Recycling Packing Paper

This week Desiree (Ethan and Elijah's mom) and I were talking about all the great things we use our Amazon packing paper for. It's that brown roll of kraft paper that never seems to get damaged no matter how mean you are to it. It's tough paper. I'm assuming it's made out of the tears of steel workers or something of that caliber.

Anyhoo-

Last month when I was wrapping Alex's birthday gifts I decided to reuse the packing paper instead of buying a gift bag or gift wrap (save the trees!). It was pretty wrinkly because the daycare kiddos and the kitties had been playing with it for a couple of weeks, but that just made it more pliable, so I was still good. I hand wrote a song I love all over the paper with hearts.  

It's not fancy, but he loved it and didn't want to throw it away. I'm glad I didn't do the commercial wrapping affair, and I feel better knowing I extended the life of our packing paper. 

Thirty Hours of H - E - Double Hockey Sticks

This weekend we had a big scare with Hecate, Alex's cat. Per her usual routine, she takes a nap between 12:30pm-2:30pm, goes outside for playtime, and always returns around 5pm. It's like clockwork. 

Hecate- the Early Years

Friday she went outside like every other day around 2:30pm, but didn't come home. 7pm rolled around, and Alex was hoarse from calling for her, and in tears. 

We sat down and talked about a cat's nature to roam and that cats often disappear to have adventures, but they usually come back home. I was all too aware of the reality that she could have been hurt by a car or mean kids or taken by a well-meaning passerby who thought she was a stray. But I focused on the positive. I thought if she wasn't home in the next few days I would talk with Alex about those possibilities. I never lie to Alex, ever. If there is something I don't want to talk about or he's not old enough to be privy to I say so. But I won't lie to him. For now I didn't see any reason to worry him and me both for nothing, because it was more likely she would be back than not. And the truth is he's old enough now he probably had all the same thoughts I did. 

Hecate just a few weeks old, new to our family.

I also shared with him a story of two cats I had many years ago, before he was born and before I developed allergies, who ran away together and didn't come back for 3 months. We would see them playing and romping in the woods behind our home during those months, but they wanted to be free. When they were ready, they came home, but they were changed cats from then on. We talked about how it must feel to be an animal to always be cooped up inside a house and not be in charge of their lives. We've had this discussion a couple times, especially when we talk about zoo animals, but also pets. 

Right from the start Hecate chose Alex as her human.

Dogs are a little different, they crave humans more than just about anything else. If they have a human who loves them and gives them attention, and takes them out for walks, even if it's on a leash, most dogs are fulfilled by having those basic needs met. But cats aren't as easy. They really need to be able to be in the sun, play in the grass and hide in bushes. They have more wildness in them. They need to stalk real birds and run from their shadow. Yes, we run the risk of something happening. But so do people, every time we leave the safety of our home. We don't stay home because there are dangers, and my feeling is that it isn't reasonable to expect an animal with such a strong drive to romp and roam to be forced to stay indoors all the time just for our pleasure. So we knew before we got our kitties this was a possibility, and one we were willing to accept. Still, it is hard when something like this happens. It is no less painful. But our attitude has always been that our pets are not ours- they choose to live with us until they don't want to anymore.  

Hecate (right) and Ostara napping.

After we talked, Alex seemed OK. He went off to do other things and popped in and out of the dining room to check the door, but he wasn't upset anymore. He said he had hope, and as long as he had hope he would be OK. I was really in awe of his ability to work through his feelings so well and at the same time be rational about it. To him, once he got past his fear and realized it wasn't productive to obsess over the 'what if's' and worst case scenarios, he could choose to have hope and focus on positive outcomes instead. 

Hecate hiding behind a stack of pull ups.

His hope wasn't unrealistic, either. He knew there could be a worst case scenario at the end of this, and he seemed prepared to face that if it came down to it. In fact, later on he came to me and said, "I just want her back home. Whether she's alive or dead. I just want to know one way or the other." He knew exactly what the worst case scenario was, and I was proud of him for facing it without letting it crumble him. I certainly wasn't handling it as well as him, at least not internally. On the outside I kept the brave face and positive attitude for him. Inside I was sure she was dead or being tortured or fallen down a well or some sinister neighbor had snatched her up to make a coat out of her. But that is my mom brain working. It's times like this I am thankful we don't have telepathy.  

