the mindful connection - children as healers

i listened into the mindful connection webcast with kristie burnes of earthschooling. she discussed "children as healers"

at preschool level - parent modeling natural healing
- reflexology to heal headache
- calendula for healing burns
- herbal teas for stomach aches
- lavender essential oil on pillow to help them sleep

- use lavender oil on doll that is hurt
- plants herbs in garden and harvest them
- tea tins in play kitchen, mortar and pestle

at kindergarten level - bridge between family and school life
- play creatively, poems and songs
- snacks they help set table and light candles, seasonal crafts
- simple stories that feature healing or herbs ie. 3 bears>porridge is healing food, little red riding hood>basket of goodies with mint tea and herbal remedies, peter rabbit> chamomile tea
- adapt stories to be closer to home
- offer healing properties of food and herbs with meal, ie herbal tea, alfafa, berries, dandelions, salads with violets and clover you find in the yard, apples with cinnamon and honey, carrot juice, spearmint tea, hibiscus tea, chamomile tea
- drops of essential oil in watercolor paint
- simple sewing or make potpourri
- teach them to make herbal infusion - tea - certain amount of time and certain measurement

1st grade (7 years)
- complex fairy tales, Rapunzel, name of herb
- german fairy tale, children searching for herbal remedies or healing plants
- stories from nature, talk about plants
- when painting, beginning color therapy, how do the colors make you feel? what do you think about this color?
- form drawing, circles, iris, iridology chart
- advanced finger knitting, every 3rd one add a healing gemstones
- stories with the personalities of the elements, wind, fire, earth, water
- make aromatheraphy candles
- make your own herbal block crayons
- natural dyes


2nd grade
- fables and saint stories
- model for overcoming adversity
- how plants help overcome advesity too
- stories of healers
- painting plants, talk about what plants resemble
- form drawing, reflexology
- talk about how does the fire effect you? what is your relationship with the fire?


rules of safety
1. use only what is safe and you know
2. heal only small injuries and aliments
3. ask for adult help or guidance
4. ask permission before healing another person

3rd grade
- children wonder where they belong
- old testiment, spiritual literature
- learn about higher power
- healing garden
- edible flower garden
- make herbal syrups
- explore temperaments, painting and drawing, how the colors interact with each other


4th grade
- history / geography of their locality
- local environment, local herbs, farmers market, nature center, plant identification walks
- eating seasonal local foods
- visit local healers
- human/ animal kingdom, more advanced reflexology 
- Norse mythology, a rich history of healing
- teaching temperaments, does hot pepper relate to wind, fire, earth or water


5th grade
- botany
- complex herbal identification
- kids to use herbal identification book
- what element do you think this person is?


6th grade
- temperament theory
- south america - rainforest and how it relates to healing
- geology, how healing gems are formed
- answer questions about how things relate in a scientific way 


* it was said to start with what you know. begin at the preschool level and build from there

websites mentioned:
the BEarth institute

there is nothing to do and no where to go

jennifer louden spoke on the mindful connection 

 she started off with a poem by marc nepo

"...there is nothing to do and no where to go

 excepting this,

we can do anything and go anywhere"

living our soul's work

be present to what is

let me be with what it

what could i do in this moment right now to feed us

are you going to order out

what would i really love right now

this is our life to shape

this is our life to create

mindful questions remind you that you have a choice

remember that you have a set of glasses on at any set time

and you are seeing the world in only one way

but you are just a little fish to experience

you are a creator

you create your life, you do not have to around reaction to it

you have nothing to do and no where to go

what your natural strengths and talents

and strength them, repeat for positive benefit

build your lives around your strengths

a lot of freedom that comes from living your life the way

weaknesses are things that weaken you

drain your energy, exhausts you

come up with some creative things or simply don't do it

who says i have to cook dinner? who says i have to iron?

mindful questions 

what do i want?

what would i love to do next?

what are your desires?

self-care becomes more of a way of life, not just at the end of the week after your "work" is done

i want to live a life that cares for me

what do i desire

what is interesting me

what is calling to me? what do i desire? pay attention to your desire and following it

let yourself be nourished by it

follow your desires, they nourish you

what our soul is hungry for

self care are simple and available and free

if you get 15 minutes, grab onto it whole-heartedly

1. if i am in hyper alert mode

dialogue with the parts of yourself that is hyper alert

these parts of you are afraid, what are they afraid of??

