December 2010 Archives

We've spent a week in Minnesota visiting relatives and now we are about to head home. I can honestly say I'll miss all this snow. Of course that's easy to do since we get to leave it behind, but it was fun while it lasted. My husband Erik grew up in Minnesota so he adapts easily to cold weather. Kellan couldn't get his snow gear on fast enough so it's safe to say he doesn't mind it one bit. There were times when I felt like my face would stop moving, but it's invigorating it to be outside.

The new year is also energizing. We don't call them resolutions, but Erik and I love making plans for making the new year more adventurous. We got a head start when we put Kellan on skis for the first time. At first he wasn't really convinced those crazy foot boards were for him, but after a few runs down his grandparent's driveway, a light bulb came on. Now he's sold.

Parents want their children to be open to new experiences, but it's not always easy for kids to embrace the unknown. Whether it's a new food or a new activity, we want Kellan to try it. We tell him he doesn't have to like it, but we do want him to try. We remind him of that all the time, and it's something we as parents should remember too.

I'm not very reliable when it comes to New Year's resolutions. Since they always involve exercising more or consuming less, it seems pointless to just motivate myself once a year when really, I need a kick in the pants every month.

However, 2011 will be different. I have a plan of attack for taking better care of myself (early morning yoga!) and developing habits that are good for me and the planet. I recently started obsessing over upcycling. That's just a fancy term for taking something old and remaking it into something new. I've already stacked a pile of sweaters to repurpose and I have old knitting projects that didn't quite work out as I'd planned. So I'm going to unravel them and reuse the yarn.

There are some amazingly inspirational blogs for those who are new to the DIY world or just need more ideas to ignite your own creative spark. New Dress a Day is a fun place to spend some time. This woman gave herself a budget of $1 a day and reworked old, often ugly clothes into wearable outfits. She started the project after she was laid off from her job (and she obviously does not have kids), but her effort is inspirational regardless of how much free time you have.

Another great site to check out is ThreadBanger. I found out about this site while I was looking for free video podcasts on iTunes before a trip. The instructional videos are addicting, even if it's a project you never thought of making. From converting men's shirts to skirts or creating a necklace out of old zippers, you can find new ways to reuse pretty much anything. Apparently, the site is going through some changes and there won't be any new video,s but there is an extensive archive to watch.

You may be short on time or completely skeptical. Hey, I get it. I hardly have time to do the things I need to do, much less things I'd like to do. Still, learning new skills and doing my part to keep old clothes out of landfills make me want to give upcycling clothes a try. I'll start off by picking a project that isn't too difficult. Having success with something small will go a long way to convincing me to try more difficult ones.

Share some of your favorite craft sites or ideas in the comments.

Right now Kellan is obsessed with Toy Story 3. No joke. He has probably seen the movie ten times and still can't get enough of it. He loves to act out scenes from the movie. He also asks me to play along and dictates exactly what we should do. I have gotten pretty weary of this, but I also understand how the movie has captured his imagination. It has talking toys, a funny old dog and an exciting opening sequence involving a train. What three-year-old wouldn't appreciate that?

My husband says Toy Story 3 is like Star Wars for him. Erik says it was the first movie he remembers watching. He and his brothers had the Star Wars toys and played out the scenes from the movie. I think the first movie that made a big impression on me was E.T. I wasn't as invested in all the merchandise - I was way more into dolls than a funny looking alien - but I did see the movie many times.

Is there a movie that's made a big impression on your kid?

Do you have any strategies for regulating the sweet stuff?

I know I just wrote about gift giving, but one thing we've struggled with the past three years since Kellan was born is figuring out how to avoid going over the top with holiday presents. You may know as well as I do, scaling back can be difficult.

Our family celebrates Christmas and we are trying to emphasize other aspects of the holiday besides gifts. We've talked to grandparents and other relatives about trying to avoid large and expensive presents. Kellan hasn't asked for a specific toy and if anything, he's most excited about eating his grandfather's special Christmas cookies. This may be the first Christmas he actually remembers so we are trying to plan some activities that will stand out for him other than ripping open gifts... not that that's a bad thing. It's supposed to be fun, after all.

Our family is participating in a couple of charitable giving programs so we can focus on giving as well as receiving. I also want to talk about holiday celebrations around the world so Kellan is exposed to traditions other than our own.

Does it seem like the holidays snuck up on us? It does for me! This year I'm going to give green gifts that are fun and functional. Here are a few of my favorite green gift ideas for the whole family, all under $50.

1.       Heirloom seeds - If you know someone with a green thumb, heirloom seeds are great way to introduce something new in the garden. We had dinner at a relative's house this fall and when we admired the flowers on the table, she told us they were from the seeds we gave her last year. That was really cool.

2.       Water bottle - Every member of the family should have his or her own water bottle. There are so many great choices out there, from stainless steel ones with straw tops for kids to sleek glass bottles by Takeya. I make sure I always have one with me in the car so I can avoid buying water when I'm on the go.

3.       Bento boxes - Why use plastic and paper bags when you can pack the perfect lunch in a reusable bento box? There are cute options for kids and more sophisticated versions for grown-ups. Here's a great site for ideas on delicious bento meals. Meals somehow look more appealing in a bento box.

4.       Organic cotton t-shirts - Cotton production often includes the use of chemicals and requires an immense amount of wate. You can support a more Earth-friendly method of production by purchasing organic cotton. My favorite organic t-shirts are made by Patagonia. The company even has a clothing recycling program. Take it from me, their clothes last a long time.

5.       Sustainable picnic supplies - For your favorite foodie, you can fill a basket with cloth napkins, reusable cups, and bamboo plates and utensils. Bambu products are biodegradable and compostable so you don't have to feel guilty when using disposable products makes more sense. We've bought Bambu plates and utensils for barbeques and other get togethers. Guests appreciate eating with something other than paper plates and plastic forks. 

6.       Wooden Musical Instruments - More cowbell! Preschoolers love to make noise. You may as well channel that enthusiasm with easy-to-play instruments. Plan Toys makes the best wooden toys. Your child and her friends can pick up the drums, tambourine and concertina for a band like no other.

Do you have any green gift picks?

Mind Your Manners

I recently caught the tail end of an interview on NPR of author Lesley Blume, who wrote a book about bringing back customs and products from the past. The conversation struck a chord with me because my husband and I have been talking about how good manners seem like a relic of the past. Of course we realize there are plenty of well-mannered people in this world teaching their kids to be the same, but there are plenty of examples of the opposite as well. As I typed that last sentence I just heard two cars honking. See what I mean?

Growing up, there were times when my parents seemed terribly old fashioned and uncool . Now that I'm a parent, the tables have turned and I am beginning to understand my parent' perspective. My own child may soon find me on the wrong side of cool. Oh well. I still have an important job to do.

I feel like raising well-behaved children is important, but it doesn't mean being overly formal. For me it means being thoughtful, polite, and considerate. Knowing which fork to use at dinner is great, but inviting a new student to sit together at lunch or saying please and thank you to strangers is even more important to me.

Of course, having a preschooler means trying not to set the bar too high right now. We are trying to raise a happy, well-adjusted kid, not the future King of England. So it's all a work in progress.