Bill's 69th Birthday is May 6

Hi, everyone,

Bill's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and we hope to celebrate it at the hospital (or at the nursing home). My mother's idea of bringing him a cake was nixed as sadistic since Bill can't eat any of it (and he's been craving food). Abby thought balloons and cards would be great. We will definitely sing him a song. Sophie and Olivia said they'd like to bring him a present. When I asked them what they had in mind, Sophie said, without hesitation, "Medicine". She really wants him to get better...

Any other ideas about Bill's birthday? Since it falls on a Friday, we will have a gathering in his room in the evening. Anyone who could join us would be welcome! Late April and May is a busy time for Banks family with lots of birthdays, beginning with Olivia (4/23), Josh (5/3), Bill (5/6), and Sophie (5/31).

Abby, Josh, my mom and sister Sunny, Sophie and Olivia had a wonderful time celebrating Olivia's 6th birthday Saturday evening at the California Pizza Kitchen in Hollywood. Olivia chose the restaurant. The girls like their brother Josh and are especially attached to Abby. When I was away a couple weekends ago to New York, they requested that Abby take care of them :)

Josh told us all about his life in Thailand and he seems to really love it there.

Abby and Josh got both girls cute kid friendly cameras, among other things. They really loved them. Sophie got Olivia a 'pillow pet', a huge cuddly whale shaped stuffed animal that you could use also as a pillow. Of course Olivia has been carrying it around everywhere.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of cake Sunny brought. It was a beautiful white cake with fruit top and six long candles. Olivia's wish before blowing out the candles was to grow up fast! How cute is that.. Later she elaborated that she could not wait to get older so that she could become a famous singer and a scientist.

And Shirley, thanks for sending Olivia a birthday card. She read it to herself!

Affter endless negotiations, the girls finally settled on having their joint birthday party at a roller skating rink sometime in May, when they get to invite their friends.

Good night everyone!