2. start at the level of the body

choose relaxing music to calm your brain down

choose something physical to transition yourselves

giving yourself mindful transitions

3. keep log or chart for taking care of yourself

how you felt before you took care of yourself

how you felt after you took care of yourself

exhasted?

if you need rest, get to bed early, make up your sheets, use lavender soap in the shower

do it with love and intention

yoga nigeria= relaxation technique

how do you handle something that exhausts you that you have to do, ie cleaning?

so much of what exhausts us in life is the conversation that it should be different than it is

get curious how you could lower your standard around "cleaning" and asking for help

we assume that there are things that need to be done by us, why?

sandwich it between things that strengthens you

what makes you think that the world will need?

get curious

self care = an attitude of lightness

get to a place where we can be deserving of pleasure and kicking back in the middle of the day, make a 3 column list

1. what do you have to do?

2. what could you do?

3. let go of?

(buddism) the problem is you think you have more time than you do

today may be the last day that you get

let's show up for it, let's enjoy it, let's stop and reflect

let's reflect , have a cup of tea, catch up with our souls, and then go on to do the next thing

i trust that the choices i am making right now are based on (what i know in this moment)

trust in your deepest experiences of meaning

i am living my purpose

my purpose is unfolding through these kids (homeschooling)

i am engaged and strengthened

i did something, i feel engaged with life

i feel alive

deflect negativity

websites mentioned:

thelifeorganizer.com    52 weeks of mindful questions,

the comfort cafe   monthly subscription

comfortqueen.com

blissful simplicity

 :: my children are very blessed. blessed with people who love them dearly. blessed with family and friends to share in their birthday celebrations. blessed with family, who would do anything for my children and would give my children the world. and children just do not need a world of material goods, but it always nice to have a few special gifts for a birthday celebration. gifts that are chosen with much thought and consideration. gifts that are beautifully made and well crafted. gifts that have meaning and purpose. and sometimes myself, i am left wondering if what i have to give is enough. 

many questions run through my head. should i make something more? should i purchase something else?  will there be enough to fill up the easter basket? 

after a wonderful birthday celebration, sweet memories shared and a bounty of new gifts, we shared the remainder of the evening building fairy houses, playing with the fairy trinkets from the treasure hunt, drawing some pictures with on her new drawing pad and reading. we read a story from her new grimm's fairy tales book and a second-hand copy of Miss Rumphius, which is a wonderful story with a message about doing something to make the world more beautiful.

and today, my daughter had been watching out for butterflies in the garden, listening to the little chirps from our bird house, looking at the ants in the sidewalk cracks, picking violets and playing with her wooden warbler water whistle. she is blissfully swimming in her pool, searching for some of her new birthday treasures underwater: a piece of granite, a foreign coin, a rose quartz point and a bracelet made from new beads her brother (and i) picked out for her. she is eager to hang her new wind chime and plant her sunflower seeds later on today and is excited about making more "fairy wands", which are the fruit skewers we made for her birthday party. 

and it is a reminder to me that children do not need much. there have been a few gifts that have been played with, but mostly she is fully content engaging in the wonder and beauty of nature.

corners of her room

:: as i finished up simplifying and organizing her bedroom, i left a new book "fairy houses" with some tiny needlefelted acorns and hoped that it would be well received. i was very happy with the results of our hard work in simplifying. it brought a smile to my face, looking at the things that bring joy to my daughter. from her crystal and rock collections, the basket of shells that my mother made for her years ago to her amazing ability to find heart shaped rocks. to her handwork basket that contains the flower press that we have used for many years that makes me realize how much she has grown. to the weaving she did last year that she made into a rug for her dollhouse and the little nature corner that contains a little beeswax bluebird in a nest she made. and i am most excited about seeing how this new space will allow her creativity and imagination to take flight.

simplicity parenting

i have had this book for a while, but i have not made it past the preface. today, i needed to have already read the book, as our little one's skills of climbing and moving furniture rapidly developed. (well, small furniture), so i had to jump to chapter 3 - simplifying the environment.

