This weekend Caroline is at grandma's and pop's house getting some much needed one-on-one attention and a special 5th birthday celebration. Happy Birthday Caroline!!!
Down one child for the evening, Abby (7 yrs old) wanted to have some special one-on-one time for herself with me. I offered several suggestions, but Abby was emphatic that she wanted to go to the mall to go shopping. Is this the same child that I CLEARLY remember having temper trantrums when we went shopping? I don't mean the mini-tantrums. I mean the intense long-lasting kind of tantrums that you end up carrying the horizontal screaming child out to the car while all the strangers shake their heads and make the 'tsk tsk' noises at you. Ok, in fairness to Abby, those tantrums were years ago, but still, what a transformation!
Abby is now a young lady. More often than not she's funny and hip and a little bit sassy (in a good way) and now...wants to shop! I'm a little torn by the shopping. On one hand, the green environmental scientist in me wants to teach her to conservation and a deep appreciation of natural resources. On the other hand, it's been so long since I've had a pleasurable shopping experience...
So, we went shopping (window shopping) at our local mall, which happens to be the King of Prussia Mall, the largest mall on the East Coast. For the most part, I let Abby decide where to go. She had some interesting choices and it was fun to join her. We ended up at Pottery Barn Kids (for toys), the toy store (for more toys), the kid hair cut place (for toys and a sword fight), Eddie Bauer (mom's choice), the Lego store (Legos), Claire's (head bands), Build-A-Bear (stuffed toys), and Godiva Chocolates (also my choice). Whew! I'm glad Abby was toy-focused and not ready to try on fashions. I don't want her to grow up too fast!!
At the end of the excursion, I purhased Abby one luscious piece of Godiva chocolate right from the display case. This was necessary in order to carry on the family tradition. When my mom and I went shopping, she would buy me a single piece of chocolate (unless a 3 piece minimum was required) at the end of our trips. Abby had never had "gourmet" chocolate before and I taught her to savor it appropriately. (I have since learned that Godiva chocolates have food dye in them, so I'm going to have to think about whether or not to continue this tradition in light of the whole petroleum thing. What to do??)
Overall, the shopping trip was delightful! Abby didn't whine to buy anything. We simply walked, played, and chatted uninterrupted for hours and got a little exercise to boot.
I think I have found a new shopping buddy!!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tasty Petroleum?
I've been doing a lot of contemplating about my (almost) 5-year old's behavior of late. She's been short-tempered and unbearably whiny and argumentative. It seems as though her normal state of being is "irritated", and I'd like to reset that back to "happy". If I can't get to "happy", I'll settle for "neutral" or just plain "silent". Her almost constant demands and level of irritability are affecting the whole family, particularly me since I have to deal with her for the whole day and for Ben who receives the brunt of her aggressive behavior.
We've undergone a lot of changes over the past few months due to the house move. So, I had been attributing her behavior to these changes, and so we've been focusing on really getting her settled into her new room (hence the construction of the bedroom furniture, etc.). I had also worried/considered that her behavior was some kind of serious psychological disorder that is only beginning to manifest itself.
A third possiblity came to light over the weekend, at Chuck-E-Cheese's of all places. While my oldest daughter was getting over-stimulated with arcade games, sugar, puppet shows, TV, music, and pizza, I found out that one of her classmates has a high level of sensitivity to food dyes, such as Red 40. I've been doing a little reading about Red 40 and other food dyes. Scary stuff. Red 40 is derived from petroleum. PETROLEUM!
Based on studies in the EU, the chemicals used to dye food can cause a small, but measurable, percentage of children to be angry, hyperactive, or exhibit other psychological effects. These chemicals are now banned from food in many European countries. The US FDA has not banned these chemicals in food. Lovely.
So, I am now running an experiment to see whether Caroline's behavior will improve with the removal of food dyes from her diet, focusing on the main player Red 40.
