In January, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) obtained the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s (GMA) “One-Pager” of talking points about GMOs and GMO labeling laws. The document is intended for use by food industry lobbyists whose job it is to convince state lawmakers to reject GMO labeling bills in their states.
The GMA’s talking points include the usual misinformation about GMO safety testing and the so-called benefits of GMOs. They also include claims that GMO labeling laws are unconstitutional—claims that, as we explain here, are baseless.
The OCA has its own list of GMO talking points. A list we don’t need to “leak.” We’re happy to make it public for everyone, not just lobbyists and the politicians they hope to influence. Because our talking points are backed up by facts, research and reliable sources.
I. Facts on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture
Genetically engineered crops do not improve yield.
Source: Failure to Yield, Union of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-fo...
Less than 1% of genetically engineered crops are disease-resistant.
Source: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers/health-r...
For Hawaiian papaya, the only major disease-resistant crop, yields are down, costs to farmers are up.
Sources: War of the Papayas http://bit.ly/LQT67d
Papaya Production Taking a Tumble http://bit.ly/LzDZRb
Insects quickly develop resistance to crops engineered to produce insecticides, requiring extensive and diverse insecticide use.
Source: Monsanto Shares Slip on Bug-Resistant Corn Woeshttp://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9PDS5KO0.htm
Weeds quickly adopt genetically engineered crops’ herbicide tolerant traits, requiring excessive and varied herbicide use.
Sources: Resistant weeds by species and country
http://www.weedscience.org/Summary/UspeciesMOA.asp?1st.MO...
Killer Pig Weeds Threatens Crops in the South
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/pig-weed-threatens-agriculturein...
'Superweed' explosion threatens Monsanto heartlands
http://www.gmwatch.org/index.php/news/archive/2009/10923-...
Monsanto pays farmers to use more herbicide on its genetically engineered crops.
Sources: US Farmers Cope with RoundUp-resistant weeds
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/business/energy-environ...
Monsanto paying farmers to increase herbicide use http://bit.ly/az3fSo
Genetically engineered crops require 26% more pesticides than normal crops.
Source: http://www.organic-center.org/reportfile/13Years20091126_...
The only drought-resistant genetically engineered crop, a corn variety developed by Monsanto, is only useful for 15% of U.S. corn.
Source: http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/monsantos-drough...
The cost of farming papaya has gone up. A Hawaiian genetically engineered papaya farmer says, “The price is going down and still the costs of farming goes up.” Quoted in “Papaya production taking a tumble.”
Source: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Mar/19/bz/...
The cost of genetically engineered seeds has gone up.
Source: http://www.gmwatch.org/index.php/news/archive/2013/15093-...
Herbicide costs have gone up for farmers growing genetically engineered crops.
Source: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/pressreleases/superweeds...
Insecticide costs have gone up for farmers growing genetically engineered crops.
Source: http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/india/2012/10/16/in-india...
Costs for farmers have increased due to genetically engineered crops’ decreased nitrogen fixation.
Source: http://earthopensource.org/index.php/5-gm-crops-impacts-o...
II. Facts on Current Federal Policy on Genetically Engineered Food Labels
The Grocery Manufacturers Association quotes the FDA, as saying:
The agency is still not aware of any data or other information that would form a basis for concluding that the fact that a food or its ingredients was produced using bioengineering is a material fact that must be disclosed…FDA is therefore reaffirming its decision to not require special labeling of all bioengineered foods.
- Food and Drug Administration, 2001 http://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/guidancedocume...
The GMA is quoting a 2001 draft guidance on voluntary labels that was never finalized. This is what they want to become law, but it is not the law. The 2001 draft guidance suggests that genetically engineered food should not be labeled, absent a finding that genetically engineered food are harming human health. That is not the standard under current law for food labels.
The relevant FDA document is:
FDA Statement of Policy: Foods Derived From New Plant Varieties, May 1992
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocume...
The standard for requiring labels under current law is that information is needed to prevent consumer confusion or deception.
Consumers are unaware that some foods have been genetically engineered, and if they do know that genetic engineering is being used to produce food, they cannot identify those foods.
Consumers believe that foods like corn and soy are the same crops that have been cultivated by humans for thousands of years. In fact, these and other food crops have been engineered at the genetic level to produce unique, patentable traits, that have never before been part of the human diet. That information is material whether or not we know the health consequences of eating these foods.
Source: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/976/ge-food-lab...