we are in the process of trying to rearrange our adjoining living room and playroom (intended to be dining room) to make it safe for a almost 6 year old and 1 year old to share the same space. we had our little guy sectioned off in the living room but he's able to hop up on the furniture that was acting as the barrier. now, we are in the process of trying to rearrange the blockade to keep him safe in the living room. i say blockade because today we started utilizing a smaller wooden kitchen as a gate and by lunchtime he was pulling and dragging the kitchen set over, in order to get to the playroom. with this pic and the fact that he took his first steps at 8 1/2 months, need i say more about my little guys's determination and strength!

we initially were going to move our daughter's smaller things to the higher shelves on her playstands, but looking over at her toys, almost all of them are too small for a 1 year old. she has lots of baskets full of treasures, like sea shells, rocks, pine cones, gemstones, beads, marbles, coins, tree blocks and sticks, wooden balls, beach rocks, acorns and fairies upstairs in the hall (the only other place possible) would take her away from where most of our family activities are and that would not work well for our family.

what i love most is that her treasures are that they are open-ended. from the first time she took some pine cones discovered on a nature walk and set them out to represent our family, i saw the light of open-ended toys. shortly after, flower gardens were created from colored blocks, sea shells were arranged into fairy paths, tree blocks and polished stones became the birds at our feeders and our overgrown Peegee hydrangea bushes became her "secret hideout". of course, along the way, her treasures have grown. 


i do have to go back to the beginning of the book, but, what have you do with all your little older one's treasures? do you scale them back from time to time? do you rotate them?

one small change - cloth towels

one small change. it has been a wonderful reminder to stop and take a little inventory about our family's lifestyle. see what we could change. see what we'd like to change. our change is twofold this month. 

paper towels have been a big convenience item. we buy them. they are readily available and therefore we use them. i purchased some cloth towels, they are the same size as the paper towels and i stopped keeping a roll of paper towels out. instead, i am keeping the rolls in our upstairs closet and if we do need them for a big baby or doggie mess, we have them. while, i have not stopped buying them, we definitely have made a change in when we will use them. 

the second change is to try out some new natural cleaning recipes. a majority of my cleaning is done with straight vinegar. and baking soda for cleaning the porcelain. but, after trying a few recipes for dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent (minus borax), i am back to the big box brands. 


would anyone like to share their small change?

making upcycled valentine wreaths

:: we made these the other day but i forgot to write an entry about them. we made these the day my little one lost her first tooth. notice the christmas ornaments still up in the background, thank goodness they are all packed away now.

to make the upcycled valentine's wreaths, i cut fabric into squares and we strung them onto wire. we filled the wire up with the fabric squares, twisted the wire ends together and formed the wire into a heart.

reggio insight

i am able to visit camp creek from time to time and the entries often leave me thinking, contemplating & questioning education. what does education me to me and my family? what do i want education to be for my little ones? what education is vs what education can be?

limits can be so...limiting
in defense of reading...

inching up the charts

when we last talked about my little one's poor growth and failing to thrive, he had been declining on the growth chart over 5 months. i am so thankful for family who support led me to search out new doctors and answers to my questions. each doctor brought us along our path to the next, appointments opened up and the big questions were answered very quickly for us. poor feeding is what has been determined and we are working with a feeding team at the children's medical hospital. we have the support of a few doctors and i feel great about our plan moving forward.

while there are a few things that led to this, the main issues has been that my little one would rather be on the move. through the evening, he has always nursed very well, nursing every 2-3 hours. in talking with a doctor, he said that my little one is in a drowsy state of mind which is allowing for his good feedings. a light bulb went off and now, as soon as i hear the little one stirring from his nap, i run upstairs to nurse him. (prior, we were nursing before his naps) we are fortunate that my little one has taken to his solids and he gets 3 meals and 3 mini-meals a day that we mix in a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and a high calorie formula in his food. we are focusing on high calorie foods (pumpkin, olives, hummus, pasta and potatoes) and foods rich in proteins, as well as variety and brain building foods.

