Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 3, 2021 8:20:56 GMT -6
Happy November O17! Halloween is done, next up is Thanksgiving for the Americans, Black Friday shopping, and cooler temps. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is back this year, and we’re excited to watch online. I always like to see the big balloons and the cheesy acts.  Any special plans/traditions this month for you all? |
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 3, 2021 23:15:47 GMT -6
Replying the last month here! curmudgeon your DS looks so different and seems like a little boy and no longer a tot. Glad you were able to celebrate with family. Did he want a mummy cake? It looks great! and Love your boys awesome creepy costumes! it would scare the crap out of my boys lol! danvers sorry for your sinus infection. Gah! those are really awful. I had a sinus headache a few weeks back and that was bad enough. Same here with hubs and never been to a pumpkin patch lol! When I wanted to take DS, he was like what is that??!! The patch this year was open and the corn maze was quite tricky, first time we only made it through a tiny portion because the kids wanted to go get pumpkins and the 2nd time we went in and we actually legit...got lost. Luckily I took a picture of the maze and hubs was able to navigate our way out lol! Taitai , hoping school will stay open for you. It really is stressful having to school the kiddos while trying to work. It was stressful enough without working at least for me. Also nice to see you were able to get away for a bit. No traveling this year again for us. |
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 3, 2021 23:46:03 GMT -6
I have news both GREAT and not so great... GREAT news! I snagged a vax appointment for DS this Saturday!!! He isn't thrilled but we are. I initially prebooked another one for next week and told him last week about it and he was ok...that's in 2 weeks and suddenly it's in a few days...I checked the weather and luckily it will be fair and I told him, we could go for a hike in the foothills and have a picnic before he gets his jab and then we can go get cupcakes or something at the bakery after. Cases here are rising again and hospitals are at near capacity so I am not wasting any time. Not so good news:  Lil fella started school last week. We were supposed to have a trial half day the previous week and didn't make it because he got sick in the car right as we got there but managed to get there the 2nd - he did get sick again, this time in the parking lot. He was ok after and was excited to go. So basically all of last week, he's been getting sick in the parking lot when we arrive. It's so awful. He tells me he's excited about school when I asked if he was nervous so I am thinking, he doesn't quite understand nerves and excitement? He didn't want to go this Monday and had a rough morning getting there, refused to go into class so we got back into the car and as we drove away, he said he wanted to go then as I turned around he said he didn't want to go...I was driving in circles at that point. Fiinally I persuaded him to hang out in the playground because no class was out there in hopes that he would feel comfortable and join his class. Well, that didn't turn out so well, as he entered his class, he turned to leave and I shut the door and he started crying ( parent's aren't allowed to enter the class due to covid protocols ) and his teacher came over to console him. I nearly broke down so I walked away. I stopped in a half hour later to drop off his stuffed toy for rest/nap which we forgot and he wasn't even aware of it and they said he was doing fine and is eating and joining in on activities. Yesterday, he was refusing again to go but we managed to convince him and on the way he threw up twice and this time, it seemed different so I just went back home and he legit has a stomach bug of all things to pick up in school. Ugghhh! I am so upset that his experience with starting school has not been good at all. He seemed happy and didn't want to leave when I picked him up all of last week. I don't know what changed or happened. His class had their halloween party last Friday and he absolutely loved it. I am really at a loss. He's had no fever has kept his semi solid dinner down tonight but I am reluctant to take him to school tomorrow because I can't watch him puke again especially after last week and him being actually having the stomach bug. He has a chronic history with motion sickness too which isn't helping. Also they are doing road construction all around us it's a bumpy ride out of town plus all the detours and having to make lots of turns isn't helping I am sure. |
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 4, 2021 7:04:05 GMT -6
duskymonkey Wow - congrats on getting a vaccination appointment for your DS! I think your kiddo will be the first one I know to get vaccinated! We are flying to the USA for Christmas, and we’ll definitely be getting DS1 vaccinated. To bad our O17 kids don’t make the cutoff For your little fella - oh, I’m so sorry that it’s been a rough start for him, especially with getting a stomach bug on top of it! I am hoping that once he’s totally over the bug, he will be ready to go and get back to enjoying class. The motion sickness thing is hard too. I also suffer from it. My motion sickness is so bad, that I can’t even doing anything on my phone for more than about 30 seconds while I’m in a moving vehicle of any sorts, otherwise I start to feel nauseous. No joke, I cannot even text on my phone while I’m in a plane that is taxiing. It sucks and it runs in my family - my cousin has the same problem. I wonder if you could encourage your little guy to look out the window and try to keep his focus on the horizon or the scenery or something? I find that if I’m just looking inside the car and not getting the perspective that I’m moving, then I get sick. Also, would giving him Dramamine an hour before you leave the house be possible? Again, that helps me a lot. I think it’s safe for kids 2+. I even took it regularly while pregnant. Hugs - you guys will get through this!!!
