First grade check in

First grade is going MUCH better than kindergarten. Must be because B is just so smart and advanced ;)

Today, the teacher put on some music while the kids were doing their work. And the teacher reported to us that:

"B does a great B.B. King impression!" and urged him to bust it out.

He finally did at dinner, and he does an AMAZING B.B. King impression.

I'm not sure what it had to do with math class, but I love this teacher already.

15 Summer Boredom Busters

School ends this week and I’m already scrambling for things to do with my kiddos that do not involve screens – limiting tv/video games/computer time is the goal this summer. But its daunting. Here’s a list of some of the best things I’ve found to do in the past – PLEASE share any ideas you may have too!!

1.       Scavenger Hunts. These are great for kids learning to read and with energy to burn (which sums up my 6 year old!). And the beauty? You can make a new one on a regular basis. Outside you can choose nature items (a green leaf, a small twig, a purple flower, pink rock) or if its raining – make one for the house (a green piece of paper, a lego girl, blue crayon, and a napkin). You can even make one for the car to entertain while on errands (a red car, billboard, gas station, fire truck, moving van). These things are endless. Grab some “prizes” from the Target $1 bins and let them go!

2.       Make art! will fully admit that a lot of times, I do not allow paint out often. But its summer, do it outside! Get some canvases from the art store, washable fingerpaints and throw on the bathing suits (or just a diaper for the younger set) and let them go nuts. You’ll be amazed what they make. And what you’re left with to hang in your home – we did this before and I’ve had people ask where they can BUY prints from the artist hanging in the hallway. My six year old has “commissioned” works for people as a result! Best part? When you’re done – hose those kids down. They’ll think its hilarious.

3.       Playdoh. Yeah, it falls in with the same rules as paint most of the year, but again, it summer – take it outside. We all know what happens when we push the square shape into the playdoh, boring. But what if you press a stick in it? Or a funny shaped rock? Or a leaf? Encourage the kids to sculpt things they see, or things they don’t. Imagining far off adventures in the backyard is good for the soul!

4.       Wash your car. This serves two purposes: your car is clean and your kids are happily excited. For as long as I can recall, my son has loved washing cars. If you throw him a couple of bucks for helping, it teaches him to work for something – which I love!!! But beyond that, letting him play in the sudsy water, rub a big ‘ol messy sponge on the car, and let it (and him) get sprayed down with the hose is tons of fun. Our neighbors probably can’t figure out why I “obsess” about the car…but really I’m just entertaining the kid!

5.       Water your lawn. Same thing as the car. Set that sprinkler up and show those kids how its done. The sprinkler outranks the kiddy pool and slip and slide at our house. There’s something extra free about using your dad’s sprinkler to have the time of your life running around like a fool in the yard. You can twirl, roll, kick, and run with all your might – everything a kid likes to do. BONUS POINTS: put your insecurities or whatever away and get in that sprinkler. The kids will be talking about it for days. You’re making memories here people!

6.       Go to the library. It’s free people. Most libraries have summer reading programs (we’ve earned more silly little toys the last few summers!), this is great for many reasons. First, it keeps the kids entertained without breaking your bank. There is no shortage on entertainment in books. Secondly, it keeps their skills up for the school year. At some point they DO go back to school and it’d be nice if they remember SOME of what they learned the previous year. Lastly, you’re giving them a lifelong gift. Reading is power and reading is important to get where you want to be in life. Plant that seed young. Grab yourself a book, set the example. Create a cozy reading spot and time in the house for some daily quiet time for EVERYONE to enjoy.

7.       Google your city. Our city is full of things that are free for kids to check out. Art fairs, festivals, children’s concerts, park parties, story hours, and many other things. We wandered a free Civil War camp reenactment two years back and our six year old STILL talks about that and remembers things. Keep those little brains going!

 

8.       Go old school. Remember being a kid and playing games outside all day in the summers? We had limited options really, but kids now days aren’t as isolated. Remember back to being a kid and invite some friends over to join in some old school fun. Ever play kick the can? Capture the Flag? Red Rover? Hopscotch? Leap Frog? Duck Duck Goose? Red Light, Green Light? Mother May I? Simon Says? I bet most of your kids haven’t. Heck, reading that list, my kids don’t even know all of those. Show them how it’s done!