my little one also has an intolerance to milk protein. my diet has also remained egg-free since christmas time and i am a little suspicious of egg seeing my daughter was allergic to egg through the age of 3 years. i have found this resource very helpful in ensuring i have eliminated my son's suspected allergens from the food that i eat, as allergens can be hidden within the ingredients. the document, how to read a label, if you suspect a food allergy or intolerance, i advise you to seek medical advice. allergic reactions can be life threatening) i have found that with my daughter and now my son's intolerance, that preparing and planning ahead are crucial. the great news is that there are so many resources on the internet. there are also wonderful blogs, dedicated to sharing their family's experience and recipes. the recipes are so so so helpful. thank you to everyone who shared their stories with me.

i am so grateful to the mothering boards and to those who respond and leave comments. mamas helping mamas, sharing their story and experiences. they really helped me to have prior knowledge when talking to the different doctors. they gave me hope and the feeling that i was not alone.

above all i encourage other mothers to listen to your inner voice. ask as many questions as you need to, seek out people to help your answer your concerns and questions and above all, ask your doctors what are ALL the options (something i learned with both my deliveries, a whole other story to tell one day. if you are going to be delivering, another critical thinking questions is to ask if the decision needs to be made right now or do you have some time to think about your decision) sometimes a doctor talks about only 1 option because in their mind they believe it is the best option. and while you can respect their opinion, i feel grateful to have learned to ask about all the options so that i can choose what is best for my family.

today, my little guy is back on the growth chart. he's in the 4th percentile on weight and he's reaching up to the 50th percentile on height. we are inching up the charts!

thank you all for your support and keeping us in your thoughts
with growing gratitude,
christine

one small change - reuseable sandwich bags

our one small change is going to be getting back into using cloth napkins and towels, instead of paper. i am also just completing a trade for reusable sandwich and snack bags from here. i wanted to bring out the sewing machine (which i have not used in 15 years) to make these wonderful reusable snack and sandwich bags. but i just do not have the time to sew right now. in the future, i want to start making the things that my family needs and reduce the things we are purchasing.

from hip mountain mama...
"Recycle, use cloth napkins, try cloth diapering, replace your bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs, turn off your lights, use natural cleaning products or make your own, drive your car less, buy a hybrid, turn your thermostat down, use the sun to warm your home through passive solar heat, bring your own bags to the store, install a low flow shower head, stop buying bottled water, unplug it, bring more plants into your home, always print double sided, when getting rid of things consider freecycle, craigslist or ebay (do not throw out as someone else is surely able to get some use out of it), support local farms and try to eat local, purchase wind power if it is available in your area, purchase products made with natural materials and that can be reused, purchase recycled paper products, use rags instead of paper towels to clean up messes, use reusable lunch sacks, buy organic, landscape responsibly by reducing the use of water needed, donate time and/or money to green efforts, elimate the use of toilet paper by using family cloths, don’t flush every time, put a brick or something heavy it he back of your toilet so it uses less water when flushed"

haiti - make a difference

i wish i could hop on a plane and fly down to help. to help bandage up their wounds, to hold, to cuddle, to make everything alright. and if only i could make their tears go away. thinking about the families is just heartbreaking. seeing all those babies and children who needs so much help. i chose to donate to the american red cross, knowing that together, we all could make a difference.

my little one gathered some of her money for school, which is being donated to the haiti relief fund.

12 ways to detox your lawn

from the GreenScapes Action Project

1. TOLERATE SOME WEEDS and allow beneficial plants to exist such as clover for its nitrogen-fixing magic.

2. HAND DIGGING WEEDS is the best method of weed control.

3. RESEED BARE SPOTS before weeds fill them in.

4. TEST YOUR SOIL. Purchase a soil test kit, or take one free

5. REMOVE THATCH, the matted layer of clippings and debris on top of the soil, if it is more than 1/2" thick.

6. AERATE THE LAWN to break through the deep thatch and reduce compaction of soil.

7. FERTILIZE NATURALLY. If your soil test results show the need, add organic fertilizers.

8. MOW AT THE PROPER HEIGHT. Keep grass 2 1/2 to 3"

9. LEAVE GRASS CLIPPINGS. Less raking!

10. WATER MORE DEEPLY & LESS FREQUENTLY. Water only when soil has dried out well into the root zone.

11. CONTROL PESTS NATURALLY. Practicing natural lawn care will create a healthy lawn which is unattractive to pests.

12. ENCOURAGE earthworms and micro-organisms through these organic gardening steps.

shapes of drawing

Lately, my little one has been very frustrated with her drawings. She has been saying that she can not do it, that her drawing is not right, etc., proceeded by a melt down of sorts. I recognized that this is because her school projects are directed to produce a specific end product. I am sure most parents are familiar with teacher-dictated projects. All the kids end up producing the same end product, the best examples are coloring pages and a Thanksgiving turkey hand print.