Although I thought I was doing a fairly good job of feeding the kids whole foods and natural foods and limiting sugar intake, it is tough to limit these things outside the home. Also, I had never specifically focused on food dyes inside our pantry. It is frightening how many things they crop up in. So, for the past week we've avoided Fruity Cheerios, Dum-Dum Lollipops (at the bank), Sprinkled donuts (at donuts with dad at preschool), and lots of other things. All these "no's" require some explanation, but Caroline has been cooperative so far.
It's too early to say if food dyes negatively affect Caroline, and we might never really know since it's a subjective test anyway. But, preliminarily, Caroline seems more under control. I think. Maybe it's just my perception that has changed. Who knows. Regardless, things are a little better. And that is good.
Caroline is off to Grandma and Pop-Pop's this weekend to celebrate birthday #5, and I've nixed Red Velvet Cake. Caroline really wanted pink icing for the cake, so I found a brand of natural vegetable food dyes that use beets (red), red cabbage (blue), and a spice (yellow). After talking with Grandma about my concerns, she's on board with the no food dye experiment.
Regardless of the outcome of the study. We are officially finished with food dyes at the house. No more tasty petroleum here.
We've undergone a lot of changes over the past few months due to the house move. So, I had been attributing her behavior to these changes, and so we've been focusing on really getting her settled into her new room (hence the construction of the bedroom furniture, etc.). I had also worried/considered that her behavior was some kind of serious psychological disorder that is only beginning to manifest itself.
A third possiblity came to light over the weekend, at Chuck-E-Cheese's of all places. While my oldest daughter was getting over-stimulated with arcade games, sugar, puppet shows, TV, music, and pizza, I found out that one of her classmates has a high level of sensitivity to food dyes, such as Red 40. I've been doing a little reading about Red 40 and other food dyes. Scary stuff. Red 40 is derived from petroleum. PETROLEUM!
Based on studies in the EU, the chemicals used to dye food can cause a small, but measurable, percentage of children to be angry, hyperactive, or exhibit other psychological effects. These chemicals are now banned from food in many European countries. The US FDA has not banned these chemicals in food. Lovely.
So, I am now running an experiment to see whether Caroline's behavior will improve with the removal of food dyes from her diet, focusing on the main player Red 40.
Although I thought I was doing a fairly good job of feeding the kids whole foods and natural foods and limiting sugar intake, it is tough to limit these things outside the home. Also, I had never specifically focused on food dyes inside our pantry. It is frightening how many things they crop up in. So, for the past week we've avoided Fruity Cheerios, Dum-Dum Lollipops (at the bank), Sprinkled donuts (at donuts with dad at preschool), and lots of other things. All these "no's" require some explanation, but Caroline has been cooperative so far.
It's too early to say if food dyes negatively affect Caroline, and we might never really know since it's a subjective test anyway. But, preliminarily, Caroline seems more under control. I think. Maybe it's just my perception that has changed. Who knows. Regardless, things are a little better. And that is good.
Caroline is off to Grandma and Pop-Pop's this weekend to celebrate birthday #5, and I've nixed Red Velvet Cake. Caroline really wanted pink icing for the cake, so I found a brand of natural vegetable food dyes that use beets (red), red cabbage (blue), and a spice (yellow). After talking with Grandma about my concerns, she's on board with the no food dye experiment.
Regardless of the outcome of the study. We are officially finished with food dyes at the house. No more tasty petroleum here.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Vertical Extremes
Over this past weekend, Scott and I enjoyed our first date together since October. With all the packing and unpacking, pre- and post-home sale projects, head lice (ick!!), holidays, and meetings, we hadn't had a single date in 3+ months. Pathetic! It had been so long since we had been out together we couldn't remember what our options were for dates. Remind me again, what do adult people do for fun?
Although we seriously contemplated sofa shopping (also pathetic!), Scott suggested doing "something active" since going to a movie would likely result in a $15/person nap. I thought it might be cool to go indoor rock climbing at the local rock gym called VERTICAL EXTREME (). Although Scott wasn't initally sold on the idea, he agreed, and we ended up having a really fun (and active!) time, followed by dinner at Bucca di Beppo. Since we're so out of practice on dating, we had forgotten that you have to make reservations for dinner on Saturday nights, but we were more than happy to dine at the bar.
