ref-use

I love interesting shelves. I find them full of imagination and spunk. These shelves are fit the bill nicely. These eco-friendly shelves are from ref-use and made of plywood that was on it's way to the dump. They have a line of tables and chairs that are very cool as well.

Perfect

No more stealing mommy's stuff and spraying cleaner everywhere! Maybe :)




Houselhold Cleaning (Chores for Kids) - and More Great Family Fun Party Ideas

My wonderful daughter

I thought it was about time to update everyone on Calissa's doings. Her pretend play has taken a big jump in the last couple of weeks. She has discussions with her toys and stuffed animals, which is really cute. I love to see how she learns from her environment. As with most families, dinner is a time to catch up and discuss our day. Yesterday, the batteries in Calissa's music box needed replaced and at dinner she told her dad how her music had "broken". She is learning her numbers. As with most 2 year olds, she only gets the concept of one and more than one, but she is learning to recognize the numbers as symbols. She had taken her train tracks completely apart and I was putting them back together yesterday morning. Part of the track is a short spiral to a bridge. As I was putting this together, she pointed to it and said, "Look, it's a six." A couple of weeks ago her grandpa gave her a toy with the alphabet and numbers 1-10 on it. This has several modes, counting, learning the letters, associating words (horn goes with H), and spelling. I'm not real fond of the spelling because it's not something Calissa can do yet, so it gets very repetitive and you get the wrong choice noise. This is Calissa's favorite mode. Even when she gets really frustrated (she knows the wrong choice noise, and what it means), she won't let me turn it to another mode. I have a feeling she will be asking me to spell things for her soon. I have no idea how I'm going to keep up with her. We also had to put catches on her closet door and lock up all of her books at night. She started getting up after we turned off her light, getting a book, turning the light back on, and reading. So we started not just turning off the light at the wall switch, but on the lamp as well. It took her two nights to figure that out. This makes me very curious about the role genetics plays in this. I used to do the same thing, taking books to bed. I'm sure that much of this is typical toddler behaviour. The natural byproduct of a curious and active mind paired with a desire to put off sleep. We buy her lots of books, and read to her often, so I'm sure nurture is also a big part. I wonder how she can be so much like Ivan or I in some regards. Genetics has to be a part of this. She isn't emulating me. I read before bed, but she is already asleep. Or am I simply ascribing a normal behavoir to taking after a parent? For all I know, toddlers of non-reader parents do the same thing.

I need this!

Clocky - The Alarm that Runs Away! Literally, hit the snooze and Clocky jumps off your nightstand in search of a hiding spot. My luck he would end up under the king size bed where I can't reach him, but I doubt I'd go back to sleep. My brother would HATE this, which makes it the perfect gift! I found it at A + R Store

Another from Lifeshop

African Gardens | Gallery | Cowfiles.com - Send a Cow - Free lesson plans and teaching resources about Africa

This site has a gallery and instructions for building many styles of keyhole gardens, as well as bag gardens.

African Gardens | Gallery | Cowfiles.com - Send a Cow - Free lesson plans and teaching resources about Africa

Keyhole Gardens and Herb Spiral

I just ran across these garden styles tonight and I'm so excited to try them!

Keyhole Gardens were started by the charity Send a Cow. They are a raised circular bed with a compost and water system in the center. An open wedge allows access to the compost and water reservoir as well as the inner area of garden. This style not only allows someone that can't, or in my case, doesn't want to bend over or kneel on the ground, but this is also an incredibly efficient method of gardening. It allows a whooping 64% of the garden area to be cultivated. A typical square bed uses only 24% once access around the perimeter is accounted for. Additionally, the top of the garden is sloped allowing a greater garden area than a flat garden. Want more? Of course you do! Having a center area for compost means it's all in one place. If space is at a premium in your yard, you wouldn't even need a separate compost pile. And for my use, it would be easy to add an umbrella for shade simply by sinking a PVC pipe into the ground near the center of the wedge.

Photo courtesy of amberdc on flickr, license applies

Gardening Tips & Ideas says, "The herb spiral is a permaculture gardening method that uses nature to its full potential. Gravity allows the water to seep through the levels meaning that the plants at the top get full drainage while the ones at the bottom may reside in a simple bog. It also gives your herbs shady spots with varying degrees. The herbs that need full-sun can be grown in those positions while more shade loving plants can be located on the opposite side." Again, this method of gardening allows for greater soil surface area since you are dealing with a slope. Veggies and ornamentals would be neat too. I think I may use it for succulents as well. You could get really fancy with this. Add a fountain to the top, or a bird bath, or just a landscape light. Endless possiblities!