Tuesdays are my favorite day of the week during the summer. We don't have any therapies or dance classes and it is Farmer's Market day. I am not like most people. I don't go to the Farmer's Market for the produce or handmade scarves, I go for cupcakes. In my mind, cupcakes are more healthy at the market because they are always next to a produce stand. Don't ask me why that helps, but it does.
Usually the kids and I spend about 10 minutes walking around and looking at things, grab our cupcakes, play at the park for a bit and then head back to see the rest of the market. Teague is generally not a fan of the crowds, so we keep it short and sweet. The second trip through is when I buy some veggies, but that is only because I feel guilty about eating a cupcake before 10am. I know I said they are healthier at the market due to their proximity to produce, but I never said healthy, hence the guilt.
Today the kids and I did our usual routine. We smelled the flowers, shot the shit with the man selling plants and then made our way to the cupcakes. They never ask what flavor any of the cupcakes are, they pick based on what is on top or what color it is. There are usually a dozen or so flavors to pick from, but the girls always discuss which one looks best and they both pick that one.
After getting our cupcakes, we made our way to the park. We were almost there when Josie fell and dropped her cupcake. Of course it landed frosting down on the sidewalk. Josie was more than a little upset and before I had a chance to say a word, Hailey piped in and said "Here Josie, why don't we trade. I don't really want frosting on mine." The girls swapped cupcakes and we made it to the park without any more tears.When we got home Hailey told me that she really did want the frosting, but wanted a happy sister more.
The other day I was talking with someone about the kids. I told her that Hailey had this incredible ability to sense what others need without being told and help them. She can calm down Teague faster than I can when he gets upset by picking up on little clues that I often over look. The woman is very Irish and was telling me that the Irish have a word for people like that. They call them a Tinker. Often it refers to people who fix objects, but it can also be used to describe people who fix problems. I don't think I could ever sum up Hailey in one word, but if I needed to, I think "tinker" is perfect.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The jingle of doom
I know the exact time the ice cream man makes his loop around our cul-da-sac. Just after 2:00 every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday the jingle from the truck fills our home, so does the sound of Josie crying and Hailey getting angry. For the last three years, that jingle has been a reminder that the kids are different. It not only reminds me, it reminds them as well. Having Dysphagia means they can't run out to the ice cream truck on a hot day like all the other kids. That is, until this year.
A few weeks ago we heard the ice cream truck coming down the street and both Josie and Hailey reacted as they usually do. Hailey said "It isn't fair. Why can't they carry ice cream that we can eat?" That sparked something in me. She was right, why couldn't they carry ice cream for my kids?
After a few phone calls, I was able to get a hold of the man that owns the ice cream truck on base. We talked for some time and he finally agreed to keep ice cream for the kids as long as I provided it. No biggie. I did say that we would basically pay him rent in his freezer. I want the kids to have a normal experience with buying ice cream, which includes giving the man money.
I spent hours and hours searching for the perfect recipe. I didn't want it to be too boring for the girls, or too different tasting for Teague and they all had to be the same. I went with a caramel frozen custard. I did add some xanthan gum to make sure that when it thaws it is still thick enough.
Today, at 2:07, after 3 years of tears every time the truck drove by, my kids got to buy ice cream from the ice cream man.
It was rainy and cold, but it was still the perfect day for ice cream.
A few weeks ago we heard the ice cream truck coming down the street and both Josie and Hailey reacted as they usually do. Hailey said "It isn't fair. Why can't they carry ice cream that we can eat?" That sparked something in me. She was right, why couldn't they carry ice cream for my kids?
After a few phone calls, I was able to get a hold of the man that owns the ice cream truck on base. We talked for some time and he finally agreed to keep ice cream for the kids as long as I provided it. No biggie. I did say that we would basically pay him rent in his freezer. I want the kids to have a normal experience with buying ice cream, which includes giving the man money.
I spent hours and hours searching for the perfect recipe. I didn't want it to be too boring for the girls, or too different tasting for Teague and they all had to be the same. I went with a caramel frozen custard. I did add some xanthan gum to make sure that when it thaws it is still thick enough.
Today, at 2:07, after 3 years of tears every time the truck drove by, my kids got to buy ice cream from the ice cream man.
It was rainy and cold, but it was still the perfect day for ice cream.
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