Making it Special

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE celebrating holidays, new seasons, vacations, and events in the family's life.  It helps break up everyday monotony, keeps us looking forward to something fun, and helps the kids start understanding how time and seasons pass. 

The only issue has been ever since we started the diet sugar has been a HUGE no, no.  I started noticing (more) how every special event from holidays, sports games, church activities, vacations, and everything-in-between was centered around SUGAR.

Does an event HAVE to include sugary, refined flour treats in order to be "special"?  What's so special about flour and sugar anyway?  It's crazy how the cheapest items in the grocery store are the most coveted and craved.  I won't go into any science behind this sad truth, besides saying that sugar is literally addictive.  I'm addicted, my children are addicted, and most of the world is addicted (look it up, it's true!). 

Consuming food is a means to give our body what it needs for energy, healing, and function- right?  So what does sugar have to give in that process?  Well, I don't know about you but too much sugar gives me a headache, stomach ache, fainting spells, and makes me want to slap anyone who looks at me wrong.  I lose all energy and will to do pretty much anything positive.  PLUS, I'm not satisfied at all.  I just want more and more until I'm close to vomiting.  Obviously, my relationship with sugar is a little extreme, but I assume it's also pretty common.  To answer my own question: What does sugar have to give?  It doesn't give me anything, it just drains.

So, with all this in mind, how do we still celebrate and have a good time while avoiding too much sugar?  We first prepare the kids.  When we're attending a special event we remind them that the "treat" is just being there with the family, not buying candy.  Yes, they are disappointed, but at least they're not shocked or surprised when we refuse to buy cotton candy.  Then, we focus on just having fun with each other.  Soon, the kids don't even remember the junk food because they're having too much fun.  This has become the norm in our family now so the kids hardly even ask for treats anymore (a FAR cry from a few months ago).  It's amazing how fast kids get the hang of things when rules are consistent.

Valentine's day we had pink heart-shaped pancakes.  The kids were thrilled with the new color and shape! (The pancakes are made with coconut flour.)

For syrup I just throw frozen berries in a pot, melt them down, add some vanilla and cinnamon, then blend smooth...mmmm...

I'm sure we played other Valentine's day games, but I totally can't remember!  Sad...


We headed back down to San Antonio over Spring Break for some more Sea World adventures.  The kids were all sick, but it ended up being a blast anyway.

The kids knew we weren't buying any food in the park (or toys) and I was surprised how few complaints we received (it could have been the fact that they were too tired to complain:)  We packed lots of snacks (jerky, nuts, coconut flakes, Laura bars, and fruit) and everyone did well.

They have a fun little baby playground where DeeDee hangs out while the big kids are on the rides.

These are some performers from the best show in the park.

All funned out

Look at Ivy's face!

Don't ever let listen when your children insist they'll be fine with a ride where everyone ends up COMPLETELY soaked.  Ivy was not a happy girl (luckily we had swimsuits to change into).

Fish!

 We were in San Antonio over St. Patrick's Day so we had to be a little creative with our celebrations.  Hyrum was obsessed with catching one this year and came up with these Leprechaun traps:

 Apparently the little dudes can't resist pennies.

Hyrum was hoping one would climb the shoelace and fall in the milk jug and get stuck.



I promise those aren't stains, just pretty brown designs.




Unfortunately we didn't catch any of those sneaky Leprechauns- but they took the money!  They did leave a little surprise for Ivy and Hyrum though.   They were so kind to give them a little gardening bag with tools, seeds, and special Leprechaun sighting glasses.  It was so convenient because we were already planning lots of garden projects anyway!  Hyrum did mention that Mr. Leprechaun must have left "real treats" at our house, but he forgot all about it by the time we made it home.

Here's his note:

NICE TRY! HE! HE! HE!

You'll have to try harder to catch me!


Please use these tools that I give

To plant a garden for me and my family to live


Then use the glasses to help see

So you can play all day with me!!!

-Mr. L.



Lastly me and a few friends had a fun girl date to Disney on Ice (it was a little boring... just being honest!)  It was so fun to spend quality time with friends and NO treats were needed or wanted- YAY!

With Easter coming up this Sunday I can guarantee there will be candy (I'm not THAT cruel!)  We will all enjoy a small amount and by Monday it will be out of the house in one way or another.  I look forward to indulging in a Reese's PB egg, but the sad thing is I already know I'm going to be disappointed- both in the actual taste and how I will feel afterward...