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Nov 4, 2021 17:53:13 GMT -6
Taitai I love watching the parade - Balloons Over Broadway is a picture book I read to my students every year about the man who was responsible for creating those giant parade balloons when the parade first started. duskymonkey so sorry the school experience is off to a rough start. Ugh. But how awesome about the vax appt! I haven’t seen anything here yet for DD1 but I heard by next Monday maybe the health dept might have some.
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danvers
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Post by danvers on Nov 4, 2021 18:00:32 GMT -6
H and I are going to a wedding Saturday. This is first one we’ve been to one since pre-Covid. I bought a dress and then went a little crazy and bought boots and accessories too. I guess I’m excited for any kind of public interaction or outing! My inlaws are keeping the girls all weekend so we already have tickets to see the new Marvel movie too and plan to sleep super late Sunday.
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Post by curmudgeon on Nov 9, 2021 13:40:46 GMT -6
Tomorrow is our anniversary so we are taking a short weekend trip to the hill country where they have lots of vineyards and German food and antique shops. I’ve never been but I’m excited! I want to check in more but life seems so busy lately. ☹️ So I’ve just been reading and liking everyone’s posts. duskymonkey I hope drop off is getting easier for your little guy. Taitai exciting you are doing another trip to the US! How long are you staying? |
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Taitai
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Posts: 8,305 Likes: 54,853
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Post by Taitai on Nov 20, 2021 7:58:17 GMT -6
curmudgeon Happy belated anniversary! I hope your trip to hill country was full of delicious wine, tasty German food, and romance! 😁😉 Sorry for not checking in! Been kind of busy over here. Can’t believe we’re heading back to the USA next month! We’ll be back for about a month, which will give us enough time to get DS1 vaccinated. I would LOVE it if the 2-4 age group got approval while we were back, but who knows if that will happen. Now, just trying to find winter clothes that will fit the boys! Hoping for snow too - we’ll see….
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 23, 2021 11:48:15 GMT -6
curmudgeon happy belated anniversary! Hope you had a good time out in the hills. Taitai wow! I’m glad you are able to return to get DS vaxed! And get to celebrate Xmas here. Hubs got his booster last week and I’m getting mine this Saturday and DS will get his 2nd shot next week. Happy vaxgiving! 😬 Our Gov went ahead of the CDC and FDA and opened up boosters a few weeks ago to everyone 18+ because people here suck and our hospitals has reach capacity. Soon after lil fella had the stomach bug, he caught a cold snd cough so we got him tested (-) based on speaking with the nurse he didn’t have the right symptoms but we did it out of precaution. So we basically missed school for 3 weeks plus he didn’t want to go and I think I may have found the reason and in addition to his already existing anxiety it is a struggle. We are in the middle of looking for a therapist with availability ASAP. Covid sucks 😞
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 23, 2021 11:54:36 GMT -6
So I haven’t had an once of time to check in until now since I’m sitting outside little fellas classroom 😩 at least he didn’t puke today so that was a win. We spent the time at home working on his anxiety and we’ve had a little success. His school has been so great about support and I’m grateful for them and allowing me to hang out in the hallway and outside with the door propped open the last 2 times. I’m planning our thanksgiving meal now and getting a Christmas list together for the kiddos. Any cool presents you guys have found? Share please! I’m out of ideas.
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Post by curmudgeon on Nov 23, 2021 19:01:56 GMT -6
DS2 has asked for a black and white glow in the dark octopus that changes color in water and also spins when you push a button. If anyone has any leads, let me know. 🤣
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 24, 2021 7:24:48 GMT -6
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 24, 2021 10:40:56 GMT -6
We weren’t supposed to come to school today but lil fella didn’t get a chance to share his construction vehicles he brought yesterday so he said he wanted to do that today so I called the school and they said it was ok for him to come today so I’m stuck here for the morning again instead of getting things ready for our Thanksgiving feast tomorrow 🤷🏻♀️ At least he didn’t ask for the bucket when we arrived! That’s another WIN!
