Our New Kanga XT!

Our new Kanga XT went to the zoo!  The Pure Baby (PB) fed a giraffe, from the safety of his Kanga XT :)  He was a bit apprehensive, but the option of safely being behind mom brought suffficient bravery to allow PB to participate in this fun privilege.

After months on the Bloo Kangeroo custom wait list, I was extremely thrilled to receive my new Kanga XT in the mail.  I absolutely love the Marimekko Unikko fabric that a very sweet babywearing friend shared with me!  Thank you so much :)  And Kirsten at Bloo-Kangeroo did a marvelous job and created perfect matching strap canvas!  I love love love my new Kanga XT!!!

Our new Kanga XT has a petite waist, extra-petite straps, and has a 1/2 inch wider base on each side.  The 1/2 inch wider base allows for the knee to knee support that you can see above, even in an older baby/toddler.  At the same time, Kirsten says that our Kanga XT should be fine for a younger baby around 12 months or so (and up).

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire ~ amazing and wonderful fun for children on the autism spectrum!

This past weekend, our family happily visited The Children's Museum of New Hampshire for the first time!  I've been wanting to check it out, and we had an amazing opportunity to attend the special autism-only hours.  On the second Sunday of each month, The Children's Museum of New Hampshire opens early and offers free admission to children on the autism spectrum along with their entire families.  And not only that...  Additionally, the Museum seeks to offer networking and socialization opportunities for the families.  And, the families are invited to spend the entire day at the Museum - not just the special autism-only hours.  Plus, on top of that, the Museum gave us free tickets for our entire family to come back any time!  Pretty incredible, I think.  We've lived lots of places - and have had memberships at several children's museums - yet, we've never found a children's museum who has this loving heart for children with autism.

So, if you live in New England, I greatly encourage you to pay a visit to The Children's Museum of New Hampshire!  With or without autism, its a super fun place to play :)

A Recipe for Holiday Fudge - GFCF and Feingold-approved

Holiday Fudge

2 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup Earth Balance margarine
5 ounces canned coconut milk
1 container (7 ounces) Tiny Trapeze Confections marshmallow creme (available at Whole Foods Market)
3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon vanilla
12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips (made with real vanilla - available at Whole Foods Markets as well as some supermarkets)

1- Combine first five ingredients.  Stir over low heat until blended. 

2- Bring to a boil over moderate heat.  Boil slowly, stirring constantly for five minutes.

3- Remove from heat.  Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla unil chocolate is melted.  Pour into a greased 9 inch x 13 inch glass baking dish.  Cool.

I've made two batches of this yummy fudge recipe so far this season, and it truly tastes like "the real thing" - even to the unaware :)

First Snow!

Yesterday morning, we awoke to winter's first snow!

Playing in the Snow!

Eggs: Why Organic?

Last week, The Pure Baby (PB) had a fun - though quite cold! - day at a nearby Audobon nature center and farm!  Among other things, the farm raises chickens and actually sells "free-range" eggs for $4.50/dozen.  The eggs, though, are not "USDA organic" - so we did not take any eggs home with us. 

I think that there is probably lots of confusion regarding "free-range" or "cage-free" versus "USDA organic" and possibly some people may be confused into thinking that "free-range" or "cage-free" is "USDA organic".  The labels of "free-range and "cage-free" are basically unverified claims that any egg producer can claim.  Essentially - and very sadly -, that means that "free-range" and "cage-free" are worthless when one is seeking the healthiest eggs to take home to his or her family.

For our family, buying "USDA organic" eggs is extremely important for the following reasons:
1- "USDA organic" eggs are free of antibiotics  - and -
2- USDA organic" eggs are free of arsenic.

Sadly non-organic eggs are contaminated very much in the same way as non-organic chicken.  Lots of antibiotics and lots of arsenic.  Not what you want to serve your family.

The Pure Baby Explores *The Freedom Trail* !

In keeping with the Thanksgiving spirit of being thankful for our American freedom, here are some pictures of our visit to The Freedom Trail a few weeks ago! 

BOSTON COMMON

PARK STREET CHURCH

GRANARY BURYING GROUND

KING'S CHAPEL

THE FREEDOM TRAIL SEAL

SITE OF THE FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL

BEN FRANKLIN'S STATUE

OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE

FANEUIL HALL

PAUL REVERE HOUSE