III. What Independent Scientific Organizations Actually Say
The World Health Organization:
"Different GM organisms include different genes inserted in different ways. This means that individual GM foods and their safety should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and that it is not possible to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods."
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20ques...
The American Medical Association:
"(4) Our AMA supports mandatory pre-market systematic safety assessments of bioengineered foods and encourages: (a) development and validation of additional techniques for the detection and/or assessment of unintended effects; (b) continued use of methods to detect substantive changes in nutrient or toxicant levels in bioengineered foods as part of a substantial equivalence evaluation; (c) development and use of alternative transformation technologies to avoid utilization of antibiotic resistance markers that code for clinically relevant antibiotics, where feasible; and (d) that priority should be given to basic research in food allergenicity to support the development of improved methods for identifying potential allergens. The FDA is urged to remain alert to new data on the health consequences of bioengineered foods and update its regulatory policies accordingly."
http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/PolicyFinder/policy...
The U.S. National Academy of Sciences:
The products of genetic engineering “carry the potential for introducing unintended compositional changes that may have adverse effects on human health.”
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10977&page=1
IV. Is There a Constitutional Issue?
No.
“Where a law compels disclosure of ‘purely factual and uncontroversial information,’ the law need only be ‘reasonably related to the [government’s] interest in preventing deception of consumers’ to pass muster under the First Amendment.”
Source: American Meat Institute v. USDA
https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2013...
The GMA points out that one labeling statute has been overturned for violating the First Amendment: “In 1996, the Second Federal Circuit in the case of IDFA v. Amestoy, applied the test found in Central Hudson Gas and blocked a Vermont law that required dairy producers to label milk from cows treated with a growth hormone. The court explained that Vermont’s stated interests in adopting the law – strong consumer interest and the public’s right to know – were not substantial enough to justify the functional equivalent of a warning about a production method that has no discernible impact on a final product.”
The reasoning of IDFA v. Amestoy was overturned in IDFA v. Boggs.http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/10a0322p-06.pdf
If the GMA sues, the case will be dismissed.
The current situation, where the vast majority of consumers know virtually nothing about how genetic engineering is being used in food production, is a case of consumer confusion that demands action.
There are proponents of genetic engineering in agriculture that support labels.
Sources: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe934 (Consumer Attitudes Toward Biotech Food)
http://www.marklynas.org/2013/10/why-we-need-to-label-gmos/
A label that says "produced with genetic engineering" makes a neutral statement of fact. It is not an advertisement and it is not a warning label. The label is not trying to induce the consumer to reach for or reject the product. It is just a simple fact.
The only basis the state needs to require labeling is that, absent a label, consumers will be confused or misled.
Most people figure that some food sold in stores today is genetically engineered. (Among people whose education is a high school degree or less, only 44.7% know this, while 81.4% who have a college degree or beyond know it.) But, very few people can identify those foods. Only one of four people say they completely understand genetically engineered food.
Source: http://www.justlabelit.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NPR...
V. What is the GMA?
The GMA says it is “the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States, and around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., GMA’s member organizations include internationally recognized brands as well as steadily growing localized brands.”
GMA members include Monsanto, Bayer, Dow, Dupont, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft, Ely Lily, General Mills and Syngenta.
Source: http://www.gmaonline.org/forms/MemberDirectory/viewMember...
More on the GMA here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_29171.cfm
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
I make children cry
I am a bad person. A friend's daughter was telling me all about the things she wanted for her birthday. I asked when her birthday was and she said May. I told her May was cancelled this year and she ran away crying. Oops! At least her mom was there and knew what I was doing and explained I was teasing her.
LT and I are going on a vacation! I can't believe he agreed to it. We'll be in beautiful Nassau to celebrate our 13th anniversary. (I think it's our 13th, neither us keep track). I went to Nassau when he was Djibouti and said I would take him there. Also, we made a deal when we were first married that if I became scuba certified, he would rock climb. Well, I certified when I was in Thailand, and I've been a time or two since then and so has he, but we've never gone together.
O and I went to our annual Navy Womens basketball game. This is our 3rd year doing it and this time O was old enough to be interested in what was going on for most of the game. We were sitting near a group of tweens and they were trying to get on camera and trying to get the cheerleaders to throw stuff at them. Since O saw them, she joined in. Hooray! We didn't know it before we went to the game but it was Girl Scouts night and during half time the scouts when down on the court to be recognized. O was thrilled to go down. She also received a patch.
We lost by one point, it was a good game.
