Food Allergy Walk !

Thank you all who donated to the Food Allergy Walk! I wanted to share some photos of the day with all of you!

(The Walk was a few wks ago, and I am finally getting the chance to write about it now. sorry.... )

We had a team of about 14 people who came with us for the walk, and we all participated in the 2 mile hike through Hopkinton State Park in Massachusetts. It was a beautiful Sunday, we couldn't have asked for better weather. They gave all walkers T-shirts with the logo, they had an ice cream truck there at the end of the walk for all the kids, they had music playing, balloons, snacks, etc... We had a blast!

Here is my son and I. He is allergic to Tree Nuts and Bananas. He carries an epi-pen with him at all times. Its a struggle to watch everything that he eats, and what others feed him, but we are thankful that this is the only health concern among our children. We thank God everyday for having 3 healthy wonderful children!!!

Look at how many people walked! It was amazing!!!!!

Look who even showed up for the event! HAHHAHAHHAHAHA .... I couldn't help taking a pic of the candidates! --I thought this was a riot.

Are "time outs" okay at 1:30 am????

So, since we have come home from our 9 dy family vacation, my 2 1/2 yr old daughter has been "out of sorts" at night. My oldest 2 - sleep in the same room together allowing my newborn, to have her own room (for the time being -until after Christmas, when I have plans to put the 2 girls together, and let my son have his own "boy" room). While down the cape, we had the oldest 2 in different beds, on either side of their bedroom, which worked out very well. - So, when we came home, I figured why not try to keep their beds separated to start the whole "separation process before Christmas"??? .... That day we moved their beds far apart...... I guess for my Daugher this was TOO FAR.

For the past 6 nights, she has woken up crying (EVERY NIGHT) some nights multiple times, crying saying she's scared, doesn't like her bed over here, monsters etc......we are constantly reassuring her there are NO such monsters (*note to self - get rid of the movie Monsters Inc.) and that everything is fine, and she is OKAY.

Last night was the worst. She cried and cried, and then we would go in, settle her back into bed, tuck her in all cozy, turn on the music box, kiss her, tell her we love her....and leave the room. 10 min. later --- crying again. (sigh) This went on for about 3 hrs last night. While the entire time I am worried she is going to wake up both of the other children. Which she did, of course.......

I tried being nice, sweet, kind....

I tried threatening her and saying if she doesn't stop crying I would take her blankie away (she loves this thing -so gross - used to be pink, now its a gross pink/brown)

I tried sending my husband in, to see if "daddy" could comfort her and get her back to sleep....

I tried seeing if she needed to go potty? ... she peed - a little... but not much to keep her awake at night?

I tried laying there with her in bed....

I tried telling her how much fun we would have tomorrow just the girls while my son was in school.

THEN THE SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS Started......... and I mean SCREAMING!!!!!!! full out temper tantrum at 1 -freakin' 30 in the morning!

So then I tried - TIME OUT - mat in the kitchen... yes, I brought her down into the kitchen and sat her on the time out mat with the only dark light on above the kitchen stove. I sat there in the kitchen w/her and started to cry myself... (yup, tears were rolling down BOTH of our faces) I sat there & waited until she stop crying and she said "sorry mama".

I thought I had it.... okay, now its OVER .... we can all go to bed......

NOPE -- 10 min later, she is screaming again. - Oh, now I realize she didn't eat much dinner, maybe she is hungry?

Okay - I then tried bringing her BACK downstairs, gave her a cup of water, and some crackers.... she ate ONE cracker, and said she was done. (must not have been hungry?)... goes back to bed, I tuck her in.......

SCREAMING ............................. SCREAMING .................

I go in and yell "ITS FREAKIN' BEDTIME! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH - GO TO BED!" .... that seemed to work! All was quiet after mama yelled.

Yes -- I yelled at my child. Yes it was 3:30 am by this point, and I had ENOUGH.


Some days, mama has just has had ENOUGH. --- Some days I need a glass of wine, some days I need a bottle!

Caramel Apples !!

I am thrilled to announce that I will be offering my caramel apples again this fall !!!

Dates available to order - Sept. 14 - Nov. 30 ONLY
Price - $5 per Caramel Apple
Types available - Chocolate Chip Drizzle, M&M, and Apple Pie * (which is the favorite!)
PICK UP ONLY available. I apologize, but I will not be making deliveries this year.

For LARGE orders,(over 50) please allow 2 wks notice.

Caramel Apples are a perfect FALL seasonal treat! Excellent for teachers, employee's and those Halloween & Thanksgiving parties.

For those who wish to place an order, please email me directly - thecrazycakelady@hotmail.com

All caramel apples are individually wrapped and tied with seasonal ribbon. Example - October, you can request - Halloween ribbon. If you are doing a birthday, please let me know the theme of the birthday, and I will match the ribbon color the best I can.

Older kids at the park......

Okay, so I know older kids can go to the park.... and I know older BOYS are more likely to be running around calling each other names, but do they have to call MY son a name? ....

The kids and I went to a local park today to get some fresh air & burn off some energy before nap time. My son who is ONLY 3 1/2 saw these older boys (about 7-9 yrs old) playing and chasing each other. I could tell my son, wanted to join in with the BIG kids.

I sat on the bench quietly w/the baby, and watched from my seat. - My 2 1/2 yr old daughter didn't journey far off from me, which is normal, she usually stays close by.

So, I am watching, and I see my son sort of follow the older kids. As if he was part of the play, but not really involved. When one of the older boys figures out that my son is following them, and yells out (and points his finger at him!) "HEY - YOU ARE A BABY -- BOOBOO".

