One World

"If the cropland we currently use to produce grain for livestock was redirected for humans, we would be able to feed 800 million people who are starving in third-world countries." - Kim Barnouin

Our journey to becoming vegans is going really great so far. We've phased out all the foods that contain animal products out of our home, and are now starting to work on other items with animal products (shoes, purses, etc.)

I definitely think that taking it slowly and thinking of it as a process has helped a LOT in our transition. I've definitely had to re-think how I approach things; before I hated cooking and at first, cooking healthy vegan meals seemed overwhelming and time consuming. But now, cooking has been so relaxing and a way for me to unwind at the end of the day. Once I got used to cooking, I found it really didn't take that much time at all. And to see my family eat the meal I cooked and know that the food they are eating is healthy for them and the earth, well it makes me so happy.

Another benefit: I've lost 35lbs!! Some of it I lost before becoming vegan, but a majority of it was after. I feel great, my wedding rings fit again, I have more energy, etc.

I have a bunch of new cookbooks that have been so helpful. We try 1-2 new recipes a week, and I make their favorites on the other days. One of our favorites so far is Seitan, we can't get enough of it!! And of course all those veggies!

The more I keep researching and learning and cooking, the more happy I am with our decision and the more positive I am in knowing it was the right one. If I want a more compassionate world for my children when they grow up, then it starts with me. Animal agriculture is not only insanely cruel, but the biggest polluter of our environment. By teaching the girls about why eating meat is not healthy and not good for the environment, I help grow their compassion and caring for our world.

After all, we only have one world.

One World

Handsome Little Man

Dearest Tadpole,

Nine months old!! Nine months! And in the past month, there have been so many changes!

Like how you seem to think, "Who needs toys when I can play with the dishwasher and tupperware?"
And now you take big boy baths!!!
And eat more big boy food!!

You laugh and play and tumble and laugh some more. You say "Mama" now, and you know what it means. You try to pull yourself up, but only get as far as up on your knees.

Every morning when I wake up I swear you are bigger than the day before.

But...but you still love your na-nas. You still love being held in my arms. You throw your arms around my neck and give the cutest hugs and kisses. When I walk into the room, you quickly crawl over and hold your arms up to me.

So thank you, my dearest Tadpole, thank you so very much for making this transition into toddlerhood easier for me. Sometimes I swear you let me cuddle with you all day just to humor me, to make the fact that my little baby boy is getting older just a little easier.

Three more months and you will be a year. I'm almost just starting to consider planning your birthday.

Almost.

Happy nine months little one. You bring our lives such joy.

Handsome Little Man

Teaching Kids About Money

The Knight and I are big fans of Dave Ramsey and his Total Money Makeover and I wanted to incorporate those principles into homeschooling when teaching the girls about money.

I started by taking three jars each for the girls and labeling them: Save; Spend; Give. I made sure the jars were glass, so the girls could see the money as it was piling up.

Next I made up two chore charts. The first chart are the daily chores the girls must do and they don't get any commission for.
I got this chart from Homeschool Curriculum for Life. Every day they check off the boxes as they complete the chore. These chores are mandatory.

The second chart consists of chores assigned to specific days of the week. All the chores on this chart are optional, but if they choose to do the chore then they get the amount of money assigned to each chore.
This chart I whipped up in five minutes and while it's working for us now, I'm sure I'll be tweaking it to improve on it in the future. The girls look at what day of the week it is. If the chore has an "X" in the box on that day of the week, doing that chore is not an option. I did this so that they wouldn't vacuum every single day of the week. If the box doesn't have an "X" for that day, then they have the option of doing that chore for some commission.

We use the word "commission" instead of allowance to drive home the point with the girls that in order to have money, you have to earn it. No, they don't have to do the chore, but then they don't get money. The more chores they do, the more money they make.

Our family's commission chores are: dusting; vacuuming; cleaning the litter box; cleaning the bathtub; cleaning out the van; watering the plants; and folding laundry.

After they complete the chore, they write their initial in the box so I know who did what. I also check their work when they are done; they don't get paid if they didn't do a good job.

At the end up of the week I add up what they earned. They put 50% of the money in their save jar, 25% in the spend jar, and 25% in the give jar.

