A new week starting with some calm. Birthday celebrations are over (for a few weeks…Abram’s birthday is less than 3 weeks away!). The water around us is starting to recede. Although our main river has not yet crested. I am thankful that most roads around us are now open and things are drying a little.

Yesterday’s party with extended family was a big success! Rebecca loved her arts and crafts party. I achieved my goal of making it a totally gluten free and food dye free party. No junk food in sight 🙂  There was not a single thing on the table that she could not eat. And there was not one single complaint or negative comment about any of it (though there were many compliments :). I don’t even think most of them knew the pizza and cake were gluten free. We loved spending time with family and enjoying good food.

But I think the absolute best part for me was how much Rebecca was able to enjoy her special day. And by enjoy I mean she was able to be present. She didn’t act crazy. She wasn’t out of control. She didn’t have meltdowns. She was smiling from ear to ear. She was taking in every moment of it. She was in control of her body and her mind. She was able to sit and eat her food in the midst of the chaos of cousins and presents. She was fully focused when she was working on her crafts. She took her time opening each gift, admiring it and showing gratitude. She was excited and a little extra energetic like any normal child would be at their party. But she was herself and the sparkle was there in her eyes. I told her how proud I was of her for how she handled such an eventful day. She gave me the biggest hug and lots of kisses. She gets it. She knows how good it feels to be able to think clearly and be in control. I get teary eyed even now thinking about it. It brings me such joy to see my little girl enjoying life. And it makes me more confident that we are on the right path.

Menu: gluten free pizza (4 varieites + individuals for the kids…they topped their own), trail mix (crispy nuts, dried fruit, df gf chocolate chunks), kettle corn, tortilla chips w/ salsa and avocado bean dip, raw veggies (carrots, peppers, cucumbers) w/ dip, roasted veggies (mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, asparagus, brussels sprouts), mixed fresh fruit (pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, grapes, oranges), juice, gluten free cake, homemade ice cream.

This week is hopefully a whole week of calm 🙂  That’s what we all need. No big agenda. I want to get some extra rest. And I want to spend lots of time with my kids. Last week was so crazy trying to get the house clean and get all of the food prepped for the party. The kids had to be a bit more independent with their play.

I do have an appt. with my psychologist. And Rebecca has her 5 year check up. If time allows I’d like to take the kids to the library. Rebecca and I already read through the book I bought her for her birthday. We started it on Thursday and finished it Saturday…over 150 pages…a book suggested for 3rd graders…she’s in preschool…and has been reading these with me since before she even turned 4. It’s time to stock up on more books. And I’m sure we’ll be doing lots of crafts with her new gifts and the leftovers from the party.

Gluten free  has been going well with Rebecca. I might try a couple dairy free days this week just to see what happens. I’m also looking into vitamin B and symptoms of deficiency. I’m wondering if Rebecca could use more.

I’m not sure how much I’ll do in the kitchen this week since I want to take it easy and let my body recover after a stressful week. But here are some potentials: gf crackers, gf cocoa puffs, rainbow or soft serve ice cream, gf bread, restock freezer for Justin’s breakfasts, granola, rice bars, amaranth bars, coconut flour baked good, kefir, smoothies.

I didn’t have a lot of time for blogging, etc. last week. I was busy and the kids were up early most days. So I didn’t fill in all of the breakfasts and lunches for our week yet. Hopefully I’ll fill them in soon. At least I got the dinners planned. That’s the important part. My in-laws are still here this morning. By this afternoon the house should be totally back to normal and we can relax. And I don’t have to cook today 🙂  The benefit of working hard last week and making lots of party food. We have plenty of leftovers.
___________________________________________
S (prep breakfast, church, make boat, make gf crackers, prep smoothies, make kefir) D3
  B – banana bread, mixed fruit, yogurt, granola (family), gm yogurt w/ fruit and amaranth bar, leftover mixed roasted veggies (M)
  L – leftover pea soup, grilled ham and cheese
  D – leftover pizza/party food

M (Meijer, PS, Dr. V., strain kefir) D4
  B – smoothie, banana bread (J/R/A), squash, coconut milk ice cream (M)
  L – tuna, sour cream, veggies
  D – gf spaghetti, corn, garlic toast (family), ground beef, squash (M)

T (KM, Dr. S., make stock, make broth, soak flour) D1
  B – yogurt, granola, fruit (J/R/A), leftover roasted veggies, coconut milk ice cream (M)
  L – leftover spaghetti and/or pizza (kids),  leftover roasted veggies, gf crackers (M)
  D – roast chicken, roasted potatoes and veggies

W (strain/freeze broth, make soaked rice bars, PS, co-op, soak flour) D2
  B – yogurt, banana bread, fruit (J/R/A), pea soup, rice bar (M)
  L – pea soup, rice bar
  D – pasta bake, peas (family), peas, tbd (M)

Th (make egg puffs, make amaranth bars, bake/freeze squash, library, make gf pb puffs) D3
  B – egg puffs, toast (J), pumpkin, amaranth scone (M) 
  L – pumpkin, gm yogurt w/ amaranth scone
  D – baked salmon, broccoli, baked sweet potato

F (make yogurt, make coconut flour baked good, clean, PS, BS) D4
  B – pb puffs w/ milk, banana (J), squash w/ chicken, vanilla ice cream (M)
  L –
  D – hot taco rice

S (sleep in?, make granola, park) D1
  B –
  L –
  D – gf fish sticks (cod), french fries, peas