Singin' in the Rain

Last December, Cort auditioned for a part in Singin' in the Rain.  It had been a while since he'd done any tap dancing, but he was thrilled to get the part of "Young Cosmo" despite that. 

The production ran for three nights last week.  It was put on by a local performing arts high school.  I cannot begin to tell you how impressed I was by the teenagers in the show.  They could sing and dance and act with the best!  The grand finale was spectacular!  Even after all the practices and performances, I never got tired of it.

 

 

And all the teens were extra nice to Cort and helped showed him the ropes.  He sure had a good time.  His new friend, "Young Don", who danced with him in the show, told him about another audition for a different musical coming up.  Cort is interested in doing another.  Me?  I may just need a couple of months to recover...but I certainly did enjoy seeing Singin' in the Rain!  

Merry and Bright

Here's hoping everyone enjoyed a warm, merry and bright holiday!

And wishing you all a Happy New Year!  May 2017 bring you all much happiness. 

Half Runners

My grandmother told me to plant half runners this year, and I've been waiting for them to get long and plump.  I finally had a day I could go pick a batch from the garden. 

When I brought them up, I had a helper to string them for me while I chopped potatoes and onions and garlic.

Our HVAC had died and we were trying not to heat up the house, so I cooked them on the grill burner.  They were delicious!  I am hoping I will have enough to can a bunch in addition to eating them fresh.  I love green beans. 

Where's Cort?

I gave Cort a book by Cornelia Funke (her Ghosthunters series) and told him he might like it.  I was doing a bunch of chores around the house and realized he was missing.  Things were so quiet. And quiet moments in my house are few and far between. Reid had been working at a coloring project at the dining table, and Pierce was at Renaissance camp.

I called for Cort.  There was no answer.  So I had to track him down. 

Cort was so wrapped up in his book that he didn't even notice when I snuck a picture of him with Bobby.  Cort is Bobby's chosen person, so I tend to always find the two of them together.

An hour later, Cort emerged, and asked if I could order him the second book in the series from the library.  You bet, Cort! 

Too Much Watermelon

Yes, friends, as it turns out, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH WATERMELON.

You might have eaten TOO MUCH WATERMELON if you fall down on the deck with a groan and gaze vacantly at the sky. 

That might be a good indication that it's time to cut yourself off.

Readers, do you love watermelon THIS much?

Rocks for Sale

Cort set up a rock shop on top of our mountain.  He was very busy for hours digging up rocks and carrying them over to his 'shop'.

They run $1.25 each if anyone is interested, but wear your hiking shoes and bring some bottled water because his shop is a mile long steep trek off the beaten track.  You might be paying more for the experience than the rock. 

The Redeeming Qualities of Basketball

It's no secret that I'm not big into sports (to the great and everlasting disappointment of my parents).  But I do try to support my boys when they play.  Paul and I don't exactly have super athletic genes to pass on, but we like for our kids to pursue their individual interests.  This year, Cort decided to play basketball. 

Basketball is definitely not one of my interests.  But I supported Cort and got him signed up.  His team is not very good, and if they were keeping score (which they don't for 5 and 6 year olds), his team would have lost every game so far.  The good part about not really liking a sport is that you don't care one way or another if your kid's team wins - you just want him to have fun playing. 

Even though I don't care for basketball, and Cort has never made a single game shot, I've found that I enjoy the games.  This was surprising to me.  But the games are kind of funny.  The kids are all so tiny, and sometimes have no idea what to do.  Other times, the boys and girls (it's a coed team) are hilarious in their blocking of the other team - it's like some crazy chicken dance that they do around one another. 

By far the best part of the game is the community.  The games take place in an older school in the county seat.  You know the type - cracked, worn floors and tarnished, dark halls.  We live in such a rural county that often grandparents and neighbors and friends show up to cheer for these kindergartners and first graders for the full forty-five minutes of a game.  Paul and I often cross paths with someone we know from the other team, and enjoy catching up with them briefly.  If any single kid gets a goal, it's often the parents/grandparents/friends/neighbors from both teams who let up a huge cheer, and it makes me smile every time. 