So far The Mermaid has been all about earning extra money. It relieves some stress for me as well, because she does such a good job on the chores and it makes for less cleaning for me. The Guppy hasn't been that interested, but I wonder when she sees The Mermaid spending some of her hard earned money if that will peak her interest in it more.

How do you teach your kids about money? I'd love to see any charts you use :)

*Sorry for the poor quality of photos, the lighting was terrible.

Teaching Kids About Money

THUD

Yesterday The Tadpole fell down an entire flight of stairs :(

We spent most of the day in the ER, where The Tadpole had to be sedated so he could have a CAT scan. Thankfully he is absolutely fine.

We're all a little exhausted over here, trying to get back on schedule. It's hard to do, though, because I can't seem to stop snuggling with my little man.

THUD

Diva

She is such a little diva.

She makes me laugh every. single. day.
I am so blessed, so lucky to be her mother.

Wordless Wednesday.

Diva

And Life Keep Moving Along

There once was a time when, if my life was written out in a book, it would be called Diapers and Nursings.

Where my day was consumed with wiping boogies and cutting up lunches in bite-sized pieces; changing diapers and carrying babies around on my back in my carriers.

I guess most days, it still looks a lot like that.

Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that one day, I will have a life that goes beyond their needs.

I'm looking forward to it.

Don't get me wrong, I love being a mother. LOVE it! And I love my children. I love being a mother so much, I got addicted to the process of becoming a mother, got addicted to helping women transform and become mothers themselves.

But.

BUT.

In ten days The Tadpole will be nine months old. And three months after that, he will be a year. And this tugs at all the strings in my heart, and makes me want to pick him up and never put him down, as if holding him tightly in my arms will keep him from growing up too quickly.

That's what I'm feeling in my heart. I don't want to let go.

But in my mind...in my mind I'm starting to rejoice just a little. Rejoice in the fact that I can finally see on the horizon a day where I can carry around cute little purses instead of the huge beach bags I tote around now. Or where I won't have any diapers to wash. Or I won't have to pump (although I simply cannot rejoice about not breastfeeding. I love that connection too much). Or that one day, I can leave the house without having to take half an hour to get all the kids bundled up and buckled in and happy.

The Mermaid and I have been having so much fun with her first official year of school. And lately I've been signing her up for activities that are drop-off. As in, OMG I can leave and for a couple of hours I have only two kids and I feel a little like I'm on vacation!

And won't it be so, so grand when I can do that with all three kids?

And won't it be so, so grand when I can have a little more flexibility and freedom to pursue my career in the birthing field?

I'm going to be going to nursing school in the fall of 2012. This is primarily to fulfill all the general education requirements to take the IBCLC exam. In the meantime, I've been working really hard to build my doula business back up and in general, plan my future.

I will always be a stay-at-home mom. I will always be there for them, educating them, supporting them. And I'm trying so hard not to get too far ahead of myself, and I know for sure that I will miss these baby days....but I'm excited for the future.

And from where I'm standing, my life is so very grand.

And Life Keep Moving Along

The Best Thing

Six months ago I was convinced I was going to be spending today alone, as a single mom.

Funny how it didn't turn out that way.

How could it possibly be that the best thing to happen to my marriage was separation and then filing for divorce? I don't know.

I will say that I feel that we are stronger than ever. And that's a good thing.

Happy Valentine's Day to my Knight.

The Best Thing

Cold

Cold

Giveaway! Toy Story 3 on Ice!

And the Winner is Nicole Conzo!! Congrats Nicole!

Thanks to BSM Media, the Knight and I are taking the girls to see Disney On Ice Toy Story 3!! We haven't told the girls yet, we are waiting until right before we leave, and I can't wait for their reactions!!

Additionally, BSM Media is offering great ticket deals for the show. All the information is below. We've been to many Disney on Ice shows and it is always a great time!!!

Giveaway: BSM Media is giving a family four pack of tickets to one of you lucky readers!! To enter, just leave a comment. Winner will be chosen tomorrow night! Good luck!

Disney On Ice presents Disney·Pixar's Toy Story 3 Is Coming To Boston:

School Vacation Week - February 18–27 at TD Garden!

