Some people just don't get it

There is this article in our newspaper. When I first read the article I was so happy that finally there seems to be more concern for food-allergy and diabetic children at the schools here. Then I read the comments, there are some people that are great, they understand, whether or not they have their own children affected by food allergies. Then there are some that aggravate me so much. These are the people that concern me.

G2 and G3 have over a full year before they will start Kindergarten, yet every time I think about it I about have a panic attack. I'm terrified for their safety. While they know their allergies, they are also very trusting. If a "safe" adult were to tell them something is okay for them to eat it, they will do so.

It is hard enough entrusting someone else with the care of your "normal" child, but then when you add something, like an allergy or other health concern, it is even harder to trust. Then, when they are in a school setting you don't only have to worry about the adults that they are in the care of, but also all the other children and their families.

There were times this school year that G1 came home with candy and would tell me his friend "so-and-so" gave it to him. I tried to stress to him that we don't take candy from other people, even if it is a friend, unless an adult says it is okay. Well, another child or parent could easily offer one of my girls something. G2 almost always asks if it is safe, G3 just trusts that if something is offered it is safe. When these other children or adults are asked if it is safe, and they have no clue about the allergy or what the ingredients are they are very likely to tell my children that it is okay for them to eat it. Then what?

Granted neither one has had a severe reaction, but that's because I have been right there and on top of things. We don't know what would happen if they didn't have a "responsible" adult around them (by responsible, I mean one that is caring for them and knows what to do in case of an emergency). We don't know what the next reaction will look like. We don't know when that "oh, it will be fine" moment could turn fatal. Some food allergies are easier to understand, nut allergies are always changing. Most of the time if someone has a nut allergy it gets worse with time and exposure.

There are these two comments, from the same person that really irritated me:

"Also, I would never dream of making someone else conform as to accommodate myself or my family. Those families that are imposing these restrictions upon the children at the school need to also put themselves in the shoes of the other children and see if they believe it's fair to them as well."

"Again, in all fairness you need to think about the entire student population and how it effects everyone. It's not just about these kids with food allergies."

I have typed and deleted so much in response to these comments, but I just find myself not able to put my words into "print." That's how aggravated I am.

If you get a chance read the article and the comments.

Most of the people that read this blog love my girls (well, all of my children) almost as much as I do. You know how stressed I get about making sure my babies don't have anything they shouldn't. Some of you know how upset (sometimes to the point of crying) I get when I am worried about these things.

I'm not sure I made any sense at all in this post. I'm sure it is just a bunch of rambling that only makes sense to me (and maybe Mom and Marcia because they seem to understand my rambling even when I don't).

Girls spelling

You've seen all the girls spell their first names. Now you will see them do a little more. *Please ignore how awful my stairs look, someday they will get refinished*

G3:

G4:

G2 (at one point G2 was trying to think and you can hear G4 in the background saying it):

Our baby is 3!!

It is hard to believe that G4 is now 3-years old. She amazes me every day. I love her to pieces!!

Here is her annual birthday picture at 7:59 AM (the time she was born) on May 28th.

I will try to post about all her birthday celebrations this weekend sometime.

Shimmin Farm

The third and final field trip was to a farm. The farm is out in the middle of no-where between Monmouth and Roseville. The buses got lost on the way to the farm. (I heard that this also happened 2 years ago!) Turns out the bus driver printed out directions to the wrong place. He printed directions to a house that belongs to people with the same name. G1's teacher got out at that house and asked the guy there for directions. We eventually got there.

G1 told me his favorite thing was the pigs:

This duck is ugly, but kind of interesting:

This momma sheep couldn't find her baby and was crying out for it:

G1 sitting on the tractor wheel:


If I remember correctly the calf's name was Blaze (or something similar):


I had never seen a live turkey up close, they are hideous:


Feeding the chickens:
I held a bird! For those that don't know, I don't like birds. Scratch that, it isn't that I don't like birds. I'm terrified of birds!! I told G1's teacher that and she asked me if I wanted her to take a picture so I had proof that I did touch a bird.
After we left the farm we headed to Monmouth. We were going to the park to eat lunch and let the kids play. The park is right next to the cemetery. The bus drivers missed the turn into the park, so we drove through the cemetery. That was the second mishap of the day.

The third was; one of the classes lunch cooler was not to be found when we were passing out lunches. That teacher was not very happy, understandably. So, as a couple of the other chaperons were trying to find it the teachers were trying to see what there was for extra lunches (because there are always extras from what the school provides) so those that didn't have lunches could still eat. Eventually the cooler was found. It was on a seat on the bus and could not be seen from the back door. They tried to get the cooler out because the bus drivers had left to get lunch and the bus was locked. Eventually the kids did get the lunches that they were supposed to have.

After having so much go wrong I was just ready to get back to Galesburg! Thankfully the kids didn't seem to notice that anything had gone wrong all day. They had a blast!

Niabi Zoo

The second field trip in May was to Niabi Zoo. It rained a little bit while we were there, but other than that it was a really nice trip. G1 and I were paired up with a girl from his class, and the 3 of us were free to see the zoo at our own speed.

Birds by the sidewalk:

G1 being goofy:
Feeding the goat:




These are always my favorite monkeys at Niabi:




G1 loves the "Tracys" aka camels to normal people:

I thought it was funny that the monkey was trying so hard to get the tree that was outside its netting.

The elephants came out of their building shortly before we left. That made me pretty happy. I am always disappointed when I go to Niabi and they don't come out at all.

At first when we walked by the bear's exhibit we didn't see him. That was a little disappointing, but we don't see him that often when we go. Then a couple of G1's classmates walked by and saw him poke his head up from behind the log. So we were able to see him too.

Touch a truck

In May G1 had 3 field trips. I was able to go on every one of them with him. The first was to Touch-a-Truck. We had heard of it but this was the first year any of us had attended. I went with G1 and Grammy took the girls. There was a TON of kids there. I think the Gs enjoyed it, mostly.