Dictated art does not seem that bad on the surface, but underneath it all, it can effect children negatively. Taken from Art for the Fun of it, by Peggy Davison Jerkeins.

Dictated art provide:

- Loss of creativeness

- No stimulation of the imagination

- Detrimental effect upon children's self-confidence and independent thinking

- Deprives children of individual expression

- No emotional release

- Frustration

- Offers no feeling of achievement or pride

- Promotes doing without thinking

- Offer no practice in the decision making

So, to help my little one through this, I brought out some simple objects to draw. First, to encourage her to work past these negative feelings, I brought out jelly beans. As soon as we drew a jelly bean, we were able to eat one. Yummy. Next, some marbles, watercolors, squares and xylophones (one of her favorite item to draw.) With drawings, there is no right or wrong way to draw something.

Only 2 days left of school. I CAN NOT WAIT.

what is homeschooling

What is home schooling? I guess to different people it means different things.

To me, it means allowing my child to learn about what is interesting to her. Learning becomes FUN and EXCITING and INTERESTING. Learning becomes an adventure. It allows her to pursue her interests and discover her passions.

Zach Aboard posted an entry about Summer School, which read like this, "We have all of our supplies. One kayak, two paddles, and the great green/blue/brown yonder." Aside from sounding like lots of fun, doesn't this make homeschooling sound easy? It can be this easy.

If I look back at last summer, I would say our supplies were a butterfly net, a shovel and 3 buckets. Living is learning and this can not be learned in public schools (at least around here).

discovering project-based learning

A continuation of my post on project-based learning. I am using this as a reference for myself, but please comment if you'd like.

In reading more over at Camp Creek, here are some points about project-based learning that resonated with me.

• project learning is to help a child connect with her work
• as a parent, your work is to learn about your child, how she learns, and how you can support her
• project learning is about how to learn and allowing the child to be in charge of his or her own learning
  

• project learning fosters independence

This other post over at Camp Creek, which explains how some shells gifted from grandparent's becomes an entry point to a project with younger children. As a parent, it is your job to recognize an interest and gently kindle that interest. Pickert suggests putting "those shells out on a tray with a magnifying glass, a notebook, and some colored pencils" or with some clay or a field guide or pose a question that provides a continuum from the initial spark. These are also called "provocations". These provocations allow children to make their own discoveries and "encourage habits of curiosity and interest". Pickert further discusses "creating an environment of possibility, which is a "dynamic, ever-evolving environment where anything could happen." She further recommends adding "books, sketchbooks, journals, music, cozy nooks, science tools, field guides, binoculars and most important, room to work."

As I read through the resources offered at Camp Creek, this entry about white space really connected with my own thoughts. Below is the entire entry as it is something that I know I will need to refer back to every now and then.

When you look at a page, white space is the empty space that surrounds the text.

White space is very important. The amount of white space can make the text more legible. It can highlight a poem. It can set things off, emphasize them.

When there isn’t enough white space, the text can be hard to read, hard to understand. The page is cluttered; the brain has a hard time sorting out what’s there.

When we talk about overscheduled kids, I think about white space.

When we talk about project learning, I think about white space.

When we cram too many experiences into a child’s day/week/life, we don’t leave time for them to think about what they’ve experienced — they just move on to the next thing, letting the previous thing drop away.

(This is true for ourselves, too, of course.)

When children are learning through projects, their interest and engagement and production of work will naturally ebb and flow. It’s not factory work — it doesn’t happen at a single, steady pace. It’s creative work — it requires thinking, and having ideas, and mulling things over, and a change of pace now and then.

What is white space in a project? Doing something else for awhile … turning your attention to a different problem … relaxing … reading … being bored … maybe simply slowing the pace for awhile.

Refilling the well, being inspired, making connections, reflecting … these aren’t things that are easily acknowledged and checked off a list. They need time — empty, unfilled, unscheduled time. White space.

