TIPS FROM CHRISSY FOR SPRING

finally time to start thinking about planting a garden. Growing vegetables and herbs at home is a money saver and it also gives you a better tasting product. This type of project can be a lesson for the children in your life but it can also be a way to get to know your neighbors. A fruitful garden grows enough of produce to allow you to share with neighbors and family. Also, if you are looking for a healthy way to spend some time, getting outside in the fresh air and sun is a perfect way.


The first step is picking a location. This step can either make or break your project. Choose a location that gets a full day off sun. Next, examine your soil. The perfect soil is what is called “sandy loom.” To make sure you have sandy loom, take a handful of soil and squeeze it in your hand. You are looking to see that it crumbles when you let it go. If your soil is too dry add compost soil and to wet give the space time to dry out and make sure you till the soil and that there is ample draining. The smaller the garden space the easier to manage. For example, a well cared for 10x10 foot garden will produce more vegetables than a weed filled or diseased ridden 25x50 foot space.


Container gardens are a great way to have garden without a big yard. Produce that grows well in containers are tomatoes, basil, parsley, rosemary and oregano. Make sure your containers have drainage holes at the bottom to ensure proper soil.


Now the fun part, planting time. The later you plant the better to ensure you do not expose your new plants to frost. When it comes to choosing seeds refrain from penny pinching. Look for buying brand name seed or catalogue seed. The 10 seed packets for a dollar are not worth you hard work. Easy to grow crops include, onion, peas, beets, zucchini and squash.


Never forget to fertilize (using homemade compost or the store bought organic kind) and treat your garden to ward off any insects. Enjoy the weeding and pick only when your produce is ripe. Let me know how it is going at Chrissyc1@cox.net

parenting with Time Outs

HERE IS A NOTE FROM OUR DAUGHTER WHO HAS TWO CHILDREN,TWO YEARS AND 6 WEEKS...
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Time Out!


We are all familiar with the commonly used phrase "time out" and most, if not all of the time, it's associated with a misbehaving child. This time it's not. It's a reminder from a busy mom to all moms (and dads) that it's absolutely critical to take a time out from everything else to be present with your kids for an hour, an afternoon or a day every week. 100% present.


I know it's not that easy in this day and age with technology at your fingertips...social networks to keep up with, busy schedules, etc. But it's an absolute must to turn everything off: all of your gadgets: blackberry, Facebook updates, text messages, Twitter, soccer schedules, etc. and schedule a "time out" with your kids. Be focused and have fun without distration. You owe it to your kids and to yourself.


Years ago parents seemed a lot more focused on just "be-ing". Technology did not exist and time spent (quality time spent) with your kids was a given. That's "organic" to me. Let's get back to the organic days...let's put our technology down for a bit and spend quality time with our kids. It's a reminder to me and perhaps you. So, here it is....loud

Grampie's woodworking

I have a great woodworking story to share. My son who is 7 years old asked me one day if his Grampie was Santa Claus. I said no, but why do you ask. He said because he makes great wood toys just like Santa. Of course I laughed. Indeed he does. He then said can we make some wood toys. I thought about it, because I do have some woodworking ability, said sure. Not really knowing what I was getting into, we got some scrap wood and started cutting ,sanding, nailing and gluing. Before long we had made a pretty good wood airplane. Not as good as Grampie's, but good. It was great fun for the both of us. It gave my son appreciation of what really goes into making wood toys. He still likes the Wee Organics toy better, but we had great fun. Keep up the good work!!!!

Books that help raising a child

I recently began reading two books to help me figure out raising my two children. I have a 8 year old girl and a 6 year old boy. The first book is The Good Son by Michael Gurian and the second is Girls will be Girls by JoAnn Deak. I feel both books have helped me relax and deal with behavior, punishment, and their education so much better.

I also wanted to share some books I gave a friend who had a family member dying of cancer and needed to help her kids cope with such sadness. The first is The Next Step, a wonderful book for young and old. The second book is Sad Isn't Bad, a perfect book for a child trying to understand death and dying.

Haiti and Compassion

The Haiti disaster reminds me that acts of compassion add meaning to our lives.EMILY DICKINSON [1830-1886] wrote

If i can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If i can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Thank you to all the first responders to this tragedy. You have also enriched our lives.

CHRISSY HAS SOME GREEN HINTS AFTER CHRISTMAS

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In the after glow of the holidays, I realized all the time spent with family and friends was well worth my time personally (learned some new holiday recipes) and professionally (amazing eco friendly ideas). My friends and family have been fine tuning their way of living “green.” Of course, I asked as many questions that I could without looking creepy. Continue reading to find some of the easy things my friends and family have been doing.