Without a doubt, I love these mountains and I love the sense of community at these tiny basketball games, stuffed with full bleachers.  Basketball?  Maybe it's not so terrible after all. 

When Rural Living is Hard

I love living in the country, and I can't imagine being happy anywhere else.  But there are rare occasions when it does have some cons.  Like when we had the (as my neighbor called it) deranged madman on our property in October.  Or when Pierce broke his arm and we had to get him to the hospital.  Needless to say, I keep a very extensive first aid kit in the house - it fills up a huge Tupperware. 

Last month Cort had a combination of an asthma flare up and a nasty batch of croup that gave us one of those middle of the night scares, when he really couldn't breathe.  It was scary, for him and for Paul and I.  As much as I hate giving him steroids, I was thankful to have a bottle in the fridge to give him when he wasn't responding to his nebulizer.  It was midnight and I wrapped him in blankets and took him out on the porch in hopes that the night air would help the croup portion of his breathing issues.  Luckily, it was a mild night.  So I sat in a rocker in the dark and we looked at the stars while he sat on my lap and we waited to see if his wheezing and coughing would calm. 

After it did, he came in for some hot tea with honey, and was able to go to sleep.  I tossed and turned and worried for a while before finally falling asleep.  We were lucky this time.  I really hope that he outgrows his asthma as he gets older, like I did. 

Readers, what would you not like about rural living?

How We Healed Our Child's Psoriasis

Last March Cort broke out in patches on his back.  They were itchy to him, keeping him up at night.  We went to his allergist, who initially thought it was a viral eczema.  But as time went on and the spots grew, she thought it might be something called guttate psoriasis, which is an autoimmune condition.

We went to his pediatrician, who pulled another doctor in who used to specialize in pediatric dermatology.  Together, they thought it was psoriasis.  They did a referral to a dermatologist, and in the meantime we continued trying various steroid creams.  The spots spread, and soon his scalp, back, genitals, stomach, arms, and legs all had these itchy plaques.  Some nights he would scratch them until they bled.  We don't have a picture of him when he was at his worst, but this is close:

The dermatologist wasn't sure if it was psoriasis or eczema.  We decided to do a biopsy, which was traumatic for Cort (and involved a big bribe).  It came back as psoriasis.  We had two creams for his hair, one for his face, another for his body.  We tried natural remedies as well.  I read books on autoimmune conditions and tried doing some elimination diets, based on the books.  We eliminated nightshades, and later all gluten.  We made sure he got sun therapy every day all summer.  It was heartbreaking to watch him suffer, yet not have anything that seemed to help. 

The rash grew worse.  The only thing it responded to was a steroid cream so potent that he had to be monitored every couple of days, and it wasn't safe to use all over his body.  His inner ears were covered in plaques, his scalp felt volcanic, and Cort started to feel sad that kids were asking him about it in school. 

I wanted to take him to a functional medicine doctor, but we couldn't afford it.  We received a referral to a specialist in North Carolina, but our appointment wasn't until December.  I begged the specialists we had seen to do a food sensitivity panel, but I was unable to get anyone to order one.  I started researching online, and I finally found a company in Europe that would do a food intolerance test using the DNA in the hair.

Our pediatrician told me he thought it was a snake oil scheme (in a kind way - he is a very good doctor but like other doctors in our region, isn't big on alternative medicine), but I felt like it was worth a try.  The test was around $100 and we were spending at least that on prescriptions every month, so the test wasn't much different.  I figured it would be worth it, and really, what could it hurt?  I cut a few strands of Cort's hair and shipped it off to Europe for $1.75.  Two weeks later, I was emailed the results (as well as information for how to contact their nutritionist with any questions - which I did twice.  This did not cost anything extra.).  They tested for 600 foods, plus a number of environmental allergens.  We immediately removed Cort from every food on the list.

 You can see here that the spots began to get a little whiter in the centers.  The difference was noticeable within a week off his intolerant foods.  The foods were not things I ever would have figured out with an elimination diet - many were so random (like lettuce, cucumbers, onions, guar gum).  Others were bigger (milk, strawberries, pumpkin, blueberries, chocolate). 

