Earth Birthday, Lowdown!

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Hiya!

I’m back for the Earth Birthday lowdown!

Boy it sure was a doozy!

Even though the hubby had to work late…

I still managed to create  what we thought was a great 3rd eco birthday for “the eco tot”!

The morning of, we enjoyed a lovely walk and thanked Mother Earth for all that she has given us.

The weather turned was just like it was; the day Tristan was born. Overcast but sunny!

We picked up trash on our walk and I picked native flowers and weeds as a birthday bouquet.

We have started a tradition in creating messages on the chalkboard for holidays, birthday’s, etc.

What would the party be without a sweet lil ole cupcake?

Organic gluten free  + raw vegan icing & “raspberry” candies on top = pure homemade goodness!

Psst… do you see the eco friendly cups, plates, napkins and utensils? Ah, yeah!  The cups and utensils are CORN FREE.

He’s been wanting a sword for quite some time

The universe goddesses were with me and next thing you knew…

recycled aluminum foil roll + toilet paper roll & electrical tape = sword!!

Tristan (the eco tot) enjoyed playing with it all day and the sword is still holding up today, despite being slobbered on by Baby C.

The pinata was a HIT… LOL!  By accident though, I double bagged it without even realizing it, so, it was a little harder to break the pinata.

Instead of coming up with a craft for Earth Day, the eco tot, decorated the pinata bag using paints and stickers.

I gave the kids a produce bag to pick up the candy with and no other treats were given.

No party hats, no nothin’!

His presents from us were wrapped in newspaper!

AND… of course, balloons!

Which were NOT earth friendly in any way… those and the candles.

The only un-green things about the party!

(sorry for the blurry pics I think I had the camera on the wrong setting… I blame all the b-day/E-Day chaos!)

Here we are just before blowing out the candles.

The eco tot really wanted into those cupcakes!!

We intended to have a party at the park… but found out later both grandparents were unable to attend.

Once we realized this, we decided to celebrate Tristan’s 3rd birthday by taking him to the Santa Barbara Zoo.

It worked out that we had company over for the day of; but we really hadn’t been planning it till the week before.

No party at the park sounded like a great idea anyway because it meant no extra waste (in a lot of ways). *wink, wink*

Next year, could be different. Who knows!

The hub and I decided, though, we’ll allow the boys to make their choice from now on whether they want a party or not.

No party means a family trip somewhere. This idea will remain as part of our birthday traditions.

If I only had more time to post more pics…sigh!

All in all, it was a marvy Earth Birthday… I was a bit overwhelmed at times (considering hubby didn’t get home until 7:30pm!) but other than that it was a good day.

Even if we didn’t have “conventional” traditions. LOL!

Hope you all had a great Earth Day.

What did you do to give back?

How did your tv free day go?

Giveaway next, promise AND stay tuned for this weeks the {upcycled & recycled} (Friday) where I’ll be featuring my birthday projects!!

Keepin’ it Green, Always!

Happy Earth Day!

Most of you have all heard the saying  “celebrate Earth Day, every day!” …

well, it’s true!

Without over doing this wonderful day… I’ll spare you the “go green” ideas!

I do plan to run another giveaway so stay tuned.

We are definitely celebrating the EARTH & TRISTAN’S birthday today!!!

Here’s a fun song, we’ve been joining!

Have an eco lovely day!

Get outdoors and explore nature!

On Friday, I took the boys to the Poppy Reserve again. It was a beautiful day and we needed something to do. I packed a lunch and we headed out. Living near the reserve is annual treat not to be missed. Once we were there my son, Tristan, immediately put on his bug gear (net and case) and we began our stroll along one of the many paths at the reserve.

Before getting too far away the picnic tables we learned the Painted Lady butterflies we set free a week ago were native to the area. I’d planned to chronicle the butterfly release with pictures but my timing wasn’t right and we left on a day that our camera battery wasn’t charged.

We decided to go anyway because the butterflies would not have survived in their bungalow box. It was time!  In any case, it was a great moment for the entire family. We traveled to the top of the fields had a picnic and released both butterflies, “Dino & Dina” at sunset. If, I get a chance I will upload the video from my cellphone and share it. Tristan was a little upset we had to set them free and was a bit teary … it was very sweet!

I

A kind gentlemen with his lovely wife  offered to take our pic. Nice!

magical and magnificent in all their glory…

my eyes can’t get enough of the beautiful “Cups of Gold”!

