Today is the last day of summer.  The first day of school symbolizes the beginning of Fall, back-to-school clothes (this year that includes a uniform), a slight chill in the air, and kids either excited to begin their journey back to the classroom or nervous to return to school.  I luckily have a first born that loves school.  He actually requested at the age of 2.5 that he start school and has never looked back.  He requires and thrives on constant stimulization so school is a wonderful place for him. 

This year, however, is different - he’s starting Grade 1 and that means full-time days.  Francesco can’t wait, but I feel grief, like a magical chapter in my life is coming to a close and I’m simply not ready. My days at the aquarium, parks, farm, pumpkin patch, or just hanging out at our craft table, just won’t be the same without my Francesco.  I will miss the enthusiasm of a child that has asked me every day for the past several years “what are we doing today mom?”  Was always ready for an adventure and to go somewhere new.  I know he’s not heading off to University, but I feel like this is a pivotal corner that I’m not ready for him to turn. I haven’t yet managed to think or talk about this first day back at school without tearing up or getting a lump in my throat.  So hopefully I won’t cause him embarrassment tomorrow. <smile>

I’ll simply miss having him with me for the majority of the day.  It’s been an honour to hang out and spend a large amount of quality time over the last 6 years.  I know there are many parents who are feeling this way, so good luck with sending your kids back-to-school, I think it’s harder for the parents than the kids. And for new parents that have heard this advice a million times already, but it’s worth repeating, enjoy every day with your kids.  Time will go by way too fast and even on the days where the walls are closing in - find a way to enjoy quality time and power through with fun and creativity.  There will come a day, when your children will venture out into the world, not needing your hand to hold.  Enjoy the moments and the years that your hand is the most important thing in their life. 

My beautiful boy.

Many people have heard me “eeeeeeep” before. It’s a high pitched scream that comes out of my mouth after finding an amazing new discovery; beautiful children’s clothing, awesome new toy find, new product for GPP, you get the picture.  Well I had an “eeeeeeep” moment yesterday after receiving a stainless steel lunch carrier in the mail. I have seen these 2 and 3-tier lunch systems in many stores online, but assumed because of their size and design, they were strictly for adults to use.  Well thanks to the incredible store called Healthy Kitchenware, I’ve tried out the 2-tier with Francesco at soccer camp today, and my younger son was in tears that it couldn’t stay home with him.  <smile>  Let’s just say it’s a hit!

Picture source: Healthy Kitchenware site

Firstly I want to point out that the estore Healthy Kitchenware has been finding better alternatives to plastic before the BPA scare and before it became ‘trendy’ to use stainless steel and glass.  The co-founder, Cynthia, was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2005 and she decided to change her lifestyle and completely eliminate all plastic her food and drink came in contact with.  When trying to remove any traces of the plasticizers within products, she couldn’t find many stainless steel or glass alternatives.  This is how the company was born.  I found this very inspirational and wanted to share this about the company’s start-up.  Okay now back to my “eeeeeep”…

Healthy Kitchenware sent us a 2-tier lunch carrier.  Before I saw the product in my hands, I assumed it was for adults because it’s hard to tell the size or measurements from pictures.  Well - it is adorable for young children, FUN (they think it’s time to camp with this lunch-kit), and a great size.  I would recommend getting the 3-tier system for school lunches, but the 2-tier is great for sports or snacks.  Kids love their food being separated into different compartments:  sandwich/salad, fruit, cheese/crackers, etc. I saw the buckles and latches and thought this might be an issue for my preschooler and 6 year old.  Nope!  They loved using the system which involves undoing the latch, removing the stainless steel bowls, then stacking them back, replacing the lid, and doing the latch back up.  It’s like using the camping equipment we had as children.  Funny that modern day ‘must have’ products for kid’s food and drink could have been purchased at camping equipment stores 30 years ago.  Here is an image of the 3-tier system:
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I’m so excited to announce that Green Planet Parties has launched!  As of today, we’re open for business.

What is Green Planet Parties (GPP) you ask?  Well, as one of the co-founders, I would love to explain.  For the past year, my partner for GPP and I have been trying to reduce waste, eliminate plastic, and think about ways to help the environment in small ways with our family and children.  With 6 kids between us, like all parents, we’ve become experts at sourcing birthday party supplies, decorations, goodie bag items, and presents.  We both hosted eco birthday parties this year and had such incredible feedback from guests and parents, we wanted to keep the education ball rolling with launching this company.  We are here to assist parents with sourcing sustainable, biodegradable, compostable, reusable party supplies.  GPP has done the work of finding these products - now they are a fingertip’s reach away.  Green Planet Parties has a web store and all sustainable decorations, tableware, and goodie bag items can be ordered online and shipped to your house. 

Imagine being able to eliminate the hours of work driving and researching party supplies to give your child the ‘perfect’ birthday party? Here are some sample images of what we offer:

Eliminate plastic at your party by adding cloth goodie bags as the perfect finishing touch to your give-aways!

 

Set the scene for your guests with our beautiful, biodegradable, compostable, cups, plates, cutlery, and napkins.

 

Customized 8 flag Birthday Banners to be reused year after year, long after the party is over.

 

Customized tile necklace package includes 11 necklaces - 10 for the guests and one for the birthday girl. A magical give-away for your guests with their name personalized!

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With two bears shot and killed in my neighborhood last week, I’m reminded of the fragile balance of living so close to nature.  Did you know that bears have an amazing sense of smell?  They can smell garbage from great distances and once they learn that garbage means food, they’ll keep returning to eat.  Because human odour is on the garbage they learn to associate people with food. Like the case of the woman that got mauled (while gardening) in my city last week, bears may become aggressive, expecting food when they see or smell people. Here are some tips for discouraging bears at your home.

Garbage should stay inside until pick-up.  Occasionally wash bins and empty cans and jars that are waiting to be picked up in the recycling box.

Did you know that bears are attracted to petroleum products such as paint, kerosene, and turpentine?  Put these products away.

Backyard composts should be sprinkled with lime to decrease the odor.  Actually, if your compost stinks, you’re doing something wrong.  You can turn your compost with leaves, lime and soil to further reduce odours. Unrinsed eggshells, fish, meat, fat, oils, or cooked foods should not be composted in summer or fall. 

Pick fruit daily from fruit trees on your property.  Don’t allow a large amount of dropped fruit to accumulate on the ground. 

Keep your BBQ equipment debris and grease free after use.

Feed pets indoors and between April and November remove bird feeders.

Don’t store food in outdoor freezers or coolers.

It’s August which means I have to face the fact that Francesco will be heading off to full days of Grade 1 in September. Everyone says how fast the years fly by, but you start to really understand this once your kids start school. My personal goal for this summer was to connect with Francesco, spend quality time, and have meaningful conversations everyday. It’s been at the forefront of my days because I know this chapter of having him home all the time will end in a matter of weeks.

Then I have my twin 2 year olds that make me wish I could speed up time some days. Those little girls can sure tantrum when they put their mind to it. But no matter what stage your children are experiencing, I heard a song at the end of last season’s The Apprentice that put everything into perspective for me. Have you heard the Trace Atkins single “You’re Gonna Miss This”? I’ve been listening to this song a lot lately and the lyrics help me focus when the girls are acting up or when I’m feeling like the boys are growing up too fast. All parents will connect to this beautiful song…here is a sample:

You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this

Click here to listen to a sample of this song via Puretracks. Yes. . . Canadians can purchase music at this site too - PC users only. MAC people can go to itunes Canada.

US residents can purchase this single via Amazon.