Hecate as a baby cuddled up with the stuffed animals. 

We continued waiting, coming up with new reasons to have hope as each hour passed. 'Since it is daylight longer now maybe she doesn't know what time it is and she's waiting until dark'. 

When it got dark, we still waited. Periodically we went out and called for her. Around midnight I went out with a flashlight and walked up and down the nearby streets and called to her. Nothing. Ostara went out, seemingly to look for her sister. I let her. I figured if anyone could find Hecate it was her. Images of Milo and Otis and Old Yeller floated through my head. 

Hecate grooming her sister.

Ostara had been pacing and clearly anxious. She and her sister have never been apart for more than an hour or two. Ostara knew something was different, or wrong. My constant thought was that Hecate would never willingly leave Alex. She is highly attached to him. She looks for him when she can't see him, and calls for him at the door every morning until he wakes up. I couldn't imagine her leaving her favorite human.  

Hecate in kitty jail, at least that was the game she and Alex were playing as he built it around her. 

We stayed up until 1am waiting for her. Finally, exhausted  we went to bed, but we left the back door open for her in case she came home while we were sleeping. With Karma out in the main room I wasn't worried about someone coming in the house. We even joked that we would probably wake up to find all the neighborhood cats asleep in our house. 

Alex slept like a baby, maybe more so as a way to shut down for a while. I didn't sleep well. I was worried about Alex's cat and how he would handle this if she didn't come home. No parent wants their child to experience grief or loss, and I was sure I would be trying to comfort a bereft child in the near future because by midnight I was more sure we wouldn't see Hecate again than I was that we would.

Hecate 

I was back up at 5am, checking to see if Hecate had come in during the night. Ostara was sleeping in the sewing basket. She had come back while we were asleep. She climbed out of her basket, weary, like she had a huge weight on her. We both walked to the back door and stared out, sharing our worries in silence. Hecate had not returned. The sun was rising. The first day we had started without her since we brought them home as just weaned kittens a year ago. Ostara's first night and morning without her sister in her whole life. Only someone who has been through it can understand that emptiness you feel when you lose a loved pet. I imagine to others it all seems overly dramatic and silly. After all, there are wars and poverty and famine and disease in the world. 

Ostara in less anxious times with no worries (except maybe falling off this stool while asleep)

I started early, posting lost notices online, putting up pictures of Hecate and calling the animal shelter when they opened. She wasn't there. I'm not one to sit around when I'm worried. I need to DO something and that is how I cope. Next I drew up flyers and sent them to the printers. Then I called the printers to expedite the order. When Alex woke up, I had already accomplished quite a bit. We got dressed and started canvassing the neighborhood. The night before Alex had checked with the usual neighbors where Hecate plays, since they have kitties there she is friends with. So we spread out and knocked on doors all over. The neighborhood kids joined us  and helped in the search, calling for her, looking in between houses and the backyards of vacant homes, and knocking on doors with us. Between us we had quite a posse and it made the search go much faster. We could cover a street in no time with so many helpers.

Hecate watching Alex (he's behind the camera taking this pic)

We didn't find Hecate that morning, but I did learn that many people in our neighborhood have black cats. We counted 8 within just one block of our house. We also learned how lovely our neighbors are. Everyone was so nice, so helpful and so eager to learn as much about our cat as possible so they could keep an eye open for her. I learned we live in a very pet loving community. My immediate neighbors know us, and our animals, and we theirs, so if any were out past their usual times we call each other and let the other know we have their pet so they don't worry. I found out most streets here have the same system for keeping pets safe and getting them home. Lots of pets are escape artists, and without caring neighbors who know each other and their pets some might not make it back home with as much regularity. I was so thankful for being a part of this wonderful community.  

Hecate loves pretending she's Catzilla.

Our next step was to pick up the flyers at the printers. I left a note on our front door directing anyone who might find Hecate to use the side gate and go through the side garage door if they wanted to leave her. I left the side door unlocked for the neighbors, and the back door open in case she came back on her own. She always uses the back door, so if she was coming back that would be the door she would use. 

