Sugar Detox

So the Cowart Clan went on a complete REFINED SUGAR detox from New Year's Day Jan. 1- Jan. 28 (Gavin and Grant's 3 year old birthday party- we celebrate on their due date.)

We did this for many reasons.
1. Halloween to Christmas is saturated with sugar. Ugghh...
2. Sugar is addictive. The more you have, the more you crave.
3. Corey doesn't do sugar, so it can't hurt that much! Right???
4. The grandparents feel that it is THEIR DUTY to give my children sugar.
5. Their teeth ~ our Mr. Gabriel had some cavities.
6. It would be healthy for us.

All right, so the whole family is on board. We talked with our kids and explained that the whole family was doing this, and even when we aren't there, they are to politely decline and say that they are on a SUGAR DETOX.

It was great. We felt good and hearing our children say that they were in DETOX. It was priceless. It was funny EVERY, STINKIN' TIME!! Our children remained 100% healthy the whole time even when surrounded a gazillion, sicky children. They slept better and it was fun to see them suggest healthy items that they could have instead to their grandparents or pre-school teacher. They opted for blueberry muffins vs. cookies or cake. They chose hot, apple cider vs. cocoa. We had fruit vs. sweets. It was great.

My biggest insight was how much tiny sweets are offered to our children constantly. Small items but all day, everyday. Awareness was my biggest discovery. They are offered a sucker at the bank, a mint at a restaurant, gum on Sunday at church, a cookie after dinner, soda by the grandparents, cake at birthdays, dessert any time, candy as a bribe at the grocery store ~ yeah, you heard me- lazy parenting. Now I am more planned with snacks and making honey/ maple syrup desserts in the evening. (If interested see the Nourishing Apron Blog on my blogroll list- we love the caramel popcorn balls.)

So, now that the DETOX is over. We are making some positive changes and more aware of the constant sugar being offered and we turn it down except on special occassions. Balance and awareness are great "friends" to have!

**What about you, what are your fave healthy snacks? Any thoughts on sugar? Balance of sweets with your family? I would love to hear them

Pumpkin Patch @ Bi-Zi Farms

WELCOME to the PATCH!!

Here is Mr. Gavin feeding the goats!

Here is Gabriel feeding Jasper the Donkey some apples!

The goats adored Grant. Maybe because he is fearless and actually is able to feed them without yanking his hand away in fear, spilling most of the food (GABE and GAVIN!!) :)

Here is Corey teaching the boys all about the tast of hay. Go Daddy. Yeehaw Gavin!!

You can take the boy *Daddy* out of the country, but you can take the country out of the boy!

Grant being brave with Daddy's help. Going through the hay bale maze is a kick in the pants!

Gavin's hat might be a wee bit big! :) Gavin in a ton of corn kernals playing.

Gabriel coming through a tunnel on the hay pyramid!!!

Gabriel has no fear climbing, but Corey was never too far away!

OH YEAH!! Ma'z (Grandma Sandy) came with us, since John was hunting!! What day isn't more fun with Ma'z there!

Corey and I with Gavin and Grant. Gabriel is somewhere on top of the hay pyramid!!

The tractor ride out to the pumpkins! You can't see their Uncle Cody and Aunt Shannon, but they were on the tractor with us too! We actually had more adults than kiddos. It was NICE!! :)

Gabriel laying on this pumpkin, but didn't pick it, because it's not GREEN!! 2 years in a row now he has picked a GREEN pumpkin! Knuckle-head!! :)

Here's Grant sitting on his pumpkin!

Here's Gavin sitting on his pumpkin!

Gabe thought that he might want THIS pumpkin, sorry too heavy and well, it is the picture prop!

Those two boys are the hardest things to get a picture of!! Turkeys!!!

Our family had the most amazing day!! I love every minute that we get to spend together!! My husband is wonderful and we have THE BEST kids ever!!!

SWIM LESSONS!!!

A Family Affair!

So I decided it was time for the boys to have swim lessons... Gabe took a Parent/Tot swim class with Corey last April and May. He loved it and completed the eight week session at Lacamas Swim and Sport. Spendy, but Gabriel loved it and was much more comfortable in the water.

Fastforward to summer.... Now I want Gavin and Grant to take a Parent/Tot class, but with twins you HAVE to have 2 parents in the water, because there are 2 kiddos in the water, therefore Corey and I have to BOTH participate in the class. Hmm... well then, what do we do with Gabriel?

Problem solved, (I'm a genius), let's do private lessons at Miss Shannon's where she will instruct a Parent/Tot class for Corey and I with Gavin and Grant WHILE Miss Shannon will work with Gabriel at Level 1 swim instruction. PERFECT!!!!!! I love it when things actually work out. :)

Corey in the water first, then inviting your child (Gavin) to join you in the water. Gavin splashing Daddy!

We worked hard on getting your child to relax into a supported back float. Grant was a fish!

Corey and Miss Shannon playing with the boys! Classes were so stinkin' fun!!
Miss Shannon rocks!

Gabriel and Miss Shannon working on going under and blowing out through the nose!

Daddy doing double duty while I jump off the diving board with Gabriel! Gabe and I would hold hands and JUMP IN!!

This time Gabriel jumped off the diving board to Miss Shannon ALONE!! So Brave!!!!!




Corey being world best daddy!! What a wonderful husband and amazing daddy!!!



Gabe loves jumping in and being thrown up. He doesn't mind going under at all, especially if FUN is involved!



Gavin kicking. Good job Gavie!!

Grant's turn. Kicking like crazy to the edge. They are going to be swimmers!!

Gavin jumping in the going all the way under. They were amazing!!

Grant's jump (and dunk!) :)

Safe with Daddy. No worries!

Getting out using the ladder after a half an hour class, boy did they love using the ladder!!

Good times, beautiful pool, precious family memories

and Mommy is savoring every minute!