The Birds and the Bees

Today, Sophie, our 5-year-old, asked me how babies get in a mommy's tummy and how they come out. I didn't side step it. I gave her just enough information at the right age level. Then she asked me if she could have a little sister. I said "No." Good job Mommy!

NHRA

Saturday, Neal and his dad, Rudy, took off to the NHRA race. When the subject comes up, Neal often tells his friends, "I was way too old before I knew that race cars didn't just go in a straight line." With ear protection and sun protection they had a good day taking in the races and mingling with some of the drivers.

Neal getting Top Fuel Funny Car driver John Force to sign some pictures

Neal posing with Top Fuel Dragster driver Brandon Bernstein

 

Tory Schumacher's Top Fuel Dragster in the pits

John Force doing his burn out

 

Plano Balloon Festival 2012

The past few years, there always seems to be a wrestle between weather and launch times at the Hot Air Balloon Festival but it hasn't ended our efforts to get out and enjoy some family time.  Today, however, the gods were smiling upon us as we had perfect weather conditions despite the air quality alerts. 

We enjoyed the usual routine: picnic dinner atop a hill as we watch the skydivers descend and the balloons eventually launch, walk around the vendors and booths, settle down to watch the balloons set up again, and as darkness falls, take to the launching field and watch the "balloon glow" up close and personal.  Our family loves this event!



Lest we forget where we live.

New Opportunities to Stretch

Due to substantial growth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in our area has had to make some adjustments to accommodate the number of church goers and church building availability.  Our congregations, or wards, are determined by a geographical area.  This may seem odd to other faiths but it is beneficial in at least two ways, 1.) you really get to know the people around you and where you can help and bless the lives of others as well as receive support; 2.) there is better handle on the number of people attending so all can be seated and have classrooms available for age specific Sunday school.  With these recent boundary changes we, and a few other families, from our previous congregation have been introduced into a new one, with an earlier meeting time (a plus) and access to a closer church building (another plus). 

Every adult in the congregation is given opportunities to serve when a calling is issued by the bishop (priesthood leader over a congregation).  Neal accepted the call to serve as Sunday School President.  As such, he oversees efforts to improve gospel learning and teaching in Sunday School. He and his presidency provide orientation to new teachers/librarians and offer continued support.  He also ensures that teaching is edifying and doctrinally correct.

Keri accepted the call to serve as First Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency (over 12-17 year-old ladies).  As such, she assists and supports the President in her responsibilities; more specifically, Keri will act as a steward over the 14 and 15 year-old young women, becoming familiar with each young woman's talents, interests, and challenges.  Given this knowledge she will teach, plan and carry out weekly activities, and provide guidance to them to work on their Personal Progress (a goal setting program equal to that of an Eagle Scout).  This calling has much more time involved than other callings Keri has had in the past few years so it will stretch both her and the family.

Given our new responsibilities with the youth and Sunday school programs, we have discussed where we could be of use without biting off more than we can chew.  We know there will be challenging moments but we know our Heavenly Father will provide a way for us to accomplish what he has asked of us.  We know we will learn so much from extending ourselves that we dare not pass it up.

Additionally, with both Sophie and Rhys in the public school system, we have had several invitations to assist in that context.  After discussion, Neal has decided to participate in the WatchDOGS (Dads of Great Students) Program as his schedule allows.  WatchDOGS is the father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering that organizes fathers and father figures in order to provide positive male role models for the students and to enhance school security during the school day.

Keri has chosen to join the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) as their Healthy Lifestyles Chair.  In doing so, she will share a health based newsletter at least quarterly on the PTA website and promote the Allen Eagle 5K and Fun Run in the Spring.  This is obviously something our family is already passionate about so it is a very fine match.

There has been a lot of change in the past month with kids in school, Keri once again employed, new church callings and supporting our school community.  It is an exciting time for us.  We are grateful for the good health and capacity that we have been blessed so we may do these things.  We look forward to the growth these new experiences will provide.

It's Official!

I finally got my contract and ID card and am now an official independently contracted Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for Allen Independent School District for the 2012-2013 school year. 

Enjoyed a brief orientation with the other independent contractors and am looking forward to refreshing my knowledge and putting my skills to use.  I've already rummaged through the districts language tests and used our poor Sophie as a guinea pig (who, swimmingly, scored in the average to high average range).

The assessments that are available for me to do will come in waves but I hope it will be enough to, at least, pay for the professional dues and continuing education that it takes to remain an employable SLP.  If it pays for Rhys' preschool, that is icing on the cake.

