Because of the new baby on the way, vacation plans have been put on hold.  Hey, but one can still dream... And I am dreaming of soaking up the beautiful scenery of the great outdoors.  The smell of fresh crisp air.  The excitement of my little ones when they catch a trout on their fishing line.  And most importantly, the enjoyment of us spending time as a family. 

 

image via flikr

 

                     

 

 

 

 

 

The photo was taken this spring.  A mockingbird's nest nestled in the wreath of our front door.  They come every spring to build their nest.  And every spring we wait for them.  It is such a delight to see them frantically build their nest and then delicately care for their young.  Quite similar to new mothers...

 

And the nesting instinct has become quite dramatic for me also...all drawers cleaned, all walls wiped, curtains cleaned, and lots of shopping for basic necessities.  As I frantically check off my to do lists, Kameron keeps reminding me that we will soon have a new baby in the house.  Baby #3 will be here in two weeks.  I repeat 2 weeks.  Unbelievable!

And the Super Sibling Award goes to....

 

 

 

Kameron is the proud recipient of the Super Sibling Award!  He attended the Sibling Class at the local hospital where Baby #3 will be born.  He is so proud to be a big brother.  After class, we walked to the nursery to see the babies.  Kameron was full of questions...he takes his role as Big Brother very seriously!

 

  

To all you parents out there...are you looking for a practical parenting handbook to help you live the green life?  Healthy Child Healthy World is a must read for parents concerned about the health of their family.  It contains tons of useful information and simple solutions to create a healthy, non-toxic and environmentally sound home.  Truth is, I carry this book with me everywhere.  I have read and re-read this book, bookmarked, and highlighted.  This book has given me insightful tips to detoxify my home and provide my family with the safest, healthiest alternatives to living a sustainable life.

 

 

To all of you beachcombers out there returning from vacation with limp and frayed hair: need help??  You should really try this avocado hair mask.  Recommended by a grandmother who swears she has never purchased a bottle of conditioner.  Wow!  If that doesn't give you the urge to run to the farmer's market and purchase a basket full of avocados, I don't know what will.  And the best part...only two ingredients, Avocados and Mayo!  So there is no running around searching for unknown ingredients with angry children in tow...

 

Avocado Conditioning Mask Recipe:

1.  Mix 1 small jar of real mayonnaise with avocado in a medium sized bowl

2.  Squish the mixture with your hands until it turns a light green, minty color.

3.  Apply the mask onto your hair, making sure you cover every strand from the scalp to the tip.

4.  Cover your head with a shower cap, and leave on for 30 minutes.

5.  Rinse thoroughly

 

Please note: you should always test your homeade concotions on your forearm first and wait an hour or two to check for allergic reactions.

 

DIY Deep Conditioning Mask found here.

 

 

I was digging through my parents' attic during the weekend and discovered the stacking blocks from when I was a child.  Oh, how it brought back such fond memories of my childhood!  The careful stacking of the blocks and then the vicious attack on them...kicking and punching each one down.  And to think I was just a little girl.  But it was so much fun.  So you can only imagine the violent punches and throws my two boys give their stacking blocks!  Then after all the frustration is out of them, it is time for building...high as their little imaginations can take them!

 

  

 

 

Our backyard garden is ready for harvesting!  We are having so much fun picking the vegetables we have grown...eggplant, okra, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet basil and peppers.  Yummy!!!

 

But what is the best way to clean your produce? 

 

Give a quick cold rinse to all fruits and vegetables. For firm-skinned produce, use a gentle scrub brush; if leafy or soft, soak for a minute and separate leaves or parts. To be extra careful that produce is free of pesticides and microorganisms, make up a produce wash of one part white vinegar to four parts water and keep it in a spray bottle by the sink. Also, peel fruits and vegetables when you can and discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables.

 

source Healthy Child Healthy World

 

 

 

Boolyah!, in my son Karter's world means to fly, and the sky's the limit for him.  

 

 

Check out these instructions on how to fold a Record-Breaking Paper Airplane, courtesy of Disney's FamilyFun.com.  This glider is the current king of the paper airplane world!