Scratch Patch

A new store just opened here in Seattle via Australia. It is one of a kind here in the US with what they call a "Scratch Patch" which is a bed of gemstones that you can sit, lay and play in. Will and I visited the patch today and picked out a tiny bag of stones. It was pretty soothing to sit on a carpet of smooth polished stones and pick out your favorites.

Before and After

The top photos show Will before his allergy testing with purple shiners under his eyes, the pale complexion, etc. He's been looking so healthy lately on his "no glue" diet I really cannot believe it.

No Glue

We just found out last week from our naturopath that Will cannot eat gluten, dairy, oats, or pineapple. This is pretty sad for the whole family because the convenience and ease of eating anything and everything is gone.

He went to school the next day and proclaimed that he can't "eat glue". Candace sleuthed it out and Will clarified with, "No crackers!" So he has his own little stash of gluten free crackers in the cupboard and he chooses himself a serving to go along with his snacks at school.

Now Candace says that he will ask her frequently, "Is this gluten-free?"

Zookeeper

Lately I've been hearing Will say, "When I grow up..."

1. When I grow up I want to have a wheelchair. (A little girl in his class has a wheelchair and lately this is his new fascination. He wants us to use the stroller and wheel him everywhere!)

2. When I grow up I want to be an adult. (In his eyes, adults get to do all kinds of great things. He's even mentioned that he wants to be forty like his dad.)

3. When I grow up I want to be a zookeeper. (Living a few blocks from the zoo, what can you expect?)

RPCV's

After nearly ten years since our Peace Corps service in PNG, we reconnected this weekend with some fellow RPCV's, Jim and Carolyn (along with four year old daughter Amee). It was so much fun to reminisce about our experiences living in such an incredible place and how it has shaped us so much in our work, parenting, and world view. I'm almost going through culture shock again as they depart!

Playdate!