Shred all your used wrapping paper to make decorative bag filler instead of tissue paper.


Prune some of your over grown plants and start new ones by placing the clippings in a glass of water which will force roots to grow. Don’t forget to put your glass in the sun to help the process along.


While emptying the dehumidifier, use the water to nourish your indoor plants.


Send your broken holiday lights to Recycling Program 118 Rosehill Drive, Suite 1, Jackson, MI 49202 or check out HolidayLEDs.com.


Save your plastic shopping bags and use to line your bathroom trash can or for cleaning out the liter box.


Break up your old bread and spread it around your backyard or a park for the neighborhood birds.


Buy a compost bin and save your kitchen scraps. Eventually, you will produce the best soil you have ever seen! (As said by my friend)


Save on time and cleaning supplies by taking your shoes off at the door of your home.


Reuse your plastic sandwich bags by just rinsing them out and hanging them to dry.


Use a wash cloth to wipe up the baby after his/her meals instead of paper towels.


As for baby wipes, buy one plastic container and just buy the refill wipes. We don’t need so many plastic containers ending up in the landfill.


I hope you find these tips helpful. I know I did. Let me know how it is going at Chrissyc1@cox.net

Worry Free Holidays

This is the time of year that there is too much to worry about ... work, finances, traffic, the weather, holiday shopping. At Wee Organics, we hope to take some of your stress away. Please review all the Wee Organics all-natural, American-made toys and products so that you can stay worry free as your little one plays and learns.

Holiday cookies are fun!

As i start thinking of, OMG, the holidays, i begin with Halloween stuff. The budget these days is not so great, so i will be making as many gifts and treats as i can. I have seen some very cute stuff in Parent Magizine; maple sugar buttons, pumpkin puffs and many more economical ideas. Just go to www.parents.com and click foods and recipes. You will see all the holidays covered with many ideas.

enjoy
grammie

Advocate for children

Dr. David Tayloe, President of the Academy of Pediatrics {AAP} states "children are not miniature adults and have unique developmental and health needs. See www.aap.org for a wealth of information about child health. Caring adults-parents,family members,teachers,medical professionals must take steps to ensure children get the best start in life.
* make sure they get their vaccinations on time
* help them eat a healthy diet. Limit sugary drinks
* encourage them to eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains early in life
* encourage exercise. At least an hour of physical activity daily
* limit "screen time" to two hours or less
* keep them safe. Require seat belts, helmets when bike-riding
* if you smoke, QUIT. Second-hand smoke increases children's risk of asthma, respiratory infections and many other serious health problems.
" we all want the best for our children. It's up to us to be their advocates.

Sharen

grammie keeps them learning

we had Colton,6, and Mae,8, for the week while Jeff and Dina took a much needed "honeymoon".The biggest problem is that they dont have their friends around and dont have their bikes and stuff. So we had to create lots of activities including cooking. Here is one that is very simple.

you need..3 eggs,milk,maple syrup,cinnamon,vanilla,bread,oil and a whisk.

1.let them crack 3 eggs into a large bowl...oh, there are two kids and 3 eggs so maybe make it 4 eggs so they both crack two
2.now sharing they can add, 1 tablespoon of milk, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup,1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. stir with a fork or whisk.so now they are learning some sharing and measurements and dexterity.
3.each puts a slice of bread in the mixture and they press down until the bread's soggy. add one or two more slices as you see fit.
4. now it's Grammies' turn...she heats 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. cook the bread for 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
simple,,tasty
now they can help cleanup
have fun
grammie

grandfathers to grandfathers

my wonderful friend, Joe, sends me some proverbs and other grandfatherly advice and i wanted to pass it along to you.Moreng
show details 10:37 am (1 day ago) Reply



I may have sent this previously, but they're worth reading again.

Joe

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Man who stands on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.

Confucius

Accomplishment is easiest when we work the hardest, and it is hardest when we work the easiest.

Anonymous

We do not quit playing because we grow old; we grow old because we quit playing.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.

Andre Gide


If you live in the river you should make friends with the crocodile.

