I wish I were little

I felt it was time to write something profound. But I'm too tired. Kellen was up most of the night and decided it was morning at 5:45am. Ugh. All I can think about tonight is how nice it would be to be little and to have no cares.
I've been thinking lots today about how the world works. I visited with an old summer student I had a couple years ago. He thinks he needs to be ready to defend his land, because he predicts in 100 years global warming with force people to the prairies. He would like to go into the military to be trained to fight. Crazy, eh? Well, the crazy thing was that he believes nobody will make changes to stop global warming and change his prediction, including himself admittedly. We had quite the conversation and in the end I think he saw my point that preaching doom and gloom was pointless if he wasn't going to take steps to improve things and be a positive leader. Anyhow, wouldn't it be nice to be 1 yr and not have to think about it?

And wouldn't it be nice to put your feet up on the kitchen table during supper if you felt like it?

Kellen's "Tennis"

If you enjoyed the hockey video, you may also find this kinda fun...his Dad sure thinks so!

Recipe #4: Energy Bars

Hope you are enjoying the long weekend. So far ours has felt like a whirlwind. We were going to go to the Muirhead farm Friday night, but ended up taking Kellen to the hospital to get checked. He'd been fevered for 24 hrs and I was getting nervous. We were told it must be a virus. He seemed okay in the morning, so off we went. Had fun visiting, seeing Grandpa Bill's garden, napping! On Sunday we got to meet Kathy's Joe and Mikhayla (very nice guy and lovely girl!) and hang out with the Jacobs. Sunday evening Kathy and crew came to visit us in the Fort. This morning, Kathy took me on a run...she's running in a half marathon this weekend! I was happy I was able to keep up to her! We had to say goodbye to Kathy, Joe, and Mikhayla this morning. I've cleaned the house and then decided to make some Energy Bars. Perhaps I need them after all that... If you do, here is the delicious recipe. We like to grab them for breakfast when we're busy.

ENERGY BARS

1/3 cup canola oil

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup molasses

6 oz frozen orange juice concrentrate

2 cup flour, whole wheat

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup wheat germ

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

1. Cream oil, brown sugar, molasses. Add defrosted oj concentrate.

2. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger. Blend.

3. Stir in everything else. It makes a very stiff batter.

4. Spread in a greased 9 x 13 pan.

5. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Oh, I should mention...Kellen's fever was managed okay with Tylenol. I thought it might be caused by a molar that is almost through but going up and down. The fever is finally gone, but he has a rash this morning on his face. Hmmm, it could be Fifth Disease. Sorry to anyone we may have exposed!!! Special apology goes out to Nolan and baby Ayden. We feel soooo bad about it!

Hockey

Are you proud Uncle Tim? Were you teaching him things when Ian and I weren't looking? Were not sure when he's getting this from.

Garage Sale

Kellen loves his new chair. Carries it everywhere with him. Here he's on his way to the park with it!

I could get into garage sales. I went to one I saw advertised in the paper, which promised lots of kids stuff. Kellen got a wagon, basketball hoop, lawn chair, hotwheel case on wheels, new cars, and new books...for the low, low price of $37!!! I see why people can get hooked on garage sales.

A Dietitian Mom's Dilemma

Ian is now going to be travelling some for work. The promise is that he will be home every weekend. And, it won't be all the time since there is still some work in and around Regina. So, I'm wandering around the house not getting much of anything accomplished since Kellen went to bed. Seems strange and quiet. So, I guess I'll share my thoughts with whoever is out there...

I'm not going to dwell on the sad fact of Ian being gone. So, I'll share the next pressing thing on my mind. I have a dietitian mom's dilemma. The sitter asked me if it would be okay if she gave Kellen a popsicle when the other kids are having one. No answer would come out of my mouth. What I wanted to say was "NO! No, sugar and dyes necessary!" But, I thought about how my answer was going to come across. I thought about how not giving all the kids the same thing might create problems. So, I said "Umm, I'll think about it." And think about it I have! I even went to the store to buy juice, so I could make "popsicles" for him. I even started to cut up fruit to freeze in them. Then, I realized that making and taking his own popsicles might not really solve any problem and was going to be a big hassle. By this time, I was starting to feel like a crazy mom.

So, I quit worrying about it and made my decision. Here's my simple answer I'll give her tomorrow..."No, he's still pretty little so I'd rather not give it to him yet. Let me know if it becomes an issue with having a different snack than the other kids." Sound fair enough? I hope so. I know a popsicle won't do horrible things to him. But I'd rather he had some fruit, some milk...anything with some nutrients for the growing boy!

I don't want to make any moms feel like food they would give their kid isn't good enough for my kid. But, I also don't want to have him eat nutrient-poor foods just cause that what is so often the norm in our society. Poor kid, eh? I will relax about it...when he's a little older.

So, hope I haven't ruffled any feathers. Kids, foods, and mom's views can be a touchy issue I've learned. I am laughing at myself, if its not coming through in my writing! Anyone want to give any thoughts or share their own stories?

P.S. If you tell me to get over it and give him a popsicle, your comment will be deleted...I don't want to hear it!! :)

Kellen's New Cousin

Kellen has a new cousin! He arrived May 3 and I patiently waited for his parents to report before jumping in! Check out their blog to see pictures of Ayden. I was so excited to meet him, so we made a quick, and well worth it trip down there this afternoon. I wish I had pics to post of Grandma and her 4 grandchildren. I forgot my camera, and although we were only 2 minutes from the house when I realized it, Ian wouldn't turn around!

Kellen didn't think too much of his cousin today. He has a big tooth pushing through and was GROUCHY!! It's fun to imagine how much fun Nolan, Kellen, and Ayden will have together as they get a little older. Well, maybe that's kinda scary too!

Congratulations to Papa Jeff, Mama Jenn, Big Sister Kayla, and Big Brother Nolan!