We’re planning our last visit out to the Poppy Reserve for some family pics.

{Anywho}

This weekend was jam packed with a few unplanned excursions (always the best kind).

On Saturday, we ventured out with my husbands mom, “Grandma Susan”  into Topanga Canyon for the Earth Day festival…

Main stage, picnic area and vendors

Solar ovens, for sale!!

The boys thoroughly enjoying fresh coconut water.

Clark (“Baby C”) would scream for a sip! It was funny!  He was also wearing a hat but refused to wear it after awhile. lol!

The straws were made from coconut and potato starch.100 % compostable- pretty cool.

This set up looked like lot’s of fun!

We didn’t stay for too long… it was a bit commercialized and not as family oriented as we’d hoped.

I meant to snap a pic of the trash signs made from recycled wood that were painted with words like “recycle” “glass” “plastic” etc. they were neat!

O’well.

Tristan (the eco tot)  had a good time playing in the kids area.

They were doing free craft s in this area but the eco tot wasn’t interested in participating.

He really liked this play set entering up this way, running across the rubber bridge and down the slide he’d go!

We left the festival with coconuts in hand but didn’t spend any $$$ on junk …. just entry fees and a couple of coco’s!

We brought snacks and a lunch which saved us from spending more than we needed to.  Overall, it was a good time.

Sunday, we headed out with my mom “Abuelita”  to “Devil’s Punchbowl”

This was taken at the end of the hike… the parking lot is about 1500 ft. from where I took this photo. You can start the hike from this point also but it is not considered the  entry to the ” One Mile Loop Trail”.  Devil’s Punchbowl sits at approx 4600 ft.

Can you see the Devil’s face?

Just looking at the eyes up close it also resembles owl eyes to me…

which is funny because owls are native to the area (learned this after the hike in the Nature Center).

Family shot! Baby C passed out about 5oo ft in! 

Gotta love the Ergo baby carrier & Kelty backpacks!

Nothing like nearing the end of a trail with a baby on your back.

Isn’t this picture deceiving? I promise you Baby C is not hanging over a cliff. 

The eco tot really enjoyed this moment… petting a Barn Owl named Ruth inside the Nature Center.

She was sooooooo cute! They also had two captive owls just outside the Nature Center, that were beautiful.

Between both of these adventures this weekend; I’m pooped!

Thankfully, my mom has the boys today so I can do some catching up.

If you’re celebrating Earth Week, by turning the t.v. OFF and nature ON …

here are a few places to visit for some wonderful ideas:

National Wildlife Federation

The Grass Stain Guru

Nature Rocks

Go Explore Nature

Little Humbugs

We have lots of unplugged time planned for this week (better get my energy up) as well as celebrating the eco tot’s birthday on Thursday…

the big 3!!!

The Great T.V. Rebellion!

* Attention: Giveaway at the end of this post!

** GIVEAWAY CLOSED **

Winner of Ask the Planet CD goes to Danielle!

Thank you to those who did not win for entering.

Hiya peeps!

Wow! I can’t believe we’re just a few days shy of being cable free for a month.  Honestly, we don’t miss it much but there has been a few nights where we felt it would have been nice to turn the t.v. on. I think it’s just withdrawals. lol!   One thing I didn’t realize was how many other people (YOU) were also cable free.

I like to knowing, were in good company on this crunchy road… the decision wasn’t too easy to make. Being cable free has opened up so much more time and in my opinion, has created a less anxious household. My son, Tristan (the eco tot) is going to be three years old (Earth Day) and the difference in his mood and the way he plays has been much more calm; in just a month’s time!

Personally, I don’t feel like I have a constant voices in my brain anymore. It’s nice waking up and turning on some good tunes and rocking out with your little ones vs. flipping on a switching and tuning out!!

I’ve only been to the library once to borrow dvd’s. but I do to go back because the same one’s do get old. We have yet to join Netflix but it’s on our wish list and I presume it will happen by the end of summer. Luckily, the weather turned just in time for Spring so we’ve been able to get outdoors and enjoy mother nature.

Which brings me to the next thing I wanted to tell you about…

The Great TV Rebellion!

I can hear you now?

What is The Great TV Rebellion?

Well…

The Great TV Rebellion of 2010 was inspired by a children’s song  from the award-winning  CD Ask the Planet

The goal of The Great TV Rebellion of 2010
is for 5,000 kids, parents, and teachers to turn off their TVs and
electronic devices and spend time exploring the natural world around
them.

