Moomettes Magnificents» parenting

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree?

Moomettes — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:30:13 +0000

Real Simple

Turning a New Leaf

What have we done?

Here I am, the blogging Baby Boomer Grandmom from New England. NEW ENGLAND!

Land of four seasons – Spring, Summer, Fall and … Winter!

Winter – which in most people’s minds, means, snow, cold, more snow, more cold; ice, more snow and ice, slush …. and real Christmas Trees! You get the picture.

Having been married seemingly forever, we’ve always had a r.e.a.l. tree. Right – REAL, as in not artificial. Nope, not us.

There’s plenty of Christmas tree growers here in Connecticut, so the Hubster and I had been trudging through the woods (and agricultural Christmas Tree farms) here in Connecticut, in all kinds of weather (see above, and add rain) to cut down (with a saw), a real – live – natural Christmas tree.

Over the years, we’ve had some that barely fit through the door. Actually, the first year we were married and in an apartment (where no live trees were allowed), we ever so silently dragged our real.live.tree up the stairs and through the hallway and set it up in our living room. Until, oh, maybe February?

When it was dry as a bone, we then opened the living room window and shoved it out from the 2nd floor to the ground, where it landed – not a needle on it!

Although the homes decorated for Christmas with live trees look pretty, talk about having to clean up a mess every year – with the dry heat here in New England, cleaning up the pine needles that have fallen to the ground, or that the various fur balls over the years have chewed up, is certainly a challenge.

So what makes this year different than all those others?

Now that the kiddos are grown and launched, I am simplifying my life and have decided I wanted an artificial tree. Mostly because they come pre-lighted, and I don’t want the hassle of having to string the lights by myself since nobody else will help me.

We drove for about 5 hours looking everywhere – Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Home Depot again, and finally gave up trying to find one that looked like a natural Christmas tree. Not to be one to give up, a light bulb went off and I got the idea to call my brother-in-law (he & sister-in-law with the straight out of Martha Stewart Living beautifully decorated home) and asked where they got their artificial tree.

So off to the locally-owned Vinnys we went. They had such a beautiful selection and even the Hubster is happy! Only thing missing was the real.live.tree smell. Nothing that a Home for the Holidays Yankee Candle couldn’t fix.

And of course, to go with my beautiful tree – I found the most gorgeous vintage Battenburg Lace white Christmas tree skirt on Bonanza!

So here it is, in all it’s splendor, and my very favorite Christmas ornaments adorning it for the very first time.

Do you have a real.live.tree or have you gone the artificial route? Link up here!

I am sharing my holiday home decor and cleaning tips for the chance to win prizes from The SITS Girls and Great Cleaners.

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree? is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Welcome to 5M4M Ultimate Blog Party Carnival

Moomettes — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:38:00 +0000

The kickoff the of the 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party has started! This terrific blog carnival is a great opportunity to meet new bloggers and also for exposure for your blogs!

If you’re not familiar with how a Blog Party works, you can read about it HERE.

Come join the party, meet some new Work-at-Home Moms, Baby Boomer Grams, SAHMs, Craft Bloggers, Coupon & Frugal bloggers & also have a chance to Win some sweet swag as well.

Welcome!

I’m Cindi, a Baby-Boomer wife, mom of 2 grown daughters, 2 grandchildren & hail from New England.

Want to know more about me? Read my 101 Random Things About Me post where I spill all the sordid details on the cranky curmudgeon Baby Boomer Grandmom behind this blog!

I offer Product Reviews from the perspective of a “Baby Boomer Grandmom Who’s Been Around the Block.” Don’t forget to check the tabs up above, and my sidebar where I have my favorite articles, along with Blogging Tips, Social Media posts and Work-At-Home posts – all in one easy-to-find spot!

Subscribe to my newsletter or in a reader if you like what you see!

You can connect with me at:

Twitter: @Moomettes

Facebook: Moomette’s Magnificents

I invite you to be a virtual tourist and Visit Connecticut to check out some of our lovely scenery!

More check-ins at the new ct chevy dealer network

One last Goodie before you go!

