Kid's Menus Make Me Want to Punch Someone in the Throat

Have you looked at a kid's menu lately? You know what's on 90% of those menus? Fried food, rice, and macaroni and cheese. My kid LIKES vegetables. So do most kids, until they get exposure to kid's menus. It's 2015. Parents want to feed their kids vegetables, fruit, grilled food, etc. I want Semmes to continue to explore food, to continue to try new things, to continue to be interested in healthy food.

This is the kid's menu from P.F. Chang's. Yes, there is a vegetable option, but look at the Kid's Chicken Fried Rice. They actually seem proud of themselves for taking the vegetables OUT of the fried rice! Honestly...

I have a friend who has two elementary-aged children. They eat mostly fried food, french fries, etc. And she thinks a large reason for this is that whenever they went out to eat, that was what was available to them. Kids are people too. They want variety. They want to be challenged. They want to eat real food! Let them!!

Acts of Kindness

Honestly, I've been pretty lucky as a special needs mom: no real confrontations with assholes, not too much "advice," etc. Some of this I chalk up to dumb luck, but I think a lot of it is who I choose to surround myself with. My friends, the people I have chosen to grow close to me and our children, are awesome. A couple of things that have happened in the last couple of weeks have made me realize just how lucky I am.

We went to a friend's daughter's first birthday party last weekend. It was a great party and both boys had a great time. My friend's dad, who had never met me or either of my children, made a point of going over to Cooper, sitting next to him, and then had a little conversation with him. It was amazing to watch. And I realized just why Rachael and I are such good friends: she comes from good people.

Last Sunday, Brad was working nights. So I took both boys to church by myself. Semmes loves communion; he wants to "eat the bread." So I always go get him from the nursery before communion. It's hard to keep Semmes quiet and occupied in church and sit with Cooper. My friend Sydney and her mom have just made themselves the bonus moms of my children on Sundays when Brad is on nights. They go to the nursery with me, they hold Cooper, they let Semmes play with their son/grandson's toys and read his books, they walk Cooper to communion while I walk with Semmes, and after church they help me get everything to my car. They are everything church is supposed to be: warm, welcoming, supportive, helpful...I'm so thankful for them every week.

So, my friends, thank you for being you. And being awesome. And for never making me feel different or that there is anything wrong. You people rock, and I'm so thankful for you!