Without the white space, there’s no balance.

Rather than thinking about quantity — of ideas, of experiences, of work produced — we need to think about quality. Spending more time doing less, so we can do better and appreciate more. A single experience, really and truly had and understood, is more valuable than weeks and weeks of rushed, unconnected, random experiences.

project-based learning

This posting is mostly for my reference of project-based learning. I have always believed in homeschooling, but my struggles with schooling vs homeschooling go back and forth. Mainly because my husband and I do not see eye to eye.

At an early age, Montessori was an ideal fit for us and then my little one's imagination took off and we transitioned into Waldorf. Now, based on what I have observed in my child, I am looking for a project-based, nature-inspired format.

I am most interested in letting my little one discover, imagine, explore, experience and create through nature, art, music, and hands-on discovery. I believe strongly in letting her interests led the way and creating an environment that allows her imagination and creativity to flourish, while encouraging independent problem-solving, decision making and learning. I hope to facilitate her sense of wonder and curiosity through our day to day activities, family traditions, connecting with nature, and having fun.

The more I am discovering about Emilia Reggio, the more I am believing that this approach may be what is best for my little one. Lori Pickert, over at Camp Creek, has an immense resource to be discovered about project-based learning, which believes that a child's question is fed by an interest, which leads to more questions that opens up the whole wide world to them. Visually it looks like a spider's web, everything is connected and related meaningfully to everything else. When they are "following a path of knowledge that makes sense to them - they have a much deeper, more complex understanding at the end," states Pickert.

white vinegar

Last night, my mother stopped by to pick up my little girl for a sleep over. The potent vinegar smell left over from cleaning my counter tops caught her a little off guard. "What's that smell?"

I am not bothered by the smell of vinegar. I use straight white vinegar to clean my counter tops. Others recommend a mixture of white vinegar, lemon and water, but the mixture did not keep. White vinegar is used around the house for a variety of things.

All purpose - white vinegar in a spray bottle
Drain cleaner - 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar
Mold or mildew - straight vinegar
Scouring Powder - baking soda
Toilet bowl cleaner - Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let sit and then scrub with brush

For my floors (wood and ceramic tile), I use white vinegar diluted in water. I would say this works, but there may be something better. I have also tried making my own laundry detergent and dish washer detergent but they have run there course and I am looking for some new recipes to try. My recipes were Borax free so that may be why I was not seeing the best results. I did not feel that the Borax was the safest to thing to use, so I decided to hold off using it for the time being. I feel the laundry detergent was fine, my husband was very leery of the recipe. And the dish washer detergent did not leave our glass as clear. Here's the recipes I used, maybe the need some tweaking.

Laundry Detergent
1 oz liquid castille soap
1 cup baking soda
1 cup white vinegar

Dishwasher Detergent
1 cup liquid castille soap
1/3 cup salt
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
40 drops of Grapefruit Seed extract

Dissolve salt and baking soda with a little warm water. Add to 1/2 gallon of water. Then add Castille soap and vinegar. Fill remaining gallon jug up with water. Add Grapefruit Seed extract.

I would love to hear about your natural cleaning recipes. I am also looking for a Brand of natural deodorant that works well. With having the baby in a sling and working up a sweat nursing, the one's I have used in the past are not working. I am also looking a gentle recipe for the baby's clothes and personal care? Please share your experiences!!

2 months

My little baby boy is 2 months. The first month is a figuring out time. Figuring out their needs & wants. Determining their cries. The second month should get easier. Maybe the little one gets on a schedule. Nursing gets more comfortable. In our case, this has not happened. Each day has been getting harder. The baby continues to be fussy. His cries are stronger & louder. I feel like I have pulled every hat out and nothing has worked. I have been left second guessing myself, feeling insecure. Left not able to comfort my baby at times and feeling like an awful mother. It has been hard. Then, mastitis set in. Having more trouble nursing during this period, led me to consult a lactation specialist. And then a moment of relief. (Ommmm) And peace. I have oversupply and that is the cause of my baby's fussiness. It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. A feeling of it not being my fault. A new perspective. A feeling of hope.

Now, with the help of a lactation specialist, we are on a plan to correct my milk supply. My little one also started babbling and smiling and it has been an amazing time for me. I feel like a better mother and I have able to connect more with my little one.

