Disemboweling and Carving Squash: Jack-o-Lanterns!

October- Halloween season. The holiday where, for some strange reason, we disembowel large squashes, carve faces into them and eat their innards. What fun! 

"Just hanging out in a jack-o-lantern. What's up?"

To start, we needed victims-err- pumpkins. I've found that early October Sam's Club carries the largest pumpkins I've seen, but they sell quickly. I always go with an empty car during the first week of October to have a good selection.

Four pumpkins-one for each of us. The three on the right are from Sam's Club.

The little one on the left was the biggest at a grocery store. Compare!

Luckily, the weather was beautiful! We were able to carve outside, and enjoy the fresh air. And, I got an easy clean up job. We had to recruit some help, as Mya isn't big enough to safely wield a knife that can cut through these beasts. I kidnapped my sister for the morning. Let's carve!

Yummy, pumpkin guts!

Zoey had a blast watching from her play pen. She enjoys eating every bit of anything she finds on the ground, so she had to be safely contained. 

Mya and Auntie, gutting the pumpkin.

We had a blast. Carving pumpkins is a silly tradition, but a great family event. I believe we will be carving pumpkins for many years. Hopefully, well into the girls' teenage years!

The finished pumpkins. The tall one won't stand unsupported. It appears to be 

unhappy about the situation.

Not only was it a fun day, but we got a pot full of pumpkin seeds to eat. After roasting, of course!

Good Samaritans

Something strange happened. Well, perhaps "strange" isn't the proper word, but it was quite unexpected.

John and Mya had decided to get their hair cut, so we made a family trip to the local salon. As we finished, I began to pay the hairdresser as John stepped outside to brush the hair trimmings from his body. (There are a lot of trimmings when a simple trim consists of cutting three inches off of back length hair, yet it is nearly impossible to see how much hair has gone.)

John returned almost instantly and asked for my car key, as I had driven us. I handed it to him and I saw, through the window, John disappear to the left, then back towards the right holding my jumper cables. Now, if you know how to jump a car, you must connect the dead one to a live one, and the cables were not long enough to cover the distance from my car to wherever John was heading.

I finished the transaction, gathered the girls and walked out into a group of three or four men. They were crowded around two cars: a newer looking pickup truck and an old Cadillac. It was obvious they were trying to jump the Cadillac. I stepped back and watched.

It was a little funny how much effort they put into trying to start the Cadillac, although they seemed new to the process. As I had to instruct them to rev the engine of the pickup, to increase the rpms, and not to touch the- *SHOCK*- cables. I assumed the car belonged to one of the men.

We were unable to start the car, after coming to the grim realization, that it was not the battery. I apologized for not being able to try to assist any further, and wished luck to the man in the Cadillac. He thanked me, but said it was not him who needed luck, but the owner of the car.

All of these men, four in total, were gathered around, trying to start this car. Not one of them owned the car. They did not know each other prior to trying to start this car. The car, they said, belonged to an older woman, who was unseen. Probably hiding in a shop, because it was getting cold, and windy.

We headed home. I'm not sure if they were able to start the car. But, I was shocked and impressed to see these strangers come together to help another person.

I'm happy to report, there are still good samaritans, and I hope Karma rewarded those men for the trouble they went through, for seemingly nothing.

Starting young: It can happen to anyone.

Let's have a little more back story.

John and I both excelled all throughout school. Often being the "smart kid" in class. We went to a magnet middle school that focused on math and science, then the high school that followed the program. And, not only did we work hard to get into these school, we played instruments.

I was in the orchestra. Many hours of practice went into my instrument, the viola, and I often held first or second chair. John played the trumpet and sang in the choirs. He was in marching band, and jazz band, as well as the chamber choir. He spent hours after school to maintain his musical talent.

Basically, we didn't fit the "type to get knocked up in high school" stereotype. But, we did. And, we weren't what you would consider the promiscuous or popular type. Either way it happened.

In my opinion, it is best for Mya that she "happened" to us. We may have been unprepared, but were intelligent enough to research through my pregnancy, and continue to read to find out the best things we can do for her.

Although, we had the option of leaving her in the care of family for me to finish my education, we decided that the most reasonable and fair thing to do was for me to be her primary caretaker. And, that has lead to where we are now. If we did not choose to be around for her at all times, I don't think she would be as well rounded as she is.

Creepy crawlies

Going along with my Kids and Critters post, lets look at some not so cuddly, but oh so interesting critters.

We have an annual reptile show, here in Las Vegas. (And, I unfortunately, forgot my camera.) There were so many, many interesting critters ranging from tiny baby frogs and geckos to six foot snakes and 20 pound iguanas. We went to see all of the critters, with no sure mindset to bring anything living home. And, by we, I mean Zoey, my sister, Nicole, friend  Mindy, and myself. Mya chose to spend the day with her grandfather, after given the choice to tag along, or see him.