Migraines
My latest appointment at Johns Hopkins was for nerve block shots. It wasn't successful, so the next step is a 3 to 5 day inpatient treatment that has helped other people. I have to decide when to do it.
On another note, I LOVE my neurologist. He actually reviews my chart BEFORE he meets with me. It is so nice to start where we left off instead of having to start over. In fact, the very first time we met he greeted me with "You have a photogenic brain". He looked at my MRI and MRE prior to coming into the room!
I have to mention the nerve block shots. Before the shots Dr. R went on and on about how uncomfortable they would be. He said if I wanted to stop at any time we could and it was okay. It freaked me out a little bit. So, the first shot was uncomfortable, it hurt, but the more unsettling part was hearing the pops as he went through the muscles and scraped my skull. Once we were done, he commented about my ability to take the shots without really complaining. The cool part of the procedure was the feeling of numbness on my head. I kept petting it and leaning on the back of a chair. It was crazy. I was at a friend's house, but that didn't stop me.
Favorite Quotes
"Come on over, I'll put my pants on", Breast friend. To put it into context, she's a firm believer that, "home is where the pants aren't".
"I was expecting more to be there" S after I sat on her lap and squeezed her head into my chest.
DBSA
Sweet M held my hand while she was talking about something hard. It was such a privilege to share that place with her.
We finally have a home and a regular schedule. We've waited nearly a year for this to happen. Starting in March we will meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at Severn Christian Church on New Cut Road. I look forward to growing our little group and offering support to more people.
On the Nightstand
The Fairy Chronicles, Marigold and the Feather of Hope, the Journey begins J. H. Sweet
It is a really cute book and I think O will like the series.
I'm still reading the tween book and now I feel like a HORRIBLE mom. ha ha ha, I have so much to learn. Really, it's a good book and I'm getting a lot out of it and I'm sure I'll get more.
Girls Cramp
I'm getting excited to be involved on the ward level again. I've got, without a doubt, a great group of girls. We've already got some fun pranks planned. I can't wait.
I've been so blessed to be involved with this program year after year.
LT and I are going on a vacation! I can't believe he agreed to it. We'll be in beautiful Nassau to celebrate our 13th anniversary. (I think it's our 13th, neither us keep track). I went to Nassau when he was Djibouti and said I would take him there. Also, we made a deal when we were first married that if I became scuba certified, he would rock climb. Well, I certified when I was in Thailand, and I've been a time or two since then and so has he, but we've never gone together.
O and I went to our annual Navy Womens basketball game. This is our 3rd year doing it and this time O was old enough to be interested in what was going on for most of the game. We were sitting near a group of tweens and they were trying to get on camera and trying to get the cheerleaders to throw stuff at them. Since O saw them, she joined in. Hooray! We didn't know it before we went to the game but it was Girl Scouts night and during half time the scouts when down on the court to be recognized. O was thrilled to go down. She also received a patch.
We lost by one point, it was a good game.
That's our team
The patch
O is the very last one on the left. She is wearing a blue shirt with writing on the chest.
Migraines
My latest appointment at Johns Hopkins was for nerve block shots. It wasn't successful, so the next step is a 3 to 5 day inpatient treatment that has helped other people. I have to decide when to do it.
On another note, I LOVE my neurologist. He actually reviews my chart BEFORE he meets with me. It is so nice to start where we left off instead of having to start over. In fact, the very first time we met he greeted me with "You have a photogenic brain". He looked at my MRI and MRE prior to coming into the room!
I have to mention the nerve block shots. Before the shots Dr. R went on and on about how uncomfortable they would be. He said if I wanted to stop at any time we could and it was okay. It freaked me out a little bit. So, the first shot was uncomfortable, it hurt, but the more unsettling part was hearing the pops as he went through the muscles and scraped my skull. Once we were done, he commented about my ability to take the shots without really complaining. The cool part of the procedure was the feeling of numbness on my head. I kept petting it and leaning on the back of a chair. It was crazy. I was at a friend's house, but that didn't stop me.
Favorite Quotes
"Come on over, I'll put my pants on", Breast friend. To put it into context, she's a firm believer that, "home is where the pants aren't".
"I was expecting more to be there" S after I sat on her lap and squeezed her head into my chest.
DBSA
Sweet M held my hand while she was talking about something hard. It was such a privilege to share that place with her.
We finally have a home and a regular schedule. We've waited nearly a year for this to happen. Starting in March we will meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at Severn Christian Church on New Cut Road. I look forward to growing our little group and offering support to more people.
