We’re getting “greener”

I’ve always tried to do little eco-friendly things, like recycling. I don’t even remember not recycling we’ve done it for so long. I try to turn off lights. I try to get energy-star appliances and we recently got energy-star windows. But cloth diapers? I always thought there was no way.

I’m not going to go into full detail because I’m actually writing a review for Greater Fort Wayne Family magazine. But I will say it’s hard not to like GroVia cloth diapers. Besides being more eco-friendly, they’re cute. And fairly easy. And so soft I can’t wait to put more on my little’s baby’s tushy. And what attracted me in the first place was that they make a hybrid – a disposable insert that goes inside the cloth shell. Check them out here.

Also, a friend tipped me off to this site: babysteals.com. Everyday they feature one baby-related item at a really good price. If you subscribe, you’ll get a daily e-mail alert about it. I was really happy to see today’s item is the GroBaby diaper set. (GroVia is the new name for the GroBaby line. There have been small improvements made to the line under the name GroVia, but you can save a lot of money buying the older GroBaby line right now).

Anyway, I’ll be writing more in the future I’m sure, but I’m excited for the new approach and feeling good about it.

Strawberries, vultures and a trip to the park

We did some new things around town this weekend, just to mix things up. We started off by picking strawberries at a farm in Leo. Ella loved this idea and had fun finding “yummy” strawberries. The plan was to hit a really nice local park after, but rain started as soon as we got into the car. So we found a cute little downtown cafe where Steve got a burger with ham, mozzarella, onions and special sauce which he has mentioned numerous times all weekend.

On the way home we saw the weirdest thing. So weird we turned around to see if we really did see what we thought it was. There were about five huge turkey vultures perched on top of a tall house just down the road from us. Some had their wings spread out and with the grey sky it all seemed so eerie. Very strange.

The next day we decided to go to a park, since we were rained out the previous day. We hit Eckhart park in Auburn. I love how it’s surrounded by woods. Very pretty. Next we went to Black Pine Animal Park, where they rescue exotic animals. It’s a very cool place, but I was a little scared that all that was between us and big lions were flimsy looking wire cages.

7 quick things

1. Memorial Day weekend was a blast. It gets better every year I think. Really, it’s like a well-oiled machine now. Friends all arrive Saturday night. After breakfast and visiting in the morning, us girls get pedicures while men watch kids. Then we arrive home to divide tasks and conquer. Make the lemonade, guacamole, play with the kids some more. Then it’s barbecue time at night. And after a day of eating and watching kids on slip-n-slide, it’s adult campfire time. We visit and have some cocktails and talk til it’s really late. Then another breakfast in the morning with a rehashing of the night’s events, and more plans for next year. Loved it. Love our friends and family.
2. Ella’s such a sweet big sister lately. If you missed it on Facebook the other day I asked her if she thought Eva and she would be best friends when Eva got older. And she looked at me and said “We’re best friends right now!” Heart melting.
3. Eva rolled from her back to her tummy a few days ago. That’s the harder one. And she’s eating practically more than I am. I don’t know how babies do that!
4. We went to our pool in our subdivision for the first time this week. Felt wonderful. Even just sitting in the shade with my little pale baby.
5. I read on someone’s blog who lives in Seattle that they have grocery stores with free supervised playrooms. You put your kids in there and do your shopping while they are being watched. Holy cow, that would be helpful sometimes. I saw this at the Ikea in Michigan I went to. Although, to me it’s really scary to leave your kid with this stranger.
6. I’m getting excited to camp this summer – can’t wait to pull my husband away from work and just all relax together.
7. I have curtains that are being made soon and we’re having a hall closet turned into an entry/mudroom sorta deal. Can’t wait to have designated area for bags and coats and shoes.

This is inspiration for remodeled closet. It will be a little different but same concept. Can’t wait.