On Top of the World

Amazing things happening here.  Amazing. :)  Two weeks ago B was very sick.  He had a high fever, was lethargic, had a sore throat, and his legs were weak.   I was dreading the worse.  The aftermath.  Usually after a sickness like this, his OCD increases terribly, his sensory issues return, and his tics are strong and ever present.  This time, the fever broke and nothing.  Nothing...Other than two days of having a hard time focusing on school work, some shaky handwriting, and a couple meltdowns.

Here we are, 2 weeks later, and B is doing better than he has all year.  He has very minimal tics..just a few a day, that's it!  His appetite is back and little man is eating a lot!  His mood is great!  We are on top of the world! I don't know what that fever did, but that seemed to be the switch that tipped him into better health.  It's been a wonderful two weeks.

We've been slowly testing foods that he had tested allergic to 3 years ago.  Starting with the lowest allergens first.  We dab a little on his skin and watch for a reaction for 15 minutes to an hour.  If there is none, we let him try a little bite.  Then a few days later, a little more of the food.  So far, he's had no reaction to apple or beef.  I'm a little on the fence with rice and would like to try a small portion again.  I think he tolerated it well.  Ghee (or clarified butter with the casein removed) was a definite no go.  We put a little on his skin and in 10 minutes, he had bright red splotches on his arm.  Dairy might be out forever.  Also, he's been able to tolerate a little corn again.  We'll try not to overdo it this time.

School is going very well.  I wanted to love the Heart of Dakota curriculum, but it just wasn't clicking for either of us.  Although we all enjoyed the Bible portion and are keeping that.  I've decided to switch to Five In A Row and we are both in love.  B has a passion for books.  Five In a Row lessons revolve around one book for 5 days.  All science, language arts, social studies, math, and art lessons are centered around the book of the week.  This week, while reading Madeline, B discovered his love of charcoal drawing.  We'd talked about the author/illustrator's use of black and white with a little color.  B has filled up an entire sketch book in one week.  This from a little boy who is very disinterested in crafts.  I guess crafts put his creativity in a box.  Every morning after breakfast, he gets out his sketchbook and creates a new world full of castles and Humpty Dumpty, and happy suns.  We also supplement with Horizons math, dolch sight words, BOB books, and Explode the Code phonics.  I'm excited for this week when we will read Lentil.  B has also been reading.  How cool is that?  He's very impressed with himself that he can read 6 BOB books and his word wall is growing.  I'm so proud of him.  And what a gift it is that I had the privilege to teach him!

I am pleasantly surprised at the difference in our house now.  The whole mood is lighter and we are enjoying our days.  I thank God for guiding us through every step of the way.  Oh, and I'm gluten free now...so maybe that contributes to our happiness?  I know I feel a lot better!  When mama feels good, we all feel good. :)