So Alex and I went off to the printers. Knowing almost all of our neighbors knew about our missing kitty, I asked Alex if he'd like to get something to eat and see a movie before we headed back home. He did. I was glad he agreed. I wanted to get his mind off of things (and mine, too) for a bit, before having to return to our gloom.

Hecate leaping down from the plant shelf and cabinet tops, her favorite lurking spot.

After the movie we came home and put up the flyers. Still no Hecate. It started getting dark again. Still no Hecate. 

I was in my room putting away laundry when I heard Alex say, "Hecate" in an almost whisper. I rushed out. Hecate was home. It was 9pm. 

Hecate saying hello to Karma.

We had moved the food bowl to the back door the day before hoping it would draw her home, and of course the door was still left open for her. Alex had heard someone drinking water but saw Ostara in front of him. When he turned there she was. Home again. 

She was very hungry and ate for about a half hour. She had been gone for a little over 30 hours and I have no idea whether she ate anything or not. Alex immediately picked her up and checked her over. She wasn't hurt and she didn't look any worse for the wear. 

Hecate (right) not appreciating being woken up for a photo shoot.

Alex was so happy. Our vigil was over. I was so relieved. We took the signs down the next morning and updated my posts online. Hecate ran to her sister and loved on her, licking the 'outside' world off of her. 

Of course we have no way of knowing what happened to Hecate during that time. The first night back she didn't speak at all. That was very unusual. She is a very vocal cat. The silence was noticeable. The next day she started using her voice again, but it sounded different. Hoarse, scratchy and quiet. It made me wonder if she had been calling for Alex the same way he had been calling for her. I can't imagine where she could have gone where she couldn't get back home. I made myself stop. It didn't matter. She was OK and alive. The rest would have to be a mystery. It is enough that she is home and Alex is happy. Yay!

Hecate sitting pretty. Alex took this and it's my favorite picture of her!

Herrett Center Camp-In

Alex eating bagels for breakfast at the science museum camp-in.

150 kids attended between grades 3-5. They chose between 17 different science workshops to attend on the college campus in real classrooms, had a show and workshop at the planetarium, visited the observatory where Alex got to see Saturn and it's rings through the telescope, and had a midnight scavenger hunt. Of course they had a bazillion chaperones (background checked and screened) to supervise. 

For sleeping, the kids were divided into groups and slept in the different museum exhibits. How cool is that?! I thought the kids who slept in the dinosaur exhibit were probably pretty excited- or scared. There is a giant wooly mammoth skeleton along with several other dinosaur skulls and remains.

Camping in the art exhibit.

This was the primitive weapons exhibit. Arrowheads, spears, knives, etc. 

Alex was in the purple room, or the fishing exhibit. He got to camp out in the smaller movie room with a couple of friends, so they had their own little private hideaway which was fun.

Sorry for the blur. Alex saying good-bye to his camping buddy.

Alex at the Dentist

Last week Alex had a dentist appointment to evaluate a chipped molar.

Alex getting his bite wings for x-rays. 

This Alex's full mouth x-ray. Look at all those permanent teeth ready to pop through!

Jace was kind enough to come with us to Alex's appointment and had fun in the playspace. He also chatted up the dentists and hygienists, complete with dramatic hand gestures to emphasize his point, like they were all old friends and he was there everyday. Jace thought Alex's x-rays looked like a monster, while I saw only cuteness. 

No cavities, and the chipped tooth is scheduled to come out on it's own in June or July, according to his psychic dentist, so we didn't need to do anything for it except let nature take it's course. Yay! 

Alex DOES need to brush better, though, and hopefully that will improve, but so far he's cavity free and going strong with straight (thankfully) teeth, like his mama. 

One thing I was dreading, because this is a new dentist for us, was going through the song and dance about no unnecessary x-rays, no fluoride  no chemicals, etc. But I was so pleasantly surprised that they were right there with me and didn't need explanations or justification. No one tried to talk me into anything and they respected my decisions, which meant I felt free to approve x-rays this once. They have plenty of non-fluoride and anesthetic alternatives available so I feel comfortable with his care there. I'm so glad we found this dentist. I admit I was procrastinating because I really expected a fight. We are so used to open-minded & holistic style doctors back home and I thought for sure I would run into old-school mindedness and sneers at my hippie ways here. I guess I worried for nothing! 

