Backyard Safari Outfitters.

We have a lovely backyard, but it's small. I imagine that after two years of living here and spending a lot of time in that yard, it has gotten a little "old" to the girls.

Team Mom gave me a chance to try out a few Backyard Safari Outfitters products. They send us the Backyard Safari Outfitter's cargo vest, the Bug Vacuum, and the Mega-View Periscope. Armed with these three tools, the girls were able to explore the backyard in a way they haven't ever done before.

They had a blast, especially using the bug vacuum to examine our backyard bugs up close! It really encouraged them to play outside and be active.

You can find out more about these great products at the Backyard Safari Outfitters website, or buy them at Toys R Us, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Amazon.com, and Target.

Backyard Safari Outfitters.

Very Lovely.

It's Thursday morning, day four of our first homeschooling vacation. The girls and I have enjoyed the week off so far. It's nice to have some down time. It's been lovely.

The Tadpole is laying on the blanket on the kitchen floor. His eyes follow me wherever I go. Every day I think that my heart has reached it's limit of expansion...but then he smiles at me, or laughs, and I feel it expand just a little more.

He's such a beautiful, happy baby now. He has this cute way of "crying", where he doesn't actually open his mouth, but cries back in his throat through closed lips. It actually sounds like humming.

I have a baby who hums to get my attention. How lovely is that?

Lately things have been just "clicking" for me. Homeschooling is going great. My doula business is heading in the right direction. I'm losing weight (20 pounds below pre-pregnancy weight so far), so I feel healthy and full of energy.

I feel happy. Lovely.

And that other person? The person who would let herself get stressed and overwhelmed and snap at the girls?

Well, she hasn't been seen around these parts for quite a while.

And it's been lovely.

Very Lovely.

Creating The Nile River

The Mermaid has been studying Ancient Times in history, using The Story of the World. Right now we are on ancient Egypt. One of the activities we did was to create a "model" of the Nile River, right in our own kitchen.

We took an aluminium pan and filled it about half way with potting soil.Then we parted the soil down the middle of the pan and lined it with aluminum foil, making sure the foil was higher than the soil and ends of the pan. To create the Delta, we just made the top of the river more triangular shaped.We then planted wheat grass seeds along the edge of the river, and talked about how the farmers would plant their crops in preparation for the Nile's yearly flooding. Next, we poured water into the river until it "flooded" its banks and watered the seeds.

And a few days later, viola!! Our own Nile River, complete with growing "crops".

Not-so-Wordless Wednesday

Creating The Nile River

Knowing Only Love

I know it's not intentional...but when you cry, you say "Mama!" and it warms my heart.

Five months old now, and I can barely remember what is was like without you in my life.

You bring us such joy and happiness. You take your sister's affections in stride, even when they almost smother you with their love.

Most days, you sit in whatever carrier I chose for the day, just going along for the ride, quietly observing life from my arms.

But every day, I sneak you up to my room and close the door. And for about 15 minutes, it's just you and me, and oh how you smile and laugh and talk during that special time!!

I watch you laugh at the girls, and I watch as you sit nestled safety in The Mermaid's arms.

I wonder, what is it like to be born and knowing from day one only love like this? To be surrounded by such love and having it the only thing you know?

You are so lucky, little one. And so are we.

Happy 5 months, my little Tadpole.

Knowing Only Love

Olivia!

My girls love Olivia. Occasionally we watch the show on Nick Jr., but mostly they love to sit with me and read the books.

Team Mom recently sent me a Olivia 2-in-1 Transforming Playset and an Olivia 8'' Plush toy to try out. The girls immediately fell in love with both.

I love that the 2-in-1 Playset transforms from a house to a pirate ship with a simple slide of a switch. Pretty cool. Everything stays contained and neat, and it is now one of the girls' favorite toys.

The Guppy especially loves the plush doll. It's now her favorite toy to snuggle with at night.

Both toys are available at Toys "R" Us, Target, and Kmart. You can find out more about both products here.

Olivia!