Many thanks to my parents for generously donating their Saturday for babysitting. Scott and I thoroughly enjoyed 5 consecutive child-free hours. Bliss.
I highly recommend that you give indoor rock climbing a try sometime. Saturday hours are on a drop-in basis, and the staff gives you a full introduction to the using the ropes and belaying. You get a two-week free membership with the introductory visit, so we're planning to go back and try this activity with the kids and see how they do. I figure they are so good at climbing on the furniture and playground that they might really like it.
Although we seriously contemplated sofa shopping (also pathetic!), Scott suggested doing "something active" since going to a movie would likely result in a $15/person nap. I thought it might be cool to go indoor rock climbing at the local rock gym called VERTICAL EXTREME (). Although Scott wasn't initally sold on the idea, he agreed, and we ended up having a really fun (and active!) time, followed by dinner at Bucca di Beppo. Since we're so out of practice on dating, we had forgotten that you have to make reservations for dinner on Saturday nights, but we were more than happy to dine at the bar.
Many thanks to my parents for generously donating their Saturday for babysitting. Scott and I thoroughly enjoyed 5 consecutive child-free hours. Bliss.
I highly recommend that you give indoor rock climbing a try sometime. Saturday hours are on a drop-in basis, and the staff gives you a full introduction to the using the ropes and belaying. You get a two-week free membership with the introductory visit, so we're planning to go back and try this activity with the kids and see how they do. I figure they are so good at climbing on the furniture and playground that they might really like it.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Comfort Cake
Sometimes you just want some good old fashioned comfort food, you know? I'm not a beef stew or a chicken and dumplings kind of girl. I like cake. Carrot cake. Made from scratch with the all-important cream cheese icing to top it off. Yum yum yum.
I like my carrot cake without raisins or pineapple or coconut added, in order to keep the scales tipped firmly on the cake side. (Of course, I'll eat carrot cake with all the other things added into it. Why not, right?)
As I finished my last luscious bite of afternoon dessert (snuck while my little ones are upstairs) Ben wandered downstairs still warm and groggy from a nice nap. I love post-nap babies. Warm and rosy and ready for a snuggle. I wouldn't have said this a few hours ago, but now that I've had my comfort food and my comfort baby, sometimes it's good to be at home.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Storytime Library
Ben and I are attending storytime at the library on Wednesday mornings. We started last week, so today was storytime #2. This is my very first official activity with Ben, and I like that it is just Ben and me and no siblings. I enjoy watching him interact with the other little kids, including his buddies from our bus stop. This is my first storytime session taking a single child. Wow. It is so much easier and enjoyable than in previous years. I smile sympathetically at the ladies with a 2-year old and a baby in tow, but secretly think, "Ha! I made it through that stage already!"
Now that I can actually concentrate during storytime, I realized that that the storytime experience is probably somewhat helpful to get Ben ready for preschool. When our storyteller, Mrs. Meachen, began to read the books last week, Ben clearly wanted to hop into her lap and settle in for the story. He looked confused and even a little distraught when directed to the floor to listen. Apparently group listening is an acquired skill. Ben's compromise: sit on the floor but keep hand on Mrs. Meachen's knee. Although I melt when little kids touch/pat you with their hands, I hope Mrs. Meachen doesn't mind too much. Actually I doubt she has noticed since storytime is more like bedlam since all the kids have a 20-second attention span. Mrs. Meachen never seems phased by all the craziness, though. I wish I were that unflappable.