(sigh)

My son turns around and looks at me with the most humiliated look on his face, and says in frustration "Momma, that was really mean!". ...... "I know honey, it was!" I said.

So of course the super natural powers of my deceased Italian mother comes through, and I follow the older boys through the park., when I see the boy who yelled at my son, go through the slide.... (that's it! --I've got him now! I think to myself) when I stand at the bottom of the slide, my son & daughter next to me, and I am holding the babe .... I surprised this older boy as his feet come shooting out the slide and his face looks up at me in shock - I say:

"YOU DON'T EVER CALL ANYONE NAMES!"
(pause)
"NOW SAY YOUR SORRY TO HIM"

A little voice (much nicer then the one he used when he was name calling) says "sorry".

I might be considered a bit crazy... and a bit ridiculous. I know.... I know....

And yes, I do understand that he will go through many more times in his childhood, where I won't be there to defend him, but he is ONLY 3 1/2 and I can still take care of my baby boy! xooxox

ps - As I was leaving the park, the older boys were yelling at each other in swears! Using the F word so casually. As the moms sit on the bench paying no attention to it. I am all for having some free time to chat w/other moms, and let the kids play , but COME ON, there are times when you need to step in as a parent and teach our children RIGHT from WRONG.

This just is another page in my book of learning how to raise a boy.????? I really have NO idea what the heck I am doing! .................... oh what obstacles I have ahead of me!

ZUMBA !

"Hips Don't Lie"

We survived, as my friend said early this am........ We tried the ZUMBA class at a local gym last night. ---- HOLY CRAP! .... I have never shaken my ass as much as I did last night. I actually think the instructor (who had a black hat on, and microphone, -AKA Janet Jackson) some how thought we could shake our ass like SHAKIRA. ....... I am sorry, last time I checked, I have an Irish & Italian heritage not COLOMBIAN!

I think I must have sweat off at least 5 lbs..... It was probably the best work out, I have ever had. Highly recommend it !!!! .....

It lasted for about 50 min. - I had to take a break after about 35 min, my chest & lungs were soar, - which I told my girlfriend, that I just might have a heart attack!

For those who have never heard of ZUMBA --- here is a little preview I found on UTUBE for all of you to view......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf0q6qtThF4

Yesterday was our Mommy Needs a Cocktail party!

It was a lot of fun, and many many cocktails later, we sold about $400 in sales! As always 10% of their proceeds go to the charity of my choice. I will be choosing the charity - Birthday Wishes.

We sold items like T-shirts, Coffee Mugs, Tank Tops, Magnets etc... All with fun sayings like "Mommy Needs a Cocktail" and "Mommy needs a Beer", and "Mommy needs a glass of Wine" etc..... they have some really cute items to choose from.

We did find the t-shirts a bit on the smaller size, but the website & information packets they sent to us did state that the t-shirts were a full size smaller then an average size. Therefore I suggest to those who are planning one of these parties, to order XL or 2XL for the T-shirts, or order a "REGULAR T-shirt" instead of the baby t's, or the S/S t's. -- The ringer T's are fitted, and a lot smaller then we expected.

If you'd like to throw a party - you contact them at http://babybrewing.com/mommy-needs/ and let them know the date of your party, the # of people you are expecting, and a CC#, and what items you'd like to have at the party. They send you the box of goodies, with a price list $, and an inventory sheet on whats inside the box.

The best part of the whole experience (aside from the actual cocktails consumed that afternoon) was the fact that they sent me the postage stamps to send the box back. So, it doesn't cost me anything!!! $$$$ ..... (well, if you don't count the items I bought for myself!)

We did end up having a few questions ??? -- throughout the party, that we could not find answers on the website. Such as -

1) What type of CC they except?

2) Who to make the checks out to?

3) Long sleeve shirts, are they available, and for what cost? $

I have already been in contact w/them, and they assured me they would get back in touch with me soon.

These girls who created this company, are soo nice, and understanding. I hope their company becomes a huge success!!!! I can't wait until some of my girlfriends throw their own party!!!

Thank you to all you momma's that came yesterday, and enjoyed the cocktails!!!! I look forward to wearing my T-shirt proudly!

xoxoxo Mama Les

The Food Allergy Walk!

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure™

Sunday Sept. 21, 2008

Hopkinton State Park

Check in begins at 9 am - Walk begins at 10 am

2 Miles

Team O'Neill

We are going to put on our sneakers this fall !!! --- We just registered the family to walk the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network walk on Sept. 21st. Children and babies can be involved as well. We plan on dressing up our strollers and joining the fun!

If you would like to support me as a walker - click on http://www.foodallergywalk.org/site/TR/2008Walk/General?px=1290221&pg=personal&fr_id=1140

On my page you will see a pic of my son Jake. Jake was diagnosed with food allergies at 18 mnths. Jake has a sever allergy to Tree Nuts & Bananas. (He also has a slight allergy to dog saliva & play dough. ) Jakey's allergies are something that is NEW to us, and the family. He is the only one in our family that has any sort of Nut allergy. If any of you have a NUT allergy you know that it is an extremely serious & dangerous allergy. We carry a child's Epi Pen with us wherever we go, just in case.

Help Me Reach My Goal!
I recently accepted the challenge to participate in the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN’s) Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure. The event will raise funds to find a cure for food allergy and to educate others. FAAN’s mission is to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Please support my fundraising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of the estimated 12 million Americans with food allergies and their families. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause; you can make your secure credit card donation by selecting the Support Me button.