Pumpkin Patch

The family went to a local pumpkin patch, and of course there was orange everywhere.

The Tadpole, in his orange Halloween shirt and orange pumpkin hat with his cousin C. C and The Tadpole are only 6 weeks apart in age.
My beautiful, beautiful Tadpole.
My beautiful, beautiful nephew.

You Capture.

Pumpkin Patch

My Three Pumpkins

They make my heart swell.

Wordless Wednesday.

My Three Pumpkins

Yellow Bodied

I walk through the woods with the girls and some friends, The Tadpole in a ring sling.
The sun dapples through the golden yellow leaves.

Sitting in his sling, he tips his head back to look up at the golden light, meets my eyes...and smiles.

I can't put him down. I won't.

These moments are too fleeting.

Yellow Bodied

Pushing Through That Wall

I had a client go into labor this weekend. She gave birth naturally to a beautiful baby girl.

My job allows me to witness the beautiful miracle of childbirth. But my favorite part isn't when the baby is born (although it is a close second).

At some point during the birth, the laboring women looks up at me and says "I can't do this."

And I put cold washcloths on her forehead, and murmur encouragement into her ear.

You already are doing it.

And then it happens: a powerful force swells up inside her, a strength that is unknown to the woman at any other point in her life...

...and she uses this force, this magical, powerful, overwhelming force, to push through her pain and worries and achieve what she didn't think was possible.

She finds the core of her strength. And she uses it to bring life into the world.

That is my favorite part.

Pushing Through That Wall

David Garrett, Yum

Thanks to Music Moms, I was given a chance to check out David Garrett's new CD, Rock Symphonies.

Can I just say, what talent. I love listening to these classic rock songs blended with Garrett's unique violin skills.

About Garrett:

"David Garrett, named best-selling new classical artist of 2009, has released a groundbreaking second album...to the delight of fans around the world. Aptly titled Rock Symphonies, the album uniquely blends the former child prodigy's impressive violin skills with classic rock-and-roll songs from bands such as Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Nirvana to bring a fresh spin on the genre to a new generation of music lovers. Garrett has toured all over the world and has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, and Good Morning America."

And not only is he talented, but he is VERY easy on the eyes!

Rock Symphonies debuted at #2 on the Billboard Classical Crossover chart and is available at Best Buy, iTunes, and Amazon.com

For more information about David Garrett, visit his website.

David Garrett, Yum

Holding Him Close

Since he was born, I've been wearing him. Around the house, at the grocery store, at soccer games...everywhere.

He's been in pouches, ring slings, wraps, and MT's.

It's where he belongs. Close to my heart.

Newborn, in an adjustable pouch.
In a Moby wrap
My friend K wearing him in a carrier used by women in Senegal, Africa.

It's what I've done for all my kids.

It's just what feels right.

And now, this beautiful practice of keeping our babies close and safe to us is in trouble.

Please go over and read this post at Adventures in Babywearing. And take action.

Holding Him Close

My Wish For Future Christmases.

Twenty years from now, then they come home for the holidays from wherever life has taken them...

I hope they sit down together and have as much fun as they were having when I snapped this picture.

Wordless Wednesday

My Wish For Future Christmases.

Beautiful Jewels

For art the girls wanted to make a me a nursing necklace, because lately The Tadpole has grown fond of yanking on my hair while nursing.

They were oh so patient with stringing on the beads, and concentrated so hard.
Diamond's may be some girls' best friend, but not me. This necklace is all I need.

Beautiful Jewels

Mini Vacation

Every other weekend the girls go off to their father's house and it's just The Tadpole and I.

I really look forward to these weekends, as going from three kids down to one feels like a mini-vacation.

I sit and nurse him, looking in his eyes and letting him take his time instead of wishing that he would just hurry up and finish because I can hear The Mermaid jumping on my bed and The Guppy getting into the paints.

And time s l o w s d o w n

And we sit and play, without worrying if the girls got their school work done or what lessons they have scheduled for that day...

And I take pictures. Pictures with my phone and blurry pictures that don't come out right because it is hard to hold a baby and a camera at the same time, but I love them anyway because they are pictures of The Tadpole and I. They are our secret.