9.       Celebrate something silly. There’s a million places to find wacky holidays that really exist, so live it up. July 7 is ice cream cone day – make an ice cream bar! June 20 is juggling day. Give it whirl – just don’t get discouraged. July 19 is New Friends Day – head to the park with one goal in mind: MAKE A FRIEND! There’s plenty of sites to check out (here’s one example: http://www.squidoo.com/365holidays) but make any day special.

10.   Make summer bucket list. Sometimes, your kids are the best ones at coming up with things they want to do. And often times, they’ll shock you. Some goals my son has made in the past? Be able to ride his bike to Grandma’s house (she lives 1 mile away), learn to whistle, learn to snap his fingers, and see a bird’s nest. Really? I’m freaking out about how to afford 800 lessons, trips, play dates, and other things and THIS is what you want to do? I love it. We’ve done it all. I’m excited for this year’s list!

11.   Hit up the Farmer’s Market. Between the people watching and all of the new sights and smells, your kids will be entertained. You’ll be able to find some fresh fruits and veggies to fill their bellies too! AND they might just be more willing to eat it if they were a part of getting it. Worth a shot, right?

12.   Make fort. Indoors or outdoors, forts rock. You can read in there, play in there, draw pictures, take a nap, eat your lunch – and pretend all sorts of fantastic things. You’d be amazed how far a couple of chairs and a sheet can take your kids.

13.   Play board games. We love board games at our house but from what I’ve seen visiting friends some of that is getting lost. Makes me sad. Spruce up your collection. Our favorites include Phineas and Ferb, Sorry, Connect Four, ISpy, and Chutes and Ladders. Not only are the kid entertained but they’ll start talking. Again, the memories and relationship you’re building over a couple of dice is priceless.

14.   Bake something awesome. My son loves to flip through my cookbooks (usually the ones involving cakes or cookies) and picking out something to bake. He loves going to the store to carefully choose his ingredients, then puts on his apron and helps measure, stir, and prep everything. The oven is my domain, but he’s ready to share whatever he’s made and is always very proud to see his final work.

15.   Have a picnic. Go all out. Pack sandwiches, some light sides, desserts, and drinks. Spread out the blanket and enjoy an old fashioned picnic. Some menu ideas: turkey and cheese sandwiches, sunbutter sandwiches (I’m sure some of you can do peanut butter), crackers, grapes, apples, strawberries, popcorn, watermelon, cookies, and whatever other goodies your kids love. Change things up and keep them entertained.

There’s some things to get you started. Really, just use your imagination. Kids are simple. They want to have fun, they want to be a part of things, and they want to be with you. Notice I did not say anything about making time to check your facebook, email, words with friends, or whatever other silly games you play. Save that for nap time or bed time.

You’ve got three short, precious months to enjoy your kids at the ages they are. No second chances. Think outside the box, get a little crazy, and enjoy every last bit of it. And if you have other ideas – please share!! I gotta get through a whole summer too!!!

NO SCHMUCKS!

Experienced something new this week. Grounding. Not a new concept to me, but this time around I’m the parent.

It’s weird on this end.

As I recall from my childhood, my mother liked grounding kids. She greatly enjoyed watching our eyes swell with tears as our guilty little lips quivered after being caught doing something that could be chalked up as childhood curiosity, but was still wrong. Seeing our little shoulders slump as we stared at the ground and listened to our simple world of playing with friends and watching tv before bed be shattered before us. And once we were crying, I’m sure she felt a true sense of happiness and fulfillment.

That’s what I got from this process as a kid. That and the fact that she was always over reacting and I never did anything wrong.