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 24, 2021 10:53:00 GMT -6
curmudgeon omg! That’s brilliant if you find something like that! 🤣 my DS would love that! I definitely haven’t seen anything like that and he is so obsessed with sea animals that I’ve scoured the internet for cool stuff. Does he like octopus? Taitai goats are super friendly until they devour everything. We also got the boys a Nat Geo dig thing… just can’t remember which one 🤣 and we have on DS family list a field microscope too! Carson MicroFlip 100x-250x LED and UV Lighted Pocket Microscope with Flip Down Slide Base and Smartphone Digiscoping Clip Bundle Included with 24 Prepared Insect and Animal Slides (MP-250BUN) smile.amazon.com/dp/B015MS8O48/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ABHZZ0V86WB63XFB0VG6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1If your kiddos love to paint, we got these Aquarellum- they have other themes/subject. Sentosphère 3906060 "Aquarellum GM Coral Reefs Painting Set smile.amazon.com/dp/B000S2RA2G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GMK3QPKBDD0GG645KDR0The boys asked for a snow leopard and kakapo stuffy too so hubs and I decided to start making conscious gift giving decisions whenever we have the opportunity so we’re doing adoptions kits through NZ conservation and WWF and stuffies are included in the kit. We’ve also started getting gifts from Unicef as well, if you’re looking for xmas ornaments, they have really lovely ornaments and other hostess type gifts and they’re unique as well. I recommend browsing www.market.unicefusa.org/
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Post by curmudgeon on Nov 24, 2021 11:06:26 GMT -6
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Post by curmudgeon on Nov 24, 2021 11:14:45 GMT -6
We are hosting both of our parents tomorrow so I took today off to cook and clean. But I’ve premade all that I can and I don’t feel like cleaning yet.
I did wash dishes needed for tomorrow and bathe both dogs. And it’s not even noon yet. So I feel somewhat accomplished.
There is a restaurant nearby that has the most delicious warm spinach bacon salad. So I’m trying to recreate that and the vinaigrette. I did a small test batch and I think it’s a winner. I’m so excited.
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 24, 2021 11:19:49 GMT -6
curmudgeon I haven’t looked but I wonder if they have a sequinal octopus? If you don’t know, they’re studded with sequins which change color as you run your hands over it 🤷🏻♀️ Also checking out nuggets because same here with disheveled couch 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ Taitai the tix to ride board game sounds interesting, need to check it out and also what curmudgeon posted.
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 24, 2021 11:29:42 GMT -6
We are hosting both of our parents tomorrow so I took today off to cook and clean. But I’ve premade all that I can and I don’t feel like cleaning yet. I did wash dishes needed for tomorrow and bathe both dogs. And it’s not even noon yet. So I feel somewhat accomplished. There is a restaurant nearby that has the most delicious warm spinach bacon salad. So I’m trying to recreate that and the vinaigrette. I did a small test batch and I think it’s a winner. I’m so excited. Ooo! I remember eating a warm spinach salad at a restaurant a lifetime ago 🤣 and it was so good! It had bacon in it 😀 what else are you making? We have the usual, Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mash taters, corn casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, pumpkin pie and pumpkin choc swirl cheesecake. Maybe sweet potato rolls. Cheesecake is made, just have to remember to thaw it out tonight, Turkey is brining and I made the pie dough last night and hoping I get up bake it tonight. Hoping to prep as much as I can and roast the Turkey backbone and neck and make the stock tonight. Was supposed to do that today but stick here 😩 |
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Post by curmudgeon on Nov 24, 2021 11:48:46 GMT -6
curmudgeon I haven’t looked but I wonder if they have a sequinal octopus? If you don’t know, they’re studded with sequins which change color as you run your hands over it 🤷🏻♀️ Also checking out nuggets because same here with disheveled couch 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ Taitai the tix to ride board game sounds interesting, need to check it out and also what curmudgeon posted. Ticket to ride is a favorite game here. DS1 got it a couple years ago and it’s still a top choice. Sweet potato rolls sound so delicious. I have never heard of them before. If you have time to share a recipe, that would be super awesome. |
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 25, 2021 7:17:10 GMT -6
Happy Thanksgiving O17! Wishing you all a delicious and relaxing holiday from across the Pacific. Thankful for you all as well - duskymonkey curmudgeon CoachTsWife danvers August Blooms, and the rest of the O17 moms. It’s been wonderful to have a group of amazing women who can support each other as our little ones get older. 😊🙏  |
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 25, 2021 7:23:47 GMT -6
