Last Swim

This afternoon Craig and Kyle went swimming in our pool for the last time this summer. Clara did not participate because she was taking a nap. We are draining the water from it tonight so it can be packed away tomorrow.

We had a lot of fun with our pool this summer. I think Craig enjoyed using it as much as the kids did. :) Below you will see Kyle doing a cannon ball from the side of the pool and Craig being silly.

Michigan's Adventure

On Friday, August 15, Tracey and I took Kyle to Michigan's Adventure. Clara went to Grandma and Grandpa's as she is not ready for the park. Actually, I don't think the park is ready for her! This was our second time there with Kyle. We went when he was 2 1/2, which was probably too young. This time was much more fun as he was able to ride on many more rides and was never scared. Some of the highlights include riding on the Sea Dragon, Logger's Run, Bumper Cars, and a few of the roller coasters. Kyle's favorite ride was Zach's Zoomer - a wooden roller coaster. We also used the water park, but didn't spend too much time there as the clouds came over and the winds picked up making for a chilly time there.

We are all looking forward to going there again sometime in the near future.

Resistant Eater

I am reading a wonderful book right now called Just Take A Bite: Easy, Effective Answers to Food Aversions and Eating Challenges. It describes Clara's behavior toward eating perfectly. Thus, I would like to share some of what I have learned so far.

Clara is a 'resistant eater.'

According to the authors (Dr. Lori Ernsperger and Tania Stegen-Hanson), Resistant eaters often exhibit one of more of the following:

1. Limited food selection. Total of 10-15 foods or less.
2. Limited food groups. Refuses one or more food groups.
3. Anxiety and/or tantrums when presented with new foods. Gag or become ill when presented with new foods.
4. Experiencing food jags. Require one or more foods be present at every meal prepared in the same manner.
5. Diagnosed with a developmental delay such as Autism, Asperger's Syndrome or Pervasive Developmental Disorders-Not Otherwise Specified. May also have a diagnosis of mental retardation.

Fortunately, Clara has not been diagnosed with a developmental delay. However, she exhibits all the other characteristics of a resistant eater. Oh, the stories I could share with you about her limited food selection, limited food groups, food jags, and gagging! I will save those for another day.

The foreward to this book is compelling. Temple Granding states that:
The authors attack many of the myths that surround eating, beginning with the idea that eating is a simple process. In fact, they contend and offer substantial proof that it's an incredibly complex process. They also dispel the "cultural myths" which surround food, one example being that parents are not doing their job well if their child doesn't eat "properly" or "clean his plate." Another is that problem eaters are "just being difficult," as if they're in a power struggle, when they often have underlying oral-motor delay or sensory integration dysfunction, allergies, or any number of other possible problems not yet identified. Some of the myths are actually life threatening, such as "If children are hungry enough, they will eat." Not so of some problem eathers, say the authors. The eating myths function as roadblocks to solving many problem eaters' selectivity and expanding their exposure to new foods.

Furthermore:
Providing support and assistance for resistant eaters is important for a variety of reasons. First, resistant eaters can permanently impair their long-term growth. Children identified as resistant eaters often have a low percentile for weight and height. Second, a lack of an adequate, balanced diet can interfere with a child's ability to learn properly and, therefore, progress academically. Thus, without sound nutrition and adequate vitamin intake, resistant eaters are limiting their potential in the classroom. Third, for some resistant eaters starvation and hospitalization can occur. Although most people believe children will "eat when they are hungry," a small percentage of them will not eat, which eventually may lead to hospitalization for malnutrition and starvation. Lastly, problems with eating can impact a child's socialization and self-esteem. Eating and socialization are closely connected. Eating is an important socialization skill and builds a sense of belonging. Many cultures, including the United States, include eating as part of their holidays and celebrations with family and peers. Resistant eaters are often isolated from their families during mealtimes and may not fit into their mealtime environments. Problems with eating is a serious issue that requires a comprehensive multisensory treatment approach.

Sorry for my book report tonight. I was compelled to share this because I found it to be informative and relevant to our situation with Clara. She is definitely a resistant eater.

Thank goodness there are feeding programs available (like the one at Mary Free Bed) for kids like Clara. She will begin her feeding therapy some time this fall. We are supposed to go three times a week for three months. We can't wait to get started.

In the meantime, we will continue doing our "messy play" activities. So far, we have learned that Clara loves to play with play dough, but she will not finger paint, play with sand, sit in the grass, make clay, or help make a messy dessert (thank you to Grandma Connie for trying this one).
Recently, she refused to eat an m&m candy because it had cool whip on it. She pushed it away and said, "ocky!"

Thank goodness we are starting feeding therapy soon.

Coopersville Summerfest

On August 9, Coopersville Summerfest began. Like the last several years, we woke up early and headed to the 5K run that Tracey participates in. This is one of our favorite races as we do not have to wake up quite so early to get there. Plus, immediately afterwards we can partake in some of the festivities that Summerfest has to offer like the pancake breakfast and the Del Shannon car show. This year, Tracey ran very well as she crossed the finish line with another PR - 25:35! She is running awesome this year! While she was running, the kids and I sat on the sidelines and cheered her on. Well, we didn't exactly sit - Clara pushed her baby in her stoller and Kyle rode his Razor scooter.

Following the race, we went to the pancake breakfast and then the car show. Kyle loves it! He checks out every car and lets me know which one he is planning to buy when he gets bigger. This year it was a brand new Mustang Cobra. He liked it so much he came home and studied it on the Internet. He loves cars!

Kyle's First Triathlon

Kyle participated in his first triathlon. It was the Seaville Kid's Tri in Coopersville. It was a run, bike, and swim event, which is reverse from the traditional triathlon, but highly effective for the kids. Kyle competed in the 5-year old division, which was super short and highly congested. He was tied for first coming off the run, then was doing well on the bike when another kid crossed in front of him and he crashed into him. It was so crowded, I was not surprised. The swim went about as good as it could have given his tendency to sink like a rock. In the end, he did a great job and we are very proud of him. We are all looking forward to next year when the distances are longer, so it is not so congested. Check out the photos, you will see that Clara had a great time too.

Charter Fishing

On July 30 (Yes, I know I am late), Cam, Chris, Dad, Tim, and Walt (Tim's Friend) went on a charter fishing trip out of Pentwater. This was our second trip out in two years. We are planning to make it an annual event, which is cool since it is so much fun. Here are the details:
- Woke up at 3:30am to get up to Pentwater in time to get on Lake Michigan
- It was super windy, so we were worried about the waves - it was rough, but calmed a little
- The boat was awesome - 38 foot Rampage
- We caught 8 fish - I think I caught the biggest! :)
- As usual, Chris and Cam faught over politics
- Check out the photos

Milk

Milk. I know, it's kind of a random topic, but it is on my mind tonight. We drink (and buy) a lot of milk. For instance, I went grocery shopping today and bought the following:

-One gallon of skim milk (for Craig and I)
-One half gallon of 2% milk (for Kyle)
-One half gallon of whole/vitamin D milk (for Clara)
-One gallon of 2% milk (for Kyle's class)
-One six pack of chocolate milk chugs (for Kyle's lunches)

Does anyone else go through this much milk, or is it just us? Also, I am curious to know what kind of milk you drink. Take our survey and let us know. You may select all answers that apply to you.

Milk . . . . . it does a body good, right? :)