On the Nightstand
The Fairy Chronicles, Marigold and the Feather of Hope, the Journey begins J. H. Sweet
It is a really cute book and I think O will like the series.
I'm still reading the tween book and now I feel like a HORRIBLE mom. ha ha ha, I have so much to learn. Really, it's a good book and I'm getting a lot out of it and I'm sure I'll get more.
Girls Cramp
I'm getting excited to be involved on the ward level again. I've got, without a doubt, a great group of girls. We've already got some fun pranks planned. I can't wait.
I've been so blessed to be involved with this program year after year.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Interview with a 7-year-old
Interview with a 7-year-old.
What is your favorite color?
Blue.
What is your favorite thing at school?
Um.. expedition.
Why?
Because I like learning how to draw maps.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a mommy.
Why?
So I can learn to manage kids.
What is your favorite joke?
Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7,8,9.
Why did you drink 2 cups of hot chocolate for breakfast?
That is, don't be mad at me, that is none of your business, okay it is. You know I love chcolate.
What is your happiest memory?
The kisses that my parents did to me when I was an itty bitty.
Why do you like being a kid?
Because I don't have to do, um, I don't have to clean the whole house. And, I don't have to be all bored when the parents to the boring things and the kids to the fun things.
What advice would you give to your parents?
This is to my mom, stay away from the girl scout cookies.
Dad, you need to get these lemonades out of here.
One word to describe you would be...
Crazy! (I totally agree)
What do you like to do for fun?
Have daddy pour water on his head, and then squirt water guns at him at the pool.
If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?
A goat, because I know how to speak like a goat.
What do you do for fun?
Sometimes I toot in dads general direction, mostly all of the time. And I know dad is giggling. (LT was laughing in the background. I asked what else she did for fun and that was all she wanted to say).
Tell about a funny time in your life.
Um, when dad told me the joke, why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7,8,9.
What is your favorite thing to do, why?
Watch My Little Pony, because it's like the best show and it's talking about what Twilight, she learns a valuable lesson every single day.
What is your favorite thing to do with your friends?
Play, play, play.
What was the nicest thing you did for someone?
Do you remember when we went to the commissary and she spilled over all of the hot chocolate boxes? And I felt good helping her clean up. (A lady knocked over a display with a lot of boxes. O was awesome and helped her clean it all up).
What do you think you'll be doing 10 years from now?
Drive a car, what mostly teenagers do. Paint nails, have girls nights and have sleepovers. And usually just type on my phone and computer.
What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?
Go to the pool.
What is the grossest thing you can think of?
Earthworms. You don't want to eat them, but they are good, they help the earth. Don't you dare eat one. Especially gummy worms, they are just worms that look like gummies.
Name two things we should do as a family on the weekend?
Go to Fort McHenry and go the Science Museum. Now that I'm older and dad has taught me more science.
Favorite Quotes of the Week.
"Placenta shakes for everyone" said by my breast friend during her long labor.
"I'm not good at telling stories, I always get confused."
Boob Talk
From a friend today, "Thanks for sitting on my lap and putting your boob in my face in front of .... Just the right amount of awkwardness to get my day going right!! Lol!"
On the Nightstand
Talking to Tweens. Getting it Right Before it Gets Rocky with Your 8- to 12-Year-old. By Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer
I'm going to need all the help I can get. When O saw these on the nightstand, she asked what they were about, there are pictures of kids on the covers. I told her I needed to learn how to be a good mommy. I think she was surprised I did "homework" to learn about parenting.
Okay, I finished The Book Thief and, I loved the writing. I found the imagery beautiful and the writing poetic. Those were the only redeeming qualities of the book because...... I HATED IT. I don't know why I read WW2 books. I always end up feeling dark and disturbed when I'm done. It was such a horrible time.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Small breasted women should not hug each other, and other stuff.
WARNING, this post may make your grammar eyes bleed. I didn't proofread or correct anything. I just didn't feel like it, so read at your own risk.
If you know me well enough, you know I think boob talk is funny. I don't know why, but, maybe it's because I've always been on the small side. Which hasn't bothered me. There are many advantages to being small. Less neck and shoulder pains, less anterior rotation of the shoulders, (that's massage talk, I have to use my education every once in a while) and running isn't that hard. For me, it wasn't until my early 30's that a bra was no longer just an accessory. Really, it was like a bracelet, not all that necessary. One experience that really brought it home to me was in my mid 20s. I had to leave work to get a chest x-ray. I had to unhook my bra so the little metal hooks wouldn't get in the way of what the doctor was trying to see. Once it was done, I went back to work. My office was on the top floor and I had to go up and down stairs several times. I felt this annoying brushing on my arm and I couldn't figure out why. I discovered it was my bra, I had forgotten to hook it again after the x-ray. Mind you, it was the rubbing on my arm that caused me to discover this, NOT the running up and down stairs. Yep, it was just an accessory.
