Pumpkins and Hobo Gummy Bears

Yesterday was a family day, a stolen day away that I will remember and treasure forever. Over the past few months because of a sudden death or illness of someone dear I have vowed to take more time to enjoy life. Yet despite that promise one day began to blur into the next and before I knew it half of October had already come and gone. For some unknown reason, the warning bells went off in my head yesterday morning and I decided to throw caution to the wind. I decided to be spontaneous and ignore all of the mundane tasks and errands on my "to do" list. Yesterday was the day to put family first and foremost.

We spent the better part of the afternoon taking a leisurely drive through Hiram stopping along the way to pick pumpkins at Monroe Farms. The farm was absolutely amazing, a little off the beaten path but totally worth the trip. I will never forget the way the ladybugs captivated Alex or the look on Max's face while he searched for the perfect pumpkin all the while tripping over the vines like a child would trip over his shoelaces. Afterward we drove to Hiram College, our old stomping ground to soak in all of the beautiful colors.

Like so many times before we left Hiram and drove out to Sharon Pennsylvania for wings at Quaker Steak & Lube. A leisurely dinner together sharing our favorite parts of the day and telling knock knock jokes. On the way home my husband suggested we stop for a little treat. He said that we would stop and pick up the kids new favorite kind of candy to which Max replied, "we're stopping to get Hobo Gummy Bears. Yes!!" Hobo Gummy Bears (Haribo) indeed.

As I look back over our day yesterday my only regret is that we don't put our family first every week. Dishes, laundry, housework, etc. will all still be waiting for us even if we wait an extra day but magical days spent making memories with loved ones are fleeting and much to precious to waste.

Uh, Thanks!

Speaking with my mother- in- law is always interesting. She has been chosen as a first responder should a chemical/biological attack occur. Apparently she will have a kit to treat herself, my husband, kids and myself. After what seemed like an eternity for her to explain everything she took a big breath which was followed by an incredibly long awkward silence. Exactly what should one say for the possibility of a potentially life saving gift should something horrific happen? Uh, thanks!

Gluten Free, The Way To Be

Gluten Free is the way to be. Well, at least in our household. After having a love/hate relationship with my oldest son's wheat/dairy allergy for the past 4 years I've decided once again to embrace the challenges set before me. So just like the movie Julie and Julia, I've purchased more gluten free cookbooks and will be trying to make a new gluten/dairy free recipe every couple of days.

A Gluten Free diet really is a lot healthier for you and my whole family feels a lot better when we eat this way. Well, minus the dairy free part. It's probably not all that healthy for me but I feel like it's my soul mate. I just can't give up dairy.

Fortunately I've found a great new cookbook written by the Owner of the shop Baby Cakes in New York. I've tried a few recipes in the past and they were delicious. Some of the ingredients sound and smell disgusting but seem to have this perfect little symbiotic relationship going on. On the menu today was pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips. Gluten free flour, coconut oil, baking powder and soda, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, salt and pumpkin sweetened with agave nectar. My family gives them two thumbs up, even my husband who is super picky.

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

Today has been a very hard day. Alex, Max and I said goodbye to good friends that we made on Alex's first day of Kindergarten. It has been a day filled with laughter and tears. We have reminisced over fond memories of the past three years and commiserated over the pain of losing your very best friend. I am absolutely heartbroken tonight as I listen to my little boy cry himself to sleep. Who knows what the future will bring. I can only hope that life brings him another friend who shares a bond with him that is this deep.

Renovation Crazy

The insanity has begun. In order to sell our house there are several things that need to be repaired and numerous cosmetic jobs that are equally as important to entice the ever frugal homebuyer to pick our house instead of the guy on the corner.

I am happy to report that we have successfully changed the doorknobs on almost every door in our house. While this may seem like an easy task, trust me it's not. Our house was built in 1948 so when you want to replace a doorknob you have to replace the whole locking mechanism. Which is all well and good as long as you have the right tools to do it and lots of free time. Of course you might as well sand and paint the doors while they are off the hinges.

I am cautiously optimistic about our next project. We plan on laying tile in the downstairs bath, hallway and kitchen. Did I mention that we are doing it on our own and that we've never done tile work before? Oh well, we seem to have quite a few fully functioning brain cells between the two of us. I'm sure it will all work out great.

I Brought Home a Souvenir

"Mom, don't freak out. I'm o.k. but I brought home a souvenir". That's what Alex said when he came home from baseball practice early this evening. Me freak out. What would I have to freak out about other than the humongous contusion on his left hand. You know, the hand that he writes with.

Long story short, Alex got hit with a pitch while at batting practice today. Only my kid would endure the rest of the practice before telling someone how bad it was. "Hey dad, look at the souvenir I'm taking home today". Uh do we really need to explain that souvenirs are from trips not injuries sustained from playing sports? I guess we do.

