Earth Day Sales - Natural Kids Team

Those NattyKids have done it again! Many members of Etsy's Natural Kids Team are having Earth Day sales in their shoppes...There are lots of discounts and/or free shipping offers. To see a list of participating members and what they are offering for Earth Day, please visit the Natural Kids Blog

Natural Kids Giveaway Round #2

Etsy's Natural Kids Team is having a super huge giveaway! There will be many chances to win - for details, please visit Woolies blog . Woolies is a Natural Kids Team Member and is so sweet to be hosting the giveaway! And as I have mentioned before, I am honored to be a part of the NaturalKids Team! They are truly an amazing group of folks and it shows right through in the quality of the children's things they make.The giveaway has already started, so high tail it over there, you have until April 29th to enter the 2nd round! The entry for BirchLeaf Designs is happening right now! The 2nd round will last for two weeks, then there will be a new round of NaturalKids shoppes!

Giveaways Everywhere You Look!

Here is another amazing giveaway...
http://carolinealexander.blogspot.com/2009/04/two-weeks-until-big-giveaway.html

Natural Kids Giveaway! It just keeps giving...and giving...and giving!

Hop right over to my friend Woolies blog and say peep! Woolies is hosting a spectacular giveaway with Etsy's NaturalKids Team. I am honored to be a part of the NaturalKids Team! They are truly an amazing group of folks and it shows right through in the quality of the children's things they make.

The giveaway has already started, so high tail it over there, you have until April 14th to enter the 1st round!

The entry for BirchLeaf Designs is coming up on April 15, 2009 - this is the 2nd round - the givewaway will last for two weeks, then there will be a new round of NaturalKids shoppes! Here is a sneak peek of what we will be giving away...

Let the Flow Begin!

Maple Sap flow, that is...

Our family tapped 50 maple trees this year and are now awaiting the warm days and coldie nights of March.

We will check our buckets daily and dump the delicious sap into storage containers. When we get enough sap stored, we will pour it into the sap boiler...to be boiled down into yummy, yummy maple syrup. We are hoping to make enough syrup to last us the year and to give away as gifts. Kiah (age 8) and Milo (age 5) are taking notes on which trees run the best!

If you have a maple tree in your yard, or near you that you can tap, I highly recommend it ! Even if you do not plan on making syrup, the sap alone is wonderful to make tea or coffee or to just drink. If you do tap, be sure to do your research and also offer up a blessing or thank you to the tree in return for it's delicious sap.

Our sugar bush loop is great for skiing or just walking...one could get "lost" in there for hours!

My neighbor Jen and I like to do what we call "Tai Skiing" - this is were one of us leads the other, no talking...just listening to the sounds of nature and trying our best to quiet our minds. We may ski fast or slow, do a little ballet skiing, or whatever tickles our fancy! Then, when we come to a place that calls the leader to stop, the leader takes a few moments to lead a particular stretch, or deep breathing, or a series of movements, or just stops and listens. After our little session, the other person leads the next section of the trail.

Hush little baby, don't you cry, mama's gonna hold you by and by

Attachment Parenting! Yay for Attachment Parenting! I was browsing through 1000Markets and stumbled upon some little lovies for your new babe.

Whether you are loungin' around the house or out in the community, baby wearing is so cool! Wear your baby with this great ring sling from Lil Peepers Keepers http://www.1000markets.com/products/11241 I wore my babies until they were 4 and until my shoulders couldn't bear it any longer! But, boy, do I have some sweet mama muscles now!

Out on the Town? Be sure to dress your little one in an adorable outfit from One Girl Circus http://www.1000markets.com/products/4968 and don't forget a hat to keep her noodle warm from The Yarn Chick http://www.1000markets.com/products/15771

Teething monster in the house? Be sure to check out these little wooden teething rings from our shoppe http://www.1000markets.com/products/15203 ...you can even add a little essential oil of Clove or Lavendar to liven up the experience! Tie one on to your sling ring!

Feeding time? Here is a bundle of "Eat Your Veggies" bibs from Kunkle Baby http://www.1000markets.com/products/10511 and don't forget the wee little wooden spoon from our shoppe! http://www.1000markets.com/products/15189

Whew! What a day! Now it must be Nap time!? Be sure to snuggle your baby in this sweet little Noonie from LaLa's Pequinos http://www.1000markets.com/products/18053 and lull her to sleep with a colorful, flying angel mobile from FlyingZoo http://www.1000markets.com/products/5873 Then, you can either A. take a nap with her or B. write down every little detail about her with this cute journal from This Is It http://www.1000markets.com/products/24761 and arrange all the sweet photos in this photo album keepsake from DaisyBlu http://www.1000markets.com/products/896

This just in...

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html