Taking to the Water like a Fish

Skylar has been learning to snorkel this summer and along with snorkeling he has improved his swimming skills too.  At the beginning of the summer, we took a trip to Arkansas and stayed at a hotel with a very large swimming pool.  When we headed down to the pool to swim, the first morning we were there, Skylar jumped head first into the deep end of the pool.  After hitting the water he quickly realized he was in big trouble and I found my heart really can sink to the bottom of my feet.  He was splashing and gargling out the word help as he treading water violently.  Jeff quickly jumped in and rescued the brave boy and from that point on I walked around the rest of the afternoon like the tin man on The Wizard of Oz, shaky and nervous. 

I think it was at that point, Jeff and I both realized that Skylar needs swimming lessons or at least some practice swimming.  Where we live, in the city, we don't have access to a lot of swimming areas around that can be used for swim lessons.  The community pool offers swimming, but the area where the kids have to stay is always so crowded with people, especially during the summer months.  

With all of this being on the table we decided to purchase our own pool, deep enough for Skylar to swim and feel comfortable in the water.  This little pool was a big hit and has helped him gain better control of his swimming and paddling around in the water.  

Since the first of the summer at the hotel pool in Arkansas, Skylar has come a long way.  He enjoys jumping in the pool and we have even taught him how to float on his back.  He loves snorkeling around the bottom and next summer, I think we will upgrade to a larger pool and let him get his feet wet even more.  

Skylar says, "Next year will be the summer I swim a full lap around the deep end of a pool without stopping."  And I bet he will too!

Eco-Tip:  When it comes to washing your clothes, switch to an earth-friendly laundry soap and make sure it's  phosphate-free.  Phosphates cause oxygen-depletion in the water system that can eventually end up in our oceans and rivers.  This can lead to death in aquatic life.  For more tips visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

    

Food and Plate Art

Playing with your food may be something unheard of at the dinner table in your house but, it's now a thing of the past for Casa de Perrin, which creates beautiful works of "plated food vignettes."

These plates of art food art bring a bit of fun, joy, and excitement to the average dinner plate.  It might even make you rethink the plating of your food each time you sit down to eat.

To see the full spread visit Oh Joy! 

Photo Credit:  Andrea Bricco via Oh Joy!

Eco-Tip:  Picture taking has come a long way since the first camera to grace us with it's presence.  Digital film has become the staple in some households, but film is still used by some.  When it comes to film cameras remember to recycle the film cartridges when it's processed and go with film brands that allow recycling of their own film.  If you aren't sure were to start, give Fuji Film a try.  For more tips visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

    

Road Trip: Kickin' it at the County Fair

A few weekends ago we took a drive over to the Linn County Fair here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. We always like to make an appearance every year at the county fair so that we can pretend for a moment that we live in the country.  It helps us forget about the city noise and "issues" for that brief day.  We saw a lot of animals, heard the goat auctions, saw some rabbits and chickens, and even ran into one of Skylar's buddies from school.

They were setting up for the rodeo and Skylar wanted to watch the tractor raking the dirt.  He couldn't remove his lips from the snow cone long enough to get a good shot, but I will say, it was a pretty good snow cone though.  :-)

The black and white cows have always been my favorite.

Skylar's pal from school (Trayvon) showed us his "soft as a cotton ball rabbit" he was showing at the fair.

After seeing the chickens and rabbits, we headed over to the tractor display.  Skylar even found a table showcasing LEGOs and we all got to color a quilt square to add to the blankets for Project Linus.

The LEGO At-At Walker was Skylar's favorite.

Jeff was pretty proud of his firetruck quilt square to add to the blanket.  He even labeled it with the LFD (Lebanon Fire District) where he works.

We found us some Rangers.  

And a cow with pink hooves.

Setting up the stage for Sawyer Brown to preform live later that night.

It was a pretty good day overall.  After the fair we hit the local burger joint here called Burgerville and had us some locally-grown, organic food.  

Rosemary chicken sandwich!  My favorite!

Skylar colored a picture to add to the coloring wall while we were there too.

Then he headed off to his first EVER sleep over at a buddy's (Lucas F.) house.  I have to cut the apron strings eventually, right?  :-(

Eco-Tip:  When making the switch to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, picture what life was like for Pioneers and the like.  Pick "hand crank" items over electronic ones.  Dipping slowly away from electric dependent items throughout your home is a great way to live a more greener lifestyle.  For more tips visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.