Life's a beach.

Hi out there.

It's been ages and for that I am sorry.

I have finally just gotten over my mutant atypical pneumonia, 17 days of antibiotics, 2 inhalers (Ventolin and a steroid) and heavy duty Rx codeine cough syrup and I am just beginning to feel normal. I still have crushing rib cage pain and some shortness of breath, but generally I feel better.

So much so we went to the beach today, it was great! The happiest I have seen Lakai in ages, we took off our shoes and socks and went in the waves...well he ran into them and there was literally NO stopping him. He didn't want to leave, despite being totally soaked and sandy. I can't blame him there is something magical and soul healing about the beach. The sounds, the smells, the waves, the sand beneath your feet and inbetween your toes.

Kyle (the fun sucker as I call him) kept his shoes on and a firm handle on holding Marlow above the sand, even though I had removed her socks and let her get her feet in the sand for the first time. It was warm and she loved it. I love that man, but sheesh....live a little. Our kids are only young so long, being a kid means doing things that maybe you shouldn't but don't really hurt anyone and in the end turn out to be so fun. Heck being an adult (if I have my way) is the same. I would never wear shoes if I had my way and they would always been in the sand.

We also went to the dollar store and bought some supplies for the week, treats for Lakai, colouring books, stickers, bubbles and fake tattoos (which he use to love but hasn't had in ages). When we got home I attempted to put a tiny star on the inside of his wrist. He flipped out. I got it on and was able to wet it....but he was clearly REALLY upset by it. He was hugging me and breathing rapidly like he was scared afterwards. He would not let me remove or get any where near the backing to reveal the tattoo. I assume he was relating it to the IVs he has had lately. I even tried putting one on myself, it didn't work. Only hugs soothed him. F*ck prematurity. Something my son once loved to have on himself, now causes him to connect in his mind to something that hurt him and thus makes him now fear.

My heart breaks for him. It's something so trivial, pointless even, my mom would say "good" not because she wants him to feel badly (never!) but because it's tattoos. But the point really is, it's not fair. It's not fair that he has had enough exposure to IVs and bandaids after IVs, to cause him to think it was related....(the warm wet cloth to set the tattoo/warm towel to bring out his veins.....and so on).

=/

Moving on.

Recently I found a 10 gallon complete fish tank at our local second hand store (which we lead me into a rant afterwards!), so we now have fish. I must say, I love fish. I want more, but the ones we have now annoy me. The male Guppies are basically swarming the female (huge mistake getting both sexes in hindsight, never again), we have two females but there is one that looks like the males...and she is a hot item to them. I want to flush them (I am just being jerky, I don't eat meat...like I would EVER flush a LIVE animal EVER. I rescue bugs...even hairy 8 eyed ones!) they are so harassing. I think I will have to Craigslist them or return them because they are stressing her out. My Corys on the other hand, pretty much make me laugh every time I look at them. We have an bubble strip and they use it to play elevator!

So about the rant......

I have some serious beef, I see a lot of natural and green parents/pages on my Facebook...awesome! Rock on, thank you for making the planet more healthy for our kids! But here's the thing that bothers me, most if not all refuse or turn their noses up at buying second hand clothing for their kids. Instead their kids wear designer stuff, Vans, H&M, Gap....you name it. The thing is? Some of these companies do not have "green" practices. But what is more, it's all newly bought stuff. To me that feels hypocritical, being green means reusing (if you follow it to a "t").

I personally buy a lot of our kids stuff second hand *gasp* not only to reuse, but also because I find rad deals on the same new stuff I see the above parents buying...usually that are still with tags or in perfect condition. I recently scored two MEC coats for Lakai brand new for $7 for both. I once found him Nikes for $4 a pop and got 2 amazingly trendy and cool pairs.

I do still buy new some times, but I make sure that I give the clothes away to someone needy or a friend. And my new buying makes up about 10% of my clothes buying for the kids.

I am not perfect, but I just don't get the parents who refuse to buy second hand or are so snotty about it. Like your kid cares, plus if you are "green" go ALL green. It's sort of like the parents who say they practice attachment parenting but snap at their kids all the time or act very unlike an attachment parent when they think no one is looking or when moms who say that prolonged breast feeding is best and how much they love it, but turn around and complain about it (all the time!).

I love my fellows moms, but there is mom stuff and behavior I just do not get. And I am 100% sure other moms feel this way about things I do as well. F*ck I am not perfect! Not hardly!

I promise to write again soon.

In closing....my on going rant of my life lately is...please keep your dogs ON LEASH in areas they are suppose to be ON LEASH. And if the sign says NO DOGS....that means NO DOGS, not NO DOGS (but little off leash dogs are ok)....seriously. I hate wiping dog crap off my kids after we go to playgrounds and parks where dogs are not allowed. Its just rude....and guess what? I own a dog!

A pit bull no less.

Peas and carrots people!


Oh here's the most recent doll I made.....enjoy!