First Pumpkin Carving

This morning we helped the kids carve their first pumpkin. Arlo traced the pumpkin face outline and cut the pumpkin using a mostly-dull knife from the carving kit. Meanwhile, Elsa helped scoop pumpkin filling. She also taste-tested the seeds when she was quick enough to pop them into her mouth without us looking.

I love, love, love Halloween!

Reusable Cloth Ziplocks - I So Want to Copy

I am filled with all sorts of existential angst about my carbon footprint. Three of my top worries - disposable diapers, paper towels, and all the darn ziplock bags I use for carting around snacks as we head to the park and other excursions. Today's focus and solution has to do with the ziplock baggies, thanks to blog Progressive Pioneer.

The ziplock baggies...I seriously fret about how many plastic ziplocks people (including me) send into landfills each day. Of course we use those small plastic containers that are supposedly spill-proof when we can, but if you need a sandwich holder instead of a Goldfish cracker holder, those little containers aren't very helpful. That's why I am super excited about Progressive Pioneer's posting for today, about making your own reusable cloth ziplocks. That posting contains pictures of her experience making the baggies, as well as some hints for putting it all together. Check it out, they are super cute. http://www.progressivepioneer.com/progressive-pioneer/

Do I think I will actually sew my own? Not a chance. I don't have the foggiest idea about sewing. But you can bet I'll find someone making and selling them on Etsy and get some for my family and to use as gifts for some of my mama friends.

Ageless Style

My birthday is around the corner, which gets me thinking about accomplishments and to-do's, as well as how I see myself aging with style and grace. One of the blogs I enjoy and follow is Ink on My Fingers, and today it posts a piece on aging with style. Follow the link and enjoy!

http://inkonmyfingers.typepad.com/ink_on_my_fingers/2009/10/-ageless-style-.html

Intentions Friday

Today is Friday and I feel the need to create some intentions for my life, going forward. Here they are:

1. I will kick my addiction to soda once and for all.

2. I will learn more about nutrition and the effects of eating lots of dairy and wheat and make any adjustments in my diet that might lead to a happier digestive system and a more energetic me.

3. I will create time each day for writing, movement, and meditation.

4. I will finish my "40 before 40 list" and share it on this blog next week.

xoxo shelby

Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA

The babies and I are here in Muskogee, Oklahoma - my hometown - visiting my mom and stepdad. I only told one friend I was coming in, and we got together for dinner a few nights ago. It was so awesome to be able to get out for a nice dinner and conversation and not hear the $20 an hour babysitter's clock going off in my head. (Thanks, Mom!)

It's been cloudy and chilly here, so our outdoor excursions have included lots of layers of warm shirts, jackets, and hats, as well as mittens for little Elsa. It's funny how kids respond so positively to the outdoors. They simply love being outside running, jumping, kicking balls, and exploring. We had lots of fun throwing small sticks into the little creek behind the house.

Muskogee has added a trolley that carries passengers around town, and we intend to take it tomorrow. Where it rains or not, we'll also check out Honor Heights Park to give bread to the ducks and see the waterfall. Of course, I've already begun boring my children with stories from my childhood and I've shared with them most of my favorite restaurants from growing up.

Sometimes isn't it so nice being home?

Of Course

Of all the wonderful, handmade Waldorf-inspired wooden toys available for play...the fort created from wooden stands, with a canopy of silk scarves...of all the expensive, cutting edge toys given by loving grandparents and uncles at Christmas...

...What my children are loving best right now is the $4, bought-at-a-consignment store plastic chair that sings ABC's and other children's melodies in a fading, chipmunk-inspired voice when certain parts are pushed.

They climb on, sing along with, and dance to this chair. They scoot it, they use it as a means to climb onto a higher place, such as the chalkboard (toddler) or as a means to reach the chalk for sucking on (baby) -- at least, until I notice and instruct otherwise.

Picnic and Hike in Great Falls

A few weeks ago my mom and stepdad visited. A visitor from out of town always gives us that poke in the pants we need to get out and explore some of the great tourist spots in our area.


We drove 7 miles north of our house in Bethesda to Great Falls Park in Potomac, Maryland. They say that a view of the falls is most beautiful from the Virginia side, but this was really great, too.



Great Falls Park offers lots of parking, shaded picnic tables near the river, and a super mellow stroller-friendly walk along the Potomac River to a series of bridges and very small islands that overlook the falls on the Maryland side. Also at the park is the original building that at one time served as saloon, boarding house, and restaurant for boats passing by on the river.