duskymonkey Your Thanksgiving menu sounds delicious and amazing, as always! Good luck with all of the cooking and baking today! curmudgeon Good luck to you too as you prep to have your parents and ILs over! How do you make your turkey, in the oven? My FIL is really good at grilling theirs - I miss a good grilled turkey so much. Crazily, I have never had a deep fried turkey 🤷♀️🦃 It was a normal school day here today, so the kids went to school while H and I cooked up a storm. We then had our feast after the kids got home from school, and it actually worked out really well, timing wise! We had a total of 11 people, which was also just the right size for us. Here was the menu: -Roasted chicken with sichuan pepper sauce and Thai whisky bbq sauce -roasted carrots -green bean casserole with the crispy onions on top -cranberry apple orange zest relish -corn bread with honey butter -mashed potatoes -mashed sweet potatoes -stuffing with sage pork sausage and apples -pumpkin pie -apple pie It was all so tasty - H cooked most of the stuff, because I suck at cooking. I did the desserts. Now we have a ton of leftovers - I know what I’m eating for the next 3 days!
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Post by curmudgeon on Nov 25, 2021 7:36:24 GMT -6
Taitai Happy Thanksgiving!! Your roasted chicken sounds delicious. I have no idea how to cook a turkey. I’m trying these instructions and hoping it turns out. The General board has me paranoid about brining, but my mom never did and her turkeys were never dry. Oh well, if it’s bad it’s bad. 🤷🏻♀️ We will have plenty of sides and pies. www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-turkey-recipe4-1943576
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 25, 2021 7:57:48 GMT -6
duskymonkey I wanted to recommend a book about childhood anxiety that we’ve found to be really helpful for DS1 (and honestly there are good tips in this book for readers of all ages). It’s called “ When My Worries Get Too Big,” and you can find it on Amazon for like $4. I think there is also a free .pdf version out there on the web. There are many good strategies in here, and the book involves reader input to make it more personalized/effective. Highly recommend! www.amazon.com/When-Worries-Relaxation-Children-Anxiety/dp/1931282927
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 25, 2021 7:59:29 GMT -6
Taitai Happy Thanksgiving!! Your roasted chicken sounds delicious. I have no idea how to cook a turkey. I’m trying these instructions and hoping it turns out. The General board has me paranoid about brining, but my mom never did and her turkeys were never dry. Oh well, if it’s bad it’s bad. 🤷🏻♀️ We will have plenty of sides and pies. www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-turkey-recipe4-1943576 I am positive that yours will turn out fantastic! Besides, the sides are always where it’s at (at least for me). Good luck with the bird - watch the Macy’s parade for me too! It’s on too late for us to watch live - total bummer. |
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 25, 2021 23:03:48 GMT -6
Taitai Happy Thanksgiving!! Your roasted chicken sounds delicious. I have no idea how to cook a turkey. I’m trying these instructions and hoping it turns out. The General board has me paranoid about brining, but my mom never did and her turkeys were never dry. Oh well, if it’s bad it’s bad. 🤷🏻♀️ We will have plenty of sides and pies. www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-turkey-recipe4-1943576 I am positive that yours will turn out fantastic! Besides, the sides are always where it’s at (at least for me). Good luck with the bird - watch the Macy’s parade for me too! It’s on too late for us to watch live - total bummer. You can't go wrong with Ina's recipe and I may even have tried it at some point lol! and a good meat thermometer is your best friend. I've also made many many birds over the years and have settled on spatchcocking my turkey and for me brining has been the best way. This is the recipe I use for nearly a decade now and has even changed hubs mind. This method also offers the advantage of making turkey stock and gravy ahead and it roasts up fast food52.com/recipes/19394-spatchcocked-roast-turkey |
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 25, 2021 23:23:44 GMT -6
curmudgeon a little late but good anytime. Here's the sweet potato roll recipe and I love making it with purple potatoes. I followed the rule to knead the dough smooth until it feels like a baby's bottom lol! I can't remember who said that but that has made a difference for me in my bread making journey. I also remember you made apple cider donuts and saw Stella Parks actually has a recipe here Let me know if you try it out. Sweet potato rolls Ingredients • 1 large sweet potato (about 12 oz.), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 1/2 cups) • 2/3 cup whole milk • 1/4 cup warm water (100°F to 110°F) • 1 (1/4-oz.) package active dry yeast • 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided • 2 large eggs • 6 tablespoons butter, melted, divided • 3 1/2 cups bread flour, plus more for kneading • 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt • 2 tablespoons honey • 3/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt Method 1.
