Thanks (again) to Pinterest, we have a solution! Behind the Stuido posted incredibly easy, step-by-step instructions using hot water, soap, and baking soda.

No need for me to retype Jayna’s great instructions, just hop over to her DIY post and follow the steps.

My stove was a hot mess! After the first soak, it looked alot better but still needed some love. It took letting the hot (think scalding) soapy water soak into the baking soda twice before it really cleaned up the mess, so don’t be alarmed if it looks like a little more elbow grease is in order after the first scrub. The result is well worth your time!

Happy Cleaning!

I was recently made aware of a 7-year-old girl who died at school due to a peanut reaction.  Daniella Knell, owner of Smart Allergy-Friendly Education, recently posted on AllergyKids about what many parents with allergic children feel.  She shared common anxieties for parents of children with life-threatening allergies, like a peanut allergy.  For those of you in the same boat, I wanted to share pieces of her article.  It certainly made me feel a little more “normal.”

• Will other adults in charge take his/her allergies seriously?
• Will the adults in charge see my child’s allergy as just an intolerance or sensitivity? Do they understand that ‘lactose intolerance’ is NOT the same as a ‘milk allergy’?
• Will the adults understand the difference between a mild vs. serious reaction? An itchy mouth may not mean the need for an epi-pen but multiple systemic reactions just may, ie, itchy mouth, hives, coughing or the obvious, projectile vomiting and/or labored breathing
• Will other adults be too quick to give an epi-pen? It’s always better to be safe than sorry, but these kids can be easily traumatized, especially the younger ones
• Will other adults be too slow to give an epi-pen? It’s a no-win situation, isn’t it?!
• Food exposure in the classroom and the cafeteria; let’s NOT forget the computer keyboards, doorknobs and playground equipment, for those whose children are allergic by ‘touch’
• The emotional toll of being so different, especially for those who have multiple food allergies
• Will my child be forced to sit at a table alone? Will they be able to participate in classroom activities or can they be included? Will there, again, be ingredients in the activities that they can’t touch?
• Will my child be made fun of by his/her classmates? by his/her classmates’ parents?

She goes on to share how these allergy children, and the friends of these allergy children, will most likely grow to be more tolerant and compassionate, certainly more so than many adults when it comes to this issue.  She concludes by thanking those who are helpful, who are kind, who are understanding of this sometimes frustrating, annoying and confusing epidemic:

On behalf of so many parents like myself, THANK YOU.

• Thank you, for your simple kindnesses, such as sending in treats ALL of the children can eat safely. This means a lot to kids who often can’t participate in school activities and bake sales because of their allergies.
• Thank you, for being so understanding as to why accomodations have been made to help keep ALL of our children safe in the classroom. We understand the concessions you have to make in possibly not being able to send in your very favorite treats to share!
• Thank you, for your phone calls late at night and early in the morning to let us know you will be sending in something so that we have time to also send in alternatives for our children.
• Thank you, for your compassion in NOT making fun of our children.

I echo her sentiments.  Thank you to those of you who get it and work with us all in this issue instead of rolling your eyes and thinking we are the “crazy parents!”  Your kindness is heart-warming!

Thanks to a shared recipe from my neighbor, now we can let our kiddos play assured some random non-editable toxic ingredient in some doughs won’t end up becoming mouth putty.  I am told the taste of this dough is so atrocious that once a child puts it in his/her mouth, he/she probably won’t be making that choice a second time.

Plus, it’s cheap.  Holla!

DIY Play dough

2 c flour
1 c salt
1 t cream of tarter
1 pkg Kool-aid (for color or could use 4-6 drops of food coloring*)
2 c water
2 T (or more) vegetable oil

Mix dry ingredients together.

Bring water and salad oil to a boil and pour over dry mixture.  Stir.

Knead when cool enough to handle.  Add more oil (not water) if dough is too dry.