Then I had kids. And my oldest, at age 6, did something that was naughtier than what a simple time out could fix. I’ll spare the details (he could Google this at some point and not want his mother sharing his childhood follies in complete details). I had to ground him. Half an hour earlier bedtime and no DS for 4 days. Sounded great in theory. It was hard to say it to him. Then after he went to bed in tears, I sat there fighting back tears. I felt like the meanest, most unfair, horrible mother ever. I took away 30 minutes of his play time. His play time WITH ME. And he doesn’t play the DS often, but it’s the one thing in life he loves to play with more than anything…

Mothers do not like grounding. They might hate it more than the kids. I am not happy or fulfilled. I am sad and full of guilt. I’m not up at night playing his games and laughing at his fate. I’m praying all night that he can just be perfect during this time so I don’t have to extend this. I think that might kill me. I honestly think that grounding my kid is the hardest thing I’ve done since giving birth to him.

All I really want to do is go tell him nevermind and give him a new game as a peace offering for how mean I am. But I know, that’s not what he needs. He’s got friends. He needs his mother to guide him and lead him, even when the path is hard for us both. I repeat this mantra in my head: “I will not raise a schmuck, I will not raise a schmuck…” and it’s gotten us through. I just hope someday he’ll see that punishing him is my least favorite thing of all with being a parent.

Stand strong Mommas. Be firm but love your kids. We can all do this and raise nice boys. The kind of boys we want our daughters marrying.

And I’m sorry Mom, you’re not evil and I’m guessing the same feelings and thoughts went through your head too. Thanks though, I got the message and I’m glad I’m not a schmuck.

Blood, tears, and ice cream

How are you doing with your Bible?? I’m working on it. Done in 90 days? No. But I’m not giving up – and that’s the point. I’ve started this before and never made it. I get through about a chapter a day and that’s good for me. Fifteen to twenty minutes of good for your soul time each day. I’m still recommending it to everyone! Get on it! You’ll thank me! Or at least think about it.

My blogging hasn’t improved but work has been busy. And school. And my kids have been funneling illnesses and injuries through this house faster than I can keep up (I am begging the pediatrician to start a punch card program so every 11^th visit is free).

The baby, who is no longer a baby, got her head stuck between the wall and a chair this weekend – and in the process of freeing herself since she couldn’t wait the .2 seconds it took me to get to her, she tore that little piece of skin between your gum and inside of your lip. I’m pretty sure she lost half the blood in her body and the Bounty paper towel company should add me to their Christmas list (in case my spill prone household somehow wasn’t on it already). Being the calm, cool, collected veteran momma I am – I handled it. No ER trip. I kicked it around, but we’re good (yes I checked her teeth too).

And that night, her brother (her peanut and tree nut allergic brother, I might add) ate some homemade ice cream. HOMEMADE people, as in, his mother meticulously read every label for every ingredient and let him make ice cream because “I never get to have fun ice cream – it always has peanuts.” Sadly, someone mislabeled something – or we have a new allergy. Welcome anaphylaxis (google that if you want to know the Hell we live in) and a trip to the ER. And not to mention, the sobbing little boy scared that the ice cream will kill him or that "they're going to cut me open to get the peanuts out!". He was a sobbing petrified mess, which broke his momma's heart and made for TWO sobbing messes. 

He’s fine. He’s on some meds for a few days (steroids). I’ve called and screamed at every company who SWEARS their food is safe. And I’ve made an allergist appointment to check him for something new. And for the next month, he’s back to an existence of no “fun ice cream” because we can’t be sure what the issue was.

I know that everyone wants their kids to be happy. To have what they want. And to enjoy life (and the yummy things!) but what I wish people understood is that some kids can’t. Lots of kids. And in some cases, like my son, food can be deadly. If you don’t get the big deal about peanut butter in schools and why it needs to be removed, stop and think for a minute. My son can’t have fun ice cream. He can’t eat many candies. Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies….all of that is out. Granola bars aren’t safe. Many cereals aren’t safe. I could go on.

Companies need to be more aware. I know they want to turn a buck and I know that these labeling are more of a legal hassle to most of them than anything. But its people’s lives. Kid’s lives. Food allergies are real things that real people deal with.

I’m madder than Hell at something. Either a company or an allergy. I’m frustrated that I currently cannot focus my anger at either possibility. I’m sad that the smartest, funniest, smiliest, most polite, energetic, greatest Lego builders I’ve ever known can’t have “fun ice cream” and faces the potential of death on a daily basis. It’s a lot for a kid. And his mom.

