carved.

halloweeK.

It's hard to believe Halloween is not even here yet with all the costume-wearing festivities we've been attending...  With trick-or-treating still on the agenda for Sunday, here's a peek at what everyone's been wearing: 

Hunter succeeded in his determination to be a scary clown this year.  I just hate scary Halloween.  I like to think of Halloween through the eyes of Martha Stewart.  But he's 10, and I'm just glad he still wants to put on a costume!

Avery was simple & sweet: a black kitty.

And in typical Davin fashion: one costume just won't do the trick... swamp monster by night...

And his favorite stick figure character by day.  I have to say he was quite the clever Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  He's still scrubbing off those black lines.

and more fun is still to come...

Cub Scout Firestone Camp

 A few things I don't want to forget about this 18 hour camping excursion:

• King Spiders are nocturnal and rampant in the Firestone encampment area
• Broken tent zippers make for a restless night of sleep knowing that King Spiders are nocturnal
• Spam is slimy and smells like dog food, but for some reason, boys love it.
• Singing, while cooking Spam, makes you forget about the unique jelly-like substance that it is packaged with
• When in large packs, coyotes can be very loud in the middle of the night
• Tent walls are very thin
• Slingshots, archery, BB guns, and tomahawks make for a very exciting day of events.
• port o pottys marked "women only" are cleaner than all the rest
• I felt like MC Hammer in my protective eyewear
• brushing your teeth in the dark from a water spigot is "roughing it".
• A camp fire at night definitely completes a camping trip.  And without one, it is COLD.
• Lastly, I don't fit in a child-sized sleeping bag.  I just don't.

plant cell models.

The edible type.  36 of them.  All Hunter.  2 days in the kitchen and a 1/2 hour in the candy aisle at the grocery store with a science text book in his hand (where was my camera at THAT moment?)...he was assigned this extra credit project almost 2 weeks ago.  His light bulb went on one night at dinner... and I was thrilled. They are adorable and he couldn't be prouder.  And off to 5th grade they go...

a boy's best friend(s)

Hunter's daily pit stop to backyard for a few minutes of fetch with the dogs' "kitty".  He has a soft spot for all three dogs, but especially Eloise. 

the search continues.

Still looking for answers after hearing the lab results.  Torn between feeling relieved and discouraged.  Hopeful that the dermatologist will be able to provide some concrete answers.  The new diet is a big adjustment. 

For all of us. 

We are still learning... and along with that comes forgetting and mistakes.  Trial and error.  We have a great suppport system including wonderful, knowledgeable friends.  I am grateful. 

We will get to the bottom of this.  I am sure of it.

on a lighter note.

My boys just being... my boys.  Enjoying themselves too much with a little Flat Stanley before bedtime.

not eczema.

Last week was one of Avery's worst skin break outs to date.  Blisters. 

Blisters?  I thought.  Eczema doesn't blister.

After some research and alot of google image searches, I was on to something. 

In the past year:

• behavior problems
• lack of attention span (ADHD-like symptoms)
• digestion issues
• lactose intolerance
• and meanwhile the "eczema" never cleared up completely.  (The adult prescription steroid they prescribed two years ago was supposed to be an immediate fix with no refills.  We have been using it ever since)

Enter detective results: Dermatitis Herpetiformis: a skin condition brought upon by an allergy to gluten (Celiac Disease).  It arrives in the form of small blisters and bumps typically on the forearms (check), the inner knees (check), and the buttocks (double check!) causing an inability to digest properly, irritibality, and a lack of attention span. And frankly, who can focus with open sores from head to toe... I have difficulty with just a paper cut.

Off to the pediatrician we went today in hope of some answers. This is the scene in the waiting room (the calm before the storm)...



After pleading my case, begging for blood work, and a referral to the dermatologist... I think we are headed down a path full of answers.





Our gluten-free life began Sunday night.  Yesterday's behavior chart from school read "a perfect day"... and today's "attentive"... I am hopeful that we are on to something!  Lab results will be ready in 3 days.  Crossed fingers.