Your Family Blog

Did you see our Weatherkid on TV this morning? This is our second week and both have been great. 8 year old Ginny was cute as a button and soooo smart. She's a great speller, she's earned a purple belt in karate and on her farm she helps to care for twenty... something animals!!! Wowsa!!! She wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up. I know she's going to do spectacular.
So while our viewers got to know a little bit about Ginny in our short time on the air, even were able to hear one of her weather jokes... cute and funny, I want to add just how remarkable I think this young girl is. Ginny has fought her way back from a very rare disease called Juvenile Dermatomyositis. As her mom explains it, Ginny's immune system was attacking her muscles and skin, causing her pain and weakness to the point that Ginny could not dress herself or at times climb onto her own bed. According to Ginny's mom, their doctor, at the time, chalked it up to growing pains. Thankfully one of Ginny's nurses took note and referred her to a doctor that got her the help she needed. Kudos to the nurse who didn't give this sweet young girl and her family the brush off. Because Ginny was finally diagnosed properly, she's made her way back to good health. I've personally known Ginny for just one day, but I want to say to Ginny's nurse, Thank You... really though, Thank You.

Again Juvenile Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disease that reportedly manifests itself in children. According to one report I read, it affects 3 children per million per year in the U.S.
Symptoms include a pinkish purple rash that often affects the face, eyelids and hands.. and sometimes the skin above joints, including the knuckles. A second symptom is muscle inflammation.

It's that time of year, when kids head for the water and It's important to keep a close eye on them at all times.
"We know, we know, we know... we've heard it before, how a child can drown in seconds... in less than an inch of water... Awwww but does it go in one ear and out the other???"
We're all busy and most of us at some point have taken a "quick second" risk... You know like running back in the house for your sunglasses with the car still running...
Anyways, on to what happen to me the other day as I bathed my 3 year old daughter. There was nothing out of the norm. While She frolicked inside the water filled tub, my 1 year old son stood on the outside, stretching in to the toys floating on top.
I sat where I usually do, 5 or so inches away, lathering my hands with shampoo when, without warning and through my peripheral vision I saw my baby boy slipping head first into the water. He was going down and I WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE!!!! I quickly grabbed him by his waist and pulled up. With a startled wet face, he let out a cough or two... I'm almost sure he got water in his nose. Thank the heavens that was it and that he was fine! I can't stop thinking, "what if?" What if I needed a towel and decided to go grab one "real quick," or the phone was ringing and I went to grab it "real quick." The "what if," still haunts me and quite honestly I'm glad. It doesn't matter how quick you are, a drowning can happen quicker. My first hand account proves it. Bathtub, pool even a bucket of water it doesn't matter.
For CPR and First Aid training you can log onto americanredcross.org. Click on "Get Trained."

As we spring into summer our children will be out and about playing in the grass... and in my little one's case, POPPING it in his mouth. As a reminder kids are at greater risk for some pesticides. According to the Home Safety Council, their immune systems may provide less protection than those of an adult. Because a child's internal organs are still developing, exposure to a toxin could permanently alter their biological system.
It's a good idea to wash your child's hands, toys, and bottles often.

Worried about residual toxins on your fruits and veggies?
The Fruit and Veggie Spray below was taken from Oprah's Earth Day show
"I Just Love Oprah!" She's hip, fun and is always looking for ways to share great insight... hope it works for you!

FRUIT AND VEGGIE SPRAY TO WASH AWAY CHEMICALS
1 cup water
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 Tbsp. baking soda
20 drops of grapefruit seed extract

Combine all ingredients in a large container. Then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce, and rinse thoroughly after 5 to 10 minutes.

According to the Home Safety Council, adverse effects of pesticide exposure range from mild symptoms of dizziness and nausea to serious, long-term neurological, developmental and reproductive disorders.
If you have questions about exposure, even if your child isn't showing problems, poison control recommends giving them a call at 1-800-222-1222

Half of young internet users are expected to increase their on-line time to about two hours a day during the summer break.
On my latest 'Your Family Report, Internet Safety," I offer tips on how to be involved in your child' on-line world and links to getting "myspace" information.
The following is information on Parental Control Software released by Consumer Reports:

Whichever filter you choose, give your child clear directions on how, when, and where they can access the Internet.
Here's how to get the most from filters:
Consider your Internet provider. Filtering comes free with AOL, Earthlink, or MSN. AOL and MSN both filtered effectively, but AOL blocked sites such as NewsMax, a conservative political site, and Operation Truth, an advocacy site for Iraq War veterans. In both cases, a parent can override the block.

Weigh protection vs. interference. All filtering programs either overblock or underblock. For young children, look for maximum protection. For older children, look for filtering software that doesn't overly interfere.

Consider which activities to control. Older children are more likely to engage in activities such as e-mail, instant messaging, and gaming. Time-management controls help minimize fighting for the computer.

Decide how much customization you need. If your children aren't close in age, consider a program that can be customized by age. Those that offer more filtering flexibility, as noted in the Ratings, make fine-tuning easier but may not offer the best protection.

Understand that these programs are not full proof and may impede older children doing research for school reports. Some will block the entire results page of a Google or Yahoo search if some links have objectionable words in them. AOL, KidsNet, Norton Internet Security, and Safe Eyes allow searches to be completed by displaying the entire results page or blocking only offending words.
Filters and blocks regulate more than Web sites. They can prevent downloading of MP3 music and similar potentially illegal activities, disable games and other programs, and screen instant messages or e-mail messages for inappropriate language.
They can also block children from divulging personal information, such as names and addresses. Most products can set up online time limits and keep logs of online activities, sometimes down to the last keystroke.

Parents... have you ever watched a delightful, perhaps pricey meal go up in flames by your child's, worse possible timing melt down? Ahh yes... many of us parents have been victim to what seems, at least to us... and those around us, like an unmistakably, unruly situation. That's the hard part... you never really know if it's going to be a "good time or "complete catastrophe." either it's probably won't be too relaxing. I recognize it in your empathetic eyes everytime I'm so bold as to try it again. I offer the same comforting gesture in return... almost like a non-verbalized cheer for your bravery!
But every once in a while you embark on a journey that is, surprisingly, truly pleasant! The type of restaurant that allows for noise, get out of your seat jump around fun and pretty good food!
It was a beautiful day and so my husband and I chose an eatery by the river in Old Sac recommended by my cousin. As we walked into Joe's Crab Shack I immediately noticed, this would not have to be a "get in, order, eat, get out!" kind of place. Cool, funky items hanged from the walls and ceiling... the noise level up, but not bad. However I wanted to eat out on the deck, after all the day was gorgeous. Would the outside seating hold up to the same standards was the big question? It did! The ambiance: light and fun. The staff: great even coming out to dance every 45min... and inviting kids to dance with them. I ordered a glass of wine with my dinner, EVEN FELT RELAXED !
After dinner we strolled around Old Sac... found a cool little Ice Cream Shop for dessert.
Wow it was a great time... so great, I wanted to pass on one of my family's new favorite dining spots to your family. It seems to be a pretty popular with a long waiting list during rush time. My suggestion, get there a light earlier than the typical lunch or dinner rush. We went at 5p on a Friday and waited only 10 minutes. When we left the wait was at least 45min.

Bon Apetit!... and please feel free to let us in on any family friendly places you prefer.