What’s a party without food? Back by popular demand, as promised, I said I’d have the buffet, wine and libations set out and waiting for you!

Layered Spinach Salad

This is one of my favorites from when I belonged to the Junior Woman’s Club, where I was a board member Recording Secretary. As a fundraiser, we put together a cookbook, and this recipe was very popular. It’s a great healthy salad that’s quick and easy to prepare. Make it ahead of time, and let set-up in the refrigerator overnight. The flavors just meld together and it’s always a big hit at all those summer picnics, pool parties and Memorial Day gatherings!

Ingredients:

1 lb spinach, stemmed and torn
1/2 lb bacon, crumbled
6 hard cooked eggs, crumbled
1 iceburg lettuce head, torn
1 box frozen peas, thawed but uncooked
dash salt, pepper and sugar
1 Bermuda onion (medium), sliced thin

Dressing Mix:
2 c. mayonnaise
1 c. sour cream
1 Good Seasons Italian Dressing envelope

Preparation:

Layer in this order: spinach salt pepper bacon eggs iceburg lettuce peas sugar salt pepper onion

Frosting:
mayonnaise sour cream dressing mix. Garnish with
strips of swiss cheese. (optional)

Cover and refrigerate OVERNIGHT. This is a must. This looks so pretty served in a glass bowl.

For more great recipes visit me at the Frugal New England Kitchen.

Be sure to check out my Giveaway! $100 Spring in Small Spaces Challenge Entertaining Gift Pack

I’m so happy you stopped by ~ Whether you’re a regular reader or visiting for the first time, introduce yourself and be sure to leave me a comment so I’ll return the visit & get to know you! Leave your Twitter name in the fill-in box and I’ll be sure to give you a shout-out for visiting!

Don’t forget to sign the Linky so I can stop by!

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree? is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Maple Sugaring Weekends Event Rochester Museum & Science Center Cumming Nature Center

Moomettes — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:23:14 +0000

Family Event Maple Sugaring Weekend

Maple Sugaring Weekends Event

NEWS

Rochester Museum & Science Center

Title: 33^rd Annual Maple Sugaring Weekends Event at the Rochester Museum & Science Center Cumming Nature Center Approaches

Location: 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY 14512

Phone: (585)374-6160 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (585)374-6160 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Dates/Times: 9am-3pm, March 19-20 and 26-27

Admission/Costs: Various (see below)

Detailed Information: www.rmsc.org; Facebook; Twitter (@rocRMSC)

Media Contact: Debra Jacobson, Director of Marketing and Community Affairs

(585) 697-1944 • debra_jacobson@rmsc.org

33^rd Annual Maple Sugaring Weekends Event at the Rochester Museum & Science Center Cumming Nature Center Approaches

Rochester, N.Y. —Maple Sugaring Weekends, a springtime tradition for many Western New York families, returns for a 33^rd season the last two weekends in March at the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) Cumming Nature Center (CNC). A volunteer driven event, Maple Sugaring helps maintain CNC operations.

“Maple Sugaring has been a complete volunteer effort the past several years, and a huge contributor to the success of the Cumming Nature Center,” said Dave Gotham, Director, CNC. “We’re happy to help community members create, or further, a tradition that involves family, friends, all-natural food and fresh air.”

Volunteers handle everything from parking logistics to pancake meal preparation. It’s truly a team effort for the nature center’s major annual fundraising event.

Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20 and 26-27 are this year’s event dates. Program details include:

Sugaring demonstrations, which take place from 10am-3pm.
Pancake meals, which are served from 9am-2pm. All meals include pure maple syrup and a choice of beverage.

Pancake Meal Cost (includes nature center admission):

Adult meal (5 pancakes + 2 sausages): $10; RMSC members $9
Child meal (3 pancakes + 1 sausage): $8; RMSC members $7

Program admission without the pancake meal is $3 per person (maximum $10 per family).

Dave Gotham serves as the sugar maker (the person who turns the sap into pure maple syrup), and has been since the Cumming Nature Center’s sugaring program began in March of 1979. Sugaring processes are demonstrated through tactics used by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), 1790s pioneers, as well as modern sugaring operations.