There may not have been any plans to bring home any new friends, but it happened to each of us. The first critters to catch an eye were a group of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. Yes. Giant cockroaches that hiss. My sister saw these guys and instantly wanted a few. Cockroaches certainly are not for me, but they are interesting. 

"This one is a fine male specimen," Nicole says. "He is a warrior, see his horns?"

I am fascinated by these guys, however, I have an irrational fear of them. There is no reason for me to be afraid of these, I know. They cannot hurt me, they are not venomous. And, I tried to conquer my fear. My sister, whose hand you can see in all of the pictures of the roaches was steady and calm. She brought one out specifically for me to pet and potentially hold. I slowly touched it's back with a single extended finger and it let out a rather loud, yet tiny hiss. 

Fear not conquered.

The male. He also has spikes on his legs. His plates are impressive.

I tried. But, I could not bring myself to hold one. Mostly in fear of my own reaction, because I didn't want to fling and hurt the giant cockroach. Hmm.

I lowered my camera, in attempt to see his stomach. My sister offered an easier solution.

She then brought out a female, and exclaimed. "She's pregnant! These guys give live birth!" Oh. Well, then. That is interesting, but I don't think I will be bonding with her any more easily.

The females do not have horns or spikes on their legs. The difference are impossible to miss.

The white you can see is where her babies are developing.

He back plates are spaced because of her pregnant, swollen abdomen.

The male and female cockroaches are amazingly different. Taking their pictures was quite educational, and Mya had a blast petting them. Go, Mya.

Now, I will not say I am a fan of spiders, but I found myself drawn to the tarantulas. I am not good at getting rid of the household spiders that find their way into my home, and usually do so more vocally than I wish, with my heart beating a bit faster than it should. But, after holding a rose haired tarantula, I decided to bring her home.

It took my a few tries to bring her out of her tank, because I was jumpy, but she is a very calm spider.

Mya was drawn to the spider. She is quite fearless. Her grandfather was not to happy with it, and had to be convinced it was not venomous.

Mya claimed the spider is hers, and fell in love, if you could call it that, immediately.

Seeing these creepy crawlies, and bringing them into our lives was quite an experience. I can't say I'd want to add to my collection of this-many-legged-creatures on a daily basis, but it was wonderful, and educational.

Kids and critters

All too often I see, "Need home for my dog/cat because we are having a baby." This perplexes me. Animals are a wonderful learning experience, and friend for children. And, as long as the animal isn't aggressive toward people, I see the baby excuse as a very poor excuse.

Zoey's first day home from the hospital. Our cats immediately knew she was family.

Babies are interesting little creatures. They are loud, high pitched and occasionally, smell really bad. But, babies take on the smell of their mother when they are born, so animals immediately accept them into the family. I certainly wouldn't leave an animal alone with a new baby, however.

One of our cats would always be near Zoey, until she learned to crawl.

An animal in the house can be a wonderful way to teach respect, and boundaries. Even toddlers will learn that if you offer the dog a part of your cookie he or she will come and play, or if you pet the cat gently it will purr. But, if you scream or hit, your furry friend will run away in a flash. Sometimes, fun is the only lesson needed. A bird will mimic songs, and cats and dogs chase the toy.

In some cases rough housing is okay. Mya was 17 months old with Grandma's new puppy.

A bit of comfort can be found in four furry legs. Mya has asthma. Luckily for her, pet dander doesn't trigger her asthma attacks. Sometimes she will feel extra weak and miserably during a cold, and someone is there right away for her to pet and love.  They even keep her company during her nebulizer treatments on very bad days.

Our cats always know when someone needs a little love.

Of course, some people cannot have pets. Some people do not have time or finances to have a pet. This, I understand. There are still opportunities to teach your children about critters, even if it's just your park or zoo.

Mr. Goose will bite your fingers, feed him carefully!

Let your children discover all of the critters around. Take a trip to the pet store, if nothing else. Make sure you let them decide on the animals they adore or admire. If you can't stand birds, don't let them know. If you are terrified of snakes, look away when they look into the tank. Let them have an opinion before you give them yours. You never know what they might find.

Mya with four of blogger  Melinda's, corn snakes.

"Kid food"

Next time you go out to eat-anywhere- take a look at the kids' menu. What do you see? Mac and cheese, chicken tenders and fries, a burger (served with no lettuce or tomato, I bet.) Some places give the kids' menu an option. One entree, and one side. The sides include fries, mashed potatoes, some veggie, or seasonal fruit. How are we supposed to teach out children to have a healthy balanced meal, if one is not offered? (We make a point to order a side and a vegetable, even if we have to pay the extra two dollars.) The more I take my girls out to eat, the more I notice this frustrating trend.

