My girls walked the red carpet

Walking through the doors of Oxford Academy Thursday afternoon, the feeling of warmth and caring made a quick appearance as the students got their first glimpse of Mia. Everyone basically stopped what they were doing and just embraced my little girls cuteness. She was playful and charming, something that radiates off her constantly. Rachel was all sorts of excited to see everyone and also ready to have her hair cut. She wanted a grown up cut while Beaner wanted a slight clean up of her already short style. They both knew that the upcoming days would be more exciting than this. Poor Beaner was so tired that she fell asleep while her hair was being dried. I think that was the cutest thing ever, I have never seen her that tired before. When we left the girls were so happy with the new styles that they had to get home to see MeMa and show her how awesome they looked.

Sunday quickly approached and the excitement grew; so much so that nap time was almost non-existent. All the planning would come together to make a fabulous event. We quickly had a bite to eat and headed off the academy to have the girls hair and make-up done. Much to my surprise I was included in the awesome makeovers. With all the chaos within the school and salon, it was remarkably calm and without incident. At 6PM we dashed home to get dressed and head over to the Strand. Mia was starting to turn all sorts of shades with brewing excitement. As we walked in, all the students were just in awe with Mia. A true princess with her gown, tiara and head full of curls; My Mia was the star of the show!

We quickly found the row that Miss Kell reserved for our family and got ready to enjoy a fabulous evening. Mia's bestest friend Abby came and sat with her while watching the movie that one of Oxford Academys' students had created. Almost immediately George and I were brought to tears, and I honestly think there wasn't a dry eye to be had. It wasn't sad tears, they were tears of celebration and courage that poured down. Anna, Mia's half sister really didn't understand what she was going through until that evening. I think it made our family and friends understand that Mia is a brave girl and she is such a strong soul. After the touching video, the upbeat music pounded as gorgeous models made their way down the isles of the strand. It was so amazing to see all that have volunteered their time to make this such a elaborate event.

I need to say thank you too all who donated to make sure my Mia will be able to enjoy every aspect of her life. I need to say thank you to:

Kellie Steeves
The staff and Students at Oxford Academy of Hair Design
Val McCormick Photography
Louis Vayas
David and April Sciaraffa
Carousel Gardens
Santa Clause
My friends from Chili's Grill and Bar for Modeling
All who attended
All that had donated

Thank You!!

I can't say this enough, but it's overwhelming to see the amount of support our little community has shown for our daughter. It brings a new sense of warmth and compassion. I never once in my dreams would have thought so many would chose to take our family under their wing and remind us of how special life could really be. We are so very humbled of all that has happened in the past 6 months and very grateful to boot.

Val McCormick has the pictures on her site that you can order. Go to http://www.valmccormick.com/
(select webite, then online ordering, then events)

Do you think this will go to her head?

News > Valley
‘Glitz & Glam’ show to aid Valley child

Thursday, November 6, 2008 5:53 AM EST
By Patricia Villers, Register Staff
SEYMOUR — The red carpet treatment. That’s what all who attend a fundraising hair fashion show this month at the Strand Theater can expect.Proceeds will benefit Mia Zito, 5, a Bungay School kindergartner who is undergoing treatment for advanced melanoma.Kellie Steeves, administrator and owner of the Oxford Academy of Hair Design in Seymour, said she, her staff and students are planning a “Glitz & Glam” benefit at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the movie theater, 165 Bank St.She wants people to feel they are going to a special event. Photographer Val McCormick will be on hand to photograph the models and guests as they arrive on the red carpet in front of the theater.

The photos will be posted online, Steeves said, and proceeds from sales of the photos will be donated to the benefit.“I’ve never met Mia, but I wanted to do something to help someone in the community,” Steeves said. “People have really come together for this.”One of her hairdressing students, Samantha Allard, has created a 20-minute slide show that tells Mia’s story and describes hair fashions. It will be shown before the fashion show. Steeves said Carousel Gardens Restaurant of Seymour will donate catering services.Mia, whom Steeves called “the star of the show,” will model with other girls in the age 5-8 category.This is the third annual “Glitz & Glam” benefit that Steeves has organized. The first benefited the Children’s Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital, she said, and the second one was a benefit for Sydney Bartone of Derby, who died last November at age 7 after a battle with neuroblastoma.Mia’s mother, Christine Zito, said Mia “is doing fabulous” and is enjoying school.“It’s very kind and very generous” of Steeves to stage the show, she said.Louis Vayas will serve as DJ, and a special guest is expected, Steeves said.Donations of $20 are requested, but any amount will be welcomed.For information, call the Oxford Academy of Hair Design, 888-9075.Patricia Villers can be reached at pvillers@nhregister.com

To clear up some confusion

http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Cancer/Melanoma/Stages-of-Melanoma.html and http://www.skincancer.org/About-Us/About-Us.html

Please Check out the website above. It explains in dept about the staging and how it varies from other forms of cancer.

Mia has been doing fabulous, and her first Halloween parade at school was a hit! Treatments are moving right along. And I am also happy to report my mother is progressing very well since being home. With my father away for hunting, I have had a good time spending girl time with my mom. Thank you all for the well wishes for my mom. We are all blessed to have all of you in our lives and we thank you for you encouragement