You loved every single minute of your brother’s play last week. While Mommy and I were most excited about his speaking part, your favorite part was the music.
Since we arrived early enough to get 2nd row seats (1st row was reserved for teachers), we were able to spot your brother the whole time.
So after his speaking part, which occurred in first few minutes of the play, he went to join the rest of his classmates who served as the choir.
You quickly noticed that the students had motions to do for each line of the song.
I looked over at you to see that you were actually teaching yourself the motions to each song by watching Jack and his classmates. Actually, I had to remind myself that you had never heard of these songs before when I saw you doing it.
I am sure you would have joined your brother on stage if you would been allowed… then you could have taught the audience the song motions yourself!
As if I weren’t already proud of you for applying my “life lessons” advice by being the one to volunteer for a speaking part in a play any chance you get, I am even prouder now that you perfectly executed your lines in your 2nd grade’s “Spring Into Music” performance.
I didn’t realize until the actual performance, that you were one of only a few other 2nd graders with a speaking part.
Mommy and I were both right in our reasoning for why we both had been separately encouraging you all year to volunteer to have a speaking part in a play:
My reasoning was that by default, boys typically don’t naturally want to volunteer for a speaking part. Therefore, those who volunteer, get chosen.
Mommy’s reasoning was that it would help you build confidence in yourself and cause you to gain new skills.
Our predictions came true.
I have a feeling you are going to be eager to volunteer to speak in a play the next chance you get!
After I made the announcement, one of my nieces was shocked, reaching out to me, saying, “I’m pretty sure you have been a vegan for most of the time I’ve known you, ha ha. So you eat cheese pizza now?”
My answer: Well, I could… but I don’t… not really.
Certain kosher meats, but only if they are baked or broiled, never fried or processed (like in a “nugget” form).
Wild caught fish: mainly salmon, cod, mahi mahi, and even anchovies; but not tuna, which instantly causes my dyshodrotic eczema to return. And definitely never shellfish: shrimp, scallops, lobster, etc. (They are not kosher.)
Chicken, without the skin.
Turkey, but I don’t really like it.
Beef, but never with dairy, like cheese; which is part of keeping kosher.
I see no reason to drink milk from an animal; not only because it contains more sugar than most people realize, but I attribute milk as the reason my sinuses and allergies used to be so horrible.
Vegetables, but not cooked in heavy oils.
Fruit, with no limitations.
Grains and potatoes, but only on occasion:
I am intentionally strictly avoiding flour (like wheat pasta or wheat pizza dough), hydrogenated oils, and processed sugar.
So would I eat a cheese pizza? I have; several times.
But I realized that it goes against what I am trying to accomplish; which is to have a permanent, healthy and balanced diet which will allow me to comfortably fit back into my size 32 pants again.
I have learned to appreciate grilled chicken pesto pizza on gluten-free, cauliflower crust.
Could I eat a cheeseburger? No, because it’s combining beef with dairy; which isn’t kosher.
Could I eat a hamburger? I could, but I’m not in a hurry to, since that would involve a lot of bread.
I think that ultimately, new identity as an ex-vegan consists of a dietary regiment that is still as disciplined as being a vegan, though it’s a lot less restricting.
In the past 6 months, I have loss and kept off 5 pounds since I stopped being a vegan. And because I have been faithfully working out using Darebee.com, it is my belief that the reason I am not continuing to lose more weight right now is that the muscle I am building weights more than the fat.
I’m thinking that within another 6 months, I’ll have more confirmation and clarity for Operation: Comfortably Fit in My Size 32 Pants Again.
If not, I’ll keep being open-minded until I figure it out.
Your brother was invited to one of his girl classmate’s birthday party at a fun gymnasium.
It happened to be the weekend where Nonna and Papa were in town to watch you and your brother.
I suggested that you just “crash” the birthday party.
Fortunately, that plan came together. Even though you were noticeably younger and smaller than all the other “party friends”, that didn’t stop you from trying everything you brother did.
Granted, there were times your brother had to help you.
But you loved it! Good thing you decided to be a party crasher!
Of all Saturday nights for the power to go out for a couple of hours, it just happened to be the one where Mommy and I weren’t there.
We were staying at a hotel about 20 miles away, while Nonna and Papa were in town from Alabama to take care of you and your sister.
But the power outage was no problem- in fact, it was probably more exciting…
You and your sister got to camp out on the floor of the bedroom with Nonna and Papa; using blankets as sleeping bags, as you both held on to some of your favorite stuffed animals.
As you can see from this picture, your sister was proud to be a part of all the fun!
Family Friendly Daddy Blog 