innocence celebrated

(photo from Children on the Green)

One of the things I love about having children is rediscovering the innocence. At this young age, most children are devoid of cruelty, racist attitudes and our adult cynicism. Fiona loves her friends and on any given day she announces to me that she is going to "marry Anabel" or wants to have Tyler, Douglas, Ian and/or Nicholas over to spend the night and "sleep in my bed". I smile as I realize that soon she will be "tainted" by society and all its judgments. I am sure those of you that have children have sweet memories of your children walking hand in hand with friends from all different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Wouldn't it be a better world if society didn't 'get to them' and tarnish that innocence?

Really there is a point to my ramble today... I guess I have been thinking about these things because Fiona had friends over on Saturday afternoon. The group was a mix of girls and boys. Having two girls, I am always amazed at how truly different the genders are - they play differently, they communicate differently, etc. It starts so early! I delight in seeing Fiona "get tough" with the boys. Fortunately, the girls rubbed off on the boys, too, as demonstrated in this photo...

The girls, of course, wanted to dress up as princesses. It was sweet when Nicholas requested a Belle costume because he, too, wanted to be pretty. After a little digging, we found costumes for both Nicholas (a sweet fairy) and Ian (pretty flower girl). Look at the smile on Nicholas and isn't Ian so poised?!? They enjoyed it so much, they cried when they had to take them off. We laughed that Ian's little brother, Charley - not yet 2 -, wanted no part of the festivities.

Nicholas and Ian's behavior is not unusual.

Apparently, loads of boys don tiaras, boas, and frilly costumes during their preschool years as they learn about gender roles and what is acceptable. I think it's interesting that we think nothing of a girl being a 'tom boy' (my daughter included) but it gets a bit 'troublesome' when the shoe (or glass slipper?!?) is on the other foot. I have no doubt that Ian and Nicholas will grow up to be "men's men" and break the hearts of many women the world over. But for now, I will smile at the memory of all them twirling in my living room singing "Bippiddi-Boppidi Boo".

Fifi le Chef

I have a good friend who read Gary Chapman's book "The Five Love Languages" and was chatting with me about how getting to know child's "type" can help you be a better parent. I was intrigued so I read up on it and decided that Fiona is definitely a "quality time" kinda girl. She is happiest when Marcus and/or myself give her undivided attention and listen to her extravagant stories.

Now cynics may say "well, don't ALL children love quality time with their parents?!?" to which I say "yes". However, as I read through the other love languages, I found that Fiona is most motivated and rewarded with an outing with her family or a promise to "do something" together.

Knowing this, we have been finding new activities that we can share with Fiona. One of the things she loves to do the most is "cook". While I am definitely NOT the cook in the family, I have even jumped right in and have enjoyed spending time with Fiona in this way. Our favourite thing to make is muffins. Chocolate chip muffins, strawberry cheesecake, orange cranberry, you name it, we mix 'em up. She loves to bake with her Gigi and has made some wicked good cookies and a nice cake when she has visited. The other night, Marcus was making dinner and Fiona wanted to help. Marcus found a great job for her - "snapping asparagus" to put in our chicken, asparagus risotto.

According to the UK website Kids and Nutrition, getting children involved in cooking:

*encourages healthy eating habits and fostering a love of good eating (The American Heart Association includes family cooking sessions on its list of "Top Ten Ways to Help Children Develop Healthy Habits.")

*helps to set their children up for the future

*teaching responsibility and sharing domestic tasks

* helps with "fussy/picky" eaters as children will usually eat something they have cooked

Other benefits:

* encourages the development of basic motor skills, coordination, and the importance of process

* is an opportunity for mathematical learning and scientific method

* introduces different cultures based on the type of food your prepare

Personally, I know that having Fiona help us cook has indeed introduced her to foods she probably wouldn't try on her own. I have tried numerous times in vain to get her to eat asparagus to no avail. Imagine my surprise when I popped into the kitchen and found her chewing on raw asparagus stalks. She even wanted to take some for lunch the next day!