A Little Lunchbox Love

So with both my sweet babies in school this year I embraced packing healthy and fun lunches for my kids.  I got a lot of help from a bunch of creative moms out there on the world wide web.

First, we desire to feed our children nutritious, real food to feed their minds and bodies and keep their immune systems in check.  This is something our family values and makes a priority.

Research published this year states that 1/3 of U.S. school age children are overweight or obese and 2/3 of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese.  That should infuriate us! What most of America is doing is NOT working. 

I don't believe in "kid food."  We teach them what they should eat and why.  Since when did filling our kids with processed, refined foods full of chemicals and additives become okay.  That consistent action is based on either ignorance, a true lack of concern for our children's development and happiness, or pure laziness.  And yes, I've been guilty at times.  I understand these erred practices are culturally based.  The grandma who pushes doughnut holes and Pez candy on my kids is not evil and in her mind is demonstrating generosity when doing so.  I do believe that with greater awareness, however, comes responsibility.

I have to remind myself and others that there are other ways to show love rather than with "treats" made of garbage.  Maintaining the practice of offering junk food as treats is not showing love. Especially when we know that garbage does not lead to good health, development, and overall happiness in the recipient's future. Time is really the best treat of all.  Doing something together.  That is what they really want.

Okay, stepping off the soap box and back into the lunchbox now.

Typical lunches for our kids might be:

• PB and J on multi-grain bread, cantaloupe chunks, baby carrots and bell pepper strips, water.
• Leftovers from our healthy-minded dinners, dried fruit, dry roasted edamame and peas, water.
• Kale-carrot muffin, cheese stick, applesauce, peanuts, water.
• Tofu sandwich, frozen mixed veggies (thawed by lunch), banana, water.
• Homemade frozen yogurt pop, whole grain crackers or popped corn, apple, PB dip, water.
• Roasted red pepper hummus, carrot and celery sticks, whole grain cracker, pear, water.
• Soup, whole grain crackers, orange slices, water.

Leftover Indonesian chicken rice dish, roasted red pepper hummus with baby carrots, cantaloupe chunks

Kale-carrot muffin, frozen strawberry Greek yogurt pop, hard boiled egg, roasted edamame and peas, black grapes

You get the idea.  Got a lot of inspiration from Lisa over at 100 Days of Real Food. I don't want my kids eating the food provided by the school because, although Texas seems one step up from what I saw kids eat on a daily basis in CA, I want to know what my kids are eating to the ingredients.

I package my kids food in Ziploc divided containers because it's fun, easy, BPA free, air tight from compartment to compartment, dishwasher safe, and fits well enough into my kids lunch bags.  I love them!  And Ziploc, I'm sure loves me for my endorsement.  If you do go this route, make sure the containers will fit your child's lunch bag/box before purchasing.  Rhys' drink does not make it into his lunch box on the days I use these containers, but he knows to grab it.

Also, I picked up these great silicone pop molds that fit in their containers (with a bend) as an "ice cream treat."  I fill them with yogurt and veggie/fruit smoothies.  I only do this for Sophie's lunch and Rhys gets them on his at-home days to practice squeezing and using them.

I also made some fun clothespins for to include in their lunch or as a snack.  Just a bit of paint and glue for googly eyes.  I even have a couple with different sized eyes making them extra bugged out!

For a bit more eco-friendly flair, I purchased cheap cotton fabric in patterns that interested Sophie and Rhys (Care Bears, Elmo, robots, bugs), and made 8 to 10 inch square napkins for their boxes.  Perfect size for wiping little, sticky fingers and faces.  We use them at dinner time too.

We have thermos jars and drink containers for items like soup, leftovers, and their standard beverage-water.  They got to pick them out and the containers have fun characters on them as well.

I also send a little love now and then.  Sophie thought it was great when I taped a picture of us making funny faces on the inside of her lunch box.  Sheri over at The Stir has a great list of ideas to up the fun.  I am making a trip to U.S. Toy soon to pick up just a few fun trinkets to catch them by surprise.

I feel pretty confident most mornings that my kids can have a nutritious meal for breakfast and lunch while still getting to school on time and in good spirits.   A little research and prep during the last few weeks of summer has made it a lot of fun for the kids and I, both.

Labor Day Weekend Rocked

In no particular order we spent Labor Day weekend, eating dinner out, sending Grandma Sue back to CA, attending a baptism of a family friend, Ben G., and subsequent luncheon, visiting with long-time friends, attending a minor league baseball game, attending church, putting our house, yard, and finances back in order, swimming and BBQing with new friends, and taking multiple naps.  Life is good!