G.A.T.E.

I received a survey from the school district today for Jeffrey to be tested for the gifted and talented program. They have wanted to test him in the past few years but I was hesitant. His teacher this year reassured me that the program at their school is fabulous! So.......if he passes their test then he's in.

I received an award!!!! Thank you Kym! You know how to make a girl feel special!

Why do 3 year olds have a toilet fascination?

Every other day it seems like we are unclogging one of our 3 toilets and it is getting old! I'm almost afraid to tell Mike that we've had another  incident...poor guy. Well today was no exception only this time instead of clogging the toilet with a whole roll of Charmin it was first, a brand new Club Libby Lu make up compact, (I was able to get it out w/o Mike's help) I know ewwww gross! Second, tonight after Pack Mtg. I was getting Blake ready for bed, brushing teeth and then going potty......but oh nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There in the toilet was a 3x5 card picture of Jesus looking straight up at me! I told Blake that Jesus does NOT belong in the toilet never ever ever!!!!! I thought it would be wrong to take a picture so you can imagine it for your self!

U can help save handmade!

This post is actually from my dear friend/cousin in law, Shannon. It is so well put. For all my crafty/and not so crafty friends out there this affects you!!!

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on February 10, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association CLICK HERE.

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” CLICK HEREto read an article from the Wall Street Journal.

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is the most recent article of a 3 part series from Forbes Magazine HERE.

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

One thing that I have personally done is contact my US Representative. Make sure your voice is heard as well.
Henry A. Waxman
California-30th, Democrat
2204 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515-0530
Phone: (202) 225-3976

Lots of Love,
Shannon

Laundry soap video and other thoughts in my head!

OK.....stay tuned for the laundry soap video (I can't believe that I am going to do this!) Anyway, As soon as Mike can video me this week then I will put it up! Also, I will be crazy busy with Camryn's birthday party and Jeffrey and Gavin's Pack meeting tomorrow night. It is Jeffrey's last pack meeting as he will be getting his arrow of light. (Well I guess he has one more pack mtg for the bridging ceremony that they will do when we have the blue and gold dinner.) Yada yada yada!

Oh yeah, my friend Kym found a useful foodstorage site....check it out here. Thanks Kym!

My Dad and Me

Did I ever tell you that my Dad and I share a love for good ol' fashioned music? The Standards. At my wedding we danced to mostly them and of course "She's a Brick House" Thanks to Mike. Anyway, turn on your speakers and have a listen.....Dad and I also love Father of the Bride...Steve Martin, who doesn't love Steve? Enjoy! Would post of a picture but I am experiencing technical difficulty! Arghh!

A trip to the Getty

We took a bunch of pics! We never have whole family pictures. Thanks to a kindly stranger who we didn't scare off with our brood, we have this lovely shot. The Pacific is right behind us. Too bad it is in the wrong light.

Here are our amazing and gorgeous(if I do say myself) kiddos who right after this was taken got in big trouble with the security guard who came running out of a bldg and told them to not touch the sculpture! *There was tiny notice stamped in the concrete about 8 inches big that said "do not touch sculpture." Um...yeah we go around looking a the ground for such warnings....did I mention that Blake is 3 and an avid reader? What eva!

Jeff took this shot of Mike and me and it is the only decent one we have had taken in a long long time minus the ones Angela took last year.

Aren't they cute? My parents have been married for 52 1/2 years. They still look happy. The kids had so much fun with them that day.

Couldn't pass this one up.... he really was just sitting there being still and I had to capture it!

Thanks to Grandpa for taking the family picture........ummmm who are those people?? Nice maroon shirt guy with the shaggy hair! I guess they add character to our shot! Can you see Blake's face? Love it!

The interesting and beautiful water garden

Where's Jeff?

Here are the kids enjoying books on a replica of an 18th century french bed. I'd love to read there too! After the we were done with the Getty, we ate at Solley's. It is the Best (Jewish?) Deli ever! Next to Gelson's in Van Nuys. I think it was right off the 101 FWY. The service was spectacular...no really it was! They catered to the kids like you would not believe. Let's be real, a lot of times we can be a bit intrusive with our big group....our waitress Tanya was the sweetest girl. Brought us everything that she thought that we might want or need. Even gave Blake a free chocolate milk refill shhhh don't tell the boss man. So if you are ever in that part of the Valley....go check it out and ask for Tanya!