Another of the biggest problems I see, is, kids who refuse to try food, get special meals made for them, and have no variety in their diet. More times than I wish, I have seen a family entering a restaurant, with a child aged three to nine toting a bag of fast food.

We are a fat country. We are getting fatter, and this will not stop if we don't teach our children to eat healthy, balanced meals. There is a rule in my household. You must try everything that is presented to you during a meal. Mya has tried avocado every time I eat it. She doesn't like it, but her reasoning is, "I might like it this time! Tastes change." It's a wonderful rule to live by, and has lead Mya to excitement about trying new things. Most people look at her with awe when she is eating an "adult food," such as stuffed peppers, or artichoke, but I believe it should be a normal thing, and we should expect our children to eat foods with flavor, and not so much salt.

Now, I am firmly against the 'clean your plate' rule, but one bite of every item must be gone. And, when a meal is presented, by me, it is healthy. I cook with all natural ingredients, and I make everything from scratch. While it may take a little longer to make our meals this way, the health of my family is important. I have perfected some delicious meals that are wonderful and healthy, and are made in less than an hour, including a low fat alfredo, and incredibly low fat pineapple cupcakes. (I will make future posts on these.)

I suppose this is more of a rant or public service announcement. Just take a look at what your children are eating. Don't cook a hot dog for your child, because you are having a salad, or stop at Mcdonalds, because a three year old won't eat at a Chinese restaurant. We are weeding out all other stereotypes, so let's get rid of this one.

I'd like to banish this "kid food" stereotype. Even if I have to try one kid at a time.

Kiwi Berries

When I discover a new food, I get great joys in bringing it home for my family to discover and taste with me. I want to teach my daughters to keep an open mind with everything, and food is a great way to start. So, when I was shopping at my local Sam's club, and discovered kiwi berries, We had to try them.

What is a kiwi berry? They are grape sized fruits that look like miniature kiwis-minus the fuzz and are native to northeastern Asia.

I cut some open revealing innards of a full sized kiwi. Interesting.

I washed them off and we each took one. They had little stems on either side, but John popped the whole thing in his mouth. I pulled the stem off and but mine in half. Mya watched us, then followed my example. Super sweet bite sized kiwis! 

Mya loves them. She asks for them for a treat, instead of candy.

She gets thrilled when I offer her more.

Next was Zoey's turn. She has never had a kiwi. She's not eaten most things, but we certainly weren't going to exclude her from a new food that she could try! 

Zoey has no teeth yet; she is still only six months old, but it wasn't hard to peel. The skin was the thickness of grape skin, but easier to peel, because the fruit is softer. It ended up in a blob, instead of quarters, though.

She had to investigate the texture first. And, it was in the fridge.

 The tasting! She yum-ed loudly, and squealed for more

 Looks like kiwi berries received Zoey's seal of approval.

Eight thumbs up from us. Everyone went crazy for them. They had a concentrated kiwi flavor, but were sweeter than that of your average kiwi. There was no fuzzy skin to peel, cut off or eat around, so they are neater and easier to eat than kiwis. (Well, neater for those of us not new to the wide, wonderful world of food.) But, at about four dollars for a single pound they are a bit pricey.

Still, I encourage everyone to try kiwi berries. Look for new and interesting foods when you are out. Follow the rule of food we are teaching our girls: "You can't dislike it if you've never tried it."  You never know what you'll find to love.

Crib bumpers, finally deemed unsafe

Although, I may be still a young parent, although a veteran in some senses, I always researched. When I was first pregnant, I spent hours reading everything I could get my hands on about pregnancy, babies, and everything vaguely related to motherhood.


One thing that stood out so vividly, was the risks of crib bumpers. The American Academy of Pediatrics says, 


"Do not use pillows, bumper pads, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, other soft products, or any objects that could increase the risk of suffocation or strangulation." 


With Mya, I was on such limited income it could barely be considered an income. We didn't recieve a fancy bedding set for the crib, so we never looked into buying one. We had more important things to spend our money on. (Diapers are expensive.)

Mya, 5 days before her first birthday.

Come four years later, we decided to have another baby. This time we were living much more comfortably, and I was excited to indulge a little. So, I shopped for a nice bedding set for Zoey's crib. In the four years between Mya and Zoey, we outlawed drop side cribs, yet, I couldn't find a single crib bedding set that did not include the bumper pads. Why?  We have known these were unsafe for years. 


I was talking to a friend and fellow blogger, earlier and she informed me that we were finally going to rid of crib bumpers! I did remember reading an article that Chicago banned crib bumpers, so I researched. It appears that we actually, are finally, getting rid of these long know death traps.