Proverb

Chrissy news letter for summer

Here is some information from Chrissy to keep us all eco-friendly and safe.Can we really have summer fun without harsh chemicals? Happily, the days of summer are upon us and
fortunately the days will get longer and longer. An entire day outdoors can only be spoiled by painful
sunburn and itchy bug bites. What are the solutions to keep our kids and selves free from burns and
bites while still sticking with our “green” plan?
Sun burn….the best measure to prevent it is covering up with a big hat or staying under the shade of a
tree or umbrella. This is highly impossible with kids and finding the right sunscreen may be in your
future. Safe sunscreens are 100% natural or those that are marked 70% organic. The main ingredients
that should be left out of sunscreens are parabens (noted to disrupt hormone functions in the body),
phthalates (also, noted to change normal hormonal flow), and most importantly, benzophenones. What
does that leave us with? There are many sunscreens on the market that fit the bill. Such as, Vive Sana,
KINeSYS, California Baby, Neutrogena Healthy defense powder, Kiss my Face and Neutrogena sensitive
Keeping the bugs away…..the best bug defense is staying away from DEET. Some researchers have
stated that DEET can be absorbed into the bloodstream causing many minor and major side effects.
There are many natural bug repellents on the market. The main ingredients are citronella, eucalyptus,
tea tree oil, geranium, clove, catnip tea and lavender. Some makers of natural bug repellent are
California Baby, Nature’s Vanity International, Avon’s Skin so Soft.
Be cautious when you are using a product every day. Check the ingredients if you can’t understand it try
to find a more natural product. There are many natural herbs and safe household products we use that
can scare off the bugs, such as; combining one of the above mentioned herbs with vodka, rubbing
alcohol, witch hazel or olive oil. The natural sprays need to be used more often than DEET but they
work just as well. Let me know how it’s going at Chrissyc1@cox.net.

It's a GREEN birthday party from Chrissy

Here are some good ideas from Chrissy to have an eco-friendly birthday party.

Fortunately and unfortunately we all get older and who doesn’t love a creative birthday party. Kids and some adults can’t wait for their big day. Often, lots of thought goes into the grand celebration but birthday parties can also mean tons of waste and garbage. Teaching our kids and ourselves to have a eco-friendly celebrations is a perfect present to our earth.

Start by emailing your invitation or if you prefer a handwritten note using paper items out of your recycling bin. This takes some time and creativity but a handmade card always makes a thoughtful impression. Collage a card or make a postcard out of used greeting cards.

On to the Oh so important decorations, paper decorations store bought or homemade are the most “green” option. Kids can make paper garland using newspaper, magazines or old wrapping paper. Balloons do not support our environmental friendly statement but some just can’t do without (like my paper towel addiction). Remember being “green” is a process and sometimes it takes time to break some “unearthfriendly” practices. (I think I have developed a new word).

Setting the birthday table is another way to make some earth conscience changes. Using cloth napkins and a table cloth is a good place to start. It’s also cost effective, to use your own plates and silverware instead of buying plastic and paper. If doing dishes is not part of you agenda there are biodegradable or 100% recycled plate and plastic ware but it will cost you. Personally, a mix of all your cloth and mismatched tableware creates a more welcoming party.

When a child participates in making the decorations and helping to set the table the party instantly becomes more meaningful. Being “green” takes some extra time but in the end it’s worth it personally and environmentally. Try these changes and then we will take the next step together, let me know how it’s going at Chrissyc1@cox.net

fun and healthy snack

My grandson,Colton, called me yesterday and said "grammie, i'm eating ants on a log". i said "what!" He said,"oh yeah, and it taste so good". So of course i asked,"tell me what you are eating please". "ok" he said, "i get a stick of celery and put peanut butter on it and put raisins on top of the peanut butter!!". "Ants on a log". I said,"that's a great snack", careful to avoid the word healthy."But i don't have any raisins right now,do you think cranberries would be ok?" "WOW", he said ,"red ants on a log , how really cool grammie".

Sure you have some healthy snacks to share with us...send them in.