Thankfully no broken bones just a nasty contusion with lots of swelling. A nice splint and rest for about a week or so and he should be good as new.

Cherry Chomper To The Rescue

Well it's that time of year again. It's cherry season. If your kids are anything like mine they love cherries. I love cherries too but not the mess of pitting them. On a lark I picked up this cute little tool called a Cherry Chomper and gave it a whirl. Now I wouldn't go pitting several pounds of cherries with it but for a fruit salad or a bowl of cherries it works quite nicely. The best part was that the kids had a lot of fun with it too.

http://www.talismandesigns.com/html/cherry%20pitter.html

They're Grrrrreat

Alex and his baseball team, The Tigers, had their opening game tonight. What a beautiful night for baseball. The kids did a great job and Alex even got a hit. What a great way to kick off the season. They're Grrrreat! Go Tigers!

Teach Your Children Well

I am a stickler for good manners. My children may be rowdy and loud but they have good manners. This is something we try to reinforce on a daily basis. Little reminders here and there about how to greet people, when to hold the door, give up their seat and to remember to say "please" and "thank you". Now and again I find great books that reinforce these concepts and recently I found two: Madeline says Merci, and Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

All Grown Up

My the time has flown by quickly. My babies are babies no more. In a little over a month Alex will be turning eight. This fall Max will be entering the hallowed halls of Kindergarten. Two small souls who still need love, encouragement and support but not nearly as much as they once did.

Just last week Max set foot in his preschool for the very last time. I must confess that it was both exciting and a little sad. I dedicated three years of my life to that school. My kids and I made wonderful friendships there and I grew as a mom. I will miss it dearly.

Now it is time to move on to bigger and better things. As I firmly believe that as one door closes another one opens. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? I don't, but I'll be waiting with anticipation.

Leprechaun Traps

It's St. Patty's Day eve and you'd think it was Christmas. My kids are beyond excited. We just finished our Leprechaun Trap along with notes for the poor trapped Irish man. Max's note was simply the word Leprechaun complete with drawing. Alex's note said the following: "Hi Leprechaun(s)! Sorry about the rough landing. How do you get so small? Who is St. Patrick? Please tell me. From, Alex"

When asked what the kids would do if they actually caught a leprechaun we got the following responses.

Alex- "I'd play with it".

Max- "I'm gonna eat em. Can I put ketchup on him?"

Kids, gotta love them.

Perspective

We have recently been dealing with a lot. My oldest son has an immune deficiency which can sit idly by for months on end and then rear its ugly head. For years we had been relatively lucky. This year though we've seen more infections, more illness and the toll it's taking on his sweet little body. He looks emaciated , each vertebrae and bone visible to the naked eye. Black circles encase his sunken eyes but his disposition is always the same. That of a sweet, old soul. He has the gentlest of spirits and a heart of gold.

Since October my poor little guy has been faced with H1N1 and many bouts of swollen tonsils. Kissing tonsils, so we've been told. A lovely name to describe something that can be extremely painful and may be creating an even greater problem, sleep apnea.

We are about to endure a sleep study, something my poor little boy is terrified of. He may be wise beyond his years but he still has the same fears of any normal seven year old. Anyway, the study will advise us what to do next, adenotonsillectomy or watchful waiting. If his numbers are moderate we've even been asked to take part in a NIH (National Institute of Health) research study which looks at the effects of sleep apnea on children. While the prospect of taking part in something so monumental is intriguing it is also anxiety provoking.

Luckily I have found that just when things start getting a little too crazy and I feel like running for the hills or a nice padded room I encounter someone or hear a story that manages to help me put things into perspective. A reality check if you will. Last week my husband told me of a woman in his office whose seven year old son has a rare form of anemia. He cannot make certain types of blood cells and requires weekly blood transfusions. His outlook is bleak. He is seven years old (the same age as my oldest son) and he is very aware that he will likely die. My heart breaks for this woman and her child. To face this harsh reality on a daily basis must be agonizing.

What I've come to realize is that our life is crazy. Our life is exhausting. Our life is filled with Dr. visits, breathing treatments, expensive tests and new diagnosis. But, our life is manageable and filled with possibilities. It's all about perspective.

Out With The Old And In With The New

We rang in the New Year Bailey style: pj's, video games, silly hats, noisemakers and Indiana Jones. A few favorite foods for luck: a doughnut (strange Pennsylvania Dutch tradition) and 12 grapes (one for each month of the year ahead). The night would not be complete without a list of favorite things, memories and wishes for the coming year.

Happy New Year! May this year be filled with good health, happiness, love and promise of great things to come.