Keep your peanut butter at home. My kid just wants to make friends, have fun, and not die. He’s not asking for much.

Sneaky Veggies solve ADHD?

I'll fully admit: our six year old is a handful. His teacher deserves a very special award after this year, and we should problem prep next year's teacher well.

He's not a bad kid. But he's an excited kid. A curious kid. An energetic, implusive, active, funny, charming, mesmorizing, magnetic, leader of a kid. And did I mention he's smart? First, in a discipine situation he can and will call out your irrationalities and offer a more logical solution. Seriously. You can't flaw his logic at time. And school wise? He's reading third grade books and well beyond his class in all other subject. Execpt for keeping quiet, sitting still, and not keeping his hands to himself.

I'm sure you can imagine where the school is pushing us on this one...ADHD-ville.

I'm not going to say he doesn't have it. I don't know. But I do know that at 6, its really not possible to diagnose him. He doesn't know who he is or how he "fits" into this school. But clearly, there are some issues.

I've been doing a lot of research and I found that magnesium deficiencies can cause these symptoms. I don't know about all of you - but I was scractching my head: what gives us magnesium? As I went down a list of high magnesium foods lightbulbs started going off. The list consisted of nuts. Peanuts. Legumes that are not safe for my allergy boy (things like chick peas and legumes very close to peanuts).

Could his food allergies be hurting his ability to function? It possible. I'm on a mission to get other good veggies into him and to cut artificial colors, dyes, and unneccessary sugars. The best part? My boy is on board. He's so smart, he sees the issue, understands how food affects his body, and is gung-ho. I hope this works.

No matter how smart though, he's six. He hate broccoli, spinach, and other leafy greans that could be helpful. Basically, if its not corn, he's not interested. I've stayed strong over the years to offer other things and not "cave" to his corn - but he still wasn't GETTING those things.  So I've started working with the Deceptively Delicious cookbook by Jessica Seinfield and playing with purees. Our first attempt has gotten rave reviews, and I don't think either kid knows they're getting carrots!

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Applesauce Muffins with Carrot puree - from Deceptively Delicious

TOPPING
2/3 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 firmly packed light or dark brown sugar (I RECOMMEND DARK)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (I'd do 1 1/2-2 teaspoons next time)
2 tablesppons soft tub spread, melted

BATTER
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (I'd to 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons next time)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce (next time, I'll use natural applesauce for a little flavor)
1/2 cup non fat milk
1/2 carrot puree (could use butternut squash puree too)
1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar (I recommend dark)
1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
1 large egg

- Pre heat oven to 400, prepare 12 cup muffin tin with spary or muffin papers.

- combine topping ingredients together and mix well to crumble on top.

- Combine flour, oats, baking poweder, baking soda, and cinammon in a bowl. In another bowl, combine applesauce, milk, puree, sugar, oil, and egg. Combine with the dry ingredients - mix it up, but not too well, its going to be lumpy.

- Divide the batter between the 12 cups (I'd say about 3/4 of the way full)

- Sprinkle with the topping (do it pretty well, you'll want that crunch and flavor).

- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick is clean when poked in.

- Allow muffins to cool and serve them up!

These are great for breakfast, snacks, or on the go!


Next? Spinach in our son's BELOVED cheesy shell's recipe. Here's hoping!

Granola doesn't mean death!

I don't recall if its been mentioned but my son, who is five, has life threatening allergic reactions to any peanuts, some of their legume cousins, and tree nuts. Its a bit of a double edged sword. On one hand, these items are easy to work around in my kitchen. He used to also be allergic to dairy, eggs, soy, all legumes (I'm talking green beans, peas, etc), and cinnamon. Having outgrown most of those, working to cook without nuts and peanuts is easy.

Finding food "off the shelf" or visiting restaurants? Still sucks.

So its my mission in life to give him variety. And a semblence of normalcy. And to understand that he needs to be vigilant, but we can deal with this.

