Marla Anson Photography

I have been so busy the past two days. Yesterday I held preschool class at my house (as part of the preschool coop that I am participating in) AND I went to a House Party sponsored by Ball, the canning company. Today I took the boys on a trip to a local lavender farm where we picked bunches of the stuff, did crafts and had a picnic lunch. This evening I also went to knit and gab, the first one I have been to in over two months. Usually I get so stressed out by keeping myself this busy, but I seem to holding together pretty well, even considering that we were going almost nonstop every day last week. At least we have tomorrow off, and Caitlin is coming to visit with her dogger, Brody, and her good friend Chandler is tagging along as well. They will get here on Friday and should be here for about a week, so that’s cool!

Anyway, I’m so jazzed about everything that has been going on the past two days. Preschool is starting to go really really well. We started doing that back in March and had a lot of trial and error runs, but now the kids seem to be getting used to the routine. We were even able to bump up the number of preschool days from meeting once a week to twice a week. We have been going through the alphabet and are just getting to the letter G. I had the letter E, so we focused on elephants since we have so many around the house from Trent’s past obsession with them. That seemed to go over really well with the kids.

The canning party last night was so AWESOME! I went without the kids, which was so totally energizing. I have been really in need of getting away from the kids and my daily routine for quite a while and spending time with other Mom’s last night really seemed to help. We made salsa and peach jelly and played Trivial Pursuit. I discovered that I am horrible at that game. On the drive to that party and back I had the windows to the car all rolled down and I was BLASTING Nine Inch Nails on my car stereo. I felt horrible when I checked my phone and discovered that Garrick had texted me an hour prior saying that Hunter needed me. Of course by the time I got back home Hunter was passed out.

Good thing, too, since we had to get up early to go to the lavender farm this morning. That was such a lovely experience. The farm we went to to is Seven Oaks Lavender Farm. As soon as I got out of the car I could smell the lavender plants. The boys had a really wonderful time since we went with the Joy Troupe and a couple other groups, so there were a lot of children running around. The farm also has a great play house for the kids to use while Moms are out in the field picking the lavender or making a craft. I tried to take a bunch of pictures, but they are mostly of Trent since Hunter spent a good chunk of the time on my back. It was so nice being on a farm and not worrying too much about where Trent was and what he was doing. I made a sachet with him, and I wanted to make a Lavender wreath but that craft was too involved for me to concentrate on with both of the kids. I picked up some pet spray for Icesis’ beds since they are all so stinky and I also got a recipe sheet and culinary lavender to cook with. I was very impressed with the farm, I wish I could do something like that… Maybe someday! Check out this YouTube video about the farm, it’s cool stuff:

Since I had all that fresh lavender, I decided to bring one of the bunches I picke with me to Knit and Gab to pass out to everyone. It was great to see all the Knit and Gabbers. It was a full house, too! Well, anyway, look for pics to come of the boys at the lavender farm, and even a few shots that Trent took.

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It’s Blue’s Clue’s!

I’m way jazzed that back in February Trent and Hunter started getting into “Blue’s Clues.” I kind of like that one, plus Aunt Dottie got Trent a Blue doll for his first Christmas and now he really knows what it is! I have a picture of him with Blue to come…

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My oldest child is going to be three next month. The closer he gets to the three year mark, the better his speech seems to be getting. The sentences just become more elaborate and the words more understandable. He has also been watching a lot of shows and movies that have princess characters that wear big frilly dresses; his current favorite being the Super Mario Brothers Super Show, from 1989. (It’s Instantview on Netflix.)

The other day I put on a night gown. My Mom made it and wore it when she was pregnant with me and I wore it while I was pregnant with both the kids. I haven’t worn it in a while and when I came into the kitchen wearing it, Trent took a look at me and said “Mommies a princess!” I know he said this because the night gown is big and billowy and probably reminded him of all the princess’s he’s being see on DVD, but it sure made me feel good. That boy got the biggest hug!

