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