Knock, knock?

My youngest daughter, age 2, is into "knock, knock" jokes right now. She has made one up that goes like this:
DD: "Knock, Knock!"
Me (or whoever): "Who's there?"
DD: "Orange."
Me: "Orange who?"
DD: "Orange you!"
Me: "Orange me?"
DD: "You an orange!"
Me: "I'm an orange? What are you?"
DD: "Funny!"

A bean conversation

I fixed some refried beans with our dinner last night. I was eating with the girls (my husband wasn't home yet as he had to work late last night) and my oldest, 5 1/2 years, suddenly asked me what beans were. I thought you all might find the conversation below humorous:

"Mommy, what are beans?"

"Beans."

"No, I mean what family are they in?"

"Legume."

"Huh?"

"They are legumes."

"Are they like mushrooms?"

"No, they aren't in that family. They are a legume."

"Like a people family?"

"No, they are in their own family. They aren't a vegetable or a fruit. They are legumes."

Silence for a moment. Then, very serious, "You need to tell Daddy that."

"I don't need to tell Daddy. Daddy knows beans are legumes."

Silence again, then even more serious, each word spoken clearly and solemnly, "He thinks they are magical fruit."

Watkins commitment to green living spans over century

I got this in my e-mail the other day from Watkins. I thought it was really neat to see how long Watkins has been making efforts to help the environment. Go Watkins!! :-)

This is great timing, considering their wonderful (and affordable!) nontoxic, plant-based, earth-friendly, family-friendly cleaning line and their new all-natural body care line! Great additions to their organic spices, all-natural products and kosher products already available. I'm so glad Watkins is in my home! Want more information? http://BeyondPantry.com.

April 18, 2008

Getting Back to Our Roots

For 140 years, Watkins has been America’s pioneer in natural living products and we plan to continue this tradition for generations to come. Today's trends show the consumer’s demand for natural, organic products is on the rise. We are pleased that we have been ahead of the trend since the begining with our offering of Organic Herbs and Spices, Natural Personal Care and Natural Home Care — making Watkins the brand to turn to for all of your natural living needs! Going back as far as 1917, with our Pure Vegetable Oil Soap, you can see how Watkins has been developing natural solutions for your home and family for quite some time. Clearly we are not strangers to natural, organic products!

As we look to the future, we will continue to provide products that are good for the environment, your family and meet the growing consumer demand. Our goal is to use past, present and future knowledge of natural to take our products to an even higher level of natural, resulting in increased sales for your business!

Committed to Improving our Community

The need for companies to practice “green” manufacturing is more important than ever. Watkins has been a pioneer in natural living, utilizing the finest natural ingredients since 1868. We continue our commitment to you and the environment by implementing processes that reduce waste and conserve energy. Together we can make a positive impact on our environment.How does Watkins reduce waste and make a positive impact on the earth?

• Offer a full line of plant-based home care products that are free of pollutants and biodegradable.
  


• Offer a full line of USDA certified 100% Organic Herbs and Spices and All-Natural Pure Extracts.
  


• Adhere to a strict paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling program.
  


• Utilize biodegradable packing materials.
  


• Use soy-based ink in our printed marketing materials.
  


• Employ e-communications and encourage customers, Associates, and vendors to obtain information online instead of in printed form.
  


• Gravity fed filling processes: We fill our bulk dry mixes using time-tested gravity feeds. This allows us to conserve energy that would normally be used to power a pneumatic or conveyor system.
  


• Use lighter weight product packaging. Simply reducing our plastic bottle weight for various products has saved thousands of pounds of plastic from waste.
  


• Encourage vendors to use renewable energy and cut waste.
  


• Utilize Lean business and manufacturing practices to help eliminate waste and streamline operations.

New Post!

Just so I won't hear how I need to update anymore. ;-)
I'll try to post some real stuff soon. Promise.

Rainbows are sads and Justice Frog

Two cute things from my oldest:

She was drawing today and said, "Mommy, rainbows are a bunch of sads in different colors, because it looks like somebody's sad." She was meaning how the rainbow goes down like a frown. She's doing some beautiful rainbows these days! She continued: "A rainbow is just like a bunch of frowns in different colors, so the sky is sad." I explained to her that it was a happy thing because it was so bright and beautiful and it was a promise to us from God.

The other night she recited the Pledge of Allegiance for us (they are doing it every morning at school) and she stood proudly with her right hand over her heart:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and Justice Frog."

I asked her who Justice Frog was and she said that's how you say it. I explained to her that it was "Justice for all."

