Overnight 4th grade trip…{are not so scary after all ~ #Galactosemia}

How are you today?  I am so behind on my posts…lately it seems that they only take place in my head and never make it onto the screen….this one is long overdue.  This is about something I have wondered abut for a very long time.  What will it be like if our girls go on overnight camp trips.  Will the food be "safe" for them?  Will they be singled out, or will they be included?  Will it be an issue?  Well, the answer to my question came earlier this month as Alena went on her first trip to outdoor school.  Her class actually went for two nights, and as chaperones were needed I asked to join.

Let's just say that both of us were very excited; I was probably more nervous than Alena.   I went being all nervous and came back excited. Oh, we had SO much fun…it was simply amazing; Alena's teacher had called ahead to make sure the kitchen knew about her dietary restrictions.  Every meal a person came out to her and explained which foods were not safe.  There was pudding for Alena, soy milk, treats, and they even made special breakfast sausage for her.  I was just blown away as were my worries.  Alena herself - yes, she decided to sit at a different table from mine a couple of times - always asked and other chaperones told me how impressed they were that she always made sure that the food was safe for her.  Yes, I will say it here and now I am so proud of our big girl :)

The camp itself was beyond amazing; the setting was on 550 acres in nature away from the city right at the foot of Mt. Hood.  We slept on bunks in cabins, and enjoyed a large camp fire every night.  During the day there was outdoor school and we hiked through the woods exploring nature around us.  The most amazing thing to me was that the "Solo hike"; it is what it sounds like.  Everyone goes on a hike all by themselves.  The teacher went ahead and put little notes down and signs where to turn; then one kids and/or chaperone followed alone every 5 minutes.  To say that I was nervous about my girl hiking alone is clearly an understatement; yes I was beyond nervous and so was Alena as well as all the other kids.  Take a look there she is before the hike…

…however the Solo hike was the most amazing event.  Each kid got to experience nature by themselves, each kid was challenged and then realized what they can do. It was the single most empowering moment.  Simply amazing…and you know what? It was the favorite event of almost every single kid...

I have learned so much on this trip.  Our children are so strong, they stand up for themselves, and yes they do understand their dietary restrictions.  It makes me so happy…..

Last day of school interviews....

Remember our first day of school interviews from September 5th, 2012; well here we are in June 2013 and school is over for the summer.  I interviewed both girls in the morning of the last day of school...

Mia Rose talks about First Grade - and yes, she is super excited for summer break

Alena talks about Third Grade - she is also super excited for summer break

Where did time go? School is over for the summer...

I cannot believe that school is over.  What happened to the time?  Everyone tells you when your kids are little, that time just flies by.  Honestly - probably like many others - I really did not believe that.  But it is so true; especially since both girls entered school.  You know, elementary school.

First day of school 2012/13 {left} and 2011/12 {right}

To me it is a little like a double edged sword it is hard at times to let go, then again I am so proud to see how both of them are growing up becoming amazing girls. Do you know what I mean?

Last day of school 2013

So it is, as my friend Isabel says, about building memories, memories that last a life time.  I think we have been doing pretty well at that thinking back at all the things we have done during this past school year.  Let me see...Seattle, several day trips to Mt. Hood for snow shoeing and sledding, Cross Country Skiing in Sunriver, a couple of day trips to the Oregon coast, many urban hikes, roller skating, birthday parties and lot's and lot's of family time...

Interviews of both girls about the last day of school are coming your way later on this week :)  Thank you so much!

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, lemon dressing & school lunch helpers

Time has just been flying by.  I guess that is what happens when you are having too much fun :)  We have been enjoying amazing weather - truly just wonderful hopefully I will not jinx it.  I have been busy at work, while the girls are kept busy at school. Weekly dinner updates have been posted to the Facebook page of The Not So Cheesy Kitchen.

Beautiful weather calls for easy dinners, so last night it was Spaghetti Aglio e Olio and a side of red leaf lettuce mixed with fennel in a lemony dressing.