And I pick him up and he smiles at me then blows a raspberry at me and I laugh until I feel dizzy. And I kiss his feet and and hands and marvel at how they look like little boy's feet and hands and yes, I have a BOY!

And on Sunday evening, the girls get home all excited and loud, clamoring to tell me all the fun things they did at their father's. And The Mermaid asks me what The Tadpole and I did all weekend and when I say "We hung out at home" she tells me that she is sorry my weekend was so boring.

And I look over at The Tadpole and give him a knowing smile, and for a second, I swear I see him give me one back.

And yes, I am so, so, blessed.

Mini Vacation

Circus Fun

They gasped at the daring stunts, laughed at clowns, and leaped out of their skin with excitement.
Mommy, this is the best night ever!! I could not disagree.

For more information on the circus and how you can get discounted tickets, see my previous post.

Circus Fun

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Giveaway!

Once again, I am so excited to be giving away a family pack of tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey's newest circus show, Zing Zang Zoom, is coming to the DCU center in Worcester from Thursday, October 7th to Monday, October 11th.

Some information about the show:

DESCRIPTION:

Magical Zingmaster Alex and the lovely Levitytia are taking the spirit of the circus to new heights. Meanwhile, Mr. Gravity and his Heavies just want to bring everyone down. To keep the show flying high, they’ll have to work together through ups and downs. The result is Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Presents ZING ZANG ZOOM^® — a soaring extravaganza with a magical twist!

See thrilling, soaring acrobats and daredevils… Catch the clowns, dancers, trainers and aerialists… It’s all new and it’s even more magical, with dazzling lights, powerful music and incredible visual effects that seemingly spring to life! You won’t believe your eyes when clowns are transformed and one very big part of the show DISAPPEARS! And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without everyone’s favorite Ringling Bros.^® animals — from fantastic gymnastic dogs and horses to majestic Asian elephants and Royal Bengal tigers!

It’s a spellbinding spectacle filled with enchantment and illusion. So hold on to your seat — and find YOUR place in the fun!

Join us on the arena floor one hour before show time for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College^® at theAll Access Pre-show – FREE to all ticket holders! It’s your chance to meet the performers up close, get autographs and see an amazing elephant that paints. It’s FREE with your ticket, so get in on the fun!

The Barnum Award info

Partnering locally with The Greatest Show On Earth^® to recognize creative and innovative kids who are making their communities better! The Barnum Award program seeks to identify and recognize children who have made a substantial and measurable difference in their community through displays of community service, creativity, and innovation. The program will honor good works done in a selfless manner (i.e. not for personal gain).

Monetary prizes going to advance future community service-related endeavors.

• Bronze-level ($500 and bronze medal)

• Silver-level ($750 and silver medal)

• Gold-level ($1,000 and a Gold medal)

Nominate a deserving child at www.TheBarnumAward.com

• Nominations will be accepted between now and when the show rolls into town. You must be 21 years of age or older to nominate a kid. A nominee is a child between the ages of 6 and 14. For complete program details, seewww.TheBarnumAward.com. Program coincides with the September 29 – October 17 performances of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING! ZANG! ZOOM! In New England.

Awards will be presented to recipients during an award ceremony on opening night in that market. Award recipients will also receive 4 Circus Celebrity tickets to the show for themselves and their families, and a novelty gift bag.

And now you can get your tickets at a great discount too! 4 tickets for $60 – Wed, Thu, Fri performances

$3 off – Sat and Sun performances

Not valid on premium seats, no double discounts.

Ticket link - http://www.ticketmaster.com/newenglandcircus, use code MOM for the above discounts at checkout.

Now, for the giveaway. To enter to win four tickets to one of the shows at the DCU Center in Worcester, simply:

1. Comment on this post.

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

1. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment.

2. Tweet about the giveaway and leave the url in your comment.

3. Share this giveaway on Facebook.

Winner will be chosen on Thursday morning. Good luck!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Giveaway!