Family Time

Recently we've become addicted to jigsaw puzzles...it's an awesome way to spend family time and encourages the family to sit together and talk without the tv turning us all into zombies.

Here is one we finished a couple of weeks ago..we had done it years ago..it was a hand-me-down from my mom..so now it's missing a few pieces. It was still good fun..time to toss it though w/ those missing pieces.



We have been trying so hard to figure out ways to keep our son Cameron away from playing his computer game Freelancer so much. If it were up to him, he'd live in the corner of the living room where we have his computer table set up at and never leave.

Here's Cam in his favorite spot. Over the last few months of watching him go through the symptoms of gastroparesis and eosinophilic gastroenteritus, I'm just happy to see him not laying in misery on the couch.



It's really hard w/ his condition because it makes him feel nauseas 24/7. However, addictions to any one thing is not healthy either..esp w/ your face inches away from a screen all day every day. So we take easy walks around the neighborhood..one after each main meal...we often bring the rc cars w/ us..esp at night w/ flashlights attached to the top of them. At first he was not interested..but little by little his interest is growing...



peeling out in the dirt...



we watch our favorite shows together and try to make it a family event..love the DVR! We read together and sometimes I can coerce him into helping me bake whatever allergy safe goodie I'm trying out for him, but there really isn't a lot he likes to do right now. He used to love board games but as a teenager he's turning up his nose to that everytime we suggest..and scrabble too..that used to be a favorite of his (I suck at it)..he would play with his dad and they were so serious about it. But now he says it requires too much thinking and he can't handle it with the nausea.

A few weeks ago a lightbulb went off in my head as I layed down to sleep..."Hey a jigsaw puzzle!" that one has been a hit. Now we always have a puzzle at the table..we even start to panick when we are almost done...wondering when and where we are gonna get the next puzzle. Not many places to shop here for them. And you know.. to have fun w/ a puzzle it requires some forethought..it's got to have enough color and different things going on.

Here is the latest one we are working on..it's sooo pretty and so much fun! It's about everything that flies, from birds to leaves to flying fish...The colors are amazing. I"ll post a pic when we are done. I"m definitely saving this one and will bring it out again next year.



While we may not be able to have dinners around the table together because it's occupied w/ a puzzle...at least we are doing 'something' together at the dinner table! And really for our situation it works out better because family time at the dinner table isn't centered around food as food seems to be our sons enemy these days.

Now if we could only find more puzzles!

Our Saturday at the Beach

Finally..we got out of the house! We've been stuck inside for so long..just trying to work through some health issues with our son Cameron. He was diagnosed with gastroparesis in August and then in September with eosinophilic gastroenteritus.



I don't remember the last time that I have been so aware of the wonderful ocean air...I've stayed away from the beach for very long intervals before..often letting a year pass in between visits. When I finally go again I don't remember being so aware of sound of the waves and the refreshing ocean air...sure I appreciate it always..but Saturday it was different.. I think we just REALLY needed it this time.

We went to Sprecklesville Beach. Here is Cameron when we first got out of the car...his first time out doing something other then doctors appointments in months and months. He's gotten really 'comfy' staying at home every day..didn't really want to go even, but we insisted it would be good for him.



I promised him just an hour..for lunch and to sit back and read..no pressure. We did our after lunch walk there too..it was such a nice change from the same walk around the neighborhood.



He even did a little exploring with his dad by the tide pools.





We probably stayed an extra hour..and after we stopped at my favorite health food store Mana Foods and picked up some supplies and some frozen yogurt to eat on the way home. Such a simple outing yet sooo very refreshing and very very much needed!