NPN Volunteer Goodie Bags

As you no doubt recall, I recently posted about the First Annual Natural Parents Network Team Get-Together. One of the extra special amazing things was the Welcome Bags we received! I don't want them to miss mention as they totally deserve a shout-out!

Back in March, I entered to win a gorgeous Free Reusable Produce Bag. I didn't win, apparently. So imagine my surprise when Dionna (of Code Name: Mama) handed me this very bag (or at least one made of the same fabric by the same blogger) on Friday night of our gathering!

Wordless Wednesday: Buddy Walk

Sasha & Krystal on Inflatable Slide @ Buddy Walk 2011

Spencer's Spiders
(immediately after the walk)
We had 1 more member (Tyler's friend), but I don't have photo permission.

Monday Minimalist