If you drink bottled water, or ever need to grab one at the store, think about switching to Ethos Water. They are part of a world-wide effort to provide clean drinking water to children and people in third-world countries. Ethos donates $.05 per bottle toward humanitarian water programs. It’s not much, but it’s five cents more than Evian.

Our tap water is perfect here in the United States. Still we splurge for better tasting water or portability. If you’re going to buy it, think about this brand instead. It’s at all Starbucks locations and it’s starting to spring up in grocery stores.

This weekend I’m going to try a little no diaper experiment in the back yard.

One of the things I hope to do is to get Zach’s diaper rash cleaned up. The other is an early intro to potty training. By letting him run around naked and heading nature’s call naturally, he should start to understand more about body functions.

I believe it could be a good start, with some communication while said functions are happening. Plus, sunlight and fresh air should be good for this boy’s constant diaper rash.

Wish me luck! I could be up to my elbows in flith….or we could learn something.

Me, Zachary and Mark in the world of the Simpsons.

Make your own Simpson character here!

I’ve noticed lately that I’ve been plowing through the books. It’s strange the way that reading, for me, goes in spurts.

The last major spurt of reading was when I was on maternity leave, from August to October of 2006. I would read book after book while I rocked and fed Zach. How relaxing! Knowing I had a full 12 weeks to embrace and get adjusted to motherhood was so calming. I only remember being stressed out when it came time to go back to work. And even that happened a week later than I planned.

I honestly think I have the disposition for being a good stay-at-home Mom. But if there was any type of money worries, I’d just be stuck all day at home thinking about it. Thankfully, during those 13 weeks we were well stocked on baby clothing and diapers. Life has never been cheaper, and probably never will.

Anyway, now that the days are longer and I’ve had some vacation time I’m almost done with my third book in a month. I’m so impressed with myself. I haven’t read this many books since college.

I’ve read two Karen Kingsbury books, which are as enjoyable as spending a lazy hour reading Hallmark cards. I’m currently finishing up an Oprah’s book club book by Breena Clarke called “River Cross My Heart.” Because it’s Oprah recommended it is very much in the vein of Toni Morrison. An enjoyable read, none the less.

Too many days off equals too much spending of money and too much eating and drinking.

I’ve got to get myself back on track and a four day work week and low bank account should cover that area. Jeez, I’m such an American heathen.

But that’s how it is on Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July, Labor Day. It’s how I was raised; holiday equals shop, eat, drink. I need to get involved in 5ks or something so I can be involved in something healthy during my holidays.

Zach has a girl friend named Abby. She’s his favorite playmate at school. From what the teachers say the love goes both ways with her referring to him as “Zachy.”

We ordered a class picture from daycare and he was so obsessed with looking at, pointing to and kissing the picture where Abby was seated (dead center) that I scanned the image in and made a color copy for our fridge, safely tucking the $14 one away.

I also cropped the image so it’s just of he and Abby, for all of his adoration needs. Since I really don’t know the other kids mom’s I’ve blurred their faces, but with the picture below, you get the drift. Abby is the one with the bow. Her picture is kissed several times a day in our house.

I find it very interesting. Because no one encouraged this behavior but here we see a classic example of a little boy being drawn to a little girl and acting very differently than he acts around his boy friends. This one, I’ll need to keep an eye on. On a side note, none of the children are smiling on this one. It must have been such an effort, in the manner of old time photography, that to hold a smile would involve cramping.

This Sunday is my first class as a Sunday school teacher.

Wow.

I’ve been a neighborhood babysitter, a camp councilor, a 4-H youth leader, and a mom. This is my first stint as a Sunday school teacher. Already I feel sweeter.

In addition to the cool factor of the title, I get to work with kids age 4-7. I love this age, they are so darn cute and excited about things. They may actually make me feel like a real, live teacher.

There is even a bit of pay, even though part of me thinks I should probably donate all of it back to the church. (I’ll probably traffic through my checking account and continue to write checks for my weekly church donation.)