The first day of school, the sequel

Today was really the first day of school–the first day of school in our newly constructed building. Reasons why it rocked:

1. I didn’t have to apply bug spray or sunscreen
2. I didn’t have to play camp counselor
3. My students were happy not to be in “the log cabin” anymore.
4. No one wet their pants.
5. A few parents banded together and gave the staff an appreciation luncheon–La Fiesta style
6. I didn’t break a sweat.
7. The day was pleasant and went by quickly.
8. I had enough energy when I got home to cook dinner and do a few things, not just zone out on the couch.

Truly, this was the best first day of real school ever. Partially, I think, because we were all so grateful to be off the ever-loving prairie!!!

To top it off, MAM came home with NO wet clothes. We’ve been averaging 1-2 pairs of wet undies a day, which is perfectly understandably. Today? None. Now she didn’t go 100% at home, but that’s ok. Making it to the potty for 9 hours straight is quite a feat!

The one odd thing is that her cough is back–it started yesterday, and she coughed through the night and during nap today. She’s gone to be early because she was so exhausted. She’s had absolutely no milk, so I’m thinking the cough may be the product of one of the other triggers which may have snuck into her diet. Have you ever tried eliminating SOY? Nearly impossible. If it’s gone tomorrow, we’ll know it was for sure a reaction and not a cold (I think).

If the first day of school hadn’t gone so swimmingly well, I think I’d start studying dietetics and consider changing careers.

When sharing is not good

Being a mom and a teacher of young children, a good majority of my waking hours are dedicated to keeping the peace and facilitating the concept of sharing is good.

Except when manufacturers encourage say, an allergen like WHEAT to share equipment with something benign and tasty such as corn. This new restriction from my friendly dietitian is really, really tricky. I was talking to myself in the grocery store–yelling softly at our used-to-be favorite rice crackers—why, oh why do they have to shack up with soy at the factory? A lot of things we’ve been enjoying these past three weeks co-habitate with the NO-NOs. I’m going to have to go to someplace more dedicated to food allergies (read: more expensive) than Trader Joe’s. And that makes me sad, because TJ’s is close to my house, has great samples all the time and remember, is the maker of the gluten free rice milk. Which is now a staple in our house. Which means I can’t not go to TJ’s, it just means I’ll add another stop to my grocery route.

While I’m at it, I’m amazed at what pops up in the most unusual places. HUMMUS has allergens. CHICKEN BROTH has allergens. Milk in HOT DOGS. Because that makes sense. Oh and Burger King? Almost every item on the menu contains soy.

Which really just means more work for me. I will have to make things that I’ve become accustomed to buying. Things I know how to make, but prefer to buy, mostly because I don’t like cleaning my blender or food processor. It looks like I’m going to have to get over that…

Hooray for Friday!

Today’s been the best day of this never-ending week.

For starters, it was our last day on the PRAIRIE. That, in and of itself, makes it the best day of the week.

For seconds, I met with a fantastic pediatric dietitian, who told me I was doing a great job eliminating MAM’s allergens, and gave me a few things to add to my to-do list on that front. I need to check out our most frequented restaurants to find out about frying oil and assorted additives to meat products. I also need to check labels and exclude products “manufactured on shared equipment” to said allergens. But she also said that phone calls or emails to assorted companies can verify if a specific product is made on shared equipment. Why be so diligent? So that she can totally avoid these foods for awhile, which should facilitate her out growing of said allergens. Without total avoidance, they may not go away or they may pop up later.

Thirdly, I ate every meal out today. I did find it ironic that I ate an exceptional double cheeseburger from Hardee’s on my way to the dietitian, but such is life. Why the sink is still full of dishes is beyond me.

And last but not least, after working for 3.5 hours tonight, my classroom is ready for Monday. And more importantly, the building finally passed inspection, so the classrooms can actually open on Monday. In our lovely new building AND NOT ON THE PRAIRIE.