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…..

First day of 4th & 2nd Grade and Taco's for Dinner

The first day of the 2013/14 school year arrived on Wednesday;  both girls were a little jittery with anticipation.  Alena was actually a little nervous as this year she is in a 4/5 combined class; she woke up around 10 pm the night before and wanted to leave for school.  Alena told me "I just want to get the first day of school over with.  Let's just go now" Here they are just before school started...

I am glad to report that all went well :)  Alena told me "I am coming back tomorrow it was great", Mia Rose told me "I had fun" plus everyone received a popsicle {yay - all Galactosemia safe and dairy free}.  Take a look at Mia Rose devouring her popsicle...

Oh, and yes interviews are still coming - no need to worry ;)

As a special treat - okay I have to admit to make it easy on me as well - our first school night dinner for the 2013/14 school year was...tadahhhh oh yes, I know you know...taco's.  Mia Rose was my assistant cook :)

P.S.:  Today there are no pictures of us eating tacos...I promise there will be more in the future...

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!

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 :)

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

1st grade Field Trip...

last week was Alena's 3rd grade field trip to downtown Portland, and this week it was Mia Rosie's turn with her 1st grade class.  I try to be involved in the school life of the girls as much as possible.  For once, if there are treats for the class I like to volunteer to make sure that the treats are safe for the girls :) My weekly volunteer job at the school is copying.  Yup, I am good at making copies.  Classroom help -  let me be honest - not so much my forte, but making copies Yes! The other job I am good at - well, I probably should check with the teachers for feedback on that first - is accompanying the kids on field trips.

So where did Mia Rosies' field trip take us?  We went downtown Portland to see a play - Anansi the Spider - by the Tears of Joy Theater.   It was fantastic and is highly recommended by Mia Rosies entire class :)

Here is a picture before the show...yes, Mia Rosie had a great time...


Mia Rose is ready for the show

Dinners {Blueberry Pancakes Pasta w/Kale} Field Trip = Busy Week

Did you all miss me?  I am here but have so ueberbusy...not complaining just saying how it is.  January 31st was a deadline I could not miss for work which in itself would have kept me crazy busy, but as I was chaperoning Alena on her field trip I ended up working a "night shift".  No, I am really not complaining just explaining.

Yes, we did have dinner and I was quite grateful for my freezer and the leftover Hopping John from New Year's Day.  It was great, and since it was National Blueberry Pancake Day we had the strange combination of Blueberry Pancakes {same recipe just swap blueberries for nuts}, Hopping John, and rice for dinner.  I think that is what crazy weeks are for, right?  Combination fun dinners...

Tuesday night dinner included a large big salad, and on Wednesday it was fresh Rotini with purple Kale {my new favorite Kale} and sausage.  This easy dish is always a hit in my house. Everyone loves it and even better with fresh pasta.

Purple Kale & Sausage

Oh, yes and the field trip with Alena's class was on Wednesday.  It was great!  We went downtown Portland.  First stop was the Wells-Fargo Museum, and the next stop was the Oregon Historical Society.  I highly recommend both - and did you know that if you live in Multnomah County there is no fee to go to the Oregon Historical Society.  We only saw a little bit - the kids learned how Native Americans lived on the Pacific Shore and contrasted it with those living in the Oregon dessert.  It was very interesting.  After lunch we learned all about our geology, earth quakes, tsunamis, and volcanos {since we have all of those here}.  It was really fun, but the kids were exhausted.

Alena & her friend at the Portland Wells-Fargo Museum

So, this rounds up our week and yesterday? Well...we did go out to HopWorks for dinner.

Come back tomorrow to see what will be on our dinner table tonight :)

Have a great day, all!!!

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.

A different evening...

OK  - so I could not think of a better title.  It was a different kind of evening today,  as we met Ron at Burgerville for dinner.  Yes, not all that unusual - take a look at the girlies enjoying their Kids Hamburger meal along with a - rare - Sprite...

after dinner Ron and Mia Rose took the bus back home - she loves taking the bus :); while Alena and I headed to the Oregon Food Bank to volunteer www.oregonfoodbank.org.  Alena's teacher had organized the volunteer event and many of the kids along with parents were there to volunteer.  It was such a great experience...

Alena is ready to volunteer

We worked in the repackaging area where we packed carrots from bulk bags into individual bags.  The carrots we packed will be distributed throughout the State of Oregon...

repackaging carrots

working hard...

When we were done with our job we were given a tour of the facilities.  It was a great experience for all...

Alena in the Talent Show - March, 2012

Here is our big girl playing for the first time in front of a large crowd :)

Mia Rose on her winter break as told to her teacher...

a couple of clarifications from the mothership are in place :) It was not yet her birthday, and apparently Alena did not take all her princesses. However, she did play on the monkey bars and had a great time. Her calloused hands are proof :)))