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.

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.

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.

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!

Who said metabolism?
It's hard getting old, and the metabolism ssssslloowwss down.  Especially when most of your life you've been able to get by with pretty much eating what you want, when you want and exercising when you want and how you want.  I've always had a good appetite, and when I was younger it was necessary.  I wore girls size 12 clothing until I reached high school and was frequently teased for my skinny arms and legs, I couldn't gain weight.  Finding a size 0 back then was tough, I had to special order dresses for proms.  What nobody could see, is I was eating, like a man, like I could never fill up.  Lots of girls thought I was anorexic.  I had a really high metabolism and I was super active-we lived on a ranch and there was lots of work to do, and my senior year i was on the track team, plus I was naturally always moving.  When you have an appetite like this and it burns quickly, you really can eat WHATEVER you want.Donuts, pizza, heavy dinners with carbs?  No problem.  When I got to college I didn't have a car so I literally walked everywhere and in Seattle, there are some steep streets downtown where I lived.  But still, pizza at midnight, IHOP runs at 1 am, no problem. I have to say when I met my very health conscience husband to be when I was 23, he was appalled at my eating habits...donuts at midnight?  I got a very funny look from him, and unfortunately over the years I have taken him to the dark side of junk food.  Nevertheless,  in the summers between college, I worked at a lodge where I hiked all the time and ran.  I maintained a size 6 and those skinny arms and legs.  Although I did like my junk food and candy, I have always enjoyed fresh veggies and fruit, whole grains, etc (thanks to my Mom and Grandma and that garden).

So this carried through both my pregnancies, gain 50+ pounds-gone in 6 weeks, gain 35 pounds, gone in 3 months. The picture on the right is when my son is one year old, I am a size 6 and eating whatever I wanted, thank you very much.
  I've only "dieted" twice in my life, I used ediets.com and it was really easy.  If I felt my clothes weren't fitting, I'd go on more walks or eat more produce.  It worked for a long time! 

Well about four years ago I went on this medication and in a year I gained 20 pounds. WHAT?  I didn't really notice it, and thought I was just not being so active or eating too much, but as soon as I stopped taking it, I stopped gaining, BUT I've maintained that weight since (i didn't read the fine print that weight gain was a side effect).  YUCK!  So after a lifetime of eating how I like, I've realized something has to change and I HAVE to get this 20 pounds off!!  Not just to lose weight but I gotta rein in that carb loading and sugar, and bad habits.

Not snacking after dinner, not eating desserts all the time, and consistent exercise? Someone shoot me in the head, please.

Surprise, surprise.
 I found an easy meal program that isn't crazy counting stuff and eliminating foods-just filling up on fruits/veggies/whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. I am really enjoying eating well.  I am having some fun and feeling so much better. It does make it easier that I don't mind eating tons of veggies and brown rice and stuff like that.  Naturally I could eliminate red meat but i have to find dishes my family likes, and they LOVE red meat.   I am even getting exercise in-sigh. I hate exercising-I do like walking and riding bikes and hiking, but not aerobics and strength training.  I have some DVD's old and new and they do kick my butt and I'm seeing the scale move!!  Also, after decreasing my sugar, I am noticing my cravings subsiding and not wanting to snack.  Grab some almonds, a hard boiled egg, some fruit, and I'm good to go.  I try and leave Sunday for my casual day since we have lunch at church and a family dinner.  I don't do well saying no to everything but smaller portions are helping for sundays.  I went out to lunch with Mike yesterday and had a salad with vinegrette, no garlic bread and left half my pasta on the plate.  The pasta I ordered wasn't great, but baby steps.  I took the kids to mcdonald's for breakfast, something we NEVER do and I got an egg mcmuffin with no cheese-just egg, canadian bacon and an english muffin.  Little steps.

What little ears hear.
 I'm also noticing a weird thing with Hannah and her talk of getting "skinny".  Um, she is built exactly like me at that age-skinny and bony describes it.  So I have to be careful and say I am working on eating healthier and taking care of my body-not just getting skinny.  I can't believe the way she talks about her body-she is SEVEN!! So I just repeat having healthier habits but all she sees is that I am trying to get thin.  I can't believe the stuff she hears from other girls.  I just tell her she is exactly right for how she was made.  I try and talk about everyone having different shapes and sizes.  I just can't believe I'm talking about that to my seven year old, and how she notices and hears everything.

SO hopefully I can keep this up another 8 weeks and I will be all done losing and can just maintain.  will I ever be a size 6 again?  Probably not and I am 100% OK with that.  I do want to lose the weight, but more imporantly want to get some healthy habits on board that will last my life.

It sucks getting older, and I will miss the oreos. Yes I will.   That's just being real folks.  Now off I go to make some granola.
Here's to good health! I'm not writing about it until I reach my goal!

Let me just brag about my smart boy who got his third quarter report card-all A's and At's and two B's.  Plus he has only missed three days so far (one for a funeral and two for a wedding).  We are just really proud of how well he does in class, and at home.  Right now he seems to be the "easy" child and the only thing he does that gets him in trouble is staying up too late at night to read.  

So I just burned Hannah a CD for her to listen to on her CD player from my iTunes, all songs she selected.  As she told me, "Mom I need some rock." Yes, there is her favorite songs from Taylor Swift ("You belong to me"-she sings it in the shower) and Miley Cyrus.  She heard them at her cousins house last summer and just loves them.  The CD wasn't complete without Queens: We will rock you and Joy to the World (rock version).  Let me just say I am one of those parents who won't let my kids listen to just any music and any lyrics. But Miley and Taylor are pretty wholesome and their lyrics are innocent so I let her pick two of those for the CD's.  Hannah was amazed my computer could "burn" her a CD, she kept waiting for some smoke to come out.  Sigh.  At least she is still naive about some things.  Now for her comment on how she doesn't really like Lady Gaga's music.  Are you kidding me?