Leaps and Bounds

Ava has grown SO much! She's already 11lbs 11ozs.... that's 4 lbs since her birthday 2 months ago! AMAZING! You would think with all the GERD issues she wouldn't be so big, but apparently with all the vomiting she has no issue.

My tween is getting very anxious for middle school. I've been prepping her and myself for all to come: peer pressure, boys, cliques, make up, etc... I'm sure she'll handle it better then I will, she is my first after all. This is the ultimate test of my parenting skills. I hope I get an "A."

So, I have discovered how to get my son to FINALLY eat! He has been picky for as long as I can remember, which contributes to his ultra-slim, 40-lb. frame. (He's 6, and barely in the 13% percentile.) I have created recipes from "cookbooks" from his favorite characters. I've made Stark Burgers (Iron Man), Avatar Chicken (Last Airbender), Sonic Spuds (Sonic the Hedgehog) and M.I.B. Beef (Men In Black). This was a brilliant suggestion from a friend of mine.  I have seen him eat things that he would NEVER EVER have touched before: bagels, sandwiches, potatoes, burgers, etc... It's amazing. I think this is something I must share in my blog, then e-newsletter and eventually the world!

Juggling Act

I must say, my baby is SO easygoing. She sleeps through the night, doesn't cry and smiles ALL day. But boy is it hard to juggle her needs and the needs of a tween and 6-year-old! She wants to swim in the deep end of the pool (ie 12 feet), while he needs to be in the 3.5 feet and Ava shouldn't even be outside! I make do.

So I went to the library with the kids. We were looking for summer reading books. Zo is reading at a 12th grade level, but is only 11. This causes lots of problems. Do I hold her back or let her read things way too mature? I take the side of caution.

I did let her choose a book on the 7/8 grade reading list suggested by our public library system. I came to find out it has sex and drug use in it and is labeled Young Adult! I don't know at what age it should be "ok" to let your kids read this sort of material, but I don't think 12 or even 13 is mature enough-- and DEFINITELY not an 11-year-old. Thanks MoCo for the suggestion....