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A couple of weeks ago Garrick took Trent to go and see the new Iron Man movie after he got home from work. So, it was just the baby and I to cook dinner for. I was really jazzed about this because Hunter is much easier to cook for then Trent is. I also had some asparagus to use up and Garrick doesn’t really like that. I proceeded to cook a nice non-meat dish for Hunter and myself. I had two boxes of pasta that were a quarter full that have been sitting in my cabinet for months, so I went ahead and used those up. I threw the asparagus in the water with the bowties and elbows and while those cooked I took a half a stick of butter and melted it in a small pan, threw in some very thinly sliced red onion and garlic, added some vinho verde and cooked it down nicely. Next I opened a can of Cannellini beans, rinsed them and threw them into my butter mixture and finished that off with some fresh Basil and Mint. After I drained the pasta and asparagus, I combined everything. It turned out so amazing! The baby and I feasted. Hoorah for experiments in the kitchen!

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When we decided to move my oldest to his own bed after co-sleeping for ten months I ran into some difficulties. I did NOT want to do the cry-it-out method. It made me feel like a horrible parent and I was letting my child suffer. I did some research into sleep training for babies and came across the “The No-Cry Sleep Solution” by Elizabeth Pantley. I found this book to be an invaluable resource while transitioning my son to his crib and teaching him to fall asleep on his own.

Now that my second son is a year old I am ready to move him to his own crib after doing a year of co-sleeping and am once again looking to the Pantley method for solutions. With my second child, I face a lot of different challenges then I did with my first, so I am going through and re-reading the book. Since Hunter poses some unique challenges, I decided to go the source herself and email Elizabeth Pantley with a question that is unique to Hunter. Or at least check out her website to see if there is already advice that I can use to my advantage.

While on her site I discovered that she has a new book out, “The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution.” She has a series of six books at this point, and I would love to own all of them. Here the publishers summary of the book:

BOOK SUMMARY FROM THE PUBLISHER

A tear-free approach to child separation blues—from the bestselling No Cry author a generation of parents have come to trust

Almost every child suffers some sort of anxiety during their first six years of life. Babies cry when grandparents hold them, toddlers cling to mommy’s leg, children weep when their parent leaves them at daycare, at school, or to go to work. This can cause frustration, sadness and stress in an already too-busy day and can break a parent’s heart.

Trusted parenting author Elizabeth Pantley brings you another winning no-cry formula that helps you solve these common separation issues. Pantley helps you identify the source of anxiety and offers simple but proven solutions.

In this exciting addition to the series, she ingeniously includes a free “magic” bracelet inside the book as a special tool for children to feel close to their parents—even when they’re not together. This successful method gives anxious children something to remind them their parents aren’t too far away—instantly providing them with the comfort and reassurance they need 

Here’s what the professionals have to say about The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution

“In The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution, Elizabeth Pantley teaches us the difference between love-based separation anxiety and anxiety that stems from fear. She leaves us knowing that most childhood experiences are healthy, natural stops on the path of development. Through wisdom and many pointers, Elizabeth Pantley will provide a generation with an easier and happier journey through childhood – while also soothing the worry and guilt most parents feel. I’m grateful for this resource – and can’t imagine raising another child without it.” 
~ Gavin de Becker, Bestselling Author
The Gift of Fear and Protecting the Gift

“Pantley has replaced the angst of separation anxiety with solid practical tips and empathy for both child and parent. Her magical solutions are remarkably easy to implement and result in calm and happy separations for all.” 
Kathy Lynn, President

To learn more about the No-Cry Solutions, you can visit Elizabeth Pantley’s page.

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Today the boys and I did the March for Babies walk with our group, The Joy Makin’ Mamas and Papas! It was so cold and windy! At least the sun was out and shining! Unfortunately both the kids were not feeling well. I wasn’t so sure when we left the house this morning for the walk, but after we got to the walk I realized something wasn’t right. Of course at that point we were already a mile into the walk. Trent was a real trooper and Hunter was asleep for most of it. Great news was that I exceeded my last goal of $250! I made it all the way to $280! Even better news is that I can still accept donations for quite some time even though the walk is over! So, if you didn’t get a chance to donate before our walk you still have time to do so!