To help facilitate this goal,  The Biomimicry Institute (campaign sponsor) has created a workbook filled with fun outdoor
activities that parents can do with their kids as well as a nature journal that kids can use to record the fun sights, sounds, and smells they discover outside during Earth Week .

An interactive pledge is also available for TV rebels to sign, and a hard copy of the pledge can be colored and taped to the TV as a reminder to keep electronic devices off.

AND, there’s even a little something  “in- it” besides outdoor time for the kids!!!

Those who submit stories about their outdoor explorations during Earth Week will be entered to win a prize donated by Pacific Outdoor Equipment. Yahooo!!

The Great TV Rebellion is during  Earth Week, April 19 – 25, 2010

Cell phones, video games, television, and computers are becoming more widespread and more mobile, making it easier for children to use these technologies nearly everywhere, rather than physically playing, exploring, and learning in the outdoors without electronic devices. The Great TV Rebellion of 2010 is intended to positively encourage children and adults to spend quality time outside while fostering a connection to nature that will draw people back to the outdoors for the rest of their lives.

The Biomimicry Institute is a not-for-profit organization that
promotes the study and imitation of nature’s remarkably efficient
designs, bringing together scientists, engineers, architects and
innovators who can use those models to create sustainable
technologies. Our mission is to nurture and grow a global community of
people who are learning from, emulating, and conserving life’s genius
to create a healthier, more sustainable planet.

The Great TV Rebellion of 2010 is all about getting the word out to kids to turn OFF the TV and turn ON nature during Earth Week.

Don’t think you can go TV free for an entire week…

the rebellion would make a good “go green” choice for Earth Day!

Join me, will ya!???!

To up the anty a bit…

The folks from The Biomimicry Institute are offering up and Ask the Planet CD to one lucky reader!!

psst… and just so you know if you want to hear a sample song “The Great TV Rebellion” you must click the play button here!

The song has a great message and tune!!

:: HOW TO WIN ::

Answer  this  ?

What “go green” actions do you take part in?

:: Extra Entries ::

An additional comment must be made for any extra entries!!!

* tweet  I just joined The Great @TVRebellion2010 by turning my TV OFF and nature ON: http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/tv2010

* blog

* follow this blog on Google Friend Connect

Giveaway ends on Friday 16th, 2010, midnight PST!

Winner will be announced the following day.

Good luck and ACT FAST!! 

p.s.

between now and Earth Week, I will attempt to highlight some great sites that are filled with tons of play outdoor info. This way you & the kiddos will be ready!

Happy, Happy, Birthday! Let’s celebrate.

Raw Vegan Vanilla Birthday Cake

I gave birth in my own home, in the water with midwives and family present…

one year ago today.

Time really fly’s and this time I’m unprepared…

I didn’t think I would feel this way but I think the fact that I’ve made a decision not to have more children has really made me realize just how quickly babies grow up!

Without getting too mushy; this day is also about celebrating life and that’s just what were doing. I’m couldn’t be happier to be a mom of two. Clark is such a light of sunshine. His giggle is so infectious and his smile so bright. I love his mini chiclet teeth he has going on right now it reminds us of a baby hippo! Absolutely adorb. 

The dynamic between my three year old, Tristan (the eco tot) and Baby C has been a fun thing to watch over the past year. I’m looking forward to many more ahead…

Bittersweet!

April is officially EARTH month… so get ready for a few giveaways and some fun!!

Earth day should be everyday, no?

As some of you may know, the eco tot was born on Earth Day by default, which means the month of April is a big one for us.

It’s also the 2 yr. anniversary of this blog.

WOOHOO!

Let’s celebrate eco style… hip, hip, hooray!

And to celebrate we are going out with a BANG were going to treat Clark to Baskin Robbins for a free ice cream cone!!!

I received a coupon in my email and figured it would be a wonderful birthday treat. I can’t wait to pick out a flavor…

bubblegum, rainbow sherbet, rocky road…

Mmm! He’s going to love it!

Happy Birthday, Clark!

Oh! and in case you were wondering … it’s  April Fool’s Day, peeps!

I’m proud to say, Clark is high fructose corn syrup free and his first bite of ice cream was over the weekend and it was a raw vegan which was dairy and sugar free (Coconut Vanilla). Yum!

So, SORRY,  Baskin Robbins… no ice cream scoops for us! 

Ice cream & cake will be served but it’s going to be homemade.

Everybody’s welcome!!

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