I don't feel like it, but my doctor says I'm getting older and should have a mammogram. What?!? Those are for old people, and for people with boobs. How in the world am I going to manage the boob squish? You have to have some substance to make it work. Anyway, I declined.
One of my friends knows I think boob talk is funny and at random times she will look at me and mouth the word "boobs". We are totally breast friends and I'm not even titting. :)
When I met Os birth mother, she was wearing an "I heart boobies" bracelet. I knew we could be friends. :)
My mum is well endowed so we call hugs from her "boobie traps".
O is obsessed with boobs too. She's always trying to get at mine. It's become a bit of a joke between us. I will say, "rest your head on my bosom" and squish her into my chest. At other times she will poke me and run away laughing. When we are snuggling she always tries to sneak a poke. I keep telling her when she gets her own, she can touch them all she wants, but until then, hands off.
In other news.... here are some other recent happenings.
On the Nightstand;
Dragonology Chronicles, The Dragon's Eye by Dugald A. Steer.
I'm checking out kids books to see what is appropriate to read with O. It's a fun adventure.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Eh, I have less than 100 pages left and I'm bored.
I'm not sure what to read next. I hear Divergent is good.
DBSA
Our group was cancelled in December and the first week of January, due to unfavorable weather conditions, which makes me sad. There are some people in the group that really need some support. In our last meeting a person shared some of her struggles. Her partner is dealing with depression and is not working. She is bipolar and is unable to take the meds that work the best for her because her insurance doesn't cover name brands and it is too expensive to buy on her own. I just want her to know she's not alone. I was having a crappy day not too long ago and I longed for someone to talk to who got it. Unless you experience mood disorders, it's hard to have a depth of understanding that comes from living it.
Favorite comments in December;
"Gray is not a color", said by Robin, who is a fashionista and has more shoes than Amelda Marcos. We were talking about my wardrobe because I only have solid color t-shirts and jeans. I said I have a lot of gray shirts. She was seriously shocked.
"That's not snuggling, that's 3rd base", said by Sarah. No explanation needed.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Teasing O
O turned 7!!! We gave her two presents as soon as she got up in the morning.
Here are the videos.
The Joke
The Response
The Real Gift
I'm so glad we've been teasing O since she was very young. When I'm around other children I tease them and they just get confused because they take me seriously. Our teasing isn't malicious or degrading we call that mean teasing. Our teasing is silly and meant to make you laugh. I think any other child would probably break down in tears if this had happened to them. She's used to us. I love how she tries to look excited. What a great sport.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Catching up with O
One day I was away from home and called to talk to LT. O answered and told me he was outside. I called again because he hadn't called me back. When I asked her if dad was still outside she responded, "Si amigo". Hum, that was uncommon.
Near the end of the summer, LTs command had a picnic. They had a lot of fun things for the kids to do and the one O wanted to do the most was the dunk tank. AND, she dunked this guy. The smile on her face was awesome. I love it when she succeeds at things.
One unfun thing we had to deal with this August was an ugly cyst on her arm. We went to the dermatologist for another reason, but once we were there I had him look at this bump she's had on her arm for years. I thought it was a wart, but when he checked it, which was gross, it turned out to be a cyst. WELL, that opened it up and aggravated it. The next day I showed LT the gross stuff inside. Unfortunately, she ended up getting an infection and it came on fast. It was an angry infection too. It was swollen and hard and HOT. When we went back for antibiotics they swabbed it to see what kind of infection she was dealing with. At our follow up appointment, I asked the intake nurse what the lab results were and she hesitated and said the doctor would tell me. SO, when the doctor came in she asked if O had been at any swimming pools or around stagnant water. (Um, yes, we go swimming 2 or 3 times a week) She then proceeded to tell me she's never heard of the bacteria so she had to look it up. It was one that is found in poop. WHAT?!?!!? Gross. I'm relieved the infection is gone and now we are waiting for it to heal before we have it removed.
