Following our dreams, not our pocketbooks.

I think that's going to become my blog's subtitle/description.

Right off the bat, I will say that I'm very proud to be a mom. I am proud and very happy staying with my children all day. I feel that I am giving them the best. I have no current intention of going back to work or going back to school, unless dire circumstances call for it. I have full intention to homeschool my children.
Numerous people as me when I'm planning on going back to school, back to work, etc. It is as if it is completely impossible to live a life if I am not formally educated. I don't choose to follow my pocketbook- my choice in life is to be with my children. To raise them and give them a wholesome education- not just in a schooling aspect- I mean all around. I know that this is something I need to work on, and also something that is not terribly easy considering our given circumstances, but I'd like to be a bit more self-sustaining. Whatever happened to the wife who had a garden and raised yummy fruits, veggies, and flowers to eat? The momma who baked bread? Who made many of the family's clothes? I don't mind being that "traditional housewife", I find it to be more pleasing than being disconnected from my children and only home in chunks of time and away again. I think feminism in itself lead to the demise of women.. and therefore led to the demise of our children. I think the feminist movement was a huge contribution to "bad parents". Women wanted to go out and do what men did. No issues with that, I'm all for equallity... but then who was to raise the children? In most cases, roles arent reversed. Many familys have both parents working outside the home. Rarely is there a stay at home father. With no one with the kids, they are dumped at daycare, babysitters, school (I know homeschooling is not for everyone, but school shouldn't be a babysitter), or worst of all, left alone for a large part of the day. Children just aren't well rounded anymore.
But then, you ask, "What about money"? Simple. We don't need all of that money. I would much rather raise a wholesome family than dwell on whether or not I have the coolest gadget. Groceries? Clothes? Bringing back the self-sustaining point... self explanitory.

Anyways, I had to share that.

Minimal Clothing Challenge (and other updates)

First off, I'd like to apologize for neglecting my blog. I've been battling a cold for the past two days, and M has been sick with a cough since Monday morning. Not sure what did it, but it sure wasn't pleasant!

I'm happy to report that both onions are growing nicely (they're huge!) and that I also added a nice garlic plant to the mix. It sprouted 2 days after I had put it in water by the windowsill. It is now about 6 inches tall and has a few more sprous coming up :)

I am also pleased to mention that N will be starting gymnastics at a new park at the end of the month. This park has a gymnastics center and we love it. Hubby's sister went there pre-highschool, and I went there when I was younger (though my mom pulled me out and put me in a new park because I was intimidated!). Hopefully she enjoys it.. the gymnastics she had at the other park was a bit boring and the teacher was horribly unfit to teach children :( N is also going to start a new playgroup at a new park :) It runs two days a week and should be fun, I hope. I do have to walk there... a LONG way! 27 city blocks!!!

ANYWHO. I'm going to have hubby help me thin out our clothing today. For me, I'm planning on keeping:

3 Jeans
3 Denim Capris (Spring is coming!)
2 Sleep Shirts (Both White Sox Tees)
3 Sweat/Jogging Pants
3 Sleep Shorts
3 Nursing Tanks
4 Nursing Bras
x Long Sleeve Shirts
x Short Sleeve Shirts
3 Sweat Shirts
2 Jackets for going out
(Above marked with "x" because I need to see them.. lol)
I'd like it to be even more minimal than that, but with children, that's not all that plausible!

And for M:
7 Lap Tees
7 Pairs of cotton pants
2 Pairs of Wool Longies (Pants)
2 Cotton Knit Sweaters
2 One Piece Sleepers
1 Snow Suit for outings
2 cotton dresses (one is for easter, one is for occasions)

For N:
5 Pairs of Jeans
5 Cotton Play pants
5 Short sleeve shirts/onesies
5 Long sleeve shirts/onesies
2 Hooded zip sweat shirts
2 Jackets/Coats
2 dresses, one for easter, one for occasions)

I'm sure I left things out (socks, for one). I'll figure that out as I go along. I also need to figure out what I'm going to do with my trillion receiving blankets. M's favorites have been the ones that they give you in the hospital (which, I know, you aren't supposed to take. Tell my husband otherwise..!)