Here is some info on oversupply from the La Leche League website. These are possible symptoms:

• Baby cries a lot, and is often very irritable and/or restless
• Baby may sometimes gulp, choke, sputter, or cough during feedings at breast
• Baby may seem to bite or clamp down on the nipple while feeding
• Milk sprays when baby comes off, especially at the beginning of a feeding
• Mother may have sore nipples
• Baby may arch and hold himself very stiffly, sometimes screaming
• Feedings often seem like battles, with baby nursing fitfully on and off
• Feedings may be short, lasting only 5 or 10 minutes total
• Baby may seem to have a "love-hate" relationship with the breast
• Baby may burp or pass gas frequently between feedings, tending to spit up a lot
• Baby may have green, watery or foamy, explosive stools
• Mother's breasts feel very full most of the time
• Mother may have frequent plugged ducts, which can sometimes lead to mastitis (breast infection)

Digging and digging and digging and digging

This is the little natural play area that my husband put together in our yard. He built up the little hill area and arranged some tree stump from the crest of the hill downward to level ground. He finished off the area with some stepping stones. Read more about our natural play area planning here. There has been a lot of digging going on and a bunch of other things as well - hopping, singing, jumping, walking, sitting and tea parties upon the stumps. A puddle after a rainy night provided a lot of enjoyment and play, and of course, muddy feet.

Earth Day paper mache globe

Earth Day is April 22nd. We made a paper mache globe using a balloon, newspaper, tissue paper and a mixture of 1 part flour to 2 parts water. After blowing up your balloon, layer on a few layers of newspaper pieces using the flour/water mixture. While the surface is still wet, gentle pat on the colored pieces of tissue paper.


My little one came home from school with a paper plate globe for Earth Day.


75% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. Only 1% of all the Earth's water is drinkable!!! It's never to early to start teaching our children to conserve our most valuable resource. Water Use It Wisely lists over 100 ways to conserve water. Here they are:

There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.

• #2
  When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• #3
  Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
• #4
  Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• #5
  Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• #6
  Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
• #7
  Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
• #8
  Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
• #9
  Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.

For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.

• #11
  Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
• #12
  Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
• #13
  Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• #14
  Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
• #15
  Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
• #16
  If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
• #17
  Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
• #18
  If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
• #19
  We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
• #20
  If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
• #21
  Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
• #22
  When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
• #23
  Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
• #24
  Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
• #25
  Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
• #26
  When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
• #27
  Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.

Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

• #29
  When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• #30
  Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.
• #31
  Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
• #32
  Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
• #33
  Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
• #34
  Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
• #35
  Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.

Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.

• #37
  Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
• #38
  Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
• #39
  When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• #40
  Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
• #41
  Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.

Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.

• #43
  Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• #44
  Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
• #45
  Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
• #46
  Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
• #47
  To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
• #48
  Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
• #49
  Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
• #50
  Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
• #51
  Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
• #52
  Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• #53
  Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
• #54
  Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
• #55
  Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
• #56
  Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
• #57
  Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
• #58
  Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
• #59
  If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing, replace it.
• #60
  Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.

Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.

• #62
  Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
• #63
  Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
• #64
  If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• #65
  Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's time to water.
• #66
  If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
• #67
  When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.
• #68
  When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
• #69
  Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
• #70
  Bathe your young children together.
• #71
  Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
• #72
  Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
• #73
  Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.
• #74
  Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time.

Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.

• #76
  Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
• #77
  Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
• #78
  Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
• #79
  Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.
• #80
  Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
• #81
  If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
• #82
  Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.
• #83
  Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
• #84
  Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
• #85
  Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
• #86
  Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
• #87
  Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
• #88
  Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
• #89
  Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
• #90
  Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
• #91
  One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.

Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.

• #93
  Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
• #94
  Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
• #95
  When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
• #96
  Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
• #97
  Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
• #98
  When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
• #99
  Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water.
• #100
  Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
• #101
  When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
• #102
  If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
• #103
  To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.
• #104
  While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.
• #105
  When backflushing your pool, consider using the water on your landscaping.
• #106
  For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow.
• #107
  Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent using the garbage disposal.
• #108
  When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.
• #109
  Have your plumber re-route your gray water to trees and gardens rather than letting it run into the sewer line. Check with your city codes, and if it isn't allowed in your area, start a movement to get that changed.
• #110
  Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.
• #111
  When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.