2.26.2012

a tea party

Miss Daffodil worked long and hard preparing her room and the table for this family tea party. She even made the chocolate almond milk!

We all spoke in our finest English accents, which has actually become quite commonplace in our home. Spencer and I both agree that we should always speak this way as it is so hard to speak a cross word when you are using the Queen's language. :)

Afterwards we did some imaginary face painting. Magical!








2.21.2012

the smelly mom

Ok, let me be honest with you.... I don't wear deodorant. Frankly, I've never liked the concept of deodorant, and I seriously gag at the smell of it. Over the last few years I've been on the search for a natural deodorant, but never actually found one that worked for me. I had eventually weaned my body off wearing anything during the winters, but would struggle with "surety" for the remainder of the year. It got to the point that while laying with my daughter at night to put her to sleep, she would actually complain about my smell and would strategically place our bodies so that she couldn't smell my armpits. I had become the smelly mom!!!

And then I found my miracle! I gave it a try and I can honestly say it works better than any deodorant I have ever used, and it's totally natural, and completely aluminum free. I never smell. Never. At least of body odor, that is. There's always a faint smell of coconut, but I'm totally okay with that. My daughter's complaints have stopped and I feel confident being au naturale!

Seriously, if you care at all about your aluminum exposure and are still using antiperspirants, or you don't like the smell of commercial deodorants, TRY IT! It takes less than 5 minutes to mix up.

Here's the how-to:

1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup corn starch
2-3 tablespoons coconut oil

Mix together with a fork until creamy (depending upon the temperature of your kitchen, you may need to zap it in the micro for 5 secs or so- coconut oil turns to a liquid between 70-75 degrees F). Using an old, empty deodorant tube (I just emptied the natural one I had that didn't work) pack your mixture into the tube and place it in the refrigerator. It will harden and look like regular deodorant.

I always keep mine in the refrigerator because of the coconut oil's low melting point. The downsides: You cannot travel with it very well. I just take one of my less effective natural sticks; You have to remember to go to the kitchen to put on your deodorant (although I swear this stuff sinks in and will cover you for a day if you forget); and you have to let it air dry for a few seconds so you don't get it on your clothes (but 3-5 seconds is enough).

Give it a try and tell me how you like it!

And, btw, if you are trying to limit your aluminum exposure, have you looked at the back of your baking powder? Shocking, I know. I now buy aluminum-free baking powder at Sprouts or Whole Foods.

xoxo



1.25.2012

now we are one

Little Anne is now one! How do they grow so fast? I was just telling Spencer that the last year was quite a year for me: having a baby (who was tounge-tied and colicky), adjusting to our new life (and it was quite an adjustment for Daffodil and I), having Spencer leave for 3 months for training, packing, and moving from my home of 28 years. No wonder I feel aged!

Little Miss Anne, however, is amazing! She loves to play hide-and seek probably more than anything. She still loves to nuzzle and cuddle and can't get enough of it. She loves her sister and thinks she is hilarious. She likes to play pat-a-cake, wants to do everything that she sees us do (like dip her toast into soup), and loves being outside. She says "hi" about 200 hundred times a day. She is starting to point and beginning to dance. She is joy and a light and she makes my world brighter! How grateful I am to be her mother!

We started a new family tradition this year: a birthday ring. I absolutely love the concept! I got ours here. Each year the birthday child will receive a new piece to add to their birthday ring which represents them at that time in their life. It could be something they might enjoy playing with or doing, or something that you just feel represents them. I chose the sun as her first piece because (even through the colicky months) Anne has always been a joyful, smiley, friendly, social light who I know will brighten the world with her presence.

Thank you, Little Anne, for coming to me!






1.19.2012

cactus over here, cactus over there...

Hello there! Have we been busy! After moving to the unique Sonoran Desert and trying our best to establish rhythm and order, we have been out exploring our new home (and might I add, trying my darndest to see its beauty).

Our girls are growing strong and steadily, and I sometimes find myself laughing all day long. They can be quite the comics!

We miss all of our friends and family and hope you are well! xoxo







10.31.2011

because we miss daddy

I decided to dress up with my girls at the last minute. I did it for Miss Daffodil. She called me "Maria" all night and kept asking me to ask her what her age was, at which point she would answer very maturely, "Sixteen!"

Happy Halloween, Daddy! XOXO











10.29.2011

blog inspiration- remembering who I am

I think this song helped form me into the person I am today. It has so many poignant and powerful lines. I will forever love Jewel!

"I'm Sensitive" by Jewel

I was thinking that I might fly today
Just to disprove all the things that you say
It doesn't take a talent to be mean
Your words can crush things that are unseen
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way.

You always tell me that is impossible
To be respected and be a girl
Why's it gotta be so complicated?
Why you gotta tell me if I'm hated?
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way.

I was thinking that it might do some good
If we robbed the cynics and took all their food
That way what they believe will have taken place
And we'll give it to anybody who has some faith
So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive
And I'd like to stay that way.

I have this theory that if we're told we're bad
Then that's the only idea we'll ever have
But maybe if we are surrounded in beauty
Someday we will become what we see
'Cause anyone can start a conflict
It's harder yet to disregard it
I'd rather see the world from another angle
We are everyday angels

Be careful with me 'cause I'd like to stay that way