Sorry, baby bedding industry, but there may soon be a ban on the sale of bumpers, much like the drop side crib.


And, on this note, parents: please be aware of recent bans and recalls, for the safety of your children. Don't makeshift something to protect your baby from hitting their head on the crib. SIDS and suffocation are so much worse than a few tears, and a little bruise.  


Sweet dreams to the little ones.

Buggy surprises.

Starting young, and poor, we always appreciated the little joys that could happen. Although we are living a lot more comfortably, we still want to teach our girls to enjoy simple things. When we found a little green caterpillar,  in my mother's basil garden, Mya was overjoyed. And, I knew we could add a little lesson, and make it special.

We took the little green inchworm home, with a bunch of the basil he was found in, and put home in a little Kritter Keeper. Two days passed and I noticed the basil was beginning to wilt, so I took each piece out very carefully and inspected it, looking for out little green friend. My heart sank, when I took out the last piece, and still had not a sign of life-except for the mountains of caterpillar poop. I had to tell Mya, that her little pet was no more. Then I noticed what looked like a bit of white cotton it the corner of the Kritter Keeper. It had cocooned!

A beautiful green cocoon.

Wonderful! I called Mya to see her friend in his dormant state, when she happily told me, "Mom! Shhh! He's sleeping! He has to sleep a lot to become a butterfly!"

A few more days passed, and our cocoon began to turn a little brown. You could start to see an outline of wings. Unfortunately,  I procrastinated a day too much to get a picture of this stage of his development, because as we were all sitting on the couch, I heard a crash. Oh no! The cats knocked over the Kritter Keeper! "That was the caterpillar, John!" I was nursing Zoey, so it would have taken me a bit longer to run to his aid.

John picked up his home and sighed, "Dumb cats, they knocked it out of the cocoon. It's dead." I was a little confused, so I investigated.
It hatched! The cats must have seen it moving and knocked it down trying to catch it.

He looked like he was a bit cramped. Welcome to the world, Mr. Moth.

He was still wrinkled from just waking up, but he was very much alive, but not so much a butterfly. We called Mya. She was wonderfully excited and wanted to go out to pick him flowers. I told her we should wait until it was a bit darker, because moths prefer night, and he needs to rest after hatching.

He fluffed out, and became much more active within a few hours.

His cocoon, with a hole in the top, form hatching.

 A view of his wings. Quite pretty, in daylight.

His fluffy body.  

As promised, as soon as it was dark, we took him out to live wild and free, where bugs should be. Mya was ecstatic to let him go, and chose the flower he should land on. He had different plans, of course, but it was very thoughtful.

Mya informed me that moths were "nighttime butterflies."

The lid was a little tricky, especially while he was fluttering around, waiting his release. 

"Come out moth!"

 "Why'd he go up there?! He should have landed on that flower!"

Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Mya got to see a creature go through three life stages. Not many people get to see that. Honestly, I may have been just as excited when I first noticed the cocoon. Mya said "We have to get two worms from Grandma's garden next time! So, we can let two moths go! Maybe one will be a butterfly, and one will be a moth next time!"

As I was tucking her into bed, I asked if she gave the moth a name. She looked thoughtful for a moment, even put her finger on her chin, and responded, "Poopsauce." 

What?

"I named him Poopsauce, because he pooped so much when he was a caterpillar."  

Good luck in life, Poopsauce. I hope you are happily fluttering around a light somewhere.

Starting young

My name is Melissa. I have a two daughters, ages four and six months. I am 22 years old.

If you do your math, you will come to see that I was around 17 when I had my first daughter, Mya. 17 is a not the age many people think of as being in charge of another life. It is not legal to drink alcohol. It is not legal to smoke. It is not legal to vote, yet, I was given this life that depended on me for everything.

I was lucky, however, in the sense that the father of my daughter, John, was a man. He was 19 when Mya was born. He was overwhelmed with the thought of starting a family while we were so unprepared. And, we were very unprepared. But, he stood by me. He stood by me for the big announcements-to tell our parents, that they were going to be grandparents. He stood by me when I quit school, my job, and moved in with his family, and he stood by me when I went into labor in the middle of the night and had our baby. The decisions we made were very difficult. I rested my life in him. I had no money, no job, and nothing to my name.

Many people may say that these decisions were foolish. Looking back, I can see why, and could easily say the same to another girl in the same position. But, because John is a man, and not a dick, I made the right choices for my family.

Now, I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom. We married in 2008, after being high school sweethearts since 2004. John was able to get his Bachelors in Nursing, and works as a registered nurse to support our family, and we live with no one, in our own apartment. And I am happy to say, through all of our hard work, I love my family, our home, and would not change a thing.