Tuesday, November 23, 2004

And the Pilgrims came.....

Grace had her Thanksgiving Feast today at school~I would've had pictures, but batteries were dead, and Grace won't tell me where she took the other set to.... so I'll have to wait until I get a copy (not to mention, figure out FTP--have I mentioned I have a new acronym for FTP?  The last two words are The Pictures, can you guess what the F is for?)  Explains why I don't put a lot on here--just can't get it figured out--must be an ongoing blonde moment for me... lol.  

I took a family friend, Karen, with me so she could get a taste of preschool life ;)  Though she loves looking into Grace's world..... So, she had a great time singing along with the kids and watching them run their sugar-highs off after they feasted.   

Let me tell you of the almost fiasco.  Parents receive a monthly calender with all the festivities noted on each day they attend.  I thought I had read hers completely and often, but apparently not.    When I arrived to drop Gracie off at 12:30p, one of the teachers asked if I had brought her favorite food.  Hmmm, well no I didn't, I wasn't aware I was supposed to.  She tells me it's on the calender. 

Ok, no problem-- I have to come back at 1:30 anyway for the meal, so I'll bring something in then.   Pretty simple, huh?!  I thought so, too.  I go back home and start to cook one of Gracie's favorite veggies~broccoli.  Now, being this is my only kid, and my first time dealing with a preschool--I assumed (my mistake for doing that) that we would be celebrating in Grace's school room as we have for all the other parties, so I make only enough for the 8 kids in her class.   

Well, such was not the case and they had combined both 3's classes into the huge recreation area.  When Karen and I arrived, I went over to the food table and set down my dish.  I apologized to the teacher who asked about the food earlier, telling her I thought it would just be Gracie's class and I wasn't sure if there'd be enough for everyone. (I was totally embarassed, too).  But I was thinking to myself--it IS broccoli with butter, salt, and pepper, and most kids are not going to eat it anyway but mine (actually, she and another boy ate most of it).  

I go sit down when I notice another teacher waddled up to the food table and pointed to the bright green delicasies and made a comment.  I saw the other teacher mention something about heating it up in the microwave, which was never done.  

I'm not sure what the problem was other than not being enough for a pile on every plate.  I really don't care what they were thinking.  The calender said to bring my kid's favorite food and I did.  Only she prefers to eat it plain and raw, but she ate it this way, too.  And asked for more from the turned-up-noses teachers, which made them just look at each other and shrug their shoulders.   

HA!  That's right, Gracie Baby--show your Momma up to them                                       :::snicker, snicker:::  

So, one of them asks Grace, "wouldn't you like some cheese on that broccoli, Grace?"  She looked up at that teacher and wrinkled her nose "Ewwwww, cheese on broccoli?  YUCK-that makes it bad"  

I have been redeemed by a 3-year-old :)  

Go Baby!  Go Baby!   Go Baby!  

I have exposed her to everything I possibly can where food is concerned.  She tries everything by herself, too.  I am a picky eater and I didn't want another me, by any means.  Thankfully, I've not dealt with her having an affinity for anything bad for her.  Her favorite candy is Smarties or Pez, and they're not so bad in the grand scheme of things offensive to health.   

But this wasn't the first time I've been given strange looks about broccoli.  Whenever we have a big grocery trip to make, I get a baggie of broccoli florets (or blueberries, another fav :) from home and that's what she munches on in the cart while we're shopping.  I actually get dirty looks!  What's wrong with Grace eating broccoli?  It sure is better than cookies or chips.   

I have only had one person, an old woman--who voiced she was happy to see some healthy eating habits and that her grandkids didn't have any, and what was my secret?!  I told her I simply let her try anything she wants.  Plain, no seasonings or flavor added.  She would eat a whole can of asparagus if I'd let her.  But then she gets too constipated.  The only vegetable she won't eat cooked are carrots, those she likes right out of the fridge.  

Eat, Drink, and be Merry....  

Cat

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's great Cat, I love broccoli too, raw and cooked - no cheese please. When I'd go to the store with my last ex, it looked like we were doing Halloween handouts for planet earth. Half the cart was full of pure junk. She's still a great woman and Mom though, God bless her.

Green is mean! Unless it's sorry assed, plastic fruit roll-ups. YUCK!

~Veggy 'B'

http://journals.aol.com/thelovetrain/Drift/

http://journals.aol.com/thelovetrain/tracks/

Anonymous said...

Lol! Too bad your batteries were dead. I would have loved to see a picture of the teachers faces when Gracie put them in there place! Ha! You go baby girl ;-)  
HUGS,
~Angel

Anonymous said...

I think you are doing just fine!  My oldest two are very healthy eaters and my youngest one eats a healthy but in my mind limited diet.  They have always been allowed all the candy they want...but I didn't make a big deal out of the wonder of candy and they eat far less candy than thier friends.  Health is one of the best gifts you can give your child!

Anonymous said...

Go Gracie Go Gracie!!! Hoo Hoo Hoo Whoop Whoop!  Thata girl!!!  Yay mom!  Sure beats an obese daughter with loads of cavitites!  Glad she had fun!
Miss Ya,
Stacy

Anonymous said...

Way to go Grace!!!  I am proud of her!!  And Josh gets teased in school for always having a balanced lunch...that's why he won't eat at school.  His favs are carrots and broccoli too!!  Raw or cooked...he loves it!!  I am with you...rather have him munch on fruit and veggies then candy and junk food!!
*hugs*

Anonymous said...

How proud you must have been, when you little Gracie wanted her broccoli just the way her Mommy makes it!!  Yaaaaaaay!!  Hate teachers and people like that, if the girl likes broccoli, let her eat broccoli!  My son would eat apples over ANY sweets or chocolate.  And his little eyes light up when he spys that we have grapes in the house!  Had a peculiar phase of wanting mustard sandwiches, but I managed to cure him of that!  The FTP thing, I can always send you some directions via email if you like - don't like IM's so much.  If you need a helping hand, just drop me a line and I will do my best.  It takes a bit of figuring out, but is simple once you know how :o)
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

Wonderful!  Yay!!  Yippee!!  I am so proud of her!  I have a son who eats everything and a daughter who eats almost nothing.  I grew up in a home where we tried EVERYTHING.  So now I like to eat anything and everything still.  She will grow up healthy, Cat!!  So proud of HER and YOU!!

Anonymous said...

That's my kinda girl!  I love brocoli!  Happy Thanksgiving doll!