Feingold update and gymnastics

Bubby has had regular notes home from his PE teacher since kindergarten concerning his behavior. We had a different sort of note this week- a positive one!! His PE teacher said his behavior was wonderful, even better than the average child. Talk about astonishing! We have also noticed that he is much more polite and cooperative than usual and we haven't seen a melt down in weeks, whereas we typically see that several times a week. I'm convinced!

In other news, Smoochie has been asked to move to the next class up in gymnastics. She currently goes twice a week for one hour. The next class meets from 4:30 - 7:00 twice a week!! I'm not sure a 2.5 hour lesson is appropriate for a 5 1/2 year old. Not sure how we're going to handle this situation.

Big Boys and Spring Break

Last week was Sudsy's 1st birthday. I had the extended family over for dinner and cake, which I made from scratch. For the first time, ever. I even had to make the dye to get the color blue (boiled purple cabbage and baking soda, in case you're curious). He's running now and more fun every day.






I took off a day and a half off from work to spend a bit of time with the kids during spring break. We took the kids to the rodeo, had some friends over for dinner, and basically spent time together as a family unit, which is rare with hubby and I working opposite shifts. We even managed to squeeze in a date night. Hubby took the kids swimming and to the planetarium and for a picnic at the park. It has been perfect weather. If the weather was always like this, well, we couldn't afford to live here.

Good news on the Feingold front. We are starting to see improvements. Nothing too dramatic, but definite progress. We have all messed things up more than once, so it is still a learning experience.

Feingold, day 2

I am starting to feel a bit more in control. I have lists of meals and snacks that I think the kids will eat. I have baked the birthday cake for Sudsy, bread for sandwiches, pumpkin bread for snacks, made the 'untomato' sauce and ketchup and stocked the pantry and frig full of 'safe foods'. The kids always ask if it is legal before they eat something.

I have started a list that includes the exact foods that are approved and which stores carry it. This is hard earned knowledge. I spent half the weekend grocery shopping, the other half cooking, and the third half cleaning up the mess I made from the first two activities. Yes, I realize that is three halves. It was a long weekend.

Thursday is Sudsy's first birthday!! Last week he decided to take his first steps and it was in the evening and we were all home to witness it and video tape. I can't believe how fast this year has passed. We're having a family party Thursday evening to celebrate. We are so fortunate to have this sweet, fun baby in our lives.

I don't get it

I do not understand our education system. The entire 'health' of the school is placed on one stupid test- TAKS. Bubby's in 3rd grade and this is the grade the kids get tested. For months, they have been talking about the TAKS test, taking practice tests, doing absolutely nothing except teaching to the test. They send home a 4 page instruction sheet on what to do to and what not to do in order to prepare for the test. The entire earth stops it's rotation just so the kids can take the test.

Today is the test day. We follow the instructions and send our child to bed early to make sure he gets a full night's rest. We plan to skip the morning run and have a healthy breakfast agreed upon. My alarm goes off this morning and guess who appears right outside my door, fully dressed. He woke up in the middle of the night and could not go back to sleep because he was worried about the test today.