Ok, so its obviously been a LONG time since I've posted to my blog. But I have some new motivation to start again!

We are officially starting on the Feingold Diet!!

What is this crazy thing, you say? No, its not related to WI past senator, Russ.

It's a diet where we try to remove all artificial colors and flavorings from our food.

We've noticed the kids are acting very hyper lately. Ray's been getting bad reports home from school :( He's too fidgety, chewing on pencils, not listening, and doing other 'non-typical' things (that was said by his teacher as his last conference).

So we ordered online materials to help us understand what foods are good and what are bad. The first phase also eliminates natural salicylates (go look it up as I still don't know what it means!).

Anyway, we did a meal plan starting on Sunday. Are packing the kids lunches daily and are sticking to the 'allowed' foods list.

Today (Thursday), I get an email from Ray's teacher that she could see a big difference in his behavior today. He listened and sat nicely all day! What!?! Really?!? Already!?!

Could it be working.. or am I too hopeful too early.

We'll keep you posted..

We had a busy Easter this year. Maria had full days of school both Friday and Monday, so we were unable to stay longer than a normal weekend, which is nice to do over Easter so we don't have to leave early from the festivities, but oh well..
We made it home Friday and went out to Fish Fry with Mom. Then down to Dave's folks for a short visit (since they left the next day for a trip).
Saturday was beautiful weather! We were outside almost all day. We played in the backyard, helped with yardwork and went for a walk.
On Sunday, the Easter Bunny found us at Grandma's and the kids found their baskets and presents. Maria was up early and had looked thru the house twice without finding either of her things.. but with the help of Ray later, they were successfully found :) Greta found her basket right away as it was under the phone table. She saw it and started laughing.
Next was church.
Then off to Mary's for lunch. It was great to see everyone again. Missed Molly, but will have to catch up with her some other time :(
Then back to Mom's to pack and visit with her side of the family. Great to see the babies.. they grow so much in just a few weeks. How I remember when mine would just lay on their blankets and weren't mobile yet.. but it comes quickly.
Then back home.. long day, but fun!

Busy week

We have a really busy week this week... There is something going on every night. Most nights we have multiple things and are trying to juggle.. still not sure how we are getting Ray to his pictures and Dave to his meeting while still fitting in dinner tonight.

Thankful nothing is planned for Saturday and we can hopefully veg out!

Raymond is 5

I can't believe he's already 5!!

I remember my surprise to learn I'd had a boy. I said "I can't believe it. I have a son!".

We love you so much Ray!!!
Happy Birthday!

Fun Weekend

We had a really fun family-oriented weekend!
On Saturday we went to the YMCA and went swimming. We were there for a while and then the Hull's joined us. The kids had fun. Greta loves the water. There is a little duck slide for the toddlers and she kept going on it, again and again. She even puts her face in the water in an attempt to blow bubbles.
On Sunday, we went to the Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul. It was a free Target Sponsered Day. Greta could actually get down and walk around and explore this time. She was so cute. Maria and Ray loved the part with water tubes and pretending to be ants in the ant maze.

It was a great weekend with my family!!

Jury Duty

I was summoned for Jury Duty.

I'm on the list for this week and next week. I have to call each night to see if I need to report the next morning. On Tuesday, they said I need to report on Wednesday in the afternoon. So I completely rearranged my Wednesday work schedule to be able to get some work done in the morning before going in (which meant that I had to cancel helping at Maria's school - my normal Wed. morning thing).
I called the number again around 11:30 to confirm before driving downtown and found out that it was canceled for the day. So all that rearranging for nothing.
Now I'm back in the waiting game to see if I need to report another day.. please no.. especially please not Friday because I'm planning on helping with Maria's Valentine party (to make up for Wed).

Virtual Friday

I'm so glad to not be working on Friday's. I was so burned out by the end of the day today. Probably didn't help that I had 2 presentations that I was up until midnight preparing for last night.