Vote for Play

Today we had a play date at a playground near our house, the kids ran around and played for hours - in fact we couldn't get them to leave. 

Creative play can make kids happy and healthy but some kids don't get enough outside time or playtime. That is why Children’s Claritin, the #1 pediatrician-recommended non-drowsy allergy brand, is teaming up with the national nonprofit KaBOOM! to help bring innovative play spaces to schools in need.  Imagination Playground™ is a collection of specially-designed over-sized foam blocks that promote creativity, communication and collaboration in play. By interconnecting the components, children are able to build and rebuild their play spaces with each visit fostering creativity and critical-thinking skills.

I feel good about the park by our house, there is a sign posted in on the playground that reads: No food or drink allowed. I know not everyone follows the rules but for the most part they do - and I can feel safe that Nathan isn't exposed to food allergens. Also we take Children's Claritin, for environmental allergy relief, so Nathan can enjoy playing outdoors without the annoying allergy symptoms. 

Visit http://Facebook.com/Claritin between 8/1 – 10/31 to cast your vote for one of 12 finalist schools in need. Together, we’ll raise awareness about the importance of outdoor play for kids and increase quality play opportunities.

Puffs Fresh Faces

New Puff Fresh Faces are moist saline tissue for adults. They are similar to Boogie Wipes (made by the same company) for kids, but these are made just for teens and adults.  Puff Fresh Faces are great for after a workout, refreshing your face after a long workout, removing make-up or just when you have a mucus filled nose caused by allergies, the flu and colds.

Puff Fresh Faces are offered in a variety of scents: Fragrance Free, a touch of Vicks, Fresh Scent and a Light Lavender. 15 count packs are $1.99 and 45 count packs for $4.99

For more information visit Puff Fresh Faces.

For a $2 off coupon to redeem at Target go here.

I  received the products mentioned above for free from the blogger ambassador program I am in. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Review: Freddy meets Ginger - The fox who was allergic to eggs

I had the chance to review the book: Freddy meets Ginger - The fox who was allergic to eggs by Josie Warburton. I read the book to Nathan and he really enjoyed it.

I loved the book because not only did it talk about allergies, it was educational and deals with the topic of a severe food allergy and anaphylaxis in a way for children 3-6 years old can understand. It was written in a way that children will love the characters and not be frighten by food allergies or what can happen during an allergic reaction.

For more information or to purchase the book, please visit Freddy the Mouse

I  received the products mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Happy 7th Birthday Nathan!!!

This year I decided to make Nathan's cake, he requested a fishing cake so this is what I came up with. The best part is it is allergy safe.

I used the Betty Crocker chocolate cake mix which is wheat free, dairy free and I used an egg substitute. For the frosting I used a can frosting and food coloring and then added the Swedish Fish and the Fisherman I found at a local store.

It turned out great and he loved it!!

Nathan's birthday gift was a four wheeler, not my first choice of a gift because it makes me nervous but he loves and Dad said it was ok. He knows to always wear his helmet.

My boy is growing up so fast. 

Happy 7th Birthday Nathan!

The Cost of Epi Pens

My husband lost a set of our Epi Pens, he must have left them at a restaurant. 

I called the pharmacy to order another set, it will cost us $125 for a two pack WITH Insurance. Yikes!!! The most frustrating thing is that they go to waste because they expire but I am also just thankful we haven't had to use them. 

A blog reader wrote that there is a website to get a savings card for Epi Pens - something I also got from a booth at the Food Allergy Walk in back in June.

 
You can save up to $100 on Epi Pens. A great deal!!! I need to pick up mine today from the pharmacy, I am hoping to pay only $25 

This program doesn't expire until 12/31/13 and can be used an unlimited number of times. 

To get your discount card go to: https://activatemysavings.com/epipen/ 

What do you pay for your Epi Pens? Write me a comment and let me know. 

Update: I was able to get two packs of Epi Pens for NO cost at all.

Boogie Wipes Diaper Cake

A neighbor had a baby boy and I love to make diaper cakes as gifts for new babies. For this one I used a canister of Boogie Wipes. They worked perfectly for the base of the cake, I also used a few single use wipes around the cake. I really loved how the diaper cake turned out.

What a practical baby gift, they also make great center pieces at a baby shower.

Before

After

Nathan's Allergy Test Results

Nathan had his testing for allergies
Allergen <   >   + Was Now
Eggs < 29 27
Milk < 11 6.5
Wheat > 15 11

Peanut Highly Allergic - Did Not Test
Tree Nuts Highly Allergic - Did Not Test

Dust Mites  = Positive
Cat = Positive
Dog  = Positive
Grass = Positive
Tree = Positive
Ragweed  = Positive

No food challenged for us in the future. It is hard to believe that his milk allergy is lower then his wheat. I would like to schedule a skin

test.

We also talked about doing dog allergy shots, such a long and 

expensive process though.