"Miss Nana's" October Visit

A couple of weeks ago, my mom came out for a week-long visit. She claims she missed the boys, I think she really just missed me. :o) The timing was perfect as Steve found out only a couple of weeks prior that he would be TDY for 10 days, so my mom's visit overlapped nicely, and it was great to have the extra help. Not only was she helpful with the boys, but she also helped me do some packaging for my new little business, and learned how to make candles and soap. The week was busy yet still low-key: Christian still attended school, we also went to EdVenture children's museum in Columbia, an open house/craft fair, Baker's Sweets, and a local pumpkin patch. Mostly it was nice to have my momma in town!

*I had already published this, but I forgot to add that the entire visit Christian called Nana: "Miss Nana." We told him to call her just Nana, but he insisted.

Lucas is 10 Months

Can't believe our baby is going to be ONE in only two short months. This month Lu Bug has been busy working on crawling....he is just SO close. He definitely gets around, sometimes by scooting backwards, but no official crawling just yet (and that is okay by me...crawling only means more trouble, right?) He has learned how to get in a sitting position after laying down or playing on his belly. I am certain that in this next month (or in the next few days) he will be crawling for sure! Lucas is still our happy little guy. Easygoing and almost always smiling. He is also becoming quite vocal, often mimicking Christian (screaming competition anyone? Yeah.) His favorite words are "da-da-da" and "nana," but no "mama" yet. Both boys continue to enjoy one another's company... Lucas adores Big Brother and lights up whenever he sees him, and Christian can't wait until Lucas can walk and he can share his fruit snacks with him. Lucas is still an excellent eater, and is beginning to explore and prefer table foods. I haven't found anything that he dislikes so far. Hooray! We are looking forward to watching this little man continue to grow, learn, and discover in the next months. What a fun age!

Compare: Christian at 10 Months

Firefly Fields Soap and Candleworks

Wondering why the lack of blog postings lately? If life wasn't busy enough already, I decided to start my own little business! "Firefly Fields Soap and Candleworks" specializes in luxury cold process soap and clean burning soy candles. I have been making soap for almost 2 years now, and the candles are a little more recent, but I finally got the push to just go for it!

About the Soap:

Handmade in small batches using the cold process method, our soap provides gentle cleansing and moisturizing by using the finest oils, butters, botanicals, and essential oils or fragrance oils (phthalate-free.) Our bars are 100% vegan (we use only vegetable-based oils) with no animal fats or byproducts.

To learn more about the cold process soap method, read here.

You might ask, why should I use cold process soap vs. a commercial, store bought bar?

Did you know that a regular commercial soap bar is not really soap at all? It is a harsh detergent that acts like a soap by lathering, but has been heated so much that it no longer contains the good-for-your-skin glycerin that naturally forms during saponification when cold process soap is made. Commercial soaps contain nasty sulfates, triclosan (in hand soap,) phthalates, and parabens, each major disrupters to the body, not to mention our water supply. To put it simple, our cold process soap uses vegetable oils like olive, coconut, palm, avocado, canola, castor, safflower, etc. and butters that are a luxurious treat for your skin without all the other strange additives and chemicals.

About the Candles:

Hand poured, 100% natural soy candles provide superior fragrance (phthalate-free.) Made with soy beans, soy candles burn cleaner with less soot and burn longer than traditional paraffin candles.

Right now my Facebook Page is my only marketing tool, and the best way to learn more, see pictures, or place an order (other than contacting me directly via email or phone,) but hopefully I will be able to set up a webpage later down the road.

Thank you all for your support as I begin this little venture! :o)

Christian's 3 Year Old Survey

1. What is your name? Chish-chin
2. How old are you? Three
3. What is your favorite color? Blue
4. Who is your best friend? Winden (Linden) and Shepherd
5. What is your favorite animal? Whale, Bear (he has been enjoying saying "bubba bear" from Zoo-phonics Animal Letters at school.)
6. What is your favorite drink? Juice
7. What is your favorite movie? Ratatouille
8. What makes you happy? Hannah, Brooke and Mady (some of his friends)
9. What makes you sad? (no reply)
10. What is your favorite shirt? Whale and shark shirt (no surprise here)
11. What is your favorite toy? Two Batman toys (Christian has no Batman toys)
12. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with toys
13. What is your favorite book? Alligator book
14. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes and waffles
15. What is your favorite snack? Goldfish
16. What is your favorite game? Puzzle game (on Mommy's iPad)

Christian's 3rd Airplane Birthday Party

Since it was our last September here in South Carolina and Christian has developed a lot of friendships, we decided to throw him his first birthday party with friends. We had a small turnout, but he enjoyed playing with his friends and loved his airplane themed party! The invitations looked like boarding passes, we put up some signage around the house as well as some hand-cut (fun fun) paper airplanes on the light fixtures and ceiling fan, and Christian's toy airplanes made for easy decor. We had "Pizza Pie in the Sky," "Jet Fuel" beverages, fruit, salad, and "Cumulus Cupcakes" which happened to be our favorite Oreo cupcakes. (Our camera seems to be headed for the dumpster, so unfortunately the photo quality is horrible, but I think we got a few "decent" shots.)

"I a Man!"

Christian is loving preschool and his teachers really seem to enjoy him. The other day one of his teachers told me that C gave her the best laugh. He ran up to her during outdoor play time to tell her that one of the other children had fallen down. She thanked him and said, "What a nice boy!" His reply, "I not a boy, I a man!"

Christian and Daddy at the Sumter Fair.

Legos

Christian received some Legos for his birthday which truly delights his Daddy. Looks like Legos and Duplos are in it for the long haul in this family. :)