Special Offer for Your Readers and Friends courtesy of Disney Parks! disney parks blue.jpg"> FAMILY FUN PACK: 4 TICKETS FOR $60! OFFER VALID ON $20 AND $25 TICKETS AT THE FOLLOWING VACATION WEEK PERFORMANCES: Fri. FEB. 18 - 7:00 PM Sat. FEB. 19 – 7:00PM Sun. FEB. 20 – 12:00PM & 4:00PM Mon. FEB. 21 – 11:00AM & 3:00PM (Excludes Rinkside, VIP and Club seats. No double discounts. Cannot be used for prior purchases or group sales orders. Service charges, handling and facility fees may apply. Please note that prices reflected on Ticketmaster.com INCLUDE service charges and facility fees. Select “Price Details” on the purchase page to confirm discount price.) Share with all of your friends! 3 Easy Steps To Purchase! CLICK HERE Step 1: Choose your performance Step 2: Under Advance or Promotion Ticket Selection, choose either $25 or $20 price level Step 3: Enter code MOMTOY Have you heard the buzz? The toys are back in town! Disney On Ice presents Disney·Pixar's Toy Story 3! The blockbuster movie, Toy Story 3, and memorable moments from Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are hitting the ice in this sensational live production coming to your hometown! Catch all the heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home, in their most daring adventure ever! A few new faces join the fun, including Barbie’s groovy bachelor Ken and Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. It’s the biggest Toy Story experience on ice, jam-packed with fast-paced adventure such as Buzz’s galactic battle with Emperor Zurg and a hoe-down at Woody’s Roundup. Rediscover the humor, friendship and charm of Toy Story when Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3 takes family fun to infinity and beyond! For show information, visit Ticket Prices: $90.00 Rinkside $55.00 VIP $35.00 Club $25.00 $20.00 Order Tickets Online: Get tickets online atTicketmaster Use customer codeMOMTOY. Order Tickets by Phone: Call 800-745-3000. Use customer codeMOMTOY. *SPECIAL NOTES Seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Popular performances sell out quickly, so act now! This offer may not be combined with any other offer and does not apply to group sales orders. This offer valid only for show dates and times listed above. Use your American Express, Mastercard, or Visa for online orders or your American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa for phone orders. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

Giveaway! Toy Story 3 on Ice!

Delish

Last night's vegan dinner: Sweet Potato Barley Salad. Soooo good.

Wordless Wednesday

Delish

Mothering Girls

I can across this article the other day, via a friend on Facebook:

5 Lessons We Should Stop Teaching Girls.

Sometimes I find the responsibility of raising girls in our culture a little overwhelming. Don't make comments about weight around them. What are they thinking when they see models and heroin-skinny actresses on TV? How can I teach them that they are beautiful without making them vain?

It seems silly to think about all this when they are only 6 and 4. But these kind of issues are already coming up.

Take the Disney Princess movies, for example. The girls LOVE them. Especially The Guppy. Her favorite past time is playing dress up with all her princess costumes. She puts on her dress and slippers and play earrings and purse and walks around talking about how her prince one day will come.

The semi-Feminist in me cringes and yells, You don't need a prince!! You kick ass on your own! But the mother in me looks at her smiling face and sees how happy she is in this particular imaginary play world and says nothing.

It's a balance that I'm having a hard time finding. To tell my girls that yes, They can have it all!! But do I talk about that in this society, the option of having it all has turned into the expectation that they have to do it all? That to have the choice to have a career and children means that they will be expected to do both to their physical and emotional limits?

To teach them that they can have a career if they want, but that the womanly art of staying home and raising children is just as valuable, no matter what our society says?

I'm not sure if this is making any sense at all. It's early and I haven't had my coffee yet. It's something I do need to think about more, plan for more.

What are your thoughts on raising girls in today's society?

Mothering Girls

Mystery of the Miserable Baby

This past week was a little crazy over here.

It started with this awful stomach bug. After we all got over it, suddenly The Tadpole transformed into this cranky, miserable baby.

If I put him down, he would crawl over to me and wrap his arms around my leg while screaming hysterically. He also stopped eating solids and was unhappy even when I was holding him.

I ruled out teething, growth spurt, the usual suspects.

Then last night...it was a like a switch flipped and he was happy again.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, little Tadpole, for giving me my happy baby back. I don't know if I could have handled another week like that.

Mystery of the Miserable Baby