I was telling LT about something and I said, "It was a nightmare". O then tells me, "Just pinch yourself and wake up if it's a nightmare."
some ping = something
respectable me = despicable me
pack pack = back pack
man-a-aniacs = animaniacs
O is in high gear with her super hero fascination. The other day we were getting ready for a play date. She came into my room as I was getting dressed and I had my back to her. She said, "You can't see black people." My eyes bugged out and turned around to respond. She was wearing her black superman shirt and black tights that are 2 sizes too small. Once I took it in I said, "Oh, like a ninja?"
On our way to the play date, she told me all about being Rope Girl, that's her. She insisted that she wear her glasses to play so no one would recognize her.
O makes waffles all by herself. LT used to make them for her every saturday, and I got so sick of them. Now she wants them on sundays and I refuse to make them, I'm a mean mom, I know. Anyway, she's been practicing and is getting really good. The other day she asked me to try one. I did, and then I looked into her mixing bowl and saw a HUGE chunk of eggshell. I just grinned knowing she's learning skills that will help her throughout her life. She has also tried her hand with eggs.
On the way home from the farmers market I asked O to hold a small watermelon. I didn't want it to roll around on the floor. She cradled it, started stroking it and singing to it. I asked if the baby was okay and she shushed me because it was sleeping.
On the way home from the farmers market I asked O to hold a small watermelon. I didn't want it to roll around on the floor. She cradled it, started stroking it and singing to it. I asked if the baby was okay and she shushed me because it was sleeping.
One of the things that has occupied a lot of our time this summer is 6 Flags. We bought season passes and have had a lot of fun taking friends and meeting them there. O is a lover of rides and the water park. I have a lover of an active girl who is tired at night and ready for bed at a decent hour.
Here are some the pictures of our trips there.
Here are some the pictures of our trips there.
Funny lips
O on the kiddie roller coaster. She's pointing to the ascent.
Getting excited to go for a ride.
Boss of the airplane. She's also awesome driving the cars too.
TWEETY
DAFFY
BUGS
Near the end of the summer, LTs command had a picnic. They had a lot of fun things for the kids to do and the one O wanted to do the most was the dunk tank. AND, she dunked this guy. The smile on her face was awesome. I love it when she succeeds at things.
One unfun thing we had to deal with this August was an ugly cyst on her arm. We went to the dermatologist for another reason, but once we were there I had him look at this bump she's had on her arm for years. I thought it was a wart, but when he checked it, which was gross, it turned out to be a cyst. WELL, that opened it up and aggravated it. The next day I showed LT the gross stuff inside. Unfortunately, she ended up getting an infection and it came on fast. It was an angry infection too. It was swollen and hard and HOT. When we went back for antibiotics they swabbed it to see what kind of infection she was dealing with. At our follow up appointment, I asked the intake nurse what the lab results were and she hesitated and said the doctor would tell me. SO, when the doctor came in she asked if O had been at any swimming pools or around stagnant water. (Um, yes, we go swimming 2 or 3 times a week) She then proceeded to tell me she's never heard of the bacteria so she had to look it up. It was one that is found in poop. WHAT?!?!!? Gross. I'm relieved the infection is gone and now we are waiting for it to heal before we have it removed.
Once a year, the Orioles have a mormon night. I went with O and some friends.
We didn't really like our seats or the view, or the crowed feeling, so we went to another spot.
This one was much better. We were at the top of the stadium, there was a breeze, you could see the city and we weren't crowded at all.
One day, O was checking out my converse and she asked for a pair. I told she'd had a pair when she was younger, but that wasn't good enough. So, I told her once she could tie her shoes, I would buy her a pair. So, she sat down and worked on tying her and my shoes. She's done it a couple of times since.
O wanted to make face paint for FHE one night. This was only the beginning. By the end of the evening, LTs face was entirely blue.
O had her first dance recital. It was a nightmare getting her to dance a few months before the recital. In retrospect, I think she didn't like her teacher. Her teacher is used to teaching older girls and wasn't really that engaging with Os class. Anyway, here she is backstage playing with the other sugar plum fairies.
O and L after the show. Ya, O towers over all of her friends.
I can't believe she is going to be 7 in a few short days. She's in 1st grade and loves math. LT is reading Harry Potter with her at night. She loves super heros and My Little Pony. She is an off the chart extrovert and at times, wears us out. Okay, who am I kidding, on days she doesn't have a play date, she completely wears us out. She is the sweetest of sweet girl with a huge heart. She loves to help younger kids, in her mind, she's all ready to be a babysitter. She's smart, sometimes a bit too much for us. When we give her excuses of why we don't want her to do something or why we can't do something, she has a creative way to solve the problem/over come the obstacle. We trained her well with being teased and she can tease back.
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