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I cannot believe how many people are being so generous and are sponsoring me for the March for Babies walk! I originally started my goal at $55, assuming no one would donate and I figured that was easy enough for me to handle. Then I figured I would send an email out to almost everyone in my address book. I have had to raise my fundraising goal FOUR times, and I still haven’t done my personal contribution yet! I might actually make it to $300! Woohoo.

I am holding off on writing my thank you notes until after the walk is over. I figure that way I can send a nifty little picture of me and the little ones in my thank you cards.

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I made you a cookie.

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I grew up in upstate New York. I am white. As a result it had never before occurred to me that I could make my own tortillas on taco night. There has been many a night when my husband and I would say “Let’s make tacos! Oh wait, we have no tortillas and I don’t feel like going to the store….”

I’m not sure where I got the idea from, but all of a sudden, last month I decided to try making some for myself. I did an internet search, found a recipe and started making them. They are so much better than the store bought stuff! It took me a little while to figure out how to properly roll them out, but once I got the hang of it they were pretty easy. I felt so proud of myself for making them, I don’t think I will ever by the stuff from the store again. The recipe I used came from Texas Rolling Pins.

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I just saw this sitting in my inbox:

Good afternoon, Since the House of Representatives voted to pass health reform legislation on Sunday night, the legislative process and its political impact have been the focus of all the newspapers and cable TV pundits. Outside of DC, however, many Americans are trying to cut through the chatter and get to the substance of reform with a simple question: “What does health insurance reform actually mean for me?” To help, we’ve put together some of the key benefits from health insurance reform. Let’s start with how health insurance reform will expand and strengthen coverage: This year, children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied health insurance coverage. Once the new health insurance exchanges begin in the coming years, pre-existing condition discrimination will become a thing of the past for everyone. This year, health care plans will allow young people to remain on their parents’ insurance policy up until their 26th birthday. This year, insurance companies will be banned from dropping people from coverage when they get sick, and they will be banned from implementing lifetime caps on coverage. This year, restrictive annual limits on coverage will be banned for certain plans. Under health insurance reform, Americans will be ensured access to the care they need. This year, adults who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions will have access to affordable insurance through a temporary subsidized high-risk pool. In the next fiscal year, the bill increases funding for community health centers, so they can treat nearly double the number of patients over the next five years. This year, we’ll also establish an independent commission to advise on how best to build the health care workforce and increase the number of nurses, doctors and other professionals to meet our country’s needs.  Going forward, we will provide $1.5 billion in funding to support the next generation of doctors, nurses and other primary care practitioners — on top of a $500 million investment from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Health insurance reform will also curb some of the worst insurance industry practices and strengthen consumer protections: This year, this bill creates a new, independent appeals process that ensures consumers in new private plans have access to an effective process to appeal decisions made by their insurer. This year, discrimination based on salary will be outlawed. New group health plans will be prohibited from establishing any eligibility rules for health care coverage that discriminate in favor of higher-wage employees. Beginning this fiscal year, this bill provides funding to states to help establish offices of health insurance consumer assistance in order to help individuals in the process of filing complaints or appeals against insurance companies. Starting January 1, 2011, insurers in the individual and small group market will be required to spend 80 percent of their premium dollars on medical services. Insurers in the large group market will be required to spend 85 percent of their premium dollars on medical services. Any insurers who don’t meet those thresholds will be required to provide rebates to their policyholders. Starting in 2011, this bill helps states require insurance companies to submit justification for requested premium increases. Any company with excessive or unjustified premium increases may not be able to participate in the new health insurance exchanges. Reform immediately begins to lower health care costs for American families and small businesses: This year, small businesses that choose to offer coverage will begin to receive tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums to help make employee coverage more affordable. This year, new private plans will be required to provide free preventive care: no co-payments and no deductibles for preventive services. And beginning January 1, 2011, Medicare will do the same. This year, this bill will provide help for early retirees by creating a temporary re-insurance program to help offset the costs of expensive premiums for employers and retirees age 55-64. This year, this bill starts to close the Medicare Part D ‘donut hole’ by providing a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the gap in prescription drug coverage. And beginning in 2011, the bill institutes a 50% discount on prescription drugs in the ‘donut hole.’ Thank you, Nancy-Ann DeParle Director, White House Office of Health Reform

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