Treadmill vs. Baby monitor

Today I planned to do a 6 mile run, the longest run that I've done for a while. So I thought that the best time to do it would be when Joshua was sleeping. So as soon as he went down for his morning nap, I stationed Jed in front of the computer do work on his phonics using this fantastic website and then headed to the basement to run on the treadmill. The baby monitor was stationed in the corner so that I could watch it to see when Josh woke up. The competition then started. Would I finish my run before the green lights on the baby monitor would start flashing. Fifteen minutes went by, then thirty and then forty. I was sweating and Joshua was still snoring. Things looked good. If only he could sleep for another 15 minutes and then I could finish my first l-o-n-g run. Yeah !!! The lights on the baby monitor did not start flashing and I finished my run in 54 minutes. Thanks dear sweet Joshua for having such a wonderful morning nap!

Thirteen ways

It's Friday he thirteenth ! So here is an article posted by Jessie on her blog called "Graze with me" where she talks about 13 ways to avoid toxic groceries. Jessie blogs about food and food choices that she makes and she inspired me to read "Skinny Bitch".  I'm off to go grocery shopping and so this is useful information. Read the article here.

Skinny B-I-T-C-H

Just read the book Skinny Bitch and have had a wake-up call regarding what I eat as well as what I feed my family. This book is hard-hitting and does not mince any words about healthy eating. It's the first non-fiction book that I've ever read that has swearing in it. But I suppose harsh language is necessary to make one realise what junk food does to your body. The book's premise is to take a look at ingredients in the products that you eat rather than just the nutritional facts. So that's what our household will be doing for a while as well as omitting some items from our diets too.

How old are you ?

Jed is 2 years old but he likes to think that he is older. Yesterday we were visiting with some friends and I asked one of the teenagers how old he was? He replied that he was "thirteen". When Jed was asked how old he was he said "I am two-teen." That sure does sound older than two, doesn't it ?

I want to be a painter !

Here's Jed exploring a new vocation. He wants to be a painter. Here he is practicing painting on his easel. He is wearing coveralls (his snow pants) and is standing on a ladder (a footstool). Watch to the end ...

I want to be a painter from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.

A peace retreat

When emotions get strong and stormy winds of frustration blow, there's a place to go. A "Peace Retreat". A candle to light, a book to read and a quilt to find comfort from. Here's Jed taking "shelter" in the peace retreat.

The rougher the better

Jed and Joshua love to play together. Joshua is only 8 months old and is quite tough. Jed takes advantage of this and loves to play rough with his brother.

The rougher the better from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.