Pumpkin Night

We had a good time getting our pumpkins ready last night. Makena has never really liked to carve her pumpkin and usually opts to paint or decorate it. Jamie decided that he was going to paint his pumpkin this year too. I, on the other hand, need to carve my pumpkin. I always imagine how hard my mom tried to not let us (or the house) get messy. That makes carving the pumpkin even more fun! : ) I did decided to do a traditional jack-o-lantern face this year though.

a couple of pictures courtesy of Makena Makena named her pumpkin Sir Quasi
(short for Quasimodo) Jamie said his pumkin looked like a Herman pumpkin guts! yum - baked pumpkin seeds
I decided on sweet seeds this year - sugar, cinnamon & allspice

Did you know?

I know we have all been using hand sanitizer a lot lately. I always have one on my key chain, one in my purse, one in my camera bag, one in my truck, one in each bathroom (only for after blowing your nose), one in the laundry room and one in the kitchen. (Think that's too much? Nahhh!) I am constantly washing my hands, but I love always having sanitizer with me. Did you know this about sanitizer??

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should contain at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective in killing germs, so make sure you read the label. While you're perusing the ingredients, also take note of inactive ingredients. Avoid alcohol-based hand sanitizers that include "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list. These are chemical fragrance compounds that could contain phthalates, and research has linked them to reproductive problems. Alcohol-based Purell hand sanitizers, for example—arguably the most popular brand out there—are effective at killing germs but contain questionable preservatives and other ingredients like fragrance, and even PEG, which is often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a suspected carcinogen. Also, always avoid any hand sanitizers or soaps containing triclosan: They don't kill off all the germs on your hands, and can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database ranks EO Hand Sanitizers and Wipes, found online or at Whole Foods, as among the safest. The products contain organic alcohol and a plant-based germ-killer; however, they are a bit pricey at nearly $10 for 8 ounces. (This is my VERY favorite hand sanitizer. The best part is, the organic lavender oil that makes it smell wonderful.)

Look for more natural hand sanitizers and sprays that contain witch hazel, alcohol, and naturally antibiotic essential oils, suggests green-living expert Annie B. Bond, of GreenChiCafe.com, author of the new eBook Natural Flu Protection. "Beware of synthetic varieties, and varieties that say 'antimicrobial,'" Bond warns.

And here's one alcohol-free option we like: CleanWell uses a proprietary, plant-based essential oil blend, mainly thyme oil, to kill more than 99 percent of germs without alcohol. You can find Cleanwell All-Natural Hand Sanitizers on Amazon.com, or in Target, Whole Foods, Babies "R" Us, and other stores.

Good Things #16

Halloween Good Things:

Look for these alternatives to the usual synthetic loot:

1. Yummy-gummy goodness: Try Surf Sweets Gummy Worms or Organic Classic Gummi Bears from Surf Sweets or Let’s Do Organic, both made with organic natural sweeteners and without artificial colors and flavors.
2. The new chew: Look for Glee Gum, a natural gum (no synthetic plastics) in cinnamon, peppermint and tangerine flavours, made with sustainably harvested natural chicle from Central American rainforests.
3. A smarter kind of Smarties®: Sun Drops by Sunspire- candy-coated chocolate or peanut bites with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
4. Fruit Lollipops by Pure Fun or Yummy Earth: organic lollipops in both old and new flavours- lemon, green apple, watermelon, goji berry, tangerine, and pomegranate. No synthetic colors; their colorings come from red beet, red cabbage, annatto extract, turmeric extract, purple carrots, and alfalfa extract!
5. Fair trade eco-chocolate: Try organic dark/milk/white chocolate squares from Green & Black’s, organic and fair trade dark chocolate bites from Equal Exchange, or ethically-traded milk-chocolate squares by Endangered Species.
6. Crystal Cuts: Colorful old-fashioned hard candies from Hammond’s in Grape, Orange, Lemon, and Cherry.
7. Maple hard candies: Leaf-shaped candies flavored and colored with real maple syrup.
8. Spicy Cinnamon Candy by Pure Fun: This certified organic, vegan, gluten-free, kosher candy actually contains red cabbage to get its color!
9. Organic dark-chocolate covered raisins by Sunspire: a much healthier version of Raisinettes®.
10. Organic Jelly Beans by Surf Sweets
11. More pep in your step: Honey Mint Patties by Honey Acres are an incredibly pure version of Pep® mint and chocolate patties- their ingredients are only honey, unsweetened chocolate, and peppermint.

The kids in our neighborhood won't be getting Capri-Suns (with recyclable packaging) this year, so I hope they aren't expecting it. (Jamie says they won't be.) We will be handing out All-Natural Fruit Leathers instead of candy.

Good times at the Pumpkin Patch

Due to busy weekends, we weren't able to get together at the pumpkin patch until this Saturday. Nikki & TeaLee ended up not feeling well and couldn't join us this year - we missed you two! We decided to head back to Lakeview Farms in North Plains again this year. We braved the drizzly Oregon weather in search for the perfect pumpkins, and to ride the train, boat and ponies.

Dylona is afraid (deathly) of snakes, so Kylah surprised her!

Ivie was loving the camera again today - crazy girl.

Kallie thought this tree was funny - it was.

on the boat ride over to the pumpkin patch

Kylah found a baby pumpkin

and Kallie just had to have it!

Makena was helping the girls push the wheelbarrow

Uncle Jamie gave the girls our gloves.

They were a little big, but the girls didn't mind.

Jamie found his pumpkin

Kallie found another one

Kallie was hiding in the hay maze

waiting to ride the ponies

our pumpkins

on the train ride back

Kallie-bug was talking to the piggies

Kylah wanted to join us in the corn maze.

Our first marker!

It took us a while, but we found all 5 of them.

Makena & Kylah were hiding from Jamie

Lunch at Rogue Distillery in North Plains

We got home, dried off and lounged around the house the rest of the day. I think Jamie even took a nap sometime between football games. Thanks again everyone - we had a great day!

Costumes!

We spent Saturday afternoon with Dylona, Kylah, Kallie & Ivie Rose. The YMCA was having a Fall party, so we took the kids there to play. The best part - they were able to wear their costumes!

Miss Ivie was loving the camera

Kylah behind the scary spider

It was nice out, so we walked to the Y

and played in the leaves.

All kinds of fun!

When Tracie got off of work, we decided to go to dinner. Makena wanted Chinese, so we headed to the one (and only) Chinese restaurant in Sherwood. After good food and full bellies, Makena and I headed home. Jamie had more Chinese food waiting for us there! : )