She also "opens up" when we cook. She is more likely to talk to me about her school day and share her thoughts and feelings.

Cooking with Fiona is always fun. We are even considering taking her to our local Young Chefs Academy. If you have little ones, I would love to share with you a few links I found which contain child friendly recipes. Bon apetit! :)

Fruit and Veggies More Matters
BBC's Cooking with Children recipes
Easy Recipes for Kids
Kids Cooking Activities
Kid Food: Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals for Kids

Happy "Valentime's" Day!

I actually think Valentine's Day is over-rated. So much pressure put on people to "show their love" during this one day of the year. It is really nothing but an opportunity for Hallmark, Stover's and the floral industry to make a mint. Really I am a romantic at heart but wouldn't it mean more if your loved one bought you a plant (something that lasts and helps the environment!) home one random day to surprise you rather than mortgage the house for those sterile red roses that are only going to be thrown away?

Alas, I am not completely cynical because I am now re-discovering the joy of Valentine's Day through my little Fiona. She was so excited to bring home her decorated tissue box yesterday to read through the notes. Amongst all the Transformer and Hello Kitty themed sentiments, I am sure Fiona's Valentine's stuck out. Why? Because, once again, we used the occasion to educate and spread our message of protecting the environment....


Fiona gave Endangered Species line of Valentine's Day card. The valentine's are printed on Green Seal certified paper using 30% post consumer recycled paper. The cards feature precious animals with messages such as:

* You make my heart leap.. (featuring the tree frog)
* You’re my mane squeeze. (featuring the lion)
* A little birdie said you should be mine. (featuring the sandhill crane)
* Have a grrrrrreat Valentine’s Day. (featuring the grizzly bear)

and also contained some fun facts about the animal featured. Each card was accompanied by a Endangered Species milk chocolate love bite.

Fiona loved giving the cards because she is an animal lover and they had corny/goofy jokes. She also liked that the cards were "kind to the Earth". I loved them because giving them spread a good message AND supported a great company. Endangered Species Chocolate gives back 10% of their profits to help support species, habitat and humanity. All of their chocolate is also 100% ethically traded from shade grown cacao grown on small family-owned properties. While I wish that they would give a bigger percentage of their profits, it still beats Hershey's hands down, eh?

I hope next time you have an occasion to give chocolate (birthday goody bags?, etc.), you will consider Endangered Species Chocolate.

Fabulous "fuzzy friends"

I tend not to buy stuffed animals/cuddly toys/"fuzzy friends" (as my Fiona calls them) for my girls but I just couldn't resist scooping up one for little Matilda recently on a trip to Target. Whilst we were strolling down the aisles looking for eco-friendly birthday presents for Fiona's upcoming birthday parties, I spied the new My Natural all-natural toy line from miYim organic toys.

I have seen miYim toys before and even added a few of their toys to my registry from Babies 'r Us. However, their line of organic toys previously out on the market were a bit pricey. The new line of My Natural toys are green AND affordable!

I snagged the cute little owl for Matilda (pictured second from the left above). It was definitely a hit with this eco baby! The cost of this new environmentally friendly friend - $4.99!!! The line has a variety of sizes - smaller friends and bigger friends dressed in natural clothing - all reasonably priced for parents on a budget!

So why are the Stapletons fans of the My Natural line? Well, My Natural toys are:

* 100% non-toxic - made from all natural cotton
* coloured using low eco-impact dye process - PureWaterWash technique
* minerals and soy colouring (dyed using plants!)
* the company is a supporter of fair labor ethics

I did a little research and found out that the line was released in Great Britain late last year. The toys were well received not only for the environmentally friendly properties but also because they are kind to baby's sensitive skin and good for allergy and asthma sufferers. In the US, Target has the rights to sell the line exclusively in their stores. Unfortunately, they are not yet available on Target.com.

Several other green parents with blogs have reviewed the dog and bunny and the overwhelming consensus is a big "green thumbs up" for the new My Natural toy line. I have several upcoming baby showers and I believe this product will find its way into my usual green baby gift basket.

