Feb 05
We got some great news! Gavin’s full progress report came in, and with the exception of potty training, he is making incredible progress in all areas. He is doing extremely well in speech therapy, and has begun using proper phrases at appropriate times now! We are still working on matching items (he still needs adult prompting) and a few others but I am amazed at the progress they are making with him.
Last night he was thirsty, but instead of crying and throwing a tantrum he came up to me with his cup and asked "Can I have some red juice please mommy?" This is incredible progress because when he started school he simply could not do that!
Dave and I are both very excited about the changes he has been making with his communication, and while it’s not perfect quite yet, he is on track and keeps making progress.
Jan 28
Brand-Name Food Products Also Discovered to Contain Mercury
Minneapolis – Mercury was found in nearly 50 percent of tested samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), according to a new article published today in the scientific journal, Environmental Health. A separate study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) detected mercury in nearly one-third of 55 popular brandname food and beverage products where HFCS is the first or second highest labeled ingredient—including products by Quaker, Hershey’s, Kraft and Smucker’s. HFCS use has skyrocketed in recent decades as the sweetener has replaced sugar in many processed foods.
"Just published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Environmental Health, is the bombshell that commercial HFCS appears to be routinely contaminated with mercury. It turns out the contamination isn’t so much accidental as newly recognized, given the fact that much HFCS has been made and continues to be made using ‘mercury-grade’ caustic soda."
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HFCS is found in sweetened beverages, breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS. Consumption by teenagers and other high consumers can be up to 80 percent above average levels.
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"While the FDA had evidence that commercial HFCS was contaminated with mercury four years ago, the agency did not inform consumers, help change industry practice or conduct additional testing."
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“Mercury is toxic in all its forms,” said IATP’s David Wallinga, M.D., and a co-author in both studies. “Given how much high fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered.
We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the FDA to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply.”
Click here to learn more
Click here for IATP site
Click here for Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy report, "Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup"
Jan 12
The progress report we got from school today was, for the most part, pretty good.
This morning he went into the classroom and put up his backpack with no adult prompting.
He attended well at independent time, working with the kitchen center and puzzles
He also attended well in small group where they worked on shapes, numbers and counting.
He worked with Letters, Books, Numbers, Art and Music today during class time.
He chose a hot dog for lunch with no adult prompting, and at all his food.
During recess he played nicely with friends on the playground.
He had Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy today.
It was a typical Monday for him, and he needed a lot of help following directions from his teachers.
Overall, he was happy and a little fussy and grumpy.
We are working on getting him to follow direction better, but the fact that he chose lunch, put up his backpack and did well in small group today is a big improvment! This is the start of a good week for him!
Jan 12
This week Gavin's class is learn about Seasons and the weather that comes with them. Everyday this next week, since they will have a special season every day, the class is going to dress up for that season each day!
- Monday- Winter, please wear a scarf or mittens!
- Tuesday- Fall, please wear a hat that can "blow away in the wind"
- Wednesday- Summer, please wear sunglasses to keep our eyes from the bright summer sun
- Thursday- Spring, wear rain boots or a rain coat if you have one
- Friday- Different types of weather (rain, sun, partly cloudy, windy, storms) wear your favorite season’s clothes!
Click Here to view Gavin’s Class Objectives for this week!