For the past several years, students from local colleges and high schools as well as adult volunteers have acted as program interpreters along the trail to the sugarhouse. To prepare, they spend a day at the CNC learning maple sugaring lore, from how a tree makes sap to the different processing techniques of Native Americans, early pioneers, and today’s modern sugar bush managers. Over the course of two weekends, 25–30 volunteers can explain such things as what part of the tree contains sap, how to tap a tree, and how much sap (40 gallons!) is required to produce one gallon of syrup. From 10am-3pm on Sunday, March 20, The Western New York Maple Princess, Emily Piazza, will help with demonstrations. Emily is an 8^th grader from Wayne County and represents 17 counties.

NYS Senator Dale M. Volker provides funding for maintenance of Cumming Nature Center’s five thematic trails.

Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) receives major funding from Monroe County. RMSC includes a planetarium, nature center and science/regional history museum. The Rochester Museum & Science Center stimulates broad community interest and understanding of science and technology, and their impact—past, present, future—on our lives. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@rocRMSC).

###

657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607-2177

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Issued February 14, 2011

Marketing/Community Affairs: (585)697-1944

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree? is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

What Do You Wish You’d Known at 13? Dove Movement for Self Esteem October 22-24, 2010

Moomettes — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:58:36 +0000

Dove is building a movement in which women everywhere have the tools to take action and inspire each other and the girls in their lives. Thousands of women have joined the Dove Movement for Self-Esteem online.

Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in a young girl’s self-esteem. I’ve participated in the past in helping my readers become aware of Dove Self-Esteem campaigns.

Share Your Inspiring Message

Dove is inviting women of all ages to share their inspiring message with the next generation of young women by simply answering this question:

What do you wish you’d known at 13?

By sharing these messages with the next generation, women can inspire each other and the girls in their life to reach their full potential.

Dove Esteem

Dove is asking for women to answer this question and share their messages as a source of inspiration for women and girls everywhere.

Share your inspiring message: Dovemovement.com

Dove Self-Esteem Weekend

Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in a young girl’s self-esteem
- Dove is uniting women across the country – individuals, partners and grassroots organizations
- Providing the next generation of women with the tools to build a positive relationship with beauty and reach their full potential
Join us for the Dove Self-Esteem Weekend on October 22^nd-24^th
- One hour of your time makes a world of difference
- There are a variety of ways to get involved:
  - National Partners: Participate in one of our national partner events: Girl Scouts of the USA, The Boys & Girls Club of America, Girls, Inc.
  - Local Girls Organizations: Host a self-esteem building event in your community. Register your event on our map at dovemovement.com
  - Individuals: Download free self-esteem building activities and spend an hour with a girl in your life. Register your event on our map at dovemovement.com
Show your support online
- Like us on Facebook
- Tweet your support on the #Dovedifference hash tag
- Find an event to join on Dovemovement.com
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Moon Dough Magical Molding Dough Spin Master Educational Toys

Moomettes — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:59:41 +0000

Must-Have Holiday Toddler Toys

Magical Molding Dough

My granddaughter will be turning four in October, and being the practical grandmom that I am, I’m taking the same approach with seeking out educational toys for my grandkids that I took when looking for creative toddler toys that stir the imagination with my own two daughters when younger. I have the secret recipe for keeping kids entertained!

I found that Moon Dough by Spin Master is an out-of-this-world new molding dough that never dries out!

Moon Dough is Hypo-allergenic and wheat-free, soft and marshmallow-like. Because Moon Dough never dries out, kids can use it over and over again. The latest and new molding compound for kids ages 2-4, Moon Dough can be used to sculpt fun creations and the kiddos will never tire playing with it.

Even though I have a “Secret” stain remover home recipe, what I like most about this product is Moon Dough doesn’t stick to or stain material or clothing!

There are a number of out-of-this world Moon Dough of enjoyable play sets to choose from, including:

Moon Dough Barnyard
Moon Dough Pizza Shop
Magic Molding Doghouse
Moon Dough Burger Shop
Moon Dough Refill Packs are also available

The product comes in eight great colors: Blue, Green, White, Orange, Purple, Red, Pink and Yellow!

