Halloween Fairy (Another great idea from Stacy)

When talking about Halloween, Stacy mentioned the Halloween Fairy. Just like the tooth fairy, If you put all of your candy under the bed or wherever, she will come and take it. In the candy's place she will leave a cool toy.

I think this is a brilliant idea! We'll probably start next year. As for Laying down the Law (Kim!)...I guess so. But when I took her candy away from her it was so that we could go in to the ward dinner...I just needed to put it in the car. Once we were home I gave her the dumdum and she was happy with that.

I do limit her sugar--I've loosened up somewhat (when she realizes that she's getting the shaft). She's usually happy with a substitute--yogurt instead of ice cream, or apple sauce instead of apple pie. It's totally hypocritical that I eat that stuff, but I'm working towards a happy medium on both sides : ) During the pregnancy I've gotten lazy, but I usually limit myself to one free day a week--one special breakfast, one dessert, one more decadent dinner, etc (Isn't it funny that pregnancy is when I cut loose? Chick was formed on Burger King...I ate more fast food during that pregnancy than the rest of my life combined! This baby is being formed on candy and the leftover apple pie!).

I read that a person's tastes are almost completely developed by what they are exposed to (food-wise) in the first two years. I don't expose chick to as much variety as I should, but I try to not let sugar & food coloring be too prevalent because she might not like other things once she's used to the sweet & technocolored : ) She started eating fruit snacks, and now she asks for them for breakfast...augh! (it is cute, though...she made up her own sign & says "Nack?" all hopeful-like!)

By the way, I make PB & Honey Candy as our treat substitute...delicious! And easy to make: combine 1 c Honey with 1 c Peanut butter. Then add 2 c powdered milk & I add up to a cup of ground up oats (so it's less sticky) & ground flax seeds (for added nutrition). Mix well & roll into a snake, slice into pieces (overachievers can roll the pieces into balls) and refrigerate or freeze. MMMMMMmmmmm good! My Mom made it for us growing up, but I've also seen it in the book "Super Baby Food," which is a GREAT resource & I highly recommend it.

Another book that I recommend, while I'm writing about nutrition is "Fatland." But I should say that I am not saying any of this to be judgemental. HH barely eats, but when he does it's often twizzlers or tortilla chips with salsa. I'm fine with however people want to fuel themselves, but as for me and my chicks.....

Writing this (LONG! Sorry!!) post has made me want to be a bit more diligent in how I eat. So thanks if you read to the end, but I suppose the epiphany was meant for me!

{End of soapbox}