At the dinner table everyone shared their day, and Alena talked about how she was the lunch helper at school.  The lunch helper works in the school kitchen and passes out food to the other students.  On Wednesday she was in charge of milk, and yesterday she was in charge of pizza.  Alena and Mia Rose are well aware that they cannot have either, but to them it is no big deal at all.  Neither girl is sad that the other kids get to eat pizza at school and I must tell you that I am so proud of them.  And honestly, this is something that as little as four years ago would have scared me beyond belief.  It does sound silly now - but having them handle milk, and cheese pizza without me was unimaginable. That thought process sounds so crazy to me today because what could happen?!  In any case,  we came to find out that both of our girls love, love, love to be lunch helpers and giving out milk is both of their favorite job.

Now on to the dinner...

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

• 1 lb. thin Spaghetti {I like Barilla}
• 1/3 C Olive Oil
• 6 cloves of garlic peeled, and cut into fine slices
• 3 tsp Italian Herbs {I like Herb Hunter}
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes {optional - you can use more or leave it out}
• zest of one untreated lemon {use the lemon for the dressing}
• 3/4 C reserved spaghetti water 
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 1 C grated Parmesiano Regiano {optional}

1. Cook pasta according to directions - while pasta is cooking
2. heat olive oil in a deep pan and when hot 
3. add garlic, watch garlic carefully you do not want it to burn then 
4. add herbs and - if using - red pepper flakes
5. add the water from the spaghetti and when it is is reduced
6. add lemon zest, salt and pepper
7. add cooked pasta to the pan and toss it with the olive oil/garlic/herb mixture

Serve immediately!

Lemon Dressing

• Juice of one lemon
• 4 Tb of Olive Oil
• salt & pepper to taste
• pinch of sugar
• 3 green onions cut into small rings

1. Mix lemon juice with olive oil,
2. add a pinch of sugar as well as salt and pepper to taste. Mix it well into the dressing then,
3. add green onions

Fun Field Trip to the Rice Museum....

Happy Friday!!! Today Alena's class went on a field trip.  You know what that means, right? Yup, it means that I chaperone. Parent involvement at our  school is amazing; many parents help in the classroom, some organize and manage the weekly running club, others organize the science fair, while others work on fundraising programs...but I copy - which I am quite good at :) - and chaperone on field trips....

All the 3rd grader went on the field trip to the Rice Museum in Hillsboro, Oregon.  It is about a 45 minutes bus ride - yes, I did get to ride on the school us today - at least from our part of town. So what is the Rice museum? Well, it is not about rice - as far as I know Oregon is not one of the major rice producers ;)  - but a museum founded by the Rice family and it is all about rocks and minerals. Wow - let me just tell you that this place is major fun as in FUN. Really, exhibits with amazing rocks, fossils and minerals are stacked wall to wall. in the exhibits There is an exhibit with rocks that glow in the dark, a room of petrified wood and shelves lines with polished "slices" of it showing off their amazing colors as well as textures, a meteorite gallery {yes you get to touch them}. . Plus let me not forget to tell you about the room with packed with huge emerald formations, amethyst, rubies, sapphires, diamonds and so many other crystals formations...just amazing. Take a look at some of the exhibits...the pictures are courtesy by no other but Alena :) 

Yes, the 3rd graders - as well as the chaperons -  had so much fun.  We ate lunch, Oregon style outside 

and at the end of the tour all kids got to search for their own treasure in the large rock pile outside. Can you see how much fun Alena and her friends are having?

The next time we go out to the beach we will definitively have to stop there. Ron and Mia Rosie will love this place...ahhhhm yes it will not just be for me :). Alena loved it just as much.  Here she is :)

Mia Rose's tribute to her lost cat...{#video}

You may remember that we lost one of our cats in September of 2012; Mia Rose still misses our Zeppy and in her class she wrote a little book as a tribute to Zeppy.  Me - the mothership - thinks this is so sweet and this is why I am sharing it with you today...

