Green Cleaning Solutions for Home - make 'em yourself
Green Cleaning Products for Home
All purpose
Vinegar and water: Fill a spray bottle or mix in a bucket
Drains
Baking Soda, vinegar, boiling water: Pour baking soda down the drain, add vinegar. Let bubble a few minutes, then add boiling water.
Toilet
Baking soda and vinegar: Make a paste
Polishing Silver
Toothpaste
Cleaning Clothes » Read more
Resource Guide: Parent's Night Out
When you’re ready for a date night, or a little quiet time, check out which great places around town host Parents Night Out events for kids. Call ahead for a reservation and to ask questions about sending along a snack, or your child’s own toy or book.
Check websites for dates.
The DIY Lounge Kid's craft night/parent's date night! » Read more
Stacee Wion, Co-Founder of Spielwerk
Q &A with Stacee Wion
Co-owner/Founder, Spielwerk
Play is the work of children. And Spielwerk, a small community toy store in Sellwood, is aiming to get our kids back to work.
What is this place?
A delightful, cozy shop specializing in American and European toys of simpler times. Handcrafted wooden toys, beautiful blocks, and dolls made of recycled fabric are just a sampling of the traditional toys this store offers. Nothing on their shelves requires batteries or makes a lot of noise. These are the toys that foster creativity and cooperative play among children. » Read more
Craft: Pinecone Birdfeeder
Craft: Entertain Spring’s Feathered Friends with a Pinecone Bird Feeder
Now that spring is here, what better way to enjoy the outdoors then by making a super duper easy, a little bit messy, kid-friendly bird feeder out of a pinecone?
Materials
• One large pinecone
• Peanut Butter
• Knife or Spatula
• One foot of string or yarn
• Bird seed (about one cup)
Steps
• Tie string or yarn to the top of pinecone
• Smear peanut butter all over pinecone
• Roll peanut butter covered pinecone in bird seed, cover completely
• Hang outside on tree limb » Read more
Kate Haas: 9-1-1
9-1-1
By Kate Haas
“You belong in the Bad Mama Jail,” declared my four-year-old, late one afternoon as I was cooking dinner. “With no snacks!”
I snorted as Nate stomped out of the kitchen. If denying pretzels before supper was a criminal offense, I was facing the slammer for sure. Giggles from the living room reassured me. My son was playing happily with his friend, Zachary. He’ll get over it, I thought.
Fifteen minutes later, a knock interrupted my dinner preparations. Opening the door, I gazed in consternation at the burly police officer outside. » Read more
Book to Foster a Love of Reading
Watching a child’s face light up while reading a book is one of the great joys of being a children’s bookseller. This month, the good folks at Powell’s Books offer up some sure-fire winners to excite your little bookworm.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
By Mo Willems » Read more
Outdoor Spaces for Kids
Kids need spaces of their own. In a world with so many choices, children need to relax, just like adults, at the end of the day. Having outdoor spaces where they can see the sky, watch the rain, and daydream is important to children’s healthy development. Sure, plenty of parks offer giant slides and swing sets, but sometimes all your child needs is a place to call his own …. on or beneath a deck, at the end of the back patio, or in a corner of the yard.
Treehouse or Playhouse » Read more
Teach Children About Money, Part I
Start a Good Habit While Your Children are Young:
Teach them about Money
By Diane Sague Ehnes
Children who learn about money and how to save at an early age are at a great advantage to develop the building blocks for sensible financial decision making throughout their lives.
There are countless ways in which we can teach our children about money. We’ll be looking at several of them in the next few issues – this month we only scratch the surface but will hopefully get you started on the right path, if you haven’t already begun.
Talk About Money » Read more