Now that I can actually concentrate during storytime, I realized that that the storytime experience is probably somewhat helpful to get Ben ready for preschool. When our storyteller, Mrs. Meachen, began to read the books last week, Ben clearly wanted to hop into her lap and settle in for the story. He looked confused and even a little distraught when directed to the floor to listen. Apparently group listening is an acquired skill. Ben's compromise: sit on the floor but keep hand on Mrs. Meachen's knee. Although I melt when little kids touch/pat you with their hands, I hope Mrs. Meachen doesn't mind too much. Actually I doubt she has noticed since storytime is more like bedlam since all the kids have a 20-second attention span. Mrs. Meachen never seems phased by all the craziness, though. I wish I were that unflappable.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Namaste
Ah, Tuesday. Yoga day. I started taking yoga once per week in December 2008 and I completely love it. I am not spectacularly flexible or strong or well-balanced, so I have to really concentrate just on yoga for entire 75-minute class. This means I am not concentrating on my "to do list", my children, or whatever other thoughts are cluttering my mind. Also, yoga is delightfully quiet. There is some quiet yoga music in the background, but mostly I listen to the sound of my own breathing. I think the quiet in my mind is just as or more important to me as the actual exercises. I leave class tired and mentally refreshed.
This peaceful feeling lasts a minimum of 15 minutes (when I pick-up my 2-year old from the gym day care) to a maximum of 45 minutes (when I pick-up my 4-year old from preschool). It's totally worth it.
Namaste to you. (meaning "I honor the light within you.")
This peaceful feeling lasts a minimum of 15 minutes (when I pick-up my 2-year old from the gym day care) to a maximum of 45 minutes (when I pick-up my 4-year old from preschool). It's totally worth it.
Namaste to you. (meaning "I honor the light within you.")
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Construction and Robots
This weekend we built a new twin-sized bed for our middle daughter Caroline, who had been sleeping in a toddler-sized bed. I must admit, we (mostly me) spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find just the right bed and dresser combination. I always feel a little bad for Caroline who has hand-me-down everything. Even though this is completely a normal thing for a younger sibling, I thought this is the chance to find her something special that is just for her. I spent hours and hours looking at beds online, in catalogs, at stores, etc. etc., to find just the right furniture for her.
It turns out that furniture is surprisingly expensive, especially children's furniture, and a lot of it is kind of ugly. I wanted something with clean timeless lines, but still on the feminine side. I also wanted the furniture to not be too "kidsy" so I don't feel the need to replace it when she gets older. Although I almost bought some "real" (i.e., solid wood) furniture from a Young America dealer, I decided to go with the IKEA Hemnes line: a white daybed, double dresser, and dressing table.
After agonizing over the furniture decision, after all the shopping, and after the much-anticipated construction, I really thought Caroline would be excited about the new furniture. At the big unveiling Caroline was hysterical because Abby might touch her Polly Pockets, and "could I please get Ben out of my room". I wasn't expecting to be showered with thanks, but a little smile would have been nice. Oh well. Clearly after 7 years of parenting, my expectations are still too high. Back to teaching gratitude....
Although I still need to assemble the the dressing table, the bed and dresser are already in use. I may still replace the black stone knobs that come with the kit with some pink faux-crystal knobs to make it a little more "girly", but I liked how everything turned out and I really enjoyed the price.
As an aside, I must admit that love assembling IKEA furniture. There is something very satisfying about building things, even from a kit with pre-drilled holes. It was an extra challenging project since we got so much "help" sorting and re-arranging all the hardware from our kids.
Ben, our baby (at 2 1/2) happily received Caroline's toddler bed, and he was ecstatic about the some new robot-themed bedding. He was emphatic that he no longer wanted to sleep in the crib.
So, on Saturday night Ben slept in the "big boy robot bed" and the crib has been cast aside, just another piece of baby paraphernalia that we no longer need. I thought I would get a little teary about the idea of no longer having a baby, but that did not happen. I am happy to have an adorable little boy and not a baby. I like that he can talk to me and laugh with me and tell horrible knock-knock jokes. I love that he calls me a "sweetie pie" and "his favorite, favorite mommy in the whole wide world". I do not miss nighttime feedings and baby spoons and spit-up. I really like toddler-sized Ben.
(I am not ready to give up footed sleeper and sippy cups yet or board books and Little People toys, but perhaps the next milestone will be the end of diapers? Dare I hope?)
