The Big Bus Adventure
This year brought a huge step forward in Logan’s independence — his very first time riding a regular full-size school bus. Logan has ridden a bus for the past year, but always the smaller, special-needs bus with extra support and structure. This year was different. This was a big moment. Literally.
And it wasn’t just the bus.
This fall also marked the start of 4th grade, with a new teacher and a brand-new classroom routine. It was a lot of change all at once — new faces, new expectations, new transitions — and the big bus became part of that shift. It felt like everything aligned to push Logan just a little bit further into his next stage of independence.
The first morning he climbed onto that full-size bus — those big steps, the rows of seats, the noise, the movement, the energy — my heart just about burst. It wasn’t nerves as much as it was a mix of pride, disbelief, and the reality that he’s stepping into a new stage of life.
No small bus.
No extra hands.
No 1:1 aide.
Just Logan… and a regular school bus full of kids.
And in true Logan fashion, he handled it like he’s been doing it all along.
He climbed the steps with confidence.
He found his spot.
He settled into this brand-new routine with the kind of quiet courage that only Logan has.
The big bus is loud and unpredictable. The ride is long — about an hour each way — and honestly, I wondered how he would manage that transition. But he surprised us, the way he always does. He adjusted quickly, embraced the change, and now the big bus is just another part of his day.
Between the big bus and beginning 4th grade with a new teacher, this year asked a lot of him — and he rose to every single challenge. Every afternoon when he gets off, backpack half open, hair sticking up from the ride, smile on his face… he looks older. Braver. Like he’s stepping just a little more into himself.
This wasn’t just a transportation switch.
It was a reminder that Logan is growing, stretching, and stepping into independence in ways we once weren’t sure we’d ever see.
The big bus wasn’t just a milestone —
it was proof of how far he’s come and how steady his courage truly is.
Potty Training Success
This year, Logan hit a milestone that honestly felt huge for all of us — he became fully potty trained during the day. For some families, this might feel like a simple step. But in our world? This was a big deal.
Potty training took time, patience, and a whole lot of flexibility. There were days when it felt like he was right on the edge of “getting it,” and other days when it felt like we were starting back at square one. But in true Logan fashion, once he was ready… he was ready. He did it on his timeline, in his way, just like he always does.
And once it clicked, it clicked.
He started recognizing the cues, letting us know what he needed, and showing this little spark of pride every time he did it on his own. Those moments — that smile — made the entire journey worth it.
But the real test came with something that honestly made my stomach flip:
Logan riding the hour-long bus ride to and from school… in underwear.
No backup pull-up.
No safety plan.
Just trust.
Trust in him, trust in his progress, trust in this big step forward.
And he nailed it.
Every single day.
Like it was nothing.
Nighttime will come when he’s ready — and I’m not worried. Logan has always done things at his own pace, and look where that pace has gotten him.
We are so, so proud of him.
This wasn’t just potty training — this was confidence, independence, and another “Logan Strong” moment that reminded me just how far he’s come.
A Tender Year Too
This year wasn’t only filled with big milestones — it also carried one of the deepest losses our family has ever faced. We said goodbye to my dad, Logan’s Opa, and the absence of him has been felt in so many quiet moments throughout our home.
Opa and Logan had their own unique bond. It wasn’t loud or flashy. It wasn’t built on long conversations. It was built on presence — steady, familiar, and full of love. Opa always had a soft spot for Logan, and Logan always seemed to find comfort in Opa’s calm energy.
When Opa passed, Logan felt the shift in his own way. He didn’t ask questions or express it verbally, but he knew. He came in closer. He sat longer. He gave hugs without being prompted. There was this beautiful, intuitive tenderness in him — as if he understood that our hearts were hurting and he wanted to help fill the space simply by being near.
We keep Opa’s ashes and his military flag displayed proudly in our dining room, a daily reminder of who he was and the legacy he left behind. Every once in a while, Logan will stop, point up, and say, “Opa.” Just that one word — soft, sure, and full of recognition.