Catered school lunch - What would you do?

This year the entire school in the Pennies for Patients  fund raiser from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for schools.  Each child had a little box to collect change, and over the course of a week each classroom counted their total collected funds.  Alena's class raised the most money and as a result - this was a surprise to all - won a catered lunch from Olive Garden. The entire class was so excited; catered lunch for the entire class for lunch in the classroom.  Yay, right?!  So here was the question the teacher asked me.  Will Alena be able to eat, or will she bring her own lunch as every day? That was the big question....What would you do?  There are two options, right?  One, have her be the only kid in class eating from her regular lunchbox and in ways single her completely out, or two, figure out a way to have Alena join the lunch.  So what do you think I did?

Yes, you are right.  I figured it out - our fantastic teacher was able to give me the contact information at the Olive Garden catering the lunch.  I called and found out that the kids were going to be served pasta with marinara sauce, salad, and breadsticks.  Now, did you know that the marinara sauce of the Olive Garden contains dairy, and that none of their dressings are "safe".  Yes, that is right! I was quite surprised to find out - well, I have not been to an Olive Garden since leaving the Mid West - and expected that they would not be able to accommodate for Alena.  Was I wrong!  The manager swiftly asked if she could eat pasta with olive oil, and whether salad with olive oil together with balsamico would work for her.  Next she asked how to spell her name and promised to have two extra containers just for Alena.  One with her pasta, and the other with her salad.  And you know what, that is exactly what happened.  The kids had lunch catered this last Thursday;  a huge dish of pasta with marinara sauce, a huge dish with salad along with "unsafe" dressings, and two dishes with Alena's name on it one containing pasta with olive oil and the other her salad along with olive oil and balsamico.  Let me just tell you that my child was just so thrilled to also eat the catered lunch.

Tell me, if you have children with dietary issues what would you have done?  I would love to hear from you...

Happy Valentine's Day and a very Happy Mama

Did you have a nice day, or are you still having a wonderful day?   We sure did.  The girls were so excited this morning as Alena said "Finally it is Valentine's Day".  The girlies do get in the spirit of things. We had a card, a foot long pencil {yes, I know absolutely silly}, and a dairy free chocolate bar for each girl.  It set the day off right for the entire family...

At school there was a party in each classroom. So we did, what probably most of you with school aged children did as well...make Valentine's earlier in the week.  For the parties I volunteered to bring the treats - juice boxes, fruit roll-ups, and Skittles.  Each classroom had made mailboxes to hold the Valentine's for each kid.  They each came home with packed full mailboxes and more treats...We looked together at the treats at home and I am so proud of our girls.  Alena sorted out all of the candy that contain milk; she just said "they must not know that I cannot have milk" and passed it off to me {yes, I certainly do NOT need any additional candy}.  Alena then helped Mia Rose sort through her Valentine's...

Oh, and I do need to tell you what one of Mia Rosies'  best friends told her at school "I am so sorry I brought chocolate and forgot that you cannot have it" they hugged and Mia Rosies' response was "that is okay". It was no big deal - they just know that Mia Rose cannot have products containing milk...

Honestly, I cannot tell you how happy it makes me that both girls are able to manage school parties with confidence and ease.  They are not singled out, and it makes me so, so very happy.  Thank you for reading!

Mia Rosie and her Valentine's 

Alena and her Valentine's

Back to school interview...

with our new third grader Alena, and with our new first grader Mia Rose.  Without anything else, here they are...Oh, and if you are wondering I interviewed both girls :)  And yes, both Alena and I revert to German a couple of times...

Alena

Mia Rose

I should have also done a "post first day of school interview".  Well let me summarize.  "It was great" - "It was a looong day" - "It's like camp" - "I had fun"....Yay!!!

Almost back to school...

