Kid's Interviews, Curriculum, and (maybe) Niagara Falls...

posted by Patty James @ 2:45pm, Sunday 18 April 2010.

This morning I arrived at a Unitarian Church in Camp Springs, Maryland. Thank you to Bill via Victoria for setting up these interviews. There were 5 kids total and 2 of the boys, brothers, were visiting their Grandparents from Vermont. Just in case I have trouble setting up interviews in Vermont, I was able to interview the boys today. I decided to interview 3 more kids from the immediate area-so 5 kids total. They were all so interesting and their backgrounds were pretty diverse. One girl actually asked to be interviewed as she was gluten-intolerant (Celiac disease actually) and I was very pleased to chat with her. She told me that she had real anger management issues before she was diagnosed and that they went away after she was put on an appropriate diet-fascinating. By the way, she also had a beautiful singing voice. Another girl had a tree nut allergy. As you can imagine, both girls were adept at reading nutrition labels. All the kids were interesting and as usual, I am amazed at their insights. I'm looking forward to downloading these videos in a bit and watching them again. I always learn something from these kids.

I know it's early, but I have been thinking a lot about the end of the year and creating health programs for the kids...by the kids. My mind swims with ideas. I have been writing pages of notes for programs and classes. I know our kids have all the answers to their health problems....can't wait to create programs based on what they are asking for.

I need to get caught up on a lot paperwork these next few days until the TV interview on Wednesday morning. As it is at 8:30 in the morning I have decided (almost for sure) to leave for Niagara Falls right after the show-Good Morning Maryland. It's only a little more than a 6 hour drive, so I'll be there before dark. I will stay in a hotel that night and the next night. I will do the tourist thing-boat ride by the falls-if it's not too expensive and if it's not too long (dogs in hotel room). I am hesitating just a little because it looks so darn touristy and crowded on the web sites, but I also know that if I don't go now, I won't go. I'll decide for sure by Tuesday.  Next I will head to either  Pennsylvania or up-state New York. There are so many parks it's hard to pick one. If anyone has been to any of them (remember dogs) then please let me know. There was one I found that I liked but they don't allow dogs in the yurt or cabin and the rain is still threatening here, so camping might not work-we'll see.

I found a park nearby, so Patch and Wilma had a chance to be off-leash. Wilma loves for me to throw sticks for her. Patch just hangs out by me. He is showing his age these days, although he is happy, his arthritis slows him down.

Here are these great kids! It was also the first time I had the opportunity to have kids and parents fill out the written survey. Yeah!