Hubby is on his own, clothing-wise! :)

Dollhouse!

So we got the lumber :) And I've got my plans.

Now to make it happen!

Reconnecting with Brother Onion

Woah. Simply, woah.

Today, while cleaning up our kitchen area, I decided to check on my onions and potatoes. This is what I found.



So- I don't know what to do with it, but N is very proud of her onion!



I also found another onion that had a very small sprout at the top, so I put bMoth onions in cups of water next to the windowsill. No idea where to go from here, so our onions are just on display!

Spring has Sprung!

Aah.. it is wonderful to finally hear birds chirping, squirrels scurrying about.. I sense springtime, as I usually do about a month before the actual equinox or solstice. The vernal equinox isn't until March 20th, so I'm right on schedule.

Today I took M to the post office, I had to mail out some things that I had sold online. I had her wrapped in the Moby with my coat zipped over, so only her little head popped out. I suppose she was quite the sight because people would not.stop.staring! It wasn't terribly cold out, it was around 40 according to my desktop temp thingamabob.

Our morning verse is going over wonderfully with N. She loves to sing the good morning song, but she made up her own version and sings "good morning baby, good morning mama, good morning N, good morning daddy", while I sing. She's adorable :) I'm still looking for a bedtime verse/song and would greatly appreciate some help!

And as for the bit about the toys..
I have no idea why I can't seem to part with N's Melissa and Doug play food. I need the motivation to sell it. I don't want to rid everything.. I'll keep a few pieces that she likes (the milk, the slices of bread, the cheese), but will really need to sell off the rest. Same goes for the wooden blocks we got at Target- they don't get any use anymore. When M is big enough for blocks I'll probably get some more from someone on Etsy, but for now, they're a no-go in our house :(

I'd also *love* to get some playsilks, but I can't make up my mind. I might buy blank silks and dye them with koolaid or actual food for a more natural approach.

Also, a photo :)


The Ikea Leka play gym went over really well with M!

Edited to add: I ended up getting two silks from Syrndell on Etsy.. Hoping the girls will love them! I also found a meal song :)

Earth who gives us all our food
Sun who makes it ripe and good
Dear Earth Dear Sun
Our thanks we give
For this food that helps us live.

Working on our Verses

So, I've decided to transition into a Waldorfy lifestyle with the kids. I'm starting by trying to create rhythm. I've got our morning verse down, it goes as follows:


Good morning dear Earth,
Good morning dear Sun,
Good morning to the trees,
and flowers, everyone.
Good morning dear animals,
and the birds in the trees,
Good morning to you,
and good morning to me.

I'm still searching for that perfect nighttime verse.

Toy Vent!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

I've seriously HAD IT with N's toys. She LOVES (emphasis on "loves") her play food. I make a huge effort not to buy anything plastic. Her play food is wooden, and it is of the Melissa and Doug brand. I'm tremendously unhappy with them.. They were opened up on Christmas Day, 2009. Numerous pieces have nicks in them, paint chipping, etc. N plays with these ALOT. But the quality just isn't there and with the recent Canadian recalls on other M&D products, I'm feeling a bit uneasy. I also have a M&D fish rattle for M, and I'm thinking of nixing that as well. Same goes for the blocks from Target. I guess quality toys can't be found anymore! *sigh* I've just had it with Melissa and Doug toys.

So here I go, off to check out stuff on Etsy.

Does anyone know if fallen branches from the Illinois Forest Preserves are okay to take home? I mean.. from a legal standpoint. I know that the animals are their property because of wildlife conservation issues.. but if a limb has fallen, I would think it is ours for the taking. Going to research this :)

And I really need to work on my knitting skills. I feel way more comfortable with wool play food than wooden play food. Who the heck knows what's in the wood? The US customs fume the crates when the come into the country, and Melissa & Doug toys are Made in China. Same with big-box stores like home depot.. if the wood is imported. If the wood isn't imported, it is still usually pesticide and herbicide laden, but lesser if it is grown in a cold climate. Wool comes from sheep, which graze on pesticide treated pastures. I still feel more comfy with the wool... or better grown wood.