Two more weeks of summer bliss then we are also back to school here in Portland.  Today is a first for me as I am writing this post in participation of a Friday Fun Party hosted by Kate.  I recently found and followed Kate's Blog. This is the first time I am joining a blogger party.  In any case, the topic of today's fun party is back to school for kids with medical conditions.  In her post Kate writes about the preparations she made at her daughters - Lucy -  school to accommodate her when she is in school. Lucy is a cancer patient.  

You know, if you know me or my blog, that I do not think of our two girls as kids with special needs. Yes, they both have a rare metabolic disorder - Classic Galactosemia - which we manage solely through diet {which is why I talk so much about food :)}. But yes, at the beginning of each school year we have to prepare for school accordingly. This is our third year at this school, so the cafeteria cards of both girls clearly reflect that they do not get hot lunches. Then again, the girls know what and what not they can eat.  The office is aware, and they have a pictures of the girls up identifying them as kids with dietary issues.  

Alena and her second grade teacher

Mia Rose and her Kindergarten teacher

For the new school year, I am hoping that Mia Rose will get Alena's first grade teacher who is aware of their condition. The only other individuals  I will need to speak with are Alena's third grade teacher, and the school nurse. Well, assuming there will be a new school nurse. Alena is on an IEP, so a lot of information is contained on her plan.

Oh yes, and the most important thing to get will be.....yes, you got that one right, Popsicles to keep in the freezer at school, as well as other treats for the classroom should there be any unplanned parties.  One thing we might do this year - if the teachers and girls are up to it - prepare a little talk to the class and parents about Classic Galactosemia.  I feel that at times the girls are not invited to parties, or play dates because parents are afraid. So an explanation about the condition coupled with, no they will not fall into a coma, or metabolic shock and no - this sounds silly - it is not contagious may reduce the fear.  It should make school life easier. Well, I will keep you posted if we do it :)

One thing we have yet to get are medical bracelets. I really need to find a cute ones.  Any recommendations are highly appreciated :) Just in case - if something happens and neither of us parental units is available.

OK - now we are off to enjoy this super hot Portland day....

Last day of school...

it has happened.  Today.  The last day of Kindergarten for Mia Rose, and the last day of Second Grade for Alena.  Well,  OK they still have at least a couple more weeks of school ahead of them in Germany, but their regular school is done for the school year.  Oh, how bitter-sweet.  My lovies are growing up so fast - in the fall we will have a First and Third Grader.  Wow!  I so clearly remember when they were born.  When we did not know what life would be like. What happened to the time.  Well, I guess that a look in the mirror should be enough ;), right?!  Seriously - time is flying and we are so proud of our girlies.  Both, Alena and Mia Rose worked so hard the entire school year.  It is so exciting to see them grown, and learn...

Leaving for the last day of school for the 2011/12 school year

Alena and her Second Grade teacher Miss Beth

Mia Rose at her Kindergarten desk

Alena and Miss Ellie 

Alena and Miss Nelson

Mia Rose and Mrs. H her Kindergarten teacher (plus Alena)

So this, is my last post from Portland for a few weeks as we leave for Europe in the morning.  Bright and early, yes!  What on earth was I thinking to leave the day after the last day of school.  I am honestly a wee bit spent by now...yes, yes, yes I know entirely self inflicted ;)

Kindergarten Dance Performance

Today was the last Friday of the school year and Mia Rose's Kindergarten class performed a dance for the parents, and other special persons.  Where did the year go?  I cannot believe that the school year is essentially over and our baby will be entering first grade.  It seems just like yesterday when she started preschool.  Oh, it is such a bittersweet moment...

Here is the video of the performance. Can you find Mia Rose?  She is wearing a bright pink skirt, short purple dress over it, and has a big fluffy pony  tail.