Bring sweet potato and milk to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Using a potato masher or fork, mash potatoes with milk until very smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
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Stir together warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the sugar in a small bowl. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
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Beat together sweet potato mixture, yeast mixture, eggs, 4 tablespoons of the melted butter, and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook on low to combine. With mixer running, gradually add bread flour and kosher salt, beating on low until dough is soft and smooth, about 4 minutes. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding up to 1/2 cup flour, as needed, if dough is very sticky. Transfer dough to a lightly greased large bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 15 balls. Place balls in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature until almost doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Meanwhile, stir together honey and remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter; set aside.
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Uncover rolls, and bake in preheated oven until light golden brown, 18 to 22 minutes. Brush hot rolls with honey butter; sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve immediately, or transfer rolls to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
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Post by duskymonkey on Nov 25, 2021 23:39:36 GMT -6
Happy Turkey day ladies! Like Taitai I am thankful and grateful for you all and our journey as mothers from the beginning. Hubs and I are just chilling out after getting the kitchen cleaned up. I am looking forward to just relaxing with the kiddos tomorrow since we have so much leftovers! Taitai your menu is scrumptious! and curmudgeon I hope your feasting went well and same with everyone else! danvers thank you so so much for recommending the Tony Sarg book! I got one for the kids this year and they have been reading it over and over especially lil fella and it was really meaningful for them to watch the parade this year. Watching the parade really made me miss NYC so much and I remember I used to avoid midtown like a plague the day before and day off Thanksgiving. |
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Post by curmudgeon on Nov 26, 2021 6:47:21 GMT -6
Thanks so much for the recipes duskymonkey! You’re the best. |
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Lil fella started school last week. We were supposed to have a trial half day the previous week and didn't make it because he got sick in the car right as we got there but managed to get there the 2nd - he did get sick again, this time in the parking lot. He was ok after and was excited to go. So basically all of last week, he's been getting sick in the parking lot when we arrive. It's so awful. He tells me he's excited about school when I asked if he was nervous so I am thinking, he doesn't quite understand nerves and excitement? He didn't want to go this Monday and had a rough morning getting there, refused to go into class so we got back into the car and as we drove away, he said he wanted to go then as I turned around he said he didn't want to go...I was driving in circles at that point. Fiinally I persuaded him to hang out in the playground because no class was out there in hopes that he would feel comfortable and join his class. Well, that didn't turn out so well, as he entered his class, he turned to leave and I shut the door and he started crying ( parent's aren't allowed to enter the class due to covid protocols ) and his teacher came over to console him. I nearly broke down so I walked away. I stopped in a half hour later to drop off his stuffed toy for rest/nap which we forgot and he wasn't even aware of it and they said he was doing fine and is eating and joining in on activities. Yesterday, he was refusing again to go but we managed to convince him and on the way he threw up twice and this time, it seemed different so I just went back home and he legit has a stomach bug of all things to pick up in school. Ugghhh! I am so upset that his experience with starting school has not been good at all. He seemed happy and didn't want to leave when I picked him up all of last week. I don't know what changed or happened. His class had their halloween party last Friday and he absolutely loved it. I am really at a loss. He's had no fever has kept his semi solid dinner down tonight but I am reluctant to take him to school tomorrow because I can't watch him puke again especially after last week and him being actually having the stomach bug. He has a chronic history with motion sickness too which isn't helping. Also they are doing road construction all around us it's a bumpy ride out of town plus all the detours and having to make lots of turns isn't helping I am sure.