All toddlers like animals, so we were happy to try out the Moon Dough Barnyard

Moon Dough Barnyard

Bring all the fun of the farm right into your ow home. Bale some Hay, put it in the barn silo, and turn the crank to make fun 3D Moon Dough animals. Create fences, pastures and more.

The package includes:

Magical molding barnyard, fence and hay bale molds
Themed play mat
Four unique animal molds – cow, pig, sheep and horse
Three colors of Moon Dough (white; yellow and blue)

Toddlers can improve fine motor skills while easily mastering using the Moon Dough magical molding dough playset. By placing the Moon Dough in and turning the handle they get the satisfaction of making a a creation! Easy!

Put Moon Dough on your Holiday Shopping List or for educational toys for toddler Birthday Party Gifts!

Moon Dough is available at Toys “R” Us, Target, Walmart, Kmart, A.C. Moore, Michaels, eToys and Amazon

For More Information Visit: Moon Dough

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree? is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Best Special Needs Childrens Toys from Gummy Lump

Moomettes — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:14:22 +0000

Back-To-School

Special Education

Soon summer vacation will be over and parents will be focusing on Back-To-School shopping. I’d like to let you know about the extensive selection of educational special needs childrens toys offered at Gummy Lump.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to review the magnificent Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set available at Gummy Lump.

My youngest daughter is an Early Intervention Associate and currently finishing up her Masters degree in Rehabilitation and Disabilities Studies with a concentration in Pediatrics and Developmental Disabilities.

My daughter currently works for a non-profit agency, and travels throughout the state doing home visitation consulting for her young clients in the Birth-To-Three program.

I frequently find my youngest daughter in the living room raiding my grandkids’ toy box for toys that she thinks would facilitate development for her clients. As she makes clientele home visitations, introducing new material to the children will stimulate interest in the lesson plan of the day that she has prepared.

It isn’t uncommon that in her position as a Birth-to-Three counselor, my daughter unselfishly will spend her own money to purchase toys for special needs for the kids. Families and school system budgets are curtailed because of the economy, and funds simply aren’t available to purchase new materials.

The kind folks at Gummy Lump have graciously offered me the opportunity to have my daughter choose a toy to share with her special needs clients.

My daughter would like to share with you her review of the Melissa and Doug Progression Puzzles, and reasons for choosing this product to work with her clients:

I work with young children who have special needs and chose the Melissa and Doug Progression Puzzles because I believed they would be a good learning tool for the children I work with. They help introduce forward chaining to children who are low functioning and Autistic.

I thought this group of puzzles would be a good tool to teach with because they provide visual aides for the children to follow along with, while also working on fine motor skills and object imitation.

When introducing the puzzles I begin by first having the child complete the puzzle, and then numbering the pieces. The child then places the puzzle pieces in the base using the correct order, while also counting 1-2-3-4-5-6 so they can understand the steps to making a pizza, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and eating a banana. When I begin working on the puzzle I fully prompt the children so they know which piece goes where without making an error, and eventually fade the prompts so the child is completing the puzzle independently.

By completing this puzzle as an assignment, the children can understand how to complete certain activities in their correct order. They eventually learn not only how to complete a puzzle, but how to chain an activity from first to last. The first step to making a sandwich would be to grab a plate, bread, and the peanut butter and jelly. The pictures on the puzzle pieces provide great visuals for the children to follow as well.

I would recommend this puzzle because it comes in a group of three so the children can have three different ideas of how to chain activities. It can be done forwards or backwards, and is also great for the child to gain fine motor skills by placing the small puzzle pieces in the base puzzle. The three puzzles are small and easy to carry around as well so they can be transported between houses with minimal effort, and are easy to store.

The Special Needs Childrens Toys selection is extensive, and includes many well-known brands, such as Melissa and Doug, Edushape, Guidecraft and Gund, to name a few.

What’s very helpful for parents and educators is the ability to shop for toys for children with Special Needs by category:

Autism
Blindness
Deafness
English Language Learners (ELL)
Gifted Children
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Speech and Language Impairment
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Visual Impairment

Gummy Lump also has put together and shares on it’s site a comprehensive reference list of Special Needs Articles, Books, Websites and Resources.

