What's In Your Sandbox?

Satchel LOVES to dig so Robert and I bought him a cool sandbox. He likes animals, so we chose this frog and from the second floor it appears to be smiling up at us and Satch gets quite a kick out of this.

We got a real education, however, when we set out to purchase some sand to put in it. Our first stop was to Home Depot where we found a 50 lb bag labeled "Play Sand - for use in sandboxes", but when we read the fine print on the back of the bag it said that it contained silica which is a known carcinogen. In addition there was a small warning which read, "Prolonged exposure to silica dust has been known to cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm". (I tend to read labels, a habit I acquired as a vegetarian) We abruptly put the bag down and left the store. It has been nearly a week and I have not found a single store in the area that sells silica free sand. I DID, however, find a company on line that sells safe sand.


Sandtastik is the manufacturer that supplies safe silica free sand for use in schools etc. They are widely known for their colored sand, but they do carry white beach sand.

In the meantime, Satch seems a bit confused about the big frog on the patio....I can't wait for the sand to arrive.

Scrapes

My little acrobat suffered his first scrape yesterday while out on the trail with his dada. Robert said that Satch was so excited to see Simone (the neighborhood cat) over by the little waterfall, that he tripped over his own feet and fell. His chin took the worst of it.

His elbow got off pretty easy.

Treats

After breakfast (which he didn't eat) Satch and I loaded up the wagon with books and headed over to the used book store to sell them. (We thin the bookcase with each move) We stopped at the coffee house for a muffin (which he did eat) and mailed a parcel to Julie before heading home to play. We played in the field behind our home and an asian woman became smitten with Satch. She gave him these beautifully wrapped treats. I have no idea what they are (because she didn't speak English) and they taste terrible, but it was so very nice of her. I'm saving the wrappers because they're really funky.

Reading & Recovering

Reading The Wonder of Boys

Recovering from icky respiratory bug.


...and now for something completely different. Please de-lurk and tell me, what is your munchkin's favorite meal?

Under the Weather

Satch had some sort of virus, but was able to kick it's bum in just a day. I, on the other hand, must have contracted the mutated deluxe version of it. Robert stayed home today to take care of Satch so I could rest...or try to 'tween the coughing and sneezing and aching. My lymph nodes are swollen and I'm so hoarse that I could easily do an impersonation of Eartha Kitt or maybe Brenda Vacarro's scream.

And the new blogger won't allow me to embed videos, so please check out this new video of Satch here!

I learn

"In your light I learn how to love" - Rumi

My Boys

Yeah, Baby!

In an independent study (conducted by Satch and yours truly) using a 30 degree angle ramp, we learned that the Shaguar goes faster and farther than:

• Speed Racer's Mach 5
• The Monkees' Mobile
• The Partridge Family Bus
• The Munster's Koach

I forgot I had these little matchbox cars until I started digging through boxes looking for my yellow submarine toys.





All we need is love....and some toys baby, yeah!

Looney!

Heads up for the TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE! On Saturday night, March 3rd, there's going to be a total eclipse of the Moon. This means the Moon will turn red as it passes through Earth's shadow. Totality can be seen from parts of all seven continents and the eastern half of North America. It will already be underway at sunset so get out there early!

Maximum eclipse is at 6:21 p.m. EST.

Mom to Mom: "Nina Beana"

It's March and you must meet Nina! (applause)

Mama: Nina
Of: Grace (aka: Gray) age 3.5 and Joey (aka: Pummie) age 14 months
Where: outside of Boston, MA
Blog: The Whole Self


1. In what ways has becoming a mother changed you?

after becoming a mama, i feel like i'm the calmest i've ever been in my life. having two kiddies pooping and peeing on the floor (only during naked time!), running around and jumping off the tops of couches really put things into perspective for me. now the occasional big zit on my forehead or raging cramps don't seem all the important. i have two pieces of myself running rampant outside of my body to worry about.


2. What is one tip you would like to share about mothering?

don't judge yourself too harshly. be kind to you. the mothering grass, a lot of the time, is going to seem a whole lot greener in some other mama's yard. i've learned through lots of trial and error that the way that i do things as far as mama-ing work best for me, but would be a total poop-shoot for some other rockin' mama.

3. What is your creative outlet/medium?

i like to heal people with my hands, whether it be through massaging or working with expecting mamas. i have stacks of papers and journals that i like to create in when the spirit moves me. i love to cook food and feed people until they can't eat another bite. i like to listen to people and think big about how we are all connected. i like to grow my own food in a tiny little plot in my yard. i feel the most creative when i'm hanging with people who are really unlike me...it gets my juices flowin' and makes me think outside the box. i also have a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine and enjoy sewing vintage paper.

4. How do you find time for creativity?

it just happens because i need it to. i go to bed at around 8p every night (survival mechanism), so i don't have that "after the kids go to bed" creative time that lots of mamas thrive on. lots of the time i'm doing joint projects with the kiddies...my 3 year old digs helping her mama put things together. my little guy is often found trying to pull my sewing machine on top of his head. some how it all works out in the end and i can eek out a couple of craft projects every once and a while. if i'm lucky.

also, i find not using capitals saves me some time (hee hee).

5. Why do you blog/journal?

i've always been the weirdo in the sleeping bag at the sleepover, tucked away in a corner writing in my journal instead of playing truth or dare. there's something about getting it all down in words (and pictures) that helps me remember. keeps me going. i also have probably the worst memory on the planet and i'm scared if i don't take a minute to write something sweet, then it will be gone.

blogging is also my zen exercise in gratitude. there's something about sitting down to blog that brings out all the positivity and thankfulness that i have in my soul- once i start writing, even the minutiae should be celebrated.

finally, i've had the opportunity to be introduced to the most inspirational and kind-hearted people through blogging.

6. Which blogs do you frequent?

the sidebar on my blog says it all, and each and every one is important and keeps me thriving.

the daily clicks for me are (outside of my family and friends, of course):
Soulemama
Superhero Designs
Bohemian Girl
Pink Coyote
Hula Seventy

7. Who are some bloggers that you would like to meet?

the above-mentioned lovelies, as well as acumama, knittingmama, pancakemama, nessie noodle, loverlywings, leonie and lovegreendog. the list could go on and on...luckily, i've been fortunate enough to have already met so many wonderful human-blogger-beings on my journey so far.