Tuesday @ the Games

As Tuesday dawned, we were all pretty tired.  The long day outside on Monday had taken a toll.  We were wiped out.  At least we would be indoors today!

We trekked to a mall on the west side of Madison for a Build-A-Bear experience.  Build-A-Bear opened an hour early for the Transplant Games kids.  Each kid had an opportunity to make two animals - one to keep and one to donate to a Children's Hospital in Milwaukee or Madison for a kid waiting for or recently receiving a transplant. 

We waited in line for a bit.  The kids could choose from a bunny, a dog or a bear.  Both Carson and Grace did a great job - Carson made a dog (later named "Woof") and Grace named her bunny "Rabbit".  She looked at us like we were idiots when we asked her what her bunny's name was.  :-)

After all of the stuffing, choosing the heart, doing the Build-A-Bear routine and fluffing, each of the kids got to write a note to the sick kid in the hospital.  Very special.

We let each kid choose an additional outfit for their new friend.  They named them and we got their birth certificates.  Soon we were on our way.

We grabbed lunch and were on our way to Bowl-A-Vard lanes.  There was conflicting info on if Carson's age group could use gutter guards or not and how many games they would play.  We were relieved to learn all kids 13 and under could use gutter guards (one document said only 5 years and under).  They would also play 3 games - yikes!  That's a lot of bowling!

Carson did wonderfully the first two games.  He was having a ball (sorry - had to throw that in!).  There were two delays that got a bit frustrating and one ended up messing up his frame, which he wasn't happy about.  Soon we could tell that his blood sugar had dropped (he's been having issues with low blood sugar this past spring and summer).  Add to it a comment that another kid made and he was done.  He was just a few frames into the third game and he didn't want to play anymore.  He was wiped out.  We didn't push the issue so we wrapped up bowling and went back to the hotel for a nap for all of us.

We woke up in time to get ready for closing ceremonies.  We met up with our liver buddy, Marisa.  Marisa surprised us all by presenting Carson with one of her medals from the Games.  We all cried and were so touched by Marisa's gift.  Carson was all smiles.  It was an incredible way to end an exhausting and trying afternoon.

Closing ceremonies were beautiful.  Ken Howard was a big part of the ceremony along with some dancers from Dancing with the Stars.  We cheered for all of the award recipients and cried as we watched the highlight video.  It had been a powerful few days.

We met up with all of our liver buddies after the closing ceremony and snapped a bunch of pics.  Carson had a hard time saying goodbye to his new friends.

After the closing ceremony, it was back to the hotel.  We were crazy for doing it, but we let the kids swim super-late - it was nearly midnight before we all feel asleep.  Until minutes before he feel asleep, Carson was still taking in the gift of the medal from Marisa!