Valentine's, no chocolate, or candy and...

we had fun making them for school.  I found the idea for it on Pinterest, but for ease changed it around.  The Valentine's idea actually said "You are just write for me". Well our hearts were not big enough, plus 20 for each classroom...so we changed it around.  Mia Rose just signed her name, while Alena wrote "from Alena".  I got pencils at the school supply store that said "Kind Kindergartener" - for Mia Rosies' class, and "Sensational 2nd Grader" - for Alena's class.

Take a look at the results...

All 40 Valentine's

Are they not cute?  

Mia Rosie's first day of Kindergarten

Today, it was happened. Mia Rose started Kindergarten. I will tell you the truth, my heart was heavy for most of the Mia Rose however had a fantastic day!

On the walk to school, Alena filled Mia Rose in on all the details such as, if you get hurt you go to the office, no running in the halls, etc. Mia Rose is such a big girl. She was a little apprehensive as you can probably see in this picture which I took at the school. But she was so excited to see her classroom, meet new friends, and learn all about the things she has seen from her big sister. I am very, very excited for her.

Leading up to the first school day, I set up a brief meeting with the school nurse to fill her in about Mia Rosie's Galactosemia, but because Alena already started last year the nurse already knew a lot about it. We also stopped in the cafeteria to introduce Mia Rose to the staff. The staff then also noted the information on Mia Rosie's lunch card. So, we should be all set - all that I have left to do it bring some treats for both girls. It will probably be popsicles for Mia Rose, and Tofutti Cuties for Alena...

Alright, one more day of school before the weekend :)

Alena's first day of Second Grade

Wow! I can hardly believe that my little girls started second grade today. What a difference to the start of school last year. After one year in our neighborhood school we love it. I have no concern that Alena would eat "unsafe" foods - and I do feel that our school is what it should be, a safe place. I checked in briefly with Alena's new teacher, and she - the new teacher - knew about Alena's dietary restrictions and Galactosemia. I am thankful for IEP as all the information is in it, and follows Alena. So here I cheer for successful, exciting, and fun school year for my big girl and all others :) - Have a great 2011/12 school year, all!!!

P.S.: Alena is so excited that school started again - as I write this I hear her tell Ron more
stories from her first day today...

Thursday...lazy, fun day and...

...no dinner picture?! Yes, it is true. No dinner picture but a lovely picture from our late morning/early afternoon snack. Oh, what a beautiful, and warm August day it was here today in Portland. The perfect day to take long walks, and go play on the playground. And that is exactly what we did. The girls and I took a nice walk through our neighborhood to playground #1, played hard, and ate the Cliff Kids Z Bar as a snack along with plent of water. Then we walked off to playground #2. The original plan was to walk from playground #2 to Por que No? Taqueria for a late lunch, but you know what? I forgot my wallet at home....

So we walked back home, jumped in the kiddie pool at our friends home, and then walked with our friends back down the hill to Por que No? - Rice & Beans without the dairy, guacamole and chips, and cevice for the mothership. As always it was delicious and we ate so late, that it was also our dinner :)

So what, you may ask, is the point of this post? The point is, that we live ordinary lives. Our kids are healthy, active kids. They climb on the play structures, run, eat "normal" snacks, and eat out. The girls are having fun being kids and are in no way limited by their dietary restrictions, or their metabolic disorder. It is part of our lives, but that's all.

The sky is the only limit we all have. Go grab for the stars :)

The end of first grade - Where did the school year go?