 The intolerance test also found that Cort had a build up of candida in his digestive system.  I was unsuccessful in getting his doctors to prescribe anything to treat this, so we did so more naturally.  I incorporated tons of probiotics, coconut water, aloe juice, oregano oil and capryllic acid into his routine. 

Here is Cort just two months after we got the results of his food intolerances.  Scroll back up and look at the first picture.  We couldn't have been more thrilled by his results.  You can see where the spots were, but now they are flat, smooth, and white.  They no longer bother him.  When his pediatrician saw his skin when Cort came in for his flu shot, his jaw dropped.  He was truly amazed by the difference, and asked for information on the company I used.  He thought maybe other parents would be interested in using them.

I'm not writing this post for the company who did his testing, nor am I receiving anything for linking to them.  I am doing so for others who may be struggling like we were to find something - anything - to help their child.  I suspect it may be helpful to have food intolerance testing done for a variety of health problems.  If you would like to look at their site, you can find it at Intolerance Testing.

Cort feels so much better now.  His energy is up, and he is in better spirits (all those steroids made him rageful at times).  He doesn't mind having to bring his own dairy-free cupcakes to birthday parties, because he feels so much better now.  He has a great attitude about the dietary changes, and never complains.  For Halloween, he traded me all his chocolate candy for a yo yo he wanted. 

Readers, have you ever looked for alternative health treatments?

Spring 2015 Dance Recital

Cort had his Spring dance recital recently.  He performed in both Ballet 1 and Hip Hop this time around.

Here he is in ballet.

Cort is the only male in ballet, and this time he got to demo a move at the end by assisting a little girl in a pose, holding her foot up.  It was so cute that I had to share, so I asked the girl's mother if it would be alright to post a picture here.

Of course, Cort's real passion is the hip hop.  He sure loves to breakdance.

 

It was another successful recital. 

Now he will have a summer break before dance starts back up.

I'm sure he will miss it, but at least he has a few breakdancing dvds to watch and practice.

 

A Few Pictures from Dance

I shared one video a couple of weeks ago from Cort's dancing.  I have a few pictures I thought I'd share too.

Cort loves his hip hop instructor, Mr. Kenny.  

Doing the flip.

Doing his shasay in Ballet 1.

Taking a bow.

Cort loves doing the performances.  I think he's already looking forward to his Spring Recital. 

Finally, Some Dance Video

I've had a lot of requests for video of Cort's dancing.  Recently he had his winter showcase.  He did six dances that day - ballet, a hip hop duet with his instructor, and a hip hop routine with his hip hop class.....all times two for two separate performances that day.  I think he was pretty tired by the end of the night, but he was a trooper.  The video below is from his fifth dance of the day. 



It always surprises me to see him breakdancing.  We don't have a television, so I'm never quite sure where he comes up with his moves, especially at the age of 5.  Plus, they haven't done any breakdancing techniques in his hip hop class this fall - they focused on moves like krumping, the robot, stepping, and bone breaking. 

Regardless of where he learned it, I can say one thing for sure.  He didn't get his dancing talent from me!

How about you, readers?  Do you have any mysterious abilities? 

Cort's Dancing Debut

A couple of weeks ago, Cort had the opportunity to perform with his hip hop instructor at the Vinton Fall Festival.  

Not sure if you can see or not, but the stage was really rustic boarding with some raised nails.

As a result, Cort didn't get to do his breakdancing, which is his strength.

But he still got to do some fun moves.

 



High five at the end!

 

He had a great time and can't wait for his next dance performance.

Cort is doing hip hop and ballet this semester.

He sure loves dancing!

Boys Dance Too

I've blogged before about how much I loathed ballet as a kid.  I like watching the ballet, though, and enjoy seeing others practice and perform all types of dance.  I just wasn't much of a dancer myself - much preferring to ride horses over all other sports and hobbies.  Imagine my surprise when Cort started begging for dance lessons.  And begging.  He was relentless.  So I did a little research and he started a ballet/tap combination class this spring.

 The first part of the class is some stretching, followed by ballet.  Cort is the only boy.  He doesn't mind at all.  He has learned that in ballet, boys have to be the gentleman and let the girls go first.  But the boys get to do more leaping, and they always wear black shoes.  After ballet, the tap shoes come on.

