Sprinkler Fun

Jake had some fun in the "sprinkler" today. The hose... doesn't take much...

Wow, what I found in my house

All of these had to go... bad, harmful plastics we have been using everyday! All of Jakes bowls, plates and utensils...Crazy...

I just ordered some new plates and two sippy cups for Jake.

Thermos Foogo Leak-Proof Straw Bottle - 12 oz . I found great info on it and it was affordable.

ANDSassy Dippin' Dinner Plate Set. They are safe, stack-able and come with lids!

They sell everything safe now, it is great! The only problem is, the safest kids products seem to be the most expensive. However, I found some deals on amazon.com. I will need to get new bowls too! As far as utensils, Jake is ready to use ours so no biggy there.

A Wake-Up Story, by Healthy Child Healthy World

A Wake-Up Story, by Healthy Child Healthy World

Unsafe Plastics

There is a lot of research out now about plastics. There are plastics out there that are very unsafe if used often and if used in a dishwasher. I am mostly concerned about this because Jake uses sippy cups, plastic bowls, utensils and cups all day every day. The topic overwhelms me because I would love to go out and buy all new everything, but we simply cannot afford it. So, I have been doing a little research and came across this easy to understand diagram. Thought it was helpful!

Step 5: Be wise with plastics

Plastic provides a good amount of affordable convenience. Only recently have we discovered that the hidden cost may be our health. Plastics, which are used in much of our food storage and cooking, have the potential to negatively affect health in certain applications.

Some petroleum-based plastics leach harmful chemical into foods and drinks, especially when plastic comes in contact with oily or fatty foods, during heating and microwaving, as a result of harsh cleaners, and when exposed to excessive moisture.

Luckily, we can all make safe choices.

What to Do

Choose smart plastics (see icons below) and avoid putting them in the microwave (where they can release dangerous chemicals when heated) or the dishwasher (where they can degrade in the heat and excessive moisture).

Safer Choices:

Select safe plastics that use polyethylene (#1, #2, and #4) and polypropylene (#5), which require the use of less toxic additives. They also are non-chlorinated.

Avoid:

Avoid choosing products that use polyvinyl chloride (#3), polystyrene (#6), and polycarbonate (#7) which often are found in baby bottles or sippy cups.

Lots of fun and a Leprechaun!

This past weekend my siblings and I threw our dad a surprise 60th birthday party. We held it at a local Irish pub in Maryland. We invited old friends and new and had a great time catching up with everyone. My dad is as Irish as they come so we had a little fun with the Irish theme! Love ya Dad, here is to 60 more years full of fun memories!!

This was the invite that Mike designedHe was so surprised!!Great friends of the family couldn't make it so they sent an Irish singing telegram!
It was a gag gifts only party...the ear was the bestJake having fun with some old neighbors

Before all of the craziness began

Singing telegram in action

Funtimes with Sean and Uncle Mike

Here are some pictures from Jake's weekend with Uncle Mike and his cousin Sean! He loved every minute of it.

Basketball, of course

Feeding Sean. "Do you wanna take a bite??" says Jake
(in a very high pitched voice-hoping he wasn't imitating me)

Mike trying to "fit it," at the kids table

Spelling his name... well Mike spelled it, but close!

miss those cheeks already!

Heart Stopper Numero Dos

About a year ago Jake burned his hands very badly by climbing up to stand against the oven door while I was cooking. It stopped my heart. I will never forget the ride to the ER and the awful feeling of helplessness that I felt. Yesterday, we had heart stopper number two. My nephew Sean is here for the weekend and it was my first day with two boys. The day was going very smoothly. We decided to go for an afternoon walk and ended up bumping into some neighbors. Jake and his best buddy Alex decided to play some b-ball and were chasing around after the ball. Jake began running towards the ball full speed and ended up tripping over it. He went face first, or should I say teeth first, into the pavement. When he stood up a pool of blood poured out. Again, my heart stopped. With some help, I took Jake to the pediatrician and she checked him out. I told her I probably need to be checked more than he does! She said Jake was fine, but to go to a dentist immediately. Luckily, a good friend of ours is a dentist so we went right over to his office. Mike said he was okay and that he doesn't think there is any nerve damage. We need to come back in a week for a follow up and may need to do some tooth bonding down the road for cosmetic purposes, but otherwise all is good. He ended up with two chipped teeth, some minor bruises and scratches. God is good. I guess I should prepare myself for more heart stoppers in the future... boys!Pre-accident photos of the boys having fun!post accident... Jake showing off his "bwookin" teeth. Notice the matching outfits.

Sean this morning... soo sweet

simple

I am always a fan of simplicity. Lately, our days have been simple and wonderful!! We have been taking long walks with friends and neighbors. Visiting the park each day, sometimes twice if it is nice! Going to the library and checking out new books and of course saying hi to our favorite fish. Spring cleaning the house and yard. Just simple. I love it. This weekend we have my nephew Sean. So, we will be getting a wee taste of two little boys!! Can't wait.

A little video of Jake in action...

10 Things I love...

Jill encouraged me to do this from her post!
Things I love..
1. Music
Probably the thing I love most other than the people in my life.
2. My Quiet Time
A new found love for me. I am not a sit around and be quiet person, but I love having some quiet time to read each day. It is peaceful and rejuvenating.
3. Neighbors
My neighborhood is so wonderful. Definitely an answered prayer. I love when people are outside hanging out in the street with their kids!
4. Fresh Flowers
I have made a vow to buy fresh flowers for myself each week and put them in my bedroom. They are so nice to wake up to in the morning. I am 2 weeks strong and loving it!!
5. People who talk to me when I am standing in line or sitting in a waiting room
A rare commodity here in NJ, but I love these strangers who I befriend for a quick moment. Strangers are just friends you haven't made yet.
6. Mini Chicken Tacos from Trader Joe's
Just plain yummy and they are ready in 6 mins.
7. Party Planning
Enough said
8. Random email or notes from my husband
This too is a rarity but it truly makes my day, month and year whenever he does it
9. The mail lady and trash men
Really, what a thankless job. The mail lady brings me surprises each day and Jake cannot wait to witness the trash truck each week!
10. Last but not least... my Dyson vacuum
It is a beauty. I love how it sucks up every crumb and makes my carpets look somewhat new again!!! Dyson... I will do a commercial for you ANY DAY!

The faces of Jake

Jake has so many faces and he is very expressive. You can tell just by looking at him what kind of mood he is in or what he is feeling.

Here are just a few of the many faces of Jake...Sooo excited and happy face, my favoriteI'm cute face. I know I am cute, let me have another cookie...The outside face, he gets bright red and hot when he is outside.

A wonderful little Irish gene.

Innocent face, usually means something naughty

Say Cheese face

The face we see most often, I am WAY to busy to talk faceI'm watching you face, this crack us up and he knows it

I'm watching you from the other side eyes...

A Taste of Summer

Jake and I had a fun summerish day today. We started off our day with a walk to the park. We met our cousins and friends then stayed to play and had lunch. Afterward, we went home to attempt a nap. However, Mommy was denied. So, we made the best of it and called our buddies up the street. We had a blast! Jake really loved the sprinkler! Oh how I look forward ts summer...

These boys are not shy, they went for it!

Best Buddies

You know you get along when you share a toy this well

A little bit scary, but this is a smile after tasting his first homemade popsicle