* My neighbor told me the more a child plays with the play dough, the more intense the color will become when using food coloring. *

And we’re not alone.  Finn is one boy.  There is an epidemic stirring in the next generation with the 4A’s – ADHD, allergies, asthma, and autism.  In her book, The Unhealthy Truth, Robyn OBrien shares that approximately 30 million children deal with at least one of these epidemics.  Think back to your school days.  You didn’t see these issues among your friends and classmates, did you? But our kids do and they will continue to.  Why?  The immune systems of these innocent children are screaming at us to listen.  I’m no expert.  I’m just a mom learning how to best take care of her family.  As a result, I’ll sprinkle in a little of what I’m learning, the reasons why more than one-third of our kids are dealing with at least one “A.”  It’s overwhelming; it’s frustrating; it’s political; it’s wrong.

One of the biggest issues in our food supply is the vast use of GMOs or GEOs, genetically modified organisms or genetically engineered organisms.  Our food, and I use that word skeptically, has been drastically altered for years without our knowledge.  Shockingly (complete sarcasm here), the FDA does not require foods that have been modified to be labeled.  However, consumers in Europe, England, Australia and Japan, just to name a few, are fortunate enough to have these products labeled.  Why does their government care more about what’s in their food supply than ours?  I’ll give you one guess.

A funny… and true… “rap” video about how our food supply is being overtaken by literal garbage was recently released.  Take 5 minutes to watch it, and if you’re so inclined, I encourage you to view a few of the mentioned documentaries.  Even if you’re a skeptic, go crazy and trust a mere 20% of what is shared in these documentaries.  You just might be peeing in your pantsuit, too.

Agree or disagree, I’d love to hear your thoughts. All are welcome here!

I’m a terrible decorator.  Just terrible.  I envy people who can step into a room and “see” all the possibilities.  I step in a room and see whatever is there and think it’s probably pretty perfect.  But, Pinterest has inspired me to take a few (2 inch) risks to be bolder and crazier with our cozy little home.  One of the things we desperately needed in our house was artwork.  The walls were fairly bare outside a few mirrors and framed photos.  I thought it was keeping things simple.  My husband thought otherwise

I like things to change.  I like seasons and holidays and being festive, but I’m also incredibly frugal and just refuse to spend big bucks on decorations for Valentines Day, St. Patricks, Easter, etc.  We have a few for each holiday, but what better way to tie it all together than with a sweet little framed piece of art?

Eighteen25 was a FIND for me in this area with their downloadable Subway Art.

A fun frame from Kohl’s, a late-night run to Kinko’s and BAM… call me Mrs. Crafty! Actually, don’t.

Trust me, if you’re looking for something to just fill a little space, or maybe a fun changeable piece for a bathroom, Subway Art is where it’s at!

* The image framed below is actually the only piece I printed from another site and is currently in our frame.  It’s from the Side by Side blog. Go to the download link under the image for this color version. The Eighteen25 art fills the entire 8×10 area. *

A CARS racetrack – one of the biggest Christmas hits!

On the afternoon of Christmas Eve we headed to my aunt and uncle’s house to catch up with the rest of the family.  The weather was unseasonably warm, so the cousins enjoyed some outside bubble time.

After food, presents, running around and more presents, they also enjoyed playing with their new toys and giggling amongst themselves about secret little kiddo stuff!

Finn would never verbally say it, but dude-o was exhausted.  All that playing wears a boy out!  Hours after the festivities began, the arm cover went from being a “super hero cape” to a “blanket.”
But there wouldn’t be sleep before a precious cousin hug.  Thankfully, Finn conked out in the car as we headed back home Christmas Eve night.  We want to start a tradition of waking up in our house, when possible, to have Santa/family time Christmas morning. Santa toys, pancakes, Christmas gifts, books and loads of hugs and giggles filled our morning.  It was well worth the extra effort to make it home!
After family time, we got dressed and headed to Justin’s family Christmas where more PRESENTS awaited our little Finn.

Despite Finn’s allergies, months ago Aunt Kristin saved the day with a delicious (and nutritious) ice cream alternative… Frozen Banana Custard.  No joke, this tastes EXACTLY like ice cream.  Trust me, you want to try this!  I love that Finn gets to take part in the process of making his “special treat” with his Grammie.

“Finny’s turn!”

“Here is comes!!”
“Stand back, people!  This ice cream is all mine…”

“…down the the last bite!”

Here’s to hoping your holiday season was merry, berry and bright!  

From our (growing) family to yours, Happy New Year!