Free Shipping on purchases over $75

Follow on Twitter: @GummyLump

Follow on Facebook: Gummy Lump

For More Information Visit: Gummy Lump

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a $50 Gift Certificate to Gummy Lump Toys!

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule: (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Gummy Lump and leave a comment about another fact that wasn’t mentioned in this post, and which toy you would pick if you won.

~ One Extra Entry: Become a Moomette’s Magnificents Facebook Fan and leave a comment on our wall with your thoughts on this giveaway.

~ One Extra Entry: Click the “Like” button on this post (top or bottom) and leave and leave your name in a separate comment

~ One Extra Entry: Follow and Rank Moomette’s Magnificents on Networked Blogs (right sidebar) and leave your name in a separate comment.

~ One Extra Entry: Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect (sidebar)

~ One Extra Entry: Visit my 101 Random Things About Me page (under About) and leave a comment – something About Me

~One Extra Entry: Tweet this giveaway and post the link in your comment- (may do this daily) 1 extra/day (50 Followers minimum to qualify for extra entry)

copy and paste to tweet

This contest will run until August 17, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EDT

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree? is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

How To Get Your Family Organized and Prioritized

Moomettes — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:30:07 +0000

Focus!

This week I decided I really needed to focus and organize my life, and it became very apparent that I spend a tremendous amount of time blogging and on the internet, day and night – checking my email, and visiting all the social media sites I belong to. So I went out and upgraded my smartphone and purchased a Droid. I opted not to get the Droid Incredible, but the Droid that has the optional keyboard. One of the perks that Verizon was offering was a Netbook. I opted not to take advantage of the offer, because I’m still on the fence whether to get the equally sought-after
iPad.

It’s my way of cramming more hours into my already too short day! I do need to sleep – if only for about 3 hours!

An organized family is the best way to be because it makes life easier. This article will give you some tips that will help you become more organized as a family.

How to Get Organized by Amy Royce

Have you ever felt like you are a knotted up pile of yarn, and you just can’t seem to get untangled? That is a frustrating feeling, but in this article, I will give you some tips on how to get that “pile” into a nicely organized ball of yarn. It can be hard at first to get your business as well as your life organized, but once you are, you will wonder how you ever got along.

• A place for Everything/Everything in it’s Place

The best place to start is to get rid of the clutter. Go through all of those old papers and decide what is trash. After you determine what you no longer need, you need to decide how “sensitive” each paper is. With Identity Theft among us, you don’t want to just throw away some things. You want to shred them. This would include anything with your social security number on it, or any credit card or bank information. Anything you decide to keep should be filed in a file cabinet. This would include papers such as check stubs, bank statements, tax returns or any other important documents.

• Time Management

Everyone has a busy life. It would be nice if there were more hours in a day to get everything done, but unfortunately, we only get 24 hours, and we have to sleep. Time management is a very important part of getting organized. You need to decide what has to be done immediately, and what can wait. Once you decide that, you need to figure out how long it will take to complete that task. Try to stick with that time frame, so you are able to move on to the next item on your list.

• Daily Planner

When you have a busy life, making sure you don’t forget something is essential! Keep a daily planner with you all of the time. That way, when you make an appointment, you can write it down right away. Also, you will not forget an upcoming meeting or appointment. A daily planner will also help you plan for the next day. You can sit down, and look at what you have scheduled for the day and then plan when the best time would be to go to the store, or even when you can do something for yourself, such as a manicure.

• Delegating

Cleaning the house and taking care of things in the home should not be the responsibility of just one person. It should be shared by everyone including the children. Creating a chore list will help with the delegating process. This will also help ensure that everything is complete.

Organization can be a tough thing to get a hold of, but once you do, you will get so much more accomplished. You will be able to get things done that you never thought you could or would. If you follow these steps you will be well on your way to becoming organized. Good luck!

Amy Royce has been married since 1995 and she has two wonderful children. She is an affiliate marketer and she has a blog that you can view at http://amyswordsandthoughts.blogspot .com.