Alex Turning Nine

It happened in a blink of an eye. Alex is officially 9 years old! 

April 15th, 2013. 

Go Kings!

This Saturday was Alex's 2nd basketball game this season. They won 48 to 14. Amazing!

Here is Alex after the game with the snacks the assigned snack parents of the week provided. 

Next week it's me and another mom who will provide the snacks and drinks. I see cut apples and carrot sticks in their future! 

Basketball

This weekend Alex played his first game of basketball with a team. I was so giddy I could hardly stand it. 

Final Score- Alex's team won 40 to 18

Team Huddle

Mommy helping Alex with his jersey :-)
(Dad is behind the camera)

Alex's Out-of-Focus-Yet-Awesomely Arty-Pictures

I love digital cameras. Alex loves taking pictures of everything. Sometimes I will find dozens of his pictures on my SD card and I get a glimpse into his really unique, inspiring and awesome  world. It lets me see how he sees his environment and what is important to him. I love these...

Alex and Books

Alex reading a Harry Potter book.

Since Alex started reading when he was 5, he has been a voracious consumer of literature. He has read everything from Moby Dick, and Wuthering Heights (which he thought was too 'mushy'), to Archie comics and Spongebob. 

His real interest is in Science, though. This kid would rather read a medical journal, a book on biology, chemistry, astronomy and just about any other scientific discipline. He went off course recently and picked up a college level Sociology book which he spent several weeks glued to before bed. He gets that from me. I adore science and facts. At one time, before he was born, I envisioned a future with a PhD in quantum physics- until I realized they earned less than I did at the time. So my love for science will have to remain a hobby :-) 

I actually read Alex books on physics when he was a newborn. Yep. When he came home from the hospital, I read him things like The Elegant Universe, a fave of mine, and Relativity: The Special and the General Theory. Was I trying to manipulate his tiny little baby brain cells to be predisposed to science and math? I can't say with certainty as I don't remember having that agenda, but it's not to say somewhere on some level I didn't believe it would help in some way. 

Yes, I read him baby books, lullybys and fairy tales, too. His favorite book as a toddler was a book of baby faces with different emotions- and the face he loved the most was the one that said 'Stinky!'. No signs of a baby genius there.

But from the time he entered the world, he was exposed to science because I loved it and valued it. Before we started unschooling, we would start every school morning with a science experiment. At his 1st grade science fair, he spent an hour discussing robotics with the U of W robotics team that were visiting like he was a professor working out a theory, hands behind his back, pacing and the whole bit. He loves that stuff. I swear that kid was born a grown-up sometimes.

He also loves many other things. And he reads a variety of books, fiction and non-fiction. As an unschooler, he is free to read anything he wants. Anything. I wouldn't dream of censoring his choices. When he read Wuthering Heights I thought it might be a little beyond his comprehension, but I didn't and would never discourage him from trying. He read it all, only he said when there were 'mushy' parts he skipped those, lol. Whether at home, in the book store or at the library, every book is available to him as far as I'm concerned. If he is interested in it, the best way for him to learn about it is to be allowed to read without restriction if that is the way he wants to learn about it.

I met a family recently with a teenage daughter who says she isn't really into reading. That made me sad. My parents literally removed the lock from my bedroom door when I was that age because all I did was lock myself up in my room for hours and hours to read. I never snuck out, or snuck anyone else in, never did drugs or drank alcohol. I wasn't a total nerd- I had friends and my boyfriend was the captain of the basketball team. I just loved to read. Books were so much more interesting (well, boys were also very interesting to me then, too) to me than anything else at that stage of my life. I just couldn't fathom this young 13 year old girl not be curled up every available moment to read books! 

When I asked the girl if she liked certain topics more than others, her mom replied that the  books she wants to read are considered above her reading level, so she isn't allowed by the school to read them until she has read all the required books on the school's list in her designated level. What an injustice! No wonder reading among youth is declining! It seems so unnatural to me for a school to impose arbitrary reading requirements on students. 

