Pop Bottle Ecosystem

Yesterday we made a pop bottle ecosystem. It was pretty simple to make once you have all the supplies on hand. We found our inspiration here on Pinterest:

 
 

                                                                                  Source: cranberrycorner.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

We made the following changes:
1. The pet store didn't sell duck weed so I told them to sell me the hardiest most weed-like plant they have. They did. No idea what it is called, so please don't ask. It was cheap though.

2. I didn't include any fish because I was afraid they would die. We got two snails instead.

3. We had to cut slits on the middle layer that joins the two bottles. Not a bid deal but it helped to slide it.

We used old sage from outside to feed the crickets until the rye grass grows. Hope they like sage!

Next time we make it instead of cutting the bottom of the top layer (which makes the top of the ecosystem) we will cut a hinge door in the side and then tape that close. This will result in a cleaner finish with less tape and frustration. 

Now we sit back and wait for nature to run its course.

The Ugly Chickens

Adolescent chickens are ugly. Period. End of story. Those soft cuddly chicks that poop everywhere have turned into awkward teenage chickens that poop everywhere.

 

So far all the chicks we brought home are still with us. I am anxiously awaiting when the coop will be put back together and our garage will be completely resided in beautiful cedar.

This is the very curious Plymouth Barred Rocks. They are a week older than the rest and about a third bigger.  We bought these because my dad is a big fan and they were in stock when we went. 

This is one of our Speckled Sussex chicks. They are quickly becoming my favorites of the bunch. I wasn't originally considering them but since this is what the store had and I read they are good layers I bought them.

This is one of the Black Sexlinks (or Black Stars). Definitely the ugliest of the ugly. Poor ugly things, hopefully they will have a winning personality.

Buff orpingtons. I think these are our friendliest. 

Looking forward to large amounts of fresh eggs with these ladies.

Rusty

I do remember how to log into my blogger account still!

Things here are still as busy as ever. I am helping my best friend work on getting her family's new business up and running and looking forward to when I can share all the details (especially for you upstate New Yorkers)!

We got new chickens. I should probably confess here that late last fall a predator, of unknown origin, took advantage of my mistake of an open coop door and killed my whole flock. I felt so bad that they died because of me. We cleaned up the bodies and most of the feathers and spent the winter wondering if we should get more. My son asked about every other day if it was spring and if we could get chickens so when the signs went up around town saying "chicks are here" we made our way down and got 8 new chickens, knowing we would probably end up with about 6. (we still have 8)

We got 2 speckled Sussex, 2 black sexlinks, 2 buff orpingtons and 2 Plymouth barred rocks. They all are supposed be bigger birds that love to lay eggs. Both kids have been busy watching them and trying there best to take care of them (i.e. not squish them to death). So far so good.

Lots of Irons in the Fire

I know I haven't been posting as much as I used to but I really do have a good reason. For two years I have been working on building my doula and photography business. For the past six months I have been really ramping things up to get my name out there.



If you aren't familiar with birth photography you should check out the 2011 Birth photography contest, featuring photographers from all across the country. My entry is #40 and captures the moment the mom first pulled her baby through her legs and saw her for the first time. So crazy that I get to do this for a living!

You should go check them out and vote for your favorite, which I hope is #40...

Snow Day

We woke up this morning to 8-12 inches of snow. My son told me that snow days were the days you should make cookies, so we did. 

 

We made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with coconut shreds instead of walnuts (yes Mom, oatmeal cookies can be good with chocolate chips).  Since they came out of the oven they have been the only thing I am surviving on today.

 

My daughter isn't a fan of playing in the snow so once we finally got her to take a nap (sweet relief) M and I made our way outside to clear the sidewalks, throw snow balls and plan how much hot chocolate we would drink once inside.

 

There is something about a snow day, even if your kids aren't in school, that makes you slow down and enjoy getting bundled up in blankets and eating warm cookies. 

Rocketship Birthday Party

Yesterday we celebrated my son's birthday with a rocketship/space theme. 

 We made these cute little alien masks.

 Tried to set off some rockets but it was so cold and muddy that once we set off the two big rockets with actual engines we opted for the Stomp rocket, which was a big hit Aunt Jeanette!

 

 I love his expression when he saw these little dart guns.

We had a great time and thank you to everyone that was able to be there to help us celebrate.

Side note: this party was mostly possible because of Pinterest. Make sure to check out Pin Do Review to see my reviews, but give me a day or two to recover from the party.

A Letter To My Son On His Fourth Birthday

Dear M,
Happy fourth birthday little man! Sorry your birthday is so close to Christmas, but it really wasn't my fault that you were ready to be born at 37 weeks. Did you know there was a big snow storm the morning you were born?

We are so lucky to have such a sweet and kind son. You take such good care of your sister and are always watching out for her. She is lucky to have such a great brother!

You love learning and can already read some books by yourself. You really want to go to school and since we didn't do preschool this year you have been busy working on school work from home. Your favorite thing to do is mazes and painting.

You have your own way of expressing your ideas that always make me smile. You have stories not dreams, you patiently wait for your pet crab to make his way back home and you are realistic about the lifespan of a pet chicken. You know Daddy can build anything and think the garage is his "house."

Here is a little more about you:

• Your favorite color is green.
• Your favorite food is spaghetti.
• Your favorite book is any dinosaur book.
• Your favorite show is Kipper the Dog.
• You like orange trains, riding your bike and ice skating.
• You drove your dirt bike for the first time by yourself on Thanksgiving.
• Your favorite animal is the cheetah.
• You often don't like doing something until we are done and then that is all you can talk about doing again - like camping.  
• You have big feet and no behind.

Thank you for helping me become the person I am today. We can't imagine a world without you.

Love,
Mom