Appreciation Time!

Every year, Stratford treats the staff (all 12 campuses) to an appreciation event.  The event switches every year, one year it will be a dinner/dance in San Francisco and the next year it will be a family picnic at Saratoga Springs.  I love having the night out in SF, but never enjoy the drive.  I have a lot of fun at the family picnic, especially now that Luke has gotten older and Saratoga Springs finally built some benches to block the steep drop into the creek that flows through the grounds.  (There was a lot of stress with Luke being active, "adventurous" and young)

This year they had a photo booth. FUN!  Todd poo poo'd my idea of a family photo shoot. Whatever.  But Luke was game.  He was on board due to funny glasses and a fireman hat.

 

Seriously, think of the expensive photographer fees we could have avoided by doing a family picture in the photo booth??

Luke had a surprisingly good day today and for the most part (most) listened and followed directions.  Only one major incident where he bolted away from me, knew he was in trouble for it and then KEPT going.  Nothing like having to have some major discipline of your kid in front of your boss(es), co-workers, etc. BUT no melt downs when it was time to go. No screaming or hitting.  I call it a success.

Lily is still sick. I'm tired of the fevers.  I thought we were done, but by the time we got home, the fever had come back.  She was a dream at the picnic, so sweet and calm the whole time.  I was astounded by my co-workers who wanted to hold her and show me a softer side from holding Lily.  I mean seriously.  Some really tough cookies who were enamored with her.  Never saw it coming. 

Minus the illness that will never leave, it was a good day.

I sure love my little boy.  We're getting to a good place.  I hope it continues.

Valentine’s Day!

Yeah, we’re going WAY back.  Not that we really did much on Valentine’s Day, but the kids received a few cards in the mail.  Lily adored/adores her doorway bouncer, so she happily chewed on her card while bouncing.

Luke kind of gets it.  I was able to bribe him to smile.

Mostly I can’t believe what a baldy Lily is in these pictures. Crazy!  Three months later, she’s filled in quite a bit. :)

SuperWhy Party!

 

SuperWhy Birthday Party!

Luke was so excited about his SuperWhy birthday party, which is a PBS show all about solving problems through reading.  For a period of time, whenever there was a problem, Luke's advice was to "look into a book." Deep.

Everything was labeled with letters - "c" was for cookies and crackers, for everyone to take to go.

I used teacher bulletin board letters to decorate the house with the alphabet.  I love this picture - Luke looks so excited and happy.  I had his shirt made on Etsy.  I do love me some Etsy.

Luke was given  a small trampoline for Christmas from his great-grandparents.  It's good for getting the bouncies out.  Sometimes, we just make him jump.  Occupational therapists recommend it for ADHD and a few other conditions that need "impact." They also recommend pushing and pulling heavy stuff around.  I love the idea of manual labor for my child's 'health.'

We attempted to have the kids make their own super hero masks.  It was eh.  The kids didn't really get behind it.  Oh wells.

Smiley Happy Baby

From February: 

Happy Lily-pie.  Nana always makes her laugh.  It is so unusual for Lily to ever be sad or grumpy or clingy.  She is so incredibly happy. All the time.  I hope that this is a personality trait that sticks around as she gets older.

Cozy time

Lily isn't so into being held by Luke, but he sure loves holding her.

"But MOM, I love her," is the immediate response after I ask him to not drag-her-squeeze-her-lay-on-her-having-her-lay-on-him, etc.

Luke wasn't feeling awesome and said Lily would make him feel better.  They both have their lovies.  Love them.

The last day in January, my first born turned five. FIVE, I TELL YOU.  Bizarre.  I still found it hard to believe.  Since it was a school day, we decided to have a small celebration that night before we celebrated at his birthday party that weekend.  I surprised him with a trip to Whole Foods for a fancy-schmancy cupcake.  He picked a big ol' chocolate cookies 'n' cream cupcake. 

Daddy sure keeps him laughing.

Blowing out the candles, making a wish!

Daddy teasing Luke, stealing his cookie.

Lily was fascinated by the exchange.

My two favorite boys.

 

 

Luke was allowed to eat 1/4 of the cupcake.  He's so funny - he was bound and determined to eat it all the next day, but completely forgot about it.  Silver lining for ADHD? He is forgetful when it counts.

Paleo-ness

So a few months ago, Todd and I started really thinking about solutions to a few problems we're having in our family.

1) I swear I will never lose this baby weight (and then some).
2) Is there a correlation (causal or otherwise) between Luke's ADHD/ODD and diet?

I started doing some research and found that there is research done on food dyes/preservatives/additives and how it can affect behavior.

Paleo diet was a possible solution.

We have been on Paleo for a few months now and we have seen quite a difference.  Paleo is fairly straightforward - eat like a caveman (paleolithic).  So no bread, legumes, dairy.  It is gluten free, grain free, etc.  Nothing processed, nothing from a box.  All fresh veggies, some fruit, nuts, fresh/wild protein: beef, chicken, lamb, pork, fish, etc.  Organic as much as possible.

Cost wise, we do what we can.  It can't always be organic, it can't always be wild, pole caught, free range, etc.  A lot of cooking. Nothing easy. Lots of dishes. I hate dishes.

I miss pasta and bread. And sandwiches and cereal. 

But I love that I don't eat as much.  I'm simply not as hungry as I used to be.  Apparently that is from refined grains.  I love that I feel better, top to bottom.

I have eaten more vegetables in the last two months than in years.  So it's a good thing.  We've been a little more flex since I had my surgery.  I am the grocery shopper, so I've been out of commission.  We've playing a little fast and loose with our meals, but we'll get back on track by next week.

The results? I've lost about 20 lbs and so has Todd.  Luke has gotten thinner and leaner (which I'm not thrilled with) but his behavior has improved.  He is aware that he is off food dyes, though we are not strict about gluten with him.  He wouldn't eat lunch otherwise - he the PB&J King.  He has gotten pretty good about knowing what he can and cannot have, though he will ask.  It's actually pretty cute.  He'll hold something up and shout, "IS THIS ALLERGIC TO ME??"  He knows that chocolate is an okay food :)

It is definitely a lifestyle change that I'm happy with, but I know I can't be without bread forever.  It will be an "occasional" food, not an all the time restriction.  Todd is a LOT closer to his goal weight.  I feel like I'm an eternity away.  But I know that I'm better than where I was.

Keep it up Bickel family! 

We have seen a huge impact