People should read because they love it! Alex and I read for entertainment and for information. I'm a research addict, and a science geek, but I still like my vampire novels, too. I don't read anything I don't want to. Why would we force kids to? I'd rather my son muddle through something that is slightly advanced for him and love it, than give him simple books that leave him bored out of his mind and result in a dislike or worse- hatred- for reading because it's been forced on him. Yuck and no thank-you. 

Reading is contagious. When children see their parents and siblings curled up with books, they are more likely to pick them up and develop a real interest for them. One Summer after a camping trip, I had just discovered the Twilight series for the first time- this was just as the craze was beginning- and when we got home I couldn't put the books down. One morning Alex, who I think was maybe 3 or 4 at the time, came into my room to say he was hungry and wanted breakfast. I was already reading, having slept just long enough to recharge so I could continue the story, and I told him I'd be there as soon as I was done with 'this chapter'. I had every intention of doing just that. Several chapters later, as he had been coming in and out of my room asking to be fed for who knows how long by that point, and I, neglectful mother for the first time ever, ignored him and kept saying 'this last chapter', finally was torn from my reading to look up and see him jumping up and down in a happy dance, yelling "I found food, mommy! I found food!". He had foraged in my backpack, still on my bedroom floor where I had left it from the camping trip, too involved in my book to unpack, and he had found some trail mix and started tearing into the pack and eating like a wild animal (in his spongebob underwear) crouched down like the ferral child he was. Well, he'd found food, so he didn't need me anymore as far as I could see, so I said 'Good job honey!' and went back to my chapter. lol 

I'm so glad Alex loves reading (and doesn't think I'm a bad mom for not feeding him that one time). It's hard to inspire a child when they have no interest in books, so half my job is already done for me. I feel like if you can learn to love reading, there is no obstacle you can't overcome in life, really. To me books are still magic, and I hope Alex will feel that way when he's a grandpa one day, too.      

Green Smoothie

Several weeks ago my beloved juicer, a prized find from a yard sale, had a fatal run-in with my stove burner and had to be retired. I was so bummed that since then I haven't had the will to make smoothies or juices- and wouldn't you know it, I got sick for the first time in years when I stopped drinking my smoothies for a few weeks! 

This weekend, when Alex and I started our three-week vegan diet experiment, I pulled out the blenders, dusted them off, and got back to work. So I'm back on the wagon as it were, blending my little heart out!

Today's green smoothie recipe:

Almond Milk 

(milk was homemade with raw almonds over the weekend)

Kale

Bananas

Pineapple

Flax Seed*

Raw Sunflower Seeds*

Raw Pumpkin Seeds* 

(*freshly ground)

Love

I've been known to add everything in my cupboard and the fridge to my morning green smoothies- chia seeds, sesame seeds, cinnamon, cayenne, ground cloves, cardamom, carrots, ginger root, celery, peppers, apples, oranges, lemons, cucumbers- really, almost anything. I even used to add tofu but we don't buy soy products anymore so that's no longer on the list of possibilities. But when making a big batch for the daycare kiddos and Alex, too, there just isn't enough room. In fact, with just the ingredients above, I had to use both blenders and divide the recipe to make enough for everybody.

The nutrition we get from one green smoothie is shocking (if you aren't used to drinking them and have never thought to figure it out like mwa). 

The Dinosaur Kale we use has big leaves, and each leaf is about one cup's worth. I used 8 large leaves in today's smoothie, divided among 5 people. That's just over a cup and a half of Kale per person. One cup of Kale has 206% of the DV for Vitamin A,  134% Vitamin C, 9% Calcium, 6% Iron. One cup of Kale also has 2 grams of Protein. Is your jaw hanging open yet or what?

I added about 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds and 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds. 2 tablespoons is about 30 grams, or just a bit over 1 ounce. Pumpkin and Sunflower seeds both have between 6-7 grams of Protein each, Vitamin A, C, Calcium, and one ounce of Sunflower seeds has 8% iron. 

But wait, there's more! One ounce of pumpkin seeds has a whopping 23% DV of Iron. Divide that by 5 people and that is still quite an iron boost. 

