This week is Susan’s special week at preschool, which means I am scrambling to create a poster “highlighting her family and favorite things to do.” It also means that on Wednesday I will remember to make peanut butter balls (edible playdough) approximately three minutes before we’re supposed to leave to take her to school. It helps to plan ahead for these things.
I am looking through the mess that is my computer files for photos (and WHY do parents have homework, is what I would like to know), and I didn’t realize how much time my girls spent on the four-wheelers during our camping trip last week.
I think an outing to the opera is in order, or at least another viewing of Barbie Swan Lake.
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Cute kiddos! It looks like a blast. I am trying to figure out where you are. It looks like Southern Utah. I am from the St. George area.
Grandma Danielle Reply:
April 27th, 2009 at 1:55 am
“Sand Blast Hollow” near Hurricane in So Utah
Jane Reply:
April 27th, 2009 at 7:36 am
We were at Sand Hollow State Park, near Hurricane, so definitely in your neck of the desert!
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I am jealous on so many levels. My kids’ school has a zero tolerance policy on peanut butter. I think you can have as much sex, drugs, or violence as you want, just no peanut butter or you are gone! (Just kidding, kind of). I’m also kinda thinking they have a zero conservative thinking policy, but not completely sure about that, just assuming since it is a public school.
Also, I married a paranoid husband, so no ATV rides in our near future. Too bad as my father rides a motorcycle and would love to let my kids try on a helmet someday. Although DH might be OK with four wheeled gas powered bikes. I’ll have to ask.
Lastly, you are so ahead of the game. 3 minutes before leaving would be a new record for me. I would be mixing the balls as I was driving to class, while eating lunch, getting the kids to wash their faces with baby wipes, and realizing I forgot to do my hair and/or change out of my cleaning clothes.
Oh, and your kids are adorable (but I’m not jealous of that, just letting you know).
Jane Reply:
April 27th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Oh, I hadn’t even thought of the peanut butter thing. For my oldest, we have to take only store-bought treats; she chose fun-size skittles for her birthday. Susan goes to a small, in-home preschool, so I’m not aware of any restrictions — I should ask. (But your point, that schools are a bit irrational about peanuts, is funny)
We try to be really safe on the four-wheelers. My dad’s a family practice doctor, and he’s spent plenty of time in the ER. Which is why we could never jump on the trampoline on Sundays. At this State Park, you have to be eight to ride, helmets required. Sally never rode by herself, and Susan and Spot just got 3 minute slow ‘rides’ right around our campsite, not over the actual dunes.
Lastly, ell-oh-ell.
Don’t worry about the girls – Lucy LOVES the jetski and will spend all summer riding on it with her daddy if allowed. Unlike her brother, who won’t come within 6 feet of it. Besides, how cute are they on those ATV’s? These will be great pics to show future boyfriends – “look what a cool kid I was?” and evidence that you guys are cool parents.
Girls, I have to comment on the peanuts thing. If there is even one child in that school with a peanut allergy, the school is not being irrational. I know several kids with that allergy and it is just flat dangerous. One cannot ever even fly because his is a so severe. It is a contact allergy, and even if noone on his flight has peanuts, if someone on the flight prior had them and touched the seat and he touches the same spot and gets peanut even on his hands in that small amount it will send him into full anaphalaxis. Once that happens they have about 4 minutes to get the epi pen into him or he could seize up and die. I would be irrational if I sent my child to school and they put him in a life and death situation by refusing to monitor the peanut content coming into the school.
Steff
Jane Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 8:52 am
This is a good point, Steff — it’s always different when it’s my child who has the allergy or the illness or the handicap.
On the other hand, I have read that fear of peanuts is actually increasing the incidence of peanut allergy, because in many cases it’s better to be exposed to them while young. A study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that kids not exposed to peanuts by 9 months were 6 times more likely to develop the allergy. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/health/25real.html
I also found this article on a new peanut allergy treatment to be interesting: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/health/16peanuts.html
When I used the word “irrational” I was referring to risk management. Approximately 75-100 people die annually due to peanut allergies, and exponentially more from car accidents and drownings. I don’t know why we don’t attempt to exorcise these dangers as methodically as parents of peanut-allergic children do peanuts.
As far as schools go, they have to do what’s in the best interest of their students (and that includes protecting themselves against lawsuits), but the overall cultural fear of peanuts seems to be exacerbating the problem.
(I’m sorry if I sounded dismissive of the understandable precautions these parents must take.)
Steffj89 Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Jane,some of that is tre, but because I have a mild peanut allergy my kids are 80% more likely to develop an anaphalactic reaction if exposed prior to age two. Its all in how you look at it. I do agree there are many other things more dangerous.
steff
If the “charlotte” above is LaterMom, then I know what state she lives in and it is CRAZY up here! We are now at the point where NO treats can be brought into the school (for birthdays), no “holiday” parties AT ALL, and they’ll sing exactly one “Christmas” song, “Dreidel dreidel dreidel I made it out of clay” and a Kwanzaa song at the “holiday concert” – usually held in January.
To celebrate a birthday, children are allowed to purchase a book for the classroom and bring it in on their special day to have the teacher read it to everyone. Big whoop.
LaterMom – this is one dang politically liberal place! It’s no Seattle, but then again it definitely ain’t Utah.
(p.s. Jane sorry to hijack your post!)
Charlotte Reply:
April 30th, 2009 at 4:03 am
I know. It is a little over the top. My kids weren’t even allowed to bring in candy hearts with their valentines. A note was sent home reminding us.