The MOM

I just have to say:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/223/popup/index.php?cl=4274384

Chore charts I use

In reference to my below post on the new morning ritual (which worked well again today! Now I just need to figure out a way to last through afternoon with such good listening!) Each child is different and ages play a big part in how well this stuff works as well. My oldest will be 5 in January. If you like the ideas below but think you need to modify, by all means do!

Here are the chore charts I use, in case you want them: http://chartjungle.com/chores/chorechartwithpictures.html (I put the number of minutes allowed for each morning chore on weekdays in the little picture box), and we say "clean" instead of dust, and "gentle to the pets" instead of feeding them (she's a rough player). Also, I say put clothes in hamper for fold clothes and I added "books" to the toys section. She gets a nickel for each checkmark and has a "piggy" bank (it's a cow) that is separated into savings, spending, donate, invest and she puts some in each. (Here it is:

If she gets an "x," she doesn't get any tv the next day (not that she gets it everyday, but it's guaranteed if she gets an "x"). If she gets five or more x's in a week, she has to pay us a nickel back. At the end of the week if she has gotten less than five x's, she can spend her spending money if she wants to on whatever she wants, or she can save it up a little more for something bigger. Sonic slushies are a fave!

Here's the one we just added and I just added one thing: "Got ready for school on time" http://chartjungle.com/schedules/dailychecklistblank.html She gets a checkmark on the weekdays if she gets the above mentioned chores done before the timer goes off. If she gets the whole week (I crossed out the weekend days) with checks, she'll get a special prize on Friday.

And this one we use with a little sticker each time and a big sticker when she gets a row filled. If one day (I have my doubts!) she ever gets the whole page filled, she'll get a special treat: http://chartjungle.com/children/listenandobey.html

On a final note, I have found this time out seat effective:

Just have to share!

There's a great special going on this month for new associates in Watkins. If you are at all interested in joining just to get your own discount or to make some income, this is THE month to join! I wish all this had been available when I joined! There's something for absolutely everyone in Watkins, from products to use and ways to make money. There's both selling and no selling options on income opportunities. The sky is the limit, and there's nothing to lose! If you're interested, or know someone who might be, here's the October page I set up, but feel free to browse the rest: http://greatliving.sahmsnwahms.com/gpage11.html

Also, I set up a wish list page that some of you might enjoy: http://greatliving.sahmsnwahms.com/form1.html

Have a great day!

What a great morning & yogurt directions!

:)
We had a good morning! I implemented a time requirement on my oldest's chore chart for her morning chores to get ready for school: Make the bed (something we had been neglecting on weekdays), 5 min.; Eat breakfast, 15 min.; Brush teeth, 2 min.; Get dressed, 5 min.; Fix hair, 2 min. She woke up, I started the timer for 5 min. for her bed. She got it done with time to spare and got a checkmark on that part of chore chart, etc. We had our morning done, with extra time before leaving, and a new chart for getting ready for school on time with a checkmark on it. Incentives seem to be working this time, and there was no yelling this morning. Not even once. It was fabulous! I was so proud of her, and she was so proud of herself. I hope it sticks! :)

Now for the yogurt instructions. I use this yogurt maker: Cuisipro Donvier Electronic Yogurt Maker

I use Promised Land 2% milk and Brown Cow plain yogurt or Mountain High plain yogurt as my starter (they have really good cultures) until I have my own yogurt made, then I can use my own yogurt as a starter the next time as long as it hasn't gone bad (the older it is the weaker the cultures are). Now I like my yogurt a little thicker because homemade yogurt is more runny than what you buy at the store. To fix this, I add 1/3 cup of nonfat dry milk powder to the cold milk before heating it. This really thickens it. You heat 1 quart (4 cups) of milk on the stovetop according to the directions. I just heat it on low and stir occasionally until the milk is really starting to steam but not boil. Then you put the thermometer in it until it hits the "add starter" mark. Then you follow the directions (add your starter to one of the cups, add some milk to the cup and mix it really well and then add it to the whole pan of milk and stir well). I use 2 heaping tablespoons for my starter. I pour into cups, put the lids on and set the timer for 13 hours and 35 minutes. I played around with it and sometimes do 14 hours but 13:35 seems to be perfect for my liking. I start it at night so it's done in the a.m. Then you refrigerate at least a few hours before eating it. This makes plain yogurt that you can flavor any way you want. Some of my favorites: Applesauce with cinnamon (Watkins, of course -- no other cinnamon is naturally sweet and cinnamony and yummy like theirs!); Maple syrup; Bonne Maman preserves in peach, strawberry, cherry, blueberry or blackberry. If it ever needs extra sweetening I always use maple syrup. If I put a cup of yogurt in my daughter's lunch then I add a little spoonful of instant vanilla pudding to thicken it a little more.