Not to mention that Sunflower seeds are a good source of Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Manganese and Selenium, and a very good source of Vitamin E at 47% of DV!. Meanwhile Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of Vitamin K, Iron and Copper, and a very good source of Magnesium, Phosphorus and Manganese. 

Now for the Flax seed. I actually added in about a half a cup's worth (maybe a little more), which is about 100 grams. That is a little more than 18 grams of Protein, 22% Calcium, 72% Iron, and an astounding 133% Vitamin E. And don't get me started on the essential Omega 3 Fatty Acids! And that's not all, Flax has amazing amounts of Folates, Niacin, Thiamine, Vitamin K and more.  

And if you STILL aren't totally blown away, like I am, let's not forget the Almond Milk, which has a ton of Calcium, Vitamin A and some Iron to boot, and the fresh Bananas and Pineapples that add even more Vitamin C (131% for Pineapple!), Potassium, and oodles more trace minerals.  

The fact is, most Americans don't get even half this much nutrition in an entire day. But look how easy it is to make sure our kids get their Vitamins! 


Tips for making great healthy smoothies:

• Pre-freeze banana slices rather that using room temperature ones. 
• Freeze some almond milk, yogurt, fruit or leftover fresh juices in ice cube trays to throw into your smoothies to cut down on prep time or to add a boost of flavor. 
• Freshly grind seeds and nuts just before adding them to ensure they are as fresh as possible- many deteriorate fast after they have been ground.
• If you can't decide between Kale or Spinach, and both are excellent, choose Kale! It has the highest levels of micro-nutrients and will give you more vitamins per ounce than anything else. Spinach is a great runner-up, though!
• Blend your liquid (filtered/purified water or milk) and greens first, then add others items.
• If your blender is making sad noises from working too hard, it's probably time to add more liquid or stop it for a few seconds (and unplug it) and dislodge with a spoon or butter knife solids that might be compressed at the bottom. 
• Drink blended smoothies within an hour, and don't make more than you'll be able to use right away as storing them in the fridge reduces the nutrients and taste quality significantly. 
• If you have a super-mega awesome-powerful juicer or blender, try adding fresh wheat grass juice to your smoothie (strain if you blend as you only want the juice from the grass, not the grass itself)!
• Don't be afraid to add things like nut butters for protein, and coconut oil or raw honey, and herbs to boost your immune system like echinacea, dandelion root, ginger root, and even just plain 'old lemons. Most of these you'll barely even taste or notice but boy do they ever pack a nutritional punch!
• Start simple- you don't need to put everything and the kitchen sink in your smoothie on your first day. 
• When you consume flax seed, always grind it up to make the nutrients available to your body, as they are not digested when eaten whole. And make sure you drink plenty of water after a smoothie with flax because they absorb water and expand.
• If you want to pack a smoothie for your school-aged kids, partly freeze it for an hour or two and send in an insulated thermos with a chill pack- you may have to fiddle with freeze/thaw times at home a little to get just the right consistency by their lunch time.
• Experiment to see what you like! There's no wrong way to do it. :-)

Banana Nut Muffins

Alex and I made banana nut bread a few days ago, and had some leftover dough, so I saved it and yesterday we added in some ripe bananas and pecans and made muffins. They were perfect on the crazy cold day we had. Yum! 

Celebrating Halloween

We made fun pumpkins and had a dress up day last week with the daycare kiddos for Halloween. And the weather was perfect for trick or treating!

Below are the kids in their costumes with their goodie bags we made up.

Levi & Taytum

Meadow & Kaydynce

Jayden in the middle in the dino suit!

Alex in his very too small ninja costume. He had a bigger one but insisted this one still fit. lol

Alex trick or treating on Halloween night. The neighbors really go out for this holiday!

He won't be able to do this too much longer. :-( I can't believe he's so big already. I love watching him grow up, but times like this I hear the clock ticking, knowing his childhood is quickly passing, and it makes me a little sad.

This is our neighbor's house around the corner, and the picture didn't show it but on Halloween night they weren't home yet (they drove in just after I took this pic) and all the lights were out, and I have to say it was quite creepy walking past it at night. But I'm easily scared by the possibility of ghosty things, so what do I know? haha