GRAMMIE

earth day infor from Chrissy

Here is some great info from our friend Chrissy in Rhode Island. Chrissy writes an article every few months which she is allowing us to share with you.
IS Easy Being Green! (Frog Here)
Spring has sprung. Let’s take this opportunity to start making small changes each month to become more environmentally friendly. Not only will being “green” help the planet, of course, you will be saving money.
Are you ready for spring cleaning? The green way may smell different but it is just as effective. My new philosophy is, if my grandmother didn’t use it I am not either.
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant when combined with water. It works well on windows, countertops, appliances and outdoor furniture. Vinegar and water also works well hardwood floors. Lemon juice and oil make a nice furniture and floor polish. Baking soda can be used as a stain remover in laundry and made into paste for tile and sinks. Make a toilet bowl cleaner by pouring vinegar in the toilet and sprinkling some baking soda on top. Healthier cleaning alternatives can also be bought at all local stores but making your own takes only seconds and it is much cheaper. I bought a large bottle of vinegar and baking soda at BJ’S and it has lasted for over 2 months.
Using healthier cleaning products will change the air quality in your home. Adding houseplants, such as, ferns, bamboo palm, ivy and peace lilies will reduce air pollution. Replacing scented candles and aerosol sprays with candles made from soy, or use essential oils will also provide a healthier option for air quality.
Another important tip for spring is to buy vegetables and fruits from local farmers. Buying from the local growers at farmers markets or being part of a farm share will keep money in the community and keep your family healthy at the same time (not to mention the produce is delicious). You can go on localharvets.org to find a farm near you.
Keep in mind recycling is free, plant a tree, drive less and wear a sweater at home rather than cranking the heat. We can make small changes while making a big difference in our lives.

wee-organics toy review

Here is another nice review of wee-organics!

grandparents and night terrors

The experience for anyone seeing a child go through a night terror is frightening. Our granddaughter Mae is 5 and has night terrors. About 15% of children today have this problem. Here are brief symptoms and some ideas to help them.

SYMPTOMS
* uncontrollable crying---no, i mean "screaming", and this is not just the normal screaming
this is Rosemary's Baby screaming----the movie with the possessed child
* ridged sitting up in bed with violent stiff legs
* writhing body---the only difference in what you will see and Rosemary's Baby is the head does not spin around. But all the rest is very similar
* total blank stare,,,they absolutely are not awake and their eyes are open,,but you can see they are almost trance like

AND THE SCREAMING CONTINUES---
Here are some ideas they may help

* be very sure the child's bladder is completely empty---even if they dont have to go ask them to please squeeze out a few drops---research shows that one of the reasons for night terrors is that the child has to go to the bathroom
* here is the BIG ONE----WAKE THE CHILD AFTER SHE IS SLEEPING FOR ABOUT
15--20 MINUTES. Wake her completely , until she sees you clearly and focuses on you . Ask her if she has to go to the bathroom and get an answer. The best thing is to get her up and go , but at least be VERY SURE she is awake.
* now snuggle her back and tell her she is SAFE.
We have found this works almost every time . If this is working just decrease it over time

This is rough, especially on grandparents who have no idea what is going on. If your child is experiencing night terrors be sure to inform all your baby sitters. It is a good idea to put her through the prevent steps above before you go out.

Grammie

grandparents, Rephrase Your Requests

Grammie and Grampy, that's me and Sharen, are reducing confusion and delays with our grandkids. Mae,5 and Colton 3 are becoming real people. They require more conversaton and communication than a few years ago. I read this article from the February issue of Parents magazine and thought it was worth passing some suggestions for you to consider.
Rephrase Your Requests
instead of
"you look tired -aren't you ready for your nap?
say
" it's time for your nap now"
instead of
"are you ready for mommy to leave now?"
say
"mommy is leaving now, we will have lots of fun together"
instead of
"would you put on your sneakers"? we're late"
say
"your sneakers need to be put on. we're late"
ALSO, the article discusses CHOICES, CHOICES. "The most effective way to get your child to cooperate is to give her two choices--both of which you will be happy with. When you say,"Do you want to wear your blue jacket or the green sweatshirt with the hood?" It'll be a win-win situation.You give your child a sense of control, and he'll be ready to go out one way or the other."
Little do these experts know, it is not always this EASY!!
Have Fun
Grammie

America's Best Child Safe Toys

"America's Best" is a new section of Child Safe Toys on WEE-ORGANICS.COM. We have chosen the very best sellers from other popular safe toy sites. Each of these other manufacturers has a unique product selection to enhance your purchasing opportunities. We continually research other safe toys made in America that we feel will offer you the top sellers from some other very creative sites. We will not be cluttering our site. It is important to us that you can purchase a wide variety of top products from our great American workers. Check out these new products and look for some more winners real soon .
SHAREN AND ED
good folks good things

mothers and grandmothers here is the Coupon Lady

Here is the coupon lady for all of us. Georgine , nationally known as the "coupon lady", is now offering us her expertise and guidance. Georgine is THE expert on how to collect coupons, how to use them and how to get your best results with no problems. These are not easy days for any of us, and having some guidance as to how to save money is a big plus. Wow are we lucky!!

http://georginesaves.com

Happy clipping!!
Sharen
grammie