Look for the toys in a Target near year and let me know what you think!

shout out for eco books!

As a parent, I am always searching for ways to reinforce green values with my children. (I know some of it is sinking in because the other day I heard Fiona telling "Gigi" (my mother) how we don't leave on lights because it's "not kind to the Earth".)

Fortunately, the green movement is picking up speed and you are beginning to see green products, eco-themed books, and even reusuable shopping bags almost everywhere. Whilst trying to find environmentally friendly gifts for my girls, I was delighted to discover a series of books over the holidays.

Little Green Books are produced by the literary group Simon & Schuster. The "green books for green readers" are not only contain green themes, the books truly practice what they preach, so to speak. Books are:

* made from 100% postconsumer waste recycled paper
* printed with 100% vegetable-based ink
* Forest Stewardship Council certified (responsible use of forest resources)



For Christmas, I purchased Little Panda for Matilda from Target. Little Panda is a sweet, simple, "board" book for infants. It cloth pages tell the story of a panda who loves to eat bamboo, play with his friend, Little Monkey, and make funny faces. The cover is made with recycled fleece and is soft enough to find its way into baby's mouth. Tilly just loves cuddling the book and the black and white panda keeps her attention.

I was delighted to find today that Little Green books has a series of books for older children as well. Whilst grabbing a few things at Kroger, I came across The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle.


From the website, this book is "told from the point of view of a free-spirited plastic bottle, kids can share in the daily experiences and inner thoughts of the bottle through his personal journal." Lately Fiona has really been excited about learning recycling and really enjoys helping us sort the items in our recycling bin. I thought the book would be a perfect "surprise/treat" for her.

She was thrilled when I gave it to her! We had to read it 3 times in row. I was afraid that the technical jargon might be a little over her head (the book is for children ages 4-8) but the book tells the "science" behind recycling in a very whimsical way. She loved learning the new words which we were able to reinforce with the glossary from the back.

Not only are the books a valuable resource, the SimonLittleGreen.com website has fantastic tips, activities and games for children, teachers, and parents. I absolutely love the green activity sheet and will probably use some of the games for Fiona's birthday in April.

According to the website the books may be found in most major bookstores but as I said earlier, I found the girls' books in major retail chains. Every parent who wants to raise their child/ren 'green' will love these books!

yes we did!

what a joyous, monumental day!

parting is such sweet sorrow :(

Happy belated New Year! The Stapletons had a good New Year despite several bouts of illness. Fiona caught a cold and passed it on to her sister. Poor Tilly ended up with RSV - yeck! Thank goodness she avoided a hospital stay and just ended up a bit listless with a very chesty, congested cough.

In the New Year, Marcus and I have vowed to get back to the days of entertaining. We used to have friends over loads before the kids but it seems over the last few years, our lives have changed and our soirees became few and far between. So it was good to get out and socialize this evening.

Mrs. Tracy - the guest of honor!

Tonight Marcus watched Tilly so that Fiona and I (as he dubbed us, the "party girls") could attend a going away party for one of our favourite teachers at Fiona's school. It was with mixed emotions that we attended the gathering. On one hand, we were excited to be spending time with Mrs. Tracy and some of the other nice families at Goddard and yet, the occasion - Tracy's leaving - was very hard for us to accept.

Mrs. Tracy was Fiona's teacher in her previous class. Her sweet nature, positive outlook, and nurturing soul always lit up the room. Under her direction, Fiona truly thrived and grew. It was truly an honor to be included in her send off!

It was nice to be able to chat and get to know some of the other families better as well. We are fortunate that so many fascinating families attend Goddard. Unfortunately, with the craziness of pick up and drop off, we aren't always able to visit properly. Tonight was a great opportunity to mix and mingle. Of course, the kids got along smashingly!

We are thankful for Mrs. Tracy and for the impact she has had on our family. We will truly miss her but are glad that she is just going to North Carolina. We will see her again!

We love Mr. Chad!!

Lisa and little Charley

Nicolas and Ian being SUCH sweet boys!

Fiona and Anabel take a ride