A candy free halloween.

 

Halloween isn't all about the candy. With a pretty serious food allergy to tree nuts for L and special diet restrictions for C; gluten free, peanut free, nut free, soy free, etc. We have to be more mindful in how we approach Halloween this year. Last year was the first year we trick or treated. The boys didn't eat any candy. I'm' not even sure they knew what candy was. They just weren't interested and it just didn't seem necessary to offer them sugary treats. They were happy just to be out and about for the activities. This year we will be substituting their bag with a couple of safe options for them to enjoy if they wish when they are done trick or treating. Raisins and Annie's Organic Fruit Chewies. I know we will be making more mindful decisions as Lucas enters school in the coming years and already Caleb is very aware of making sure what he eats is gluten free and what lucas eats is nut free. The hardest thing so far is that lucas doesn't get it quite yet. If someone hands him food he wants to eat it. We will only be going to a few houses but I know we will be making sure to keep him safe around the candy. This year I thought a little more about all the children who can't eat just any type of food and or candy. I think in the future we will be handing out allergy safe treats...i.e. raisins or even stickers. This year the boys are excited just to say "trick or treat" and "Happy Halloween" and I am happy about that. We are learning as we go. We will be navigating and learning more along this new road as we face our first Thanksgiving and Christmas with special diet restrictions. I want the boys to enjoy all that there is to enjoy and celebrate; special holiday food included.  I'm grateful for all the parents who have carved the map ahead of us. With all the special cook books out there with great allergy free recipes and the awareness that has come in the past few years in regards to food allergies and special allergen free diets, I feel very thankful. Thankful for those before us who have carved the way and those alongside us who support and encourage us as we navigate.

some of our favorite fall festivities....

a favorite activity has been our evening walks. the boys love looking at all the lights and different Halloween decorations.

pumpkin carving was so fun for the boys this year. They love our nightly ritual of lighting the pumpkins and then getting to blow out the candles after our walk.

 

Dusty from Planes (lucas' costume)

 

Helping Daddy make their Halloween costumes was another fun activity. Caleb loves flying around in his "chupacabra" Planes costume. Made out of cardboard, paint, and elastic.

 

 at pre-school the kids made spider webs with glitter. C chose not to participate at the time and so we did it at home instead. He had fun squeezing out the glue to make a design and then sprinkling the glitter on top.

 

This year we are more aware of food allergies and diet restrictions because we are going through it first hand. So for all the children out there who are going trick or treating tonight I hope they have a fun and safe Halloween and I hope those handing out the treats this year are just a little bit more aware too.

 and for all the kids who are going out tonight with sensory differences, I hope there is a little more understanding for them too.

 

 

Happy Halloween.

 

**Yesterday my friend Marisa at Deliberate Parenting asked me to share about our Halloween costumes and our approach to the boys and their choice in wearing them. If you're interested in reading  her post and what I shared you can here...when young children don't want to wear costumes. I am very thankful for her friendship and her wisdom in parenting. She is someone who inspires me and encourages me and I have always admired her parenting approach with her young daughters.

 

Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Pumpkin Carving Time

Twenty something years ago my daddy had his three little girls gathered around the table with their pumpkins. This year I got to watch my two little boys gathered around their daddy with their pumpkins. I love coming full circle.

I love sharing and witnessing their joy and excitement. I cherish our continuing of family traditions and the beauty of making new ones with our boys.

head nestled close to his daddy and curious boy peering in a pumpkin. these moments make me happy.

the pumpkin guts. scoop and dig.

the happy pumpkin carving dance.

 my heart, right there.

 

 his little hand, resting on daddy's shoulder. my heart.

totally blurry, but that dimpled smile....

 joy is...basking in the glow of an October sunset with my family....carving pumpkins :)

Perspective

A New Perspective for Moms  (Grab a tissue. This short video clip really hit close to home for me)

Perspective.

Lately, I have been struggling with this. I have often gone to bed at the end of the day feeling defeated and frustrated with myself over situations. I could have had a great day with the boys and one thing will linger in my mind instead. I linger over these thoughts...was I patient enough? What could I have done differently? Did they hear my deep breath and know that I was taking it because I was feeling frustrated in the moment with their whining and fighting? Did my voice get louder and sound mad? Instead of focusing on the positive I linger on the negative. Instead of remembering all the good moments I had with the boys my thoughts stray to the one bad moment. The moment I raised my voice or the moment I felt completely defeated, frustrated, angry, mad, sad, etc. over one thing or another. While I think evaluating the day is good and helpful in who I am as a mother, I too often find myself caught up in the negative. Reflecting on the day and praying about it helps me in this journey as a mother. Starting my day in prayer and in the Bible gives me the focus I need each day. Listening to Klove encourages me through the day. Having quiet time to run or walk while listening to some good for the soul music keeps me grounded. My prayer is that the boys will always, feel our love. That they hear it. That they feel it. That they know it. For those moments when I'm so frustrated, I pray God gives me the whispered reminder to hug my hurting 4 year old instead. For the times when they are fighting I hope I can remind them how blessed they are to have each other. I hope when they are all grown up, they will remember all the love in our home and that I will remember the love more too.

 

 

I wanted to end with a song that has been on my heart for about a week now....Your Grace Finds Me


It's there in the newborn cry
It's there in the light of every sunrise
It's there in the shadows of this light
Your great grace

It's there on the mountaintop
It's there in the everyday and the mundane
There in the sorrow and the dancing
Your great grace

Oh, such grace

From the creation to the cross
Then from the cross into eternity
Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me

It's there on a wedding day
There in the weeping by the graveside
There in the very breath we breathe
Your great grace

Same for the rich and poor
Same for the saint and for the sinner
Enough for this whole wide world
Your great grace

Oh, such grace

From the creation to the cross
Then from the cross into eternity
Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me

There in the darkest night of the soul
There in the sweetest songs of victory
Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me

Your great grace
Oh, such grace
Your great grace
Oh, such grace

So I'm breathing in Your grace
And I'm breathing out Your praise
I'm breathing in Your grace
Forever I'll be
Breathing in Your grace
And I'm breathing out Your praise
I'm breathing in Your grace
Forever I'll be
Breathing in Your grace
And I'm breathing out Your praise
Breathing in Your grace
For our God, for our God

Yes, Your grace finds me
Yes, Your grace finds me


And one more thing to share...
I am always so inspired by this mom, over at peace it all together . She shares openly and honestly her story. I am always so encouraged by her faith and her courage in sharing struggles and triumphs. This post really hit close to home for me. battles and balance . (her O has spd like our C. I have found so much strength and encouragement in her blog!!)

 and that is all :)

Grandma and her boys

Pictures from last week with Grandma!! So special to witness the bond between a grandma and her grandsons :)

 Prepare for picture overload :) Pictures are from a visit to casa de fruta, the pumpkin patch, and hanging around the house. The boys had so much fun and it was nice to have an extra pair of hands around. It was also nice being able to go on some walks with Dave in the evening time after the boys were in bed. Now we are counting down until Thanksgiving when we get to spend time with Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts, great uncles, and great grandparents!!

casa de fruta

 that face! this boy seriously makes the funniest expressions.

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin Patch

 

 

 

Hanging around the house

(caleb started up his therapeutic listening from OT again and it has been helping a lot!) I just love how his legs are crossed at the ankles here as he listens to the story :) Sweet boy.

 beading rosaries

 play dough fun

 

pumpkin painting  

 

Thanks for such a special visit Grandma! Love, your boys.