Article Source: WAHM Articles

photo credit: com2us

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree? is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Baby Boomer Parenting An Empty Nest, But Going Along for the Ride Now

Moomettes — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:30:52 +0000

Memory Lane

While I’m on a much need vacation this week, I’m resurrecting several of my favorite parenting and family posts that I’ve done over the years, – to give you a glimpse into my life.

This post in particular is bittersweet, because while my kids are grown, I still think and envision them in my mind as … young kids, and myself as a “young mom.”

But I begin a new chapter this year, as I’m now the mother-in-law and grandmom who asked to tag along has been invited to go accompany my daughter and her family to Cape Cod(my absolute most favorite place to be) on a camping trip vacation with “the kids” and grandkids – just as my husband and I used to take my mother-in-law along on our family vacations each year to get her out of my sister-in-law’s hair because we enjoyed her company so much.

Empty Nest, Summer Camp and A Trip Down Memory Lane

Where Have All The Flowers Gone

It’s late, and I really have a few more things to do before I turn in for the night, but I wanted to get this post written while it was still fresh in my mind.

When I got out of the dreaded cubicle today, I had a few chores to run, that took me on roads that I haven’t been on in awhile, but that my car used to cruise on autopilot for years after work. Today I was driving down Memory Lane.

I started back to work full-time when my youngest daughter was two and my oldest was six.

During the summer months when they were a bit older, I always sent my daughters to day camp while my husband and I worked. Before suburban sprawl took over and McMansions popped up everywhere, I used to drive them to camp in the morning along back roads. We would pass cow pastures and duck ponds. A few cars would be on the road.

We’d have to travel up a big hill, past more cow pastures, old-fashioned New England red barns, and one time a cow got loose in the middle of the road and I had to wait for it to cross before we could continue. I once stopped the car to dig up Daylilies and ended up was a nasty case of Poison Ivy since I’m highly allergic to it.

Rumor had it that the swimming school and camp were built on an old Nike site, around the time of the cold war with Russia. You could see for miles from the top of that hill, even though it was only about 10 miles out from the city.

My girls really enjoyed those days at camp, and at the conclusion, there was always a “campfire” and “skit night.” The girls went until they were old enough to be CITs – Counselors in Training.

When I’d get out of work, I’d head to pick them up, the route from my office to camp took me past cornfields. I enjoyed the solitude. One day I had to leave work early, because looking out the office window, I could tell we were going to have a horrific storm and it really looked like Tornado weather – very similar to 1979 when the then-last tornado hit Windsor Locks, CT. I rushed to pick them up, and the camp staff had all the kids gathered for safety. I picked them up just in time, and we beat-feet down the hill – there was a brook that always flooded if we didn’t make it down in time. We had a heck of a time getting home.

So – today while I traversed that road once again, only this time on my way to go shopping at the now crowded, suburban sprawl mall that has overtaken the once tranquil, lazy back roads, I was on autopilot, once again. The car drove itself, while my mind wasn’t seeing what my eyes were seeing as I drove.

The cornfields are no longer – replaced by an industrial building. The turn to camp where the red barn and cow fields once were are now newly-built Over-55 adult-only condos.

I felt so sad driving along those roads – Memory Lane – how did my girls childhood go by so quickly? The landscape has changed, and so has my life.

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Pete Seeger

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree? is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

High School Graduation Ceremonies – Kids Grow Up Right Before Your Eyes – Unless You’re Charla Nash

Moomettes — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:57:42 +0000

Just take a look through my eyes
There’s a better place
somewhere out there
Just take a look through my eyes
Everything changes
You’ll be amazed what you’ll find
If you look through my eyes … Phil Collins

I usually read about 20 national newspapers online daily, and an article on Charla Nash, from Stamford, CT in my hometown paper, The Hartford Courant, caught my eye. Charla won’t be attending her daughter’s high school graduation ceremonies.

My regular readers and friends know that I’m from Connecticut. Stamford is in the lower part of the state from me. Charla , whom you may remember from seeing on Oprah, was the woman who was viciously attacked and disfigured by Travis the Chimp.

