Sunday's Simple Start

“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.”

—Barbara Bush
(1952-); Wife Of The 41st President Of The United States

Sunday's Simple Start

"BABIES ARE SUCH A NICE WAY TO START PEOPLE." - Don Herrold

Worth Your While Wednesday - St. Baldrick's

I thought I'd try and post about a charity or program out there that you may not know about. Maybe each Wednesday? Although today is Thursday....but heck...this one can't wait another week! As well, I'm already a day behind in its significance, but the shaving event is Saturday so it's not too late to sign up!

"Every 3 1/2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. You can help save a child's life.

On March 17, 2000, reinsurance executives Tim Kenny, John Bender and Enda McDonnell turned their industry's St. Patrick's Day party into a benefit for kids with cancer. The three planned to raise "$17,000 on the 17th," recruiting 17 colleagues to raise $1,000 each to be shorn. Instead, the first St. Baldrick's event raised over $104,000!

The event had a life of its own and quickly grew into the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer research! The Foundation now funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Since 2000, events have taken place in 24 countries and 50 US states, raising over $74 million. More than 130,000 volunteers-- including over 10,000 women-- have shaved their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family – each one becoming a walking billboard for the cause!

At a St. Baldrick's event, something amazing happens. People who normally shy away from the very thought of childhood cancer find themselves compelled to support this cause after looking into the face of these brave children who are beaming as their friends and family members proudly display their newly shorn heads. Volunteers and donors see it can be fun to support a serious cause. Young cancer patients and survivors see how many people care. And researchers see St. Baldrick's funds helping to find cures!

St. Baldrick's funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world to find cures and improve the quality of life for patients and survivors. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government."

Is Your Daddy A Thief? Because he stole the stars from the sky....

(Photo courtesy of NASA).
Griffith Observatory here in LA is hosting their annual Public Star Parties again.

What: Take your main squeeze(s) to Griffith Observatory’s monthly celestial gathering — complete with telescopes and astronomers — to find out what all the doomsday fuss is about.
Why: We’ll take helium and hydrogen over the flesh-and-bone varietal any day. When: Sat., 2-9:45 p.m.
Where: 2800 E. Observatory Rd. (213-473-0800)

If you don't live near LA, Google the nearest observatory to you and suggest they get in the act =)

There was a farmer who had a CSA and Tanaka was his name-o

I picked up our CSA box again today. Mama is loving those carrots! This week we also have red lettuce, butter lettuce, avocados, parsley, radicchio, some oranges and beautiful green onions.

This past Saturday we were invited to the farm for CSA Day. Lots of fun and very educational for all of us. All "box families" are invited to come down to the farm and select their own veggies to be grilled right there and served for lunch. They had washing stations, seasoning stations and some other veggies to add to the mix.

Despite the looming "storm" and momentary sprinkle, the 12 or so families from our CSA were all cheery and didn't mind the one-hour drive down.

The boys LOVED picking their own food and running up and down the rows looking for the best of the best. I appreciated the extra "grit" I tasted in my beets...genuine Irvine soil. =) Ever since attending they've been asking if everything on their plate came from "Farmer Tanaka." Even the pasta noodles =)

If you don't have the opportunity to purchase produce locally, check out and print EWG's Shopper Guide to the Dirty Dozen to take with you when shopping.

Another freebie - free Photobook from Picaboo

How Does She posted about this terrific freebie - a free Photobook from Picaboo. I've made one for each of the older two's first years. Plan on doing the same when Trilogy reaches that milestone, but in the meantime, maybe a book about their hair?

A free canvas of your favorite photo!

Canvas People is giving away one free canvas to ANYONE. That means you.

You Capture - Hopeful

From our Feb. visit up north - feeding the geese with Papa.

Over-Used Recipe anyone?

Tiffany at one of my favorite blogs, Simply Modern Mom (also the sponsor of Project 52: Date Nights - love this) is hosting an Over-Used Recipe Swap all this week.

I'm going to contribute my (inherited from a roommate in college)

Chili and Cornbread.

Seriously. Over-used and over-thought.

INGREDIENTS:
3 cans of chili
1 can of cornbread (LOVE Marie Callender's version)

DIRECTIONS:
Use 9x13 baking pan. Open chili, pour into pan. Mix cornbread according to directions on can. Pour cornbread mix over chili. Bake according to directions on the can.
Eat.

Parenting Fail

Last night Curly yelled at me because I wouldn't give him any more food after he went to bed. When I finally pulled him out of the bedroom (after 1 1/2 hours of trying to get him to sleep) and gave him ONE sausage link, he told me that he didn't like me.

Scratch that, he YELLED that he didn't like me.

This afternoon he commented on a character in the book "Llama Llama Mad at Mama" who was being mean to his mama - "That's not good. I would never be mean to my mama."

I'm lucky he still loves me enough to forget starving =)

The Case for Make Believe: An excellent review over at SimpleKids

As a first grade teacher, my favorite gift for birthdays and holidays is a good, engaging, can't-put-it-down book. Not just for the first read-through and its value, but also for the re-enactments and sequels that young children use their hard-earned imagination for. Megan over at SimpleKids posted a wonderful review of a great book about the value of Make Believe. Check it out here.

Another worthwhile cause - Worth Your While Wednesday

FlatDaddies
Flat Daddies are full-size printed posters (waist and up) of parents who are serving overseas in the military.
You can give a FlatDaddy to a military family with your $50 donation. Imagine the connections for the children. Having Daddy's image with them wherever they go, to hug and talk to....priceless and inspiring.