Fall Sports are over...

Wow...what a ride!

Our "Fall" sports began in July/August.

It all started one late Friday night at 11:45 pm. Getting in line to register for the Freshman ( 8/9 yr olds) Klein Texans Football team. Now, keep in mind that registration was at 9 AM Saturday morning! However, the word on the street was that to get a place on the team (only 8 spots left) you had to get there REALLY early! OK, no problem - we've all done this before for some rockin' concert tickets back in the day...it's just like that!

So, my friend's hubby and Dave got to the Jr. High to "camp out" Friday night. I kid you not, by the time they parked the car (at 11:45) and got their chairs out, another car pulled up - for the same reason! We were the FIRST in line, phew!

Every 15-30 minutes or so, more people arrived! The cops came to check on the "situation"... we got the all clear to stay put. By 2 AM, the moms arrived to relieve the dads. When we arrived at 2, there was about 40 people in line - waiting, talking, sleeping, watching movies, etc... OMG - this is for a bunch of 8 yr olds! But then again - this IS Texas Football!

So, long story short, the doors opened at 9 am. We were the first to register and got a place on THE team! By this time there was well over 150 people waiting to sign up for their teams - this was an open registration for about 20 different teams. The Texans has the most limited amount of space.

So, this is how it all began! We are now part of the awesome Klein Texans and Angels family! We lived and breathed football and cheerleading for the last 5 months!

It was a great season for both teams! I am now sad to see it end. It will be about 9 more months until we get to do it all over again!

Gluten Free Kid gets a party invite...what to do?

Well, this has happened several times over that last few weeks.

The best thing to do is call the host and ask what is going to be served at the party.

In one instance, they were planning on having hamburgers, chips, and cake. I asked the mom not to put any seasoning on Patrick's burger and that i'd bring a bun for him to put it on. I also made cupcakes (ahead of time and froze them for this purpose) - and brought that to the party so he could also have dessert. This worked out wonderfully!

Another party was dinner and a movie. Dinner was planned for Red Robin. So, before I responded to the invite, I checked out Red Robin's Gluten Free menu. I was able to check with Patrick to see what he'd like off the menu and responded to the mom with these instructions. She was so sweet, she even ordered him a special GF dessert to have back at their house.

Basically, whenever my child is invited to a birthday party, I will always ask what is being served. If there is nothing that is suitable, i'll ask if I can bring his own food. Better to be safe than sorry later.

Not to worry, he doesn't need an Epi pen in case of emergency. But if he eats something with gluten in it, he will have an upset tummy later.

Living gluten free involves lots of planning ahead. It also means no more quick stops at Subway, McD's, Wendy's, etc... Those places are on our "forbidden" list. There are so many restaurants that are now offering GF options on their menu.

Here are some of our favorites that we have tried so far...

Pei Wei - my fav is the Asian spicy chicken salad
Olive Garden
Fuddruckers (no bun hamburgers)
BJ's Brewhouse - GF pizza is actually REALLY good!
PF Changs
My Fit Foods

I'm sure there are more, but this is what we've tried so far...

Another side note, when dining out and you're not sure what GF options are available, ask to consult with the chef. Mind you, the best time to do this, is NOT during busy lunch or dinner times.

Plan Ahead and know where you're going - do your homework. This will make your dining experience most enjoyable.

Mom of 3 - Living Gluten Free

Well... here is a new chapter in our household. Gluten Free Living!

What is that - some of you may ask...

Well... here's the basics...

Gluten is a protein found in many grains. People with Gluten sensitivity or Celiac Disease, cannot process this protein. As a result, the are MANY side affects that can occur. Each person will react differently.

As WE have found out, when I have "gluten" in my diet, it causes me to gain weight - or have a VERY difficult time losing weight. I've also been recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism - which can also be a reaction to Gluten. The only "Cure" for gluten sensitivity is elimination. There are no pills or quick fixes! Remove gluten from your diet! Since doing this (90% GF), I have lost 12 pounds! I have yet to get my Thyroid levels checked, but am due soon!

Now, for others in my family, Gluten is reacting with them differently. My hubby has had a lifetime of GI issues as well as psoriasis (dry skin patches) and arthritis. For him, removing Gluten from his diet has resulted in NO GI problems, and an improvement in flare ups with the psoriasis and arthritis.

My 8 yr old son is also GF. We suspected that he also has a sensitivity to gluten as well and decided to remove gluten from his diet. In doing this, we have noticed that his face and tummy no longer look bloated. Now, keep in mind, he is a VERY fit and active boy that is not overweight, but the gluten was causing a bloated look. His attention with school work is much improved as well as his behavior.

My 2 girls do not show any signs or symptoms of this sensitivity - but we do try to keep them GF.

We have been reading some GREAT books to educate ourselves on gluten free living... here are some of the titles...

The Guide to a Gluten-Free Diet by: David Brownstein, M.D. & Sheryl Shenefelt, C.N.

Cereal Killers: Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free A-Z by: Dr. Ron Hoggan & Scott Adams

Living Gluten-Free is becoming our new lifestyle. We are learning more everyday on how to live GF.

Also, thanks to Fred Emmite (our nutritionist) for all his support and guidance in this journey...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Me and Tami at the Parade

Me & Julie

Bridget and her Beau Ben

Bridget and her BFF - Toni

The Kappel & Birner Families - friends Rock!!!

The FM 1960 St. Patrick's Day Parade was almost a "wash-out".  It was pouring rain until about 20 minutes before the parade.  It was also a little chilly...last year we were in shorts!

We had a great time though!

Opening Day for the Bulls

Go Bulls - Misters!

Patrick is the 3rd from the left..

Patrick playing baseball - The Farm League 7U

Go Bulls!!!

Priceless!

Wednesday, Patrick lost another tooth!

If you look closely, he has THREE missing front teeth!

Precious!

Starstruck

Neil Walker and Ian Crocker

Swimming Olympians

Maggie and Patrick are in awe!

Ian's Gold medal from the 2008 Men's 4x100 Medley Relay

The kids were in amazement...just looking at them.

Maggie said this was the best day of her life.  She asked if she was dreaming.

I think she has a little crush!

The swimmers were visiting the pool that the kids first started at with lessons - Fun In Swimming (FINS).  They were here to meet with our pool director because I believe that they are going to start a swim school (Maggie wants to go no matter how far or how much). Bill was showing them the FINS pool and programs.  It became a perfect opportunity 

for signing and photo ops with the kids.

The men were so very nice and patient with all the kids waiting 

(and moms drooling...oopps did I really type that...LOL)