They have been practicing a routine for the big Spring recital.  It's a cute dance set to a very modern and upbeat version of "If You're Happy and You Know It".

Indeed, there is some jumping in the routine.  And some sliding.  And lots of tapping with those clickety clack shoes.

There might even be....jazz hands.

Every single morning since Cort started lessons, he wakes up and says, "Is tonight dance?"

If I say no, he says "awwwwwwww" in a sad voice.

Maybe part of it is that his instructor is so fun.  She teaches rhythm using tambourines and drumsticks.  And sometimes, even a parachute!

Cort's favorite part of the lesson is a dance they do to the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".  In the end, they snuggle with a stuffed friend.

I don't know how long Cort will want to dance.

But for now, at least, I think we can safely say that he's found something he loves.

Something that is teaching him discipline, respect, coordination and rhythm.

Not to mention how to have a whole lot of fun.

That's right folks.

Boys can dance too.



Sweetness and Buttercups

Mom?  I brought you a buttercup.

Because you're the best mom in the whole wide world!

 

Who says it's the little girls who are sweet? 

I beg to differ.

Welcome March

Because I'm sooooooo over winter.

 

Who wants to go check out some garden seeds with me?

Snow Shoveling

I told Pierce he should go down the slide.  He didn't think it was such a great idea.  But you know who wasn't scared?

 Woohoo!

 Not scared at all.

 Now for a little snow shoveling.

 That's better.

 And a cushy landing too.

Done any snow shoveling lately?

The Phrase that Broke My Heart

Cort first started experiencing asthma when he was 2 1/2.  Since then, he's been on a variety of different daily preventative medicines, all of them causing disturbing side effects.  We finally found one that he seems to tolerate, but it isn't 100% when it comes to preventing his asthma symptoms.  While he had a bit of a remission for a while in the late summer, he has had more frequent days where he needs the nebulizer this fall.  Luckily, whenever Cort is struggling with his asthma, Reid makes sure to take extra good care of him.

Recently, when we were driving to preschool one morning, Cort was having a rough time.  He'd already had a nebulizer treatment but for some reason it wasn't helping as much as normal.  As he coughed over and over again, and I debated sending him to school at all, he said in a small, sad voice, "Mom, when will I not have asthma anymore?" 

There are some things that as a Mom, you just can't fix, no matter how much your heart longs to make it better.  I am thankful, though, to live in a time where we do have nebulizer machines in the home, where we can treat the asthma most of the time without having to rush to the ER.  It isn't a cure for my sweet Cort, but I'm so thankful to have that machine when we need it.  And I won't give up hope that Cort will outgrow the majority of his asthma symptoms as he gets older, just like I did as a child.

Readers, what is a modern technology that makes you thankful year-round? 

He was supposed to be cleaning up...

I told the twins it was time to clean up Tinker Toys.  I don't think they listened to me so well on this occasion.  Because next time I checked, I found this...

Apparently, Cort cleaned up himself - tossing himself into the Tinker Toy container and then covering himself with blankets.  Hmmmm.  Should I go put him in the closet now, where the Tinker Toys belong?

Teaching My 3 Year Old to Write His Name....FAIL

A few months ago I picked up some wipe erase boards in the Target dollar bins to start the twins working on writing their names.  The erase boards already have the lines neatly done on one side (and the other side is blank). 

Usually I will make a bunch of dotted C's and R's for Cort and Reid to practice on.  Sometimes I will just do the full names in dots for them to trace.  On this particular day, apparently Cort decided to boycott the name writing and go straight for portraiture.

 I was surprised to see that Cort had drawn the whole family (except himself).  Far left is me (note my long hair) then Paul, Reid, and Pierce is the small red character riding our dog Scooter.  I'm not quite sure why Pierce is riding our dog, as I've never seen him do that in real life.

Cort then erased his picture and said he would work on his name.  Only when I looked over next, I saw he was back to drawing.

I asked who the two figures were, guessing maybe it was a picture of Paul and Cort.  His response surprised me.  "It's God and Jesus".  How can you not smile over that one?