> Wow - School is out for the summer. Where did the year go - it just flew by. It was a fast ride. Quite stormy at the start, some bumps along the way, but it was the most amazing, fantastic ride. Yes, I absolutely mean that - our neighborhood School is amazing. I have turned 180 degrees. From being the mother that did not want her child to go to the large school to safe at just that school. I was so worried when coming out of our "safe" small private school, where there were only treats allowed when everyone could enjoy them, that Alena would feel left out, not be protected, etc. Silly me! Where did I come from :)
>
> I endend up packing lunch every day. I could have worked with the district on determining which foods are safe, but truth be said packing your own is so much healthier :) Alena was OK - there was an Aide close by to help in anyone needed anything. Alena knows not to eat foods from other classmates, and the Aide also made sure that there was no sharing. For treats, we kept popsickles in a freezer, and her teacher made sure to get her one. At Halloween we brought in the treats for everyone and it turned out fantastic. Not once did we have to worry that she would be left out, felt left out, or anything else.
>
> School in itself was not easy and in retrospect, I think we would have done things differently and started her in the neighborhood school in Kindergarten. Therefore things were harder for her, it took the teachers a while to get to know Alena and her learning style. And yes, Alena does have an Individualized Education Plan; she does receive speech therapy, and reading help. All of that is great, and no, I am not that saying that this is because of Galactosemia. A bunch of kids receive services, and my wonderful husband also received services in elementary school. - So she works hard and does not stick her head in the sand - She is so eager to learn t is amazing. The sky is the limit - She can do anything she wants to do. There are no limitations!!!
>
> Now it is time to say thank you to Alena's first grade teacher extraordinare Mrs. Parr. Thank you so much for caring, and being amazing. Alena loves you :)
>
> Have a great summer everyone and remember the glass is always half full!!!
>

Mia Rosie's last day at Childswork

See my smiling baby? She is all grown up. Where did the school year go? This picture shows Ma Rose with her beloved teachers Coutney and Patty. It is so bitter-sweet that Mia Rose's preschool time is almost over and that our time at Childswork has come to an end.

Wow - we started at Childswork when Alena was not quite 4. I remember how full of worry I was. Full of what if's and questioning whether our child would be excluded, feel wired, ingest milk, etc. It proved to be a fantastic learning experience for all of us. I learned to trust. And yes, teachers are careful, caring, and find options to include eveyone. For treats Popsicles instead of ice cream were served at events, for PJ Day there was either a special batter - in Alena's class - just for her, or - even better - pancake batter that was safe for all kids in the class. And yes, there was an "accident" - after the first six weeks Alena did eat some regular yoghurt. The teacher called me she was frantic - but you what? It was Ok, Alena did not show any effect. She did not eat a lot, but stii - I was worried but it was OK. So these are the lessons I learned at Preschool for myself, and my mothering :) To relax a little, trust others, and most of all empower my children.

It is sad - however it is great to move on to the next big part of this journey :) -Mia Rosie only spent one year at Childswork but what great experience she had :) The best preschool teachers anyone could wish for; imaginative play, art, flat Mia Rose and more :) You just wait until you see the fantastic pillow she made.

Have a great day :)

"We are the World" - by elementary school kids from various Portland Public Schools

The girls joined other elementary school kids to sing at Director's Park in downtown Portland. Mia Rose joined her sister and friends to sing along. She is easy to spot in her bright pink pants - and we love our public school along with the music and arts curriulum. It is so important. Thank you :)

Hello again :)

How is everybody?  Well,  we are all doing good.  Me and Alena have adjusted very well to school.  It was a very hard first month and now...do I dare say it?  Yes, I will now I love it.  I have come a very long way.  The beginning was not hard because of Alena's dietary issues,  it was just hard to adjust to a new school.  We came from a small private setting were the teachers had an abundance of time for every child, two teachers in every single class room.  Alena's first grade teacher just has a very different style - and we love it. We do not need to worry one last second about her getting food that is not OK.  For one,  Alena always asks, and secondly we worked it out well with the nurse, teacher, and principal.

The principal actually called me over Labor Day weekend right before school started to assure us that we would not have to worry.  The plan was set and everyone went above and beyond to make sure that no mistakes will happen.  We put Cuties as well as pop-sickles in the "special" freezer in the teacher lounge with Alena's name on it.  Whenever there is a party her teacher goes to the freezer to get Alena her treat.  So now, of course I somehow feel like a fool for having had such worries...but I guess that is just what Mama's do :)

Have a great Wednesday everyone...and thank you for reading :)