Wednesday, May 26, 2010

I can't get Hannah's dance video to load onto Blogger-I think the file is too big. If anyone has any ideas on how to compress videos, please post them in the comments.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Taylor and Hannah have been working hard the last couple months to get ready for a music performance and a dance recital. Taylor started learning the recorder (remember those?) and they had a music program at his school called "The Nature of Weather", complete with the percussion band (didn't know what that was), costumes, effects and great props. Taylor was an enthusiastic singer and a great recorder player. Here he is during one song (second row below Misty).



Hannah started taking dance class in January. I thought it would fun to expose her to dance/ballet/tap and see if she liked it (I think those longs legs would be great for ballet). Well, she did like her dance costume and leotards and socializing, but not so much the dancing part. She said she is more of a gymnastics girl. I told her we still had to finish out the season and be a part of the recital. She is really nervous in front of people, which cracks me up because she can talk anybody's ear off, and can make a friend in a second. However, at her preschool performances, well, she didn't even make it up on stage. So we talked about doing your best, and honestly I thought she would make a big issue of not performing. But she had a great attitude, practiced extra at home and did her recital. Here's a video of her dancing. Sorry for my lack of video skills and half the song she is stuck behind another little girl. But get a load of the costumes. So cute. I wish I had brought my actual video camera.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

I have so many healthy recipes to share, but we'll start with this one.  I just enjoyed it this morning on my vanilla yogurt with sliced fresh strawberries-YUM!  THis is kind of an adaptation of two recipes.  I don't know if I like the sesame seeds or not.

Maple Vanilla Granola
5 c. oats
1 c. almonds, chopped (or 1/2 almonds and pecans each)
1/4 c. sesame seeds (optional)
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. coconut
1/4 c. flax seeds
1 tsp salt
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. pure maple syrup
2 TBL. honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Combine first 7 dry ingredients in a large bowl. In saucepan, melt butter, syrup, honey, vanilla and cinnamon.  Pour over dry mix until all coated.  Divide between two cookies sheets and bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes.  Stir well, switch cookie sheets (so one pan doesn't burn on bottom), cook for 10 minutes, stir, switch and repeat.  Total cooking time is 35-40 minutes until granola is dry and golden brown.  Store in an airtight container once cooled.  Enjoy over yogurt, in milk, sprinkled over fruit....it is really good AND healthy.....I know you are thinking the butter isn't too fat-free but you have to have a fat in here to get everything toasted brown.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Hannah found her thumb at 3 months old, maybe younger, and it became her main comfort. Out went all the pacifiers-she hooked her finger over her nose and stuck that thumb in while holding her blanket. Maybe it was in the genes, her Grandma sucked her thumb until she was way too old.  I figured every baby and toddler, and pre-schooler found ways to deal with comforting themselves.   I never minded it, and I never listed to people tell me I would have to start ending that bad habit as she got older (putting hot sauce on her thumb). In fact, I got a little sick of people who saw her suck her thumb in the store giving me advice and "helpful hints".  Uh-mind your business.  REally.

So when we went to a new dentist (that Hannah LOVES) two years ago and she was STILL sucking that thumb, the dentist said if she hadn't given up the habit by the time her new adult teeth came in, we would have to result to drastic measures. We had a little time, she was only five and the dentist wasn't hugely concerned.  Well Hannah is seven and just lost one tooth, she is kinda slow like I was to lose teeth, so the pressure hasn't been to high.  She went to the dentist in December who now said, time was up, the thumb sucking is going to start doing further damage. She even offered up some prizes.

We have talked to her, a lot (really alot) about what it does to her jaw and teeth and how she has to stop.  I told her by her next visit, the bad habit really must end.  Then I said, they were going to install a wire bar behind her teeth so she couldn't suck her thumb.  I think that was it, plus we threw in a better incentive-a toy of her choice.  She has been wanting a large stuffed tiger for years.  I asked her how I could help and she chose the code word "cookie".  If I saw her thumb in her mouth, I said "cookie" to remind her.  Plus, she never sucked her thumb at school, (that was just highly unacceptable..."I'll get teased" she says), so I said, well if you don't suck it as school, I bet you can not do it at home.   It worked!  I am proud to say after only about 2 weeks, my girl has kicked her habit.  I can't believe it.  Where there is a will there is a way.  I am really proud of her determination.  Poor girl, she has had many sleepless nights since that thumb couldn't go in her mouth and she can't get to sleep. Some nights at 10:30 she is still wiggling around, but everytime I check on her the thumb is not in the mouth!!  But little by little, she is managing.  Now I have to find that big stuffed tiger!  I wish adults could kick bad habits that fast!

I am also noticing Hannah acting a little more mature and she is isn't so shy.  Her thumb was kind of her shield when she didn't want to talk or face things, and now it's gone.  She's talking a lot more.

I'm also proud to say her behavior has been really great.  Her friend privileges aren't returned yet but she has made really great progress in the not lying or stealing area.

Sometimes, growing up is really hard on moms!