The convenience and benefits of having other children for my kids to play with are immeasurable.  Children think of great imaginative games to play (e.g. tricycle, scooter and bicycle races).  Children subconsciously value other children over things.  Yes, they fight over toys and things.  At the end of the day, they enjoy companionship more than any gadget or gizmos you can ever offer them.  Secretly, I've always looked forward to playdates as much as (if not more than) my children do.

So organize an impromptu play date or informal get together at a local park.  Bring a ball, bike and/or kite.  Just let them play.

In order to conserve energy and to save money, I've convinced everyone at home to use ceiling fans whenever possible instead of utilizing the central air conditioning system.  Also, I switched our window curtains to darker curtains so it blocks more of the summer sun.  These two simple steps saves about $20 on our monthly electricity bill.  

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we are making our family garage sale wish list.  By compiling a wish list, we tend to stick with the list instead of impulsively buying items on sale.  I also give each child about $10 to spend for garage sale items.  I noticed that kids tend to intuitively budget themselves and make tradeoffs when they are the ones handling the money. 


Garage sale tips:
- Bring cash in small denominations (e.g. coins and single dollar bills) so after you negotiated a price you are not stuck in a situation in which the seller does not have the "change" 
- Negotiate the price of a single item and then see if you are able to get a wholesale discount if you add another item
- Ask the seller if he/she has an item that is from your garage sale wish list, often sellers have items that are not on display yet, so this gives you first dibs on items that are available
- Be aware of the fair market value or cost of the new items (e.g. just because it is labelled $5 does not make the item cheap if you can get it elsewhere for the same or less)
- Buy items first thing in the morning when the sellers are energetic and in a great optimistic mood or last thing in the afternoon when the sellers are getting ready to pack up.  Avoid mid day crowds because you may be psychologically tempted to bid on items you really do not want.
- Look for items beyond the dirt (often items that just need a quick wipe down or wash can be purchased for a good price).
- Avoid items that you need to fix (e.g. missing electrical parts) because realistically you will not find the time or energy to fix them.
- Bring all types of batteries with you (e.g. AA, AAA, C, D) especially if you are interested in purchasing electronics because you do not want to go home with a broken electronic purchase (you will not be able to get a refund).
- Be willing to walk away (if an exchange does not feel right, let it go and walk away).
- Share your list (to cover more garage sales) in the weekend, email your wish list to your friends along with the maximum price you are willing to pay for each item, he/she can search a different garage sale so that you can maximize your finds.

In a subconscious effort, we have utilized a routine pesticide treatment company for over two years thinking that we needed their services.  After finding out that they use harsh, potential harmful chemicals, I've stopped using their services over two months ago.  I cringed thinking that my house would be infested with bugs and unwanted pests.  Luckily, nothing happened.  I don't have a pest problem after all.  

Basic sanitary measures such as religiously throwing out the garbage and keeping all food items in sealed containers seem to do the trick.

Consider removing your routine pesticide treatment because these chemicals do leak into our waterways and contaminate our drinking supplies.

Now that the weather is warmer, I enjoy giving myself nice pedicures to go with my sandals.  I've tried Karma Organic cranberry nail polish (it does not contain toluene and other harmful chemicals found in traditional nail polishes).  The solution appears thicker than traditional nail polish, so be very conservative with the application.  A little goes a long way!!  It lasts longer than traditional nail polishes and their organic nail polish remover works wonderfully!

At $9.99 per bottle, the nail polish is about twice the cost of the average drug store nail polish.  It is comparably priced to luxury brand name nail polishes.  At the end of the day, it is better for you and the environment.  I have to confess that I have never finished a bottle of nail polish (somehow in traditional nail polishes, the pigments separate from the solution and appears so gross that I usually toss them out).  Now that I am using Karma Organic's nail polish, there is no going back for me.  I know that for the first time, I will finish using a bottle of nail polish.


For more information about their products, please visit www.karmaorganicspa.com.

Research has shown that watering plants less often (with more water per session) is actually better in general in helping plants establish their root system.  This makes plants more drought resistant and healthier in general.  Therefore, we've stopped watering our plants on a daily basis and have begun to water them only twice a week (but providing more water during these sessions).  We are looking forward to our harvest this year.  

Like most parents, I find myself driving and shuttling my kids in the car more often than I care to admit or ever imagine. Somehow, activities and errands translate to meals on the go.  In order to eat healthy, I've tried packing fresh bananas (however, they tend to ripen too quickly and the banana skins stink up the car).  Eating Melissa's Ojai pixie tangerines are the perfect solution.  These sweet, juicy and seedless tangerines are great on the go snacks.  Also, the leftover skin leaves a sweet citrus scent in the car (so I don't have to be in too much of a hurry to find a trash disposal).


I always fill up a water bottle for each of us before we drive the car so we won't be tempted to buy disposable water bottles when we're thirsty.

For more information about their products, please visit www.melissas.com.

We found out from word of mouth that a local running store offers free organized weekly runs for serious runners and families.  It's a great way to drum up foot traffic to their store and we benefit from running with others.  I noticed that although I enjoy staying busy with back to back activities.  It's less about the activities and more about the human interaction and relationships.  I am looking forward to the family run (/walk) later today.  


I like organized runs because I know that the store owners and organizers will be there.  These individuals are accountable and trustworthy (therefore, it's not like just meeting a group of strangers in a park somewhere).

May is our National Bike Awareness month.  So dust off your two wheeler and map out a path.  Remember to do the following on all bike trips:
- wear a bike helmet
- wear sunscreen
- wear light reflectors (a must at night)
- have your bike lights on (a must at night)
- bring an air pump and repair tape (in case you get a flat tire)
- bring a bike repair tool kit
- on long trips, always ride with friends so you can help each other out in case anyone gets hurt or needs help
- know where you are heading and find out ahead of time where you are going to park your bike
- bring water bottles and snacks (for long trips)
- bring a chain and lock for securing your bike
- tell someone at home where you are heading and when you are expected to return so they can follow up and make sure you arrived at your destination safely