I know I am little late in posting this, but today is my youngest son’s birthday party. It is also the day where millions of people around the world will join together to make a statement about climate change by turning off the lights at 8pm for 1 hour. This event was created by the World Wildlife Fund (http://www.worldwildlife.org) in 2007.

To find out more about this event and others around the world, plus some fun ideas for what to do when the lights are out, visit the Earth Hour 2008 websites at http://www11.earthhourus.org/.

Have fun in the dark!!

Today my son went to Zoo Camp for Spring Break. It is his first real camp and he was so excited. The whole zoo is decked out in a tropical luau theme. When I dropped him off this morning, it was full on snowing. How funny! I can’t think of a time when it snowed on spring break before! Luckily it warmed up and they stayed nice and dry while learning about the animals. His favorite? Bats.

Is it actually getting to be Spring finally? Last year I never got around to any kind of real deep cleaning. I absolutely hate cleaning and if I have any kind of distraction whatsoever, I will take it! I have a real goal this year to get clean and organized! I also have a goal to find the best recipes using safe ingredients to make my own cleaners or find the best commercially made eco-friendly cleaners. If anyone has a great recipe, let me know! I’ll be adding ones I discover in the coming weeks.

Ingredients you need to make your own cleaners:

Baking Soda- Cleans, deodorizes, softens water, and is a mild abrasive.

Glycerin- Stain removing properties, antiseptic qualities, and moisturizes the skin.

Hydrogen Peroxide- Disinfectant.

Liquid Soap- Vegetable oil-based soap (castille soap), biodegrades safely and is non-toxic.

Liquid Detergent- Try vegetable oil-based instead of petroleum-based products.

Vinegar- Removes soap scum, grease and mineral deposits, and acts as a deodorizer. Use white distilled vinegar for most recipes, but apple cider vinegar can be used for windows.
Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)- Cuts grease, removes stains, disinfects, softens water, and is slightly caustic. Take care not to use on waxed floors, fiberglass, or aluminum.

Essential Oils- Deodorizing or scenting cleaners. (Non-toxic in small quantities, but may be toxic in concentrated forms.)

I am excited that the Birth Bucks coupon books are finally out! Save hundreds on local mama-picked businesses for birth and baby! Clementine NW has a great coupon inside! You can pick these up at various local businesses and through our website as well, click here. Enjoy!

Sample Savings:

* Free Childbirth Series
* Free Classes: childbirth preparation, prenatal yoga
* Free Exercise Band & Exercises
* Free Photography Planning Session & $100 off sitting fee
* $50 off Aqua-baby swim lesson
* 50% off home cleaning service
* $40 off your first order of organic baby food
* $40 towards a ring resize or jewelry cleaning
* 30% off first naturopathic well baby visit
* $20 towards a postpartum lactation consultation
* $20 towards your next acupuncture treatment
* $10 off a spa treatment
* $10 towards a prenatal massage
* Hundreds more savings

I just got back from a great trip to New York City, sans kids and husband. I went with my little sister who had an interview at Cornell. It was my first time there and really fun! Of course, we didn’t get to do or see everything that we would have wanted. Oh well, we’ll just have to go back, right? I have to say that it is hard for me to imagine living there and having a family too!

I have been taking classes from Gymboree since my oldest son was 5 months old. He just turned 4, so you can do the math! It’s been long enough that I know just how much I love the program. For you locals, we go to the Lake Oswego Gymboree. We have attended all kinds of classes; play, music, art. Both of my boys have enjoyed their time there. I love that it gets me out of the house, at least once a week, and allows me to spend time with my boys. I am able to not worry about anything else, except having fun with them! We’ve also met a few great friends over the years too.

Here’s the chance for Portland area parents to try 3 weeks free at either the Lake Oswego or Cedar Hills Gymboree! You can try out any number of fun classes with your baby, toddler, or older child too! I’ve added the certificate to every category in the store, or you could simply send us an e-mail with your address!

If you’re NOT local and want to try out Gymboree, let us know! We’ll see if we can work something out with your local Gymboree Play & Music!

..my oldest baby was born. It’s so hard to believe that he is 4 years old already. Time goes so fast….

We just got in the cutest Spring clothes from Under The Nile! 100% organic, Demeter certified, handpicked Egyptian cotton in coordinating floral and stripes. Dresses, rompers, monkeys, and more, will be our featured products for the first part of March. Be sure to check them out before they’re gone!

Who could resist this cute monkey?