It turns out that furniture is surprisingly expensive, especially children's furniture, and a lot of it is kind of ugly. I wanted something with clean timeless lines, but still on the feminine side. I also wanted the furniture to not be too "kidsy" so I don't feel the need to replace it when she gets older. Although I almost bought some "real" (i.e., solid wood) furniture from a Young America dealer, I decided to go with the IKEA Hemnes line: a white daybed, double dresser, and dressing table.
After agonizing over the furniture decision, after all the shopping, and after the much-anticipated construction, I really thought Caroline would be excited about the new furniture. At the big unveiling Caroline was hysterical because Abby might touch her Polly Pockets, and "could I please get Ben out of my room". I wasn't expecting to be showered with thanks, but a little smile would have been nice. Oh well. Clearly after 7 years of parenting, my expectations are still too high. Back to teaching gratitude....
Although I still need to assemble the the dressing table, the bed and dresser are already in use. I may still replace the black stone knobs that come with the kit with some pink faux-crystal knobs to make it a little more "girly", but I liked how everything turned out and I really enjoyed the price.
As an aside, I must admit that love assembling IKEA furniture. There is something very satisfying about building things, even from a kit with pre-drilled holes. It was an extra challenging project since we got so much "help" sorting and re-arranging all the hardware from our kids.
Ben, our baby (at 2 1/2) happily received Caroline's toddler bed, and he was ecstatic about the some new robot-themed bedding. He was emphatic that he no longer wanted to sleep in the crib.
So, on Saturday night Ben slept in the "big boy robot bed" and the crib has been cast aside, just another piece of baby paraphernalia that we no longer need. I thought I would get a little teary about the idea of no longer having a baby, but that did not happen. I am happy to have an adorable little boy and not a baby. I like that he can talk to me and laugh with me and tell horrible knock-knock jokes. I love that he calls me a "sweetie pie" and "his favorite, favorite mommy in the whole wide world". I do not miss nighttime feedings and baby spoons and spit-up. I really like toddler-sized Ben.
(I am not ready to give up footed sleeper and sippy cups yet or board books and Little People toys, but perhaps the next milestone will be the end of diapers? Dare I hope?)
Friday, January 15, 2010
7-Year Old Wisdom
My 7-year old daughter mentioned a few days ago that when she spends time with my husband and me she feels like an adult, and when she plays with her sister and brother she feels like a little kid. I asked her if she liked getting to be two different people, and she replied that she did indeed "REALLY like it because she could try out EVERYTHING".
I mulled over our conversation, and it occurred to me that I am always "the mom" and never my pre-child self who was passionate and curious and intense. I wanted to read everything, travel everywhere, and try almost anything. I'd like to reclaim a bit of my old self, I think. I miss her.
Since traveling anywhere is probably out of the question for the time being, at least enjoyable traveling, and reading is tough since I get interrupted at two-minute intervals....
[ironically am taking a typing pause to transform a helicopter into a "good guy" robot for 2-year old]
...perhaps I can reclaim a little of my old self here. I hope to carve out a few minutes each day to record my thoughts. To start these might be limited to comments on recipes or discussions about my children, but maybe just maybe I'll find a little bit of the old CC in here too. So here goes!
I mulled over our conversation, and it occurred to me that I am always "the mom" and never my pre-child self who was passionate and curious and intense. I wanted to read everything, travel everywhere, and try almost anything. I'd like to reclaim a bit of my old self, I think. I miss her.
Since traveling anywhere is probably out of the question for the time being, at least enjoyable traveling, and reading is tough since I get interrupted at two-minute intervals....
[ironically am taking a typing pause to transform a helicopter into a "good guy" robot for 2-year old]
...perhaps I can reclaim a little of my old self here. I hope to carve out a few minutes each day to record my thoughts. To start these might be limited to comments on recipes or discussions about my children, but maybe just maybe I'll find a little bit of the old CC in here too. So here goes!
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