Eco Friendly Birthday

so.... i'm not a tree hugger by any means but i've given alot of thought about starting our first birthday party with some green aspects so as brody gets older he sees the differences that just a few people can make in this world... sappy isn't it --- ah, motherhood! :D

here are a few things we are going to tryout this year:

1) have seperate trashcans for recycle and trash
2) water and juice served in pitchers as opposed to plastic bottles and boxes
3) we will do plastic cups but ones where you can scratch your name on them (they're just too cute) BUT hopefully with names posted that cuts down on any waste
4) bio degradeable plates as opposed to plastic
5) we have leftover utensils in all colors from past parties so we'll use what we have... even if it doesn't match -- so out of my character but ok!
6) still thinking about the goodie bags... hoping to find things that can be reused
7) our outdoor theme will cut down on ac/electricity cost and we're looking to use slides and pools where we won't have water constantly running
8) email party invitation to close family

my efforts probably rate a c- for this year but it's a start!

i came across a GREAT site as brody gets older, www.echoage.com. the site plans, tracks, and awards kids for being eco friendly for their birthday and everyday! guests are asked to bring supplies to go towards a favorite charity, invitations and thank yous are emailed and awards are given to the kids for their efforts -- they can even win an ipod! seems like a great idea, the kids won't be dissappointed - there will still be gifts to open from close family and they will be rewarded for contributing to a good cause, a pricless gift in itself!! we'd love to do this in a few years!

funny moment

this happened earlier in the week but i thought i'd share... two weeks ago we child proofed the house or should i say daddy did! brody is a very indpendent little tyke so i let him roam the house and do his thing with doors closed to the rooms he doesn't need to be in. on monday brody crawled his way back to our bedroom for the first time in a long time. he was thrilled to get into the cabinets he so loved getting into in the kitchen so while he was busy at work i turned my back for maybe all of 10 seconds to find my son COVERED in self tanning lotion! i should have captured a photo but instead i had one of the first of many moments where i just had to giggle at the site! the boy's been splotchy for a few days now :)

a month from today!

Inspirations for the BIG ONE!

A Glimpse into Year One..

Such precious moments these first few months leading up to a year have been! Brody will be 11 months old tomorrow and finally, finally -- the queen bee of the computer has gotten around to starting a family blog!

This year has been one of changes but countless blessings as well! Daniel is still busily at work with the family owned custom home business along with earning the title of a Certified Graduate Builder and soon Certified Green Builder. He's one step away from attaining his realator's license as well but concentrating more on the growth of the company at this time. I went back to work when Brody was three months old...that lasted a week. I left the district on good terms and will be substitute teaching again this fall. In the meantime I took an Interior Design class with my sister inlaw at St. Marys, planned my 10 year reunion, and have enjoyed each and every day with Brody! I'm working on a few projects at home to keep myself preoccuied during naptimes, I love to fill those times with long talks with the sister in Pearland and now... BLOG!

Brody is becoming one active little fella~ he has seven teeth now, walks with us holding one hand, stands for a few seconds, says mama and dada and loves to shake his head 'no' with a smirk of course! Some of his current favorites are hiding behind the t.v., banging on the study glass doors, chasing his daddy around, and playing with all of his new gadgets in his soon-to-be big boy room.

Party planning details & great baby finds coming your way!