Now recuperating in the Boston area while awaiting a possible face and hand transplant, Charla has made the valiant and difficult decision not to attend her daughter’s high school graduation ceremony. The reasons stated in the article were that she doesn’t want to create a “media circus.”

As a parent of two grown daughters, my heart goes out to not only Charla, but her daughter as well.

My daughters have since graduated college, but it seems like just yesterday that first they were starting high school, and then graduating from high school. As parents, my husband and I marked with pride this milestone in not only our daughters’ lives, but ours as well.

If you’ll be attending a high school graduation ceremony soon, please think of Charla and her daughter – let Charla look through your eyes and send some good vibes and extra “woot” for them, so Charla can feel it and the pride that all of us share in “seeing” her daughter celebrate her high school graduation.

Christmas in New England | Does That Mean I Need a Live Christmas Tree? is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Fun Family Activities with Backyard Bug Safari Outfitters

Moomettes — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:20:18 +0000

Little Adventurers

Now that summer weather is finally rolling around here in New England, it’s time to get the kids out of the house, have them become active, give them some fresh air and explore the great outdoors and and go on a backyard bug safari! June 26th is the Great American Backyard Campout – and a perfect time to plan fun activities for those backyard slumber parties with Backyard Safari Outfitters!

For Father’s Day, my husband and I went to see Cirque du Solei for the first time. We saw Ovo “The Teeming World of Insects” which centered around the theme of insects and bugs, in a way that you couldn’t imagine!

Back in 1986, when my oldest daughter was three, the Northeast experienced the invasion of the Cicada bugs, also called the “17 year locust” – which were everywhere. She and her buddy from next door, also the same age – had a grand time sweeping the shells off of trees and sidewalks, and piling them into pail fulls. Fortunately, we experience those invasions every 17 years.

I’ve just found out that California is experiencing an infestation of grasshoppes – so California parents – heads up!

My grandchildren, however, will be better prepared! I recently had the opportunity to review the Cargo Vest, as well as the cool Bug Vacuum, and Mega View Periscope, courtesy of Backyard Safari Outfitters and Team Mom. It contained all the essential gear that little adventurers need to get started in exploring the wonder of nature and the wonders of the environment in their own back yards.

With these tools, the kids can inspect and explore “wildlife”, from insects in the grass to birds in the sky, to frogs in a pond and more!

My granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette immediately laid claim to the Cargo Vest and Mega View Periscope, while her brother, Slugger, was totally fascinated with the Bug Vacuum.

‘Lil Moomette was intrigued with raising and lowering the Mega View Periscope to see things at different levels.

Slugger, enjoyed the sounds that the battery-operated Bug Vacuum made. It’s a little too early here in Connecticut for fireflies – most kids are fascinated with catching those in jars. I’m sure that the Bug Vacuum will work out well once July rolls around!

Cargo Vest – Plenty of pockets, 6 D-Rings, 2 should epaulets for clipping and hanging more gear. Large pocket for storing binocs and clear-view chest pocket for Pop-Up Field Guide. MSRP $19.99

Mega View Periscope – Full-view periscope for viewing over boulders, high bushes, backyard fences and around corners. Three sturdy light-weight sections telescope for a reach of over four feet high to see all out-of-reach views. Flip the Megal View Periscope upside down and a full 16 inches is submersible for under-water viewing – on docks, poolside, lakes or beaches – all without water in small ears! MSRP $24.99

Bug Vacuum – Catch LIVE crawling, flying, buzzing bugs in the backyard! Look at bugs up close with the built-in magnifying glass. Extra nose cone comes in handy for really big bugs. The Capture Core attaches to the Backyard Safari Bug Habitat (sold separately) for easy transfer of insects. MSRP $19.99 an

I give this a Thumbs Up – for parents, grandparents and pre-schools who want to keep the kids fit, creative and interested in exploring nature and the great outdoors at a young age!

We have a nature center in town, and this would be a wonderful addition to any youth nature camp as well!

Available on: Amazon

Visit on Facebook: Backyard Safari Outfitters

Visit on Twitter: @BYSOutfitters

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