With school starting up, I wanted him to be able to take a granola bar to school with him along with his juice, sandwich, trail mix (another homemade safe recipe!) and fruit. I want options for him, not just the same old lunch every day. However, the next time you're in the granola aisle at the store - spend 45 minutes reading every box from every granola bar maker - you won't find one he can eat.

Thankfully, I'm determined :) And this was really an easy recipe.

B-Safe Granola

Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.

I'll say, cut them while they're a little warm yet - but LET THEM COOL before you move them. Seemed to break less for me. B has never had granola before and thought they were ok but could maybe use some chocolate chips. Hey, I can oblige that - the rest of them IS pretty healthy. So we're trying them again this week with chocolate chips and I'll let you know the outcome!

What's my name?

I thought that the first day of kindergarten would be the hardest. I was wrong. The second was worse. First, it was worst because I could not bring him. I could not hide around that corner and make sure it went ok. I had to let him be dropped off by my sister and then pray someone in the building found him before he accidentally passed himself off as the shortest third grader ever. I called after drop off time and my sister, a pro at this with a 1st grader in the same school, laughed about my neurotic worrying and assured me he made it to school just fine.

Then came the call at lunch.

"Mrs. P? Just calling to see why your son wasn't in school today."
"Not in school!? What do you mean NOT IN SCHOOL. He's there. Check all the rooms! HE IS THERE!"
"They have a sub and she took attendance and he's not there."

Now, its important to stop here and note that my son is a Junior, named after his dad. To save confusion (and in part because I wasn't 100% sold on the first name when he was born) we agreed to call him by his middle name. While all legal forms have his actual God-given name, he has never in his life been called or referred to by that. I used to joke that I wasn't sure he KNEW his real first name...turns out I was right.

"They have a sub? She's calling the wrong name. GO back and ask for him by his middle name..."

The secretary ran down, called out the middle name, and there was my sweet boy sitting at the table coloring a cat with all of his friends. Crisis averted. Again, never doubt the level of stress and concern your mother goes through on any given day without your knowledge.

She's freaking out over something possibly major often....and you're just coloring a cat.

Kindergarten time

I did not disappear. Again. I just got busy. I'm not airing dirty laundry for the world to see but lets just say that Jimmy Carter would be proud of the fight and negotiations that went down between my ex and I to get the boy into kindergarten.

Two and a half weeks late.

In all fairness, it would have been only two weeks, but the child decided that after 6 months of stress and headaches, it would have been too cliche if he'd just, ya know, gone to school finally. Nothing like a hospital visit and case of pneumonia to slow things down. The ER doctor looked at me like I was nuts when I requested a note saying he's honestly sick...

"You want a doctor's note for missing TWO days of kindergarten?"
"Yes, yes I do. You have no idea."

Not so sure work would have believed the luck, or lack thereof, without some actual proof either. I swear I'm not a slacker employee nor a truant mother! We just apparently broke a mirror under a ladder when that damn black cat walked in front of us. But we made it. Two and a half weeks late.

We walked him up to school, showed him around, then turned him loose to play before school started. It was magical. It was going really well. Then, like any other overprotective mother that is having a hard time letting go, I hid around the corner to watch him do the locker/classroom morning routine.

I watched him awkwardly put his coat and backpack into the locker. Then stand there, completely overwhelemed and lost. I wanted to run over and help him. But I did not. I watched him carefully start to walk one way, then stop completely unsure and walk the other way, only to stop and just look lost. My heart sank. Then it broke. He was all alone and had no idea what to do. I wanted to run over and help him. But I did not. Finally, I watched him start to slowly walk completely away from his class and around the corner. I wanted to go help him and let him know I was still there and it was ok. But I did not. I caught his teacher's attention, told her he went the wrong way and needed help. She ran to go get him and then ushered him into his class.

I had to let him do it himself. Without me. Or so he thought. Even if you can't see her or don't know she's about - never doubt the ability of your mother to look out for you, kiddo ;) And when you come home bragging to me about how well you did, how easy it was, and how you were right on top of things - know that my proud smile is secretly directed at us both.

We're growing up.