banana oatmeal breakfast cookies

There is a whole lot of summer fun happening at the Rhodes' house, which is one reason I seem to find less and less time to spend blogging.  But this recipe is worth keeping in a safe place and sharing with others!

Rachel recently returned from a 6 day youth trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan.  It was so good for her to get away with her peers to serve God and deepen relationships, but it was also a good way for her to learn how to work around her food issues.  With a lot of detective work behind us, we've found that there are several foods that trigger IBS symptoms including table and fruit sugars, and corn.  She also seems to do best for now with a gluten and dairy free diet.  So we packed up a cooler and sent her on her way with foods she could easily grab and warm up.

Breakfast was a puzzle for me until we sampled this breakfast cookie recipe at our annual neighborhood Fourth of July party.  While waiting for a friend to send me the banana version, I made some with pumpkin and blueberries to send on her trip.  As you read this recipe, remember it came to me without any substitutions, so would be fine as is for those who don't need to make any.  We substitute coconut sugar for regular sugar because that seems to be much easier on Rachel's tummy, and of course use coconut milk instead of regular milk.  She enjoyed the pumpkin version, but this banana recipe just can't be beat!  We would have sent these, too, but an experiment with adding dark chocolate did not settle well for my daughter.  We're trying again today without the chocolate, and I'm enjoying the aroma of a freshly baked batch right now!!

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

• 3 cups quick cooking oats (can use gluten free)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
• 1/2 cup milk (or milk substitute)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3/4 cup mashed banana or about 3 bananas
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, raisins, or dried cranberries - optional (I think adding any fresh berry would be wonderful, too!)

1. Mix all ingredients together and stir well.
2. Drop by the spoonful onto greased sheet or mini muffin tin.
3. Bake at 350 for 10 - 20 minutes depending on size of cookie.
4. Enjoy!

at the extreme risk of sounding like a commercial

Our family is loving Zipzicles!  There are some great recipes on their website.  We've tried pureed frozen cantaloupe (which my kids won't touch but somehow frozen makes it different), and the Spinach Surprise.  So much better than the dye-filled and artificially flavored alternative! 

handwriting tricks

 I've been trying Dianne Craft's handwriting therapy with Josiah, and within four weeks we saw glimpses that it was starting to pay off!  This is pretty fuzzy thanks to the phone pictures, but here's a before and after.  The biggest change for him seems to be that writing his letters is more automatic.  The fluidity seems to be transferring from his brain to his pencil!  There are less reversals happening, too.  Another trick I learned recently for "b" and "d" is to have the child pretend that the "b" starts like a bomb dropping from the sky and then explodes into a circle, and the "d" begins with a dog's face and ends with his tail.  It seems to help!  That's not to say we don't have a long way to go, but it's encouraging to get this far so quickly.

 

Yes, it's summer, and yes, we're doing school, but just a little bit.  The funny thing is that before we can do handwriting, Josiah insists on doing everything else, too.  That means we are reading science, history, Bible, doing a finger play, and read aloud all before we do the one thing I wanted him to do that day: handwriting.  Well, worse things have happened.

 

In spite of the Abeka pages, which I used only to compare now to then, I've continued to find Handwriting Without Tears is an effective curriculum for Josiah.  He really remembers the picture cues they give to form each letter.

 

God is faithful to care for our needs, even looking after small details like a young boy's handwriting.  We are so thankful for His love and help!  He so often sends it in ways I don't expect.

 

looking to God

"Our desire, therefore, is not that we might be without trials of faith, but that the Lord graciously would be pleased to support us in the trial, that we might not dishonor Him by distrust."

George Muller, 1840

wisdom in pictures

 

The most popular person is always the one who brings the food.

 

There is nothing like silence and reflection to refresh the soul.

 

Follow in the path of someone wiser, but don't be afraid to be yourself in the journey.

 

Looking up can give a whole new perspective.

 

There are discoveries if you just dig for them.

 

There is no limit to what you can do with cardboard boxes, stuffed animals, and imagination.

 

 

 Play is always more fun when in the company of others.

uncovering a talent

 

 

Ending a great week of camp with awards...these counselors were amazing!

 

"The greatest archery award goes to: Josiah

June 7, 2013"

look again

Josiah has had a terrific week at Camp Takoda, the autism camp hosted by Easter Seals and run by the Autism Society of McLean County.

For good or for bad, I had my hesitations about signing him up, wondering what kinds of behaviors he might imitate or how he would feel about being identified with other kids who were at all ranges of the spectrum.  Before even getting out of the car on our first day of camp, I quickly spotted a camper with a helmet to protect himself from self-injurious behaviors, and walked past children who were humming, rocking, and engaging in self-stimulating behavior.  Counselors wore T-shirts highlighting the symptoms of autism.  One sported a pink shirt with the caption, "start seeing autism."  When I saw my son settled with a friendly group of boys about his age, I felt better and bid him the farewell he was so anxious to get out of the way so he could get on to his day.

Each afternoon Josiah came home from camp talking about the exciting things he had done: the boat rides, the fishing, being afraid of the zipline, the bulls-eyes he made in archery, shooting a BB gun for the first time, the water games, and a scavenger hunt.  What a week of FUN he has had!  He has also shared with enthusiasm the names of the boys he has made friends with.  There have been no questions about anyone's behavior, no wondering why he is at camp with children who may act a little differently (or very differently!) than what he may normally see.  And last night, as I pondered his week and how he has responded, it hit me why.

When Josiah looks at his new friends, his untrained eyes do not see autism.  He sees children with names, particular likes and dislikes, who say things that make him laugh and have shared his exciting adventures.  He sees KIDS. 

I also can't remember when I have seen so many parents gaze upon their children with such looks of love, parents who have learned the lesson Josiah's innocence has taught me this week. Surely, there are times when we need to stop seeing autism.

"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."  1 Samuel 16:7