It's not worth the risk

We took our little one out to eat the other night after dropping her sister off at sleep away camp. We have been to this restaurant a zillion times before. We ate our dinner (after double checking the safety of her meal of course). Then we looked at the allergen menu again and noticed that there were some desserts that were listed as safe for a tree nut allergy. Huh? This is new. We questioned the waitress and she explained that sometimes their food providers change, this would explain the change in safety. She went over "made in a facility" etc, I was impressed with her knowledge. She even checked with the manager. I was wary and did not want my little one to get anything. We explained to the little one that the items were safe but we left the decision up to her. Ugh.....She's only 7. Anyway, she said "I don't want to. I don't want to take the risk."
Yahoo! I was so proud that she realized that it wasn't worth it. We had dessert at home instead.
Of course, now I question myself. Should I have left the decision up to her? What if she ordered dessert and something happened (not likely, I know)? What if she ordered dessert and nothing happened? Would she then think it was ok to order dessert anywhere?
Will I ever turn off my brain? Stay tuned......
My older one comes home from camp tomorrow! Finally!

Oh my heart

Well, we dropped off our oldest at camp yesterday. She won't be back until Friday. I was ok until 2am when I woke up and then stayed awake for two hours. Ugh. This week needs to fly by!
Her little sister is loving it though! She said she hopes that her sister stays away for a year. Nice.....
Little one asked when she can go to sleep away camp. Really? How can I ever send her? Who would I trust?
Someone needs to start a sleep away camp for food allergic kids that's right by my house. Maybe I could handle sending her then.
So, I need lots of stuff to distract me this week. Anybody got any ideas? Good stories to share?
Thanks!

Keeping it cool

Any tips on how to keep epi pens cool during the summer? Have you found a product that works really well?
I have always had them in a lunch bag with an ice pack near them to keep them cool. This year I am trying an insulated bag. I will let you know how it works.......
I wish epi pens would not go bad if they got too hot or too cold, that would make life easier.

The last day

Well, here it is, the last day of school. Very hard to believe. My kids are finishing up second and sixth grade. It was the perfect year. The both had amazing teachers, they had fun, they were safe, and they learned. It truly takes a village and ours is amazing.
Now onto summer. They will get on each others nerves and fight but hopefully there will be lots of fun too. I get to relax because I don't have to worry about getting "that"phone call.
Now, if we could just get all of this rain to go away....

A poem

I heard this poem for the first time yesterday. I think it's brilliant so I just had to share it.
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
One more day of school....

Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

The last lunch

We went to have lunch with the little one. Last lunch together is second grade. Hard to believe. What a great year it has been. She has been safe, loved, and included. It's all I can ask for.
Then we were off to the middle school award ceremony. Best overall science student for her team! So proud.
Lots of rain here, right into the weekend. There goes all the pool plans. Good thing I bought a few new nail polish colors yesterday. I see manis and pedis in our future!
Two more days of school........

Summer camp

For us there are three days left of school. Hard to believe. Do you have summer plans? Are the kids going to camp?
If you have allergies or another medical condition, can you share how you handle camp?
My daughter has been to dance camp(a few hours with someone that I know and trust). This year she is going to golf camp(only 1 1/2 hours for four days). I don't know if I will ever be ready to send her to a full day camp.
Here's a great article about summer camp.

http://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/summer_camp_guide_for_food_allergies

The best sleepover ever!

My youngest had her bff over for a sleepover this weekend, her very first time having a friend stay the night. It was a huge success according to the girls. Pizza, movie, junk food, oh my! They actually did sleep too.
Makes me kind of sad. My little one has severe pet allergies. She can't be in a house with furry animals so most of her sleepovers will be here. How will this affect her later in life? She can't go anywhere so she's always with us. She has slept over my parents house but that's it.
This is what keeps me awake at night, worrying about her future.......I need a nap.