 Jacen and I played Candy Land and Hi-Ho Cherry-O!!!  He is loving playing board games!