It’s his way of remembering.
His way of staying connected.
His way of letting us know that love doesn’t disappear just because someone is gone.
This year held so many bright and exciting moments, but it also held grief — and through it all, Logan’s quiet compassion reminded us that even the heaviest losses can be carried with love, softness, and the gentle understanding of a child who feels deeply in his own beautiful way.
Feeding Tube Journey Complete
On August 22 (my birthday), Logan had his Mickey button removed after almost eight years. Watching him reach a place where he could eat safely and confidently by mouth was something we always hoped for but never rushed. Logan moved at his own pace — the only pace that ever mattered — and when he was ready, he did it.
Then, on October 17, Logan had surgery to permanently close the G-tube site. It’s been years since he needed any kind of surgery, and the anxiety leading up to that day was very real. Walking back into an operating room setting brought back a wave of memories we hadn’t felt in a long time.
But in true Logan fashion, he handled it with quiet strength.
And in a moment that felt both emotional and comforting, the hospital placed his Logan Strong magnet on the surgery board — the same one we’ve used over the years. The nurses remembered him. They remembered his story. They remembered him.
It made the day feel a little less heavy and a lot more full circle.
Another chapter finished.
Another milestone behind him.
And we are unbelievably proud.
CHOA Graduation — Again!
Just one day before his birthday — November 17 — Logan officially graduated from outpatient telemedicine with the Marcus Autism Feeding Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
This was his second time completing their intensive feeding program. The same hospital that wrote his treatment plan years ago helped him cross the finish line again. Full circle in the best possible way.
Logan showed up, tried his best, and did the work… just like he always does.
Make-A-Wish: A Full-Circle Moment
This year, after a lot of thought, patience, and gentle conversations, we finally made Logan’s Make-A-Wish® selection — and next July, we’ll be heading to Atlanta for a NASCAR experience.
Choosing a wish wasn’t simple.
It actually took a long time — much longer than most families — and there’s a good reason for that. We wanted Logan to be the one to guide the decision, and that meant waiting until he was old enough, aware enough, and confident enough to show us what truly lights him up.
For a long time, we honestly weren’t sure what the “right” wish would be.
What would he enjoy the most?
What would be meaningful for him?
What kind of experience would make sense based on how he experiences the world?
So we waited.
We watched.
We followed his interests.
We let him lead.
And when his love for racecars grew stronger and more consistent — when he lit up every time he heard an engine or saw a car zoom by — the answer finally felt clear. NASCAR wasn’t just an interest. For Logan, it was excitement, joy, and pure sensory magic.
When we learned that NASCAR’s Atlanta weekend includes a partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), everything clicked in a way we never could have planned.
This is the same hospital system that:
• wrote Logan’s treatment plan
• guided his feeding therapy
• supported him through some of the hardest years of his life
• just graduated him (twice!) from the Marcus Autism Feeding Center
And now, CHOA will be part of one of the most joyful experiences he’ll ever have.
The NASCAR program — supported by Chase Elliott — brings CHOA kids into the racing world through the DESI9N TO DRIVE initiative, where young patients help design paint schemes and racing gear. The 2026 details aren’t out yet, but the tradition is strong, and knowing Logan will be part of that energy feels almost surreal.
A hospital that helped him heal will now help him celebrate.
A team that worked through some of his hardest moments will now be tied to one of his happiest.
It’s hard not to smile — or tear up — at the timing of it all.
This wish feels right.
It feels true to who he is.
And it feels like the perfect bridge between where Logan was… and where he is now.
A full-circle moment in the most beautiful way.
Ocho™ Book Launch
On Monday, November 17, we celebrated something incredibly special — the official launch of Ocho™ The Brave Little Octopus. This book has been years in the making and is deeply inspired by Logan’s own journey and the comfort companion who stayed by his side through some of his hardest days.
From the start, we hoped to release the book while Logan was still eight, honoring the age when so many of Ocho’s real-life moments were happening. We planned it carefully and intentionally… and we did it. The book launched one day before his 9th birthday, just the way we imagined.
The event was full of warmth, support, and connection. Logan took it all in with quiet excitement, watching kids pick up their own Ochos and seeing families relate to the story in their own meaningful ways. It felt like a moment that belonged not just to us, but to every family who has walked a similar path.
Releasing Ocho™ the day before Logan turned nine made the night feel even more special — a celebration of where he’s been and a beautiful way to close out his eighth year. It was a full-circle moment we’ll always hold close.
Pete the Cat Birthday Party
We had a small Pete the Cat–themed party on Friday night, November 21, and it truly ended up being exactly what Logan needed. It was just close family and a few friends — nothing big or overwhelming — but full of bright colors, cupcakes, and plenty of balloons (Logan’s absolute favorite part of any celebration).
What made the night even more special was that Grammy and Grandpa happened to be in town — something we didn’t plan but were so grateful for. Logan lit up the moment he saw them. Their visit made the evening feel even more meaningful, almost like the timing was meant to be.
The party was full of music, laughter, and the easy, simple joy that fits him perfectly. Logan spent the night running around, exploring, and soaking up all the attention from the people who love him most. It was a sweet, low-key celebration — exactly what he needed this year.
Birthday Gift Card Fundraiser Continues
Instead of gifts, we continued our tradition of collecting gift cards for families in treatment in honor of Logan’s birthday. This tradition has become one of our favorite ways to celebrate him.
Every gift card donated helps families at the Melodies Center cover real-life needs — gas, groceries, meals, and unexpected expenses that pile up during long days of treatment.
And we’re still collecting.
There’s still time to give, and every single card makes a difference.
Most helpful gift cards:
• Target
• Walmart
• Amazon
• Visa/Mastercard
• Gas cards
Gift cards can be mailed to:
Logan Strong Foundation
PO Box 2168
Scotia, NY 12302
You can also send digital gift cards if that’s easier.
Next year, when Logan turns 10 and hits double digits, we’ll go big.
But this year was about closeness, comfort, and celebrating him in the simple, joyful way that feels most like Logan.
Looking Ahead
As we head into this next year, I can’t help but think about everything Logan has ahead of him — and everything he’s already shown us he’s capable of. This kid wakes up every day and reminds me what determination actually looks like. He does things in his own time, in his own way, and somehow always manages to surprise us.
He still loves all the things that make him smile the biggest —
balloons (always), Pete the Cat, music, bubbles, racecars, swimming, running, and having the freedom to move and explore. Those little joys are his world, and honestly, they’re where he learns the most. They’re his comfort, his happy place, and his motivation.
Looking ahead, our focus is really simple:
keep building on the momentum he already has.
No pressure. No forcing. Just guiding him as he grows.
We’re excited to keep working on:
• strengthening his communication
• building even more independence with his daily routines
• supporting him on the big bus and new school experiences
• encouraging social moments when he’s ready for them
• expanding his sensory comfort and tolerance
• continuing to follow up with his medical team now that we’re in a new season without the G-tube
• letting him explore the world on his terms and celebrating every win along the way
Nine years ago, we had no idea what any of this would look like. Everything felt uncertain, and the road ahead was filled with so many “what ifs.” Now, when I look at Logan, I see a little boy who’s growing, thriving, and proving every single day that he is stronger — and more determined — than anyone ever gave him credit for.
He learns at his own pace.
He shines in his own way.
And he leads with a heart that is bigger and braver than I can put into words.
We are so incredibly proud of him — not just for the milestones he hits, but for the way he keeps showing up every day with joy, resilience, and the kind of spirit that keeps us all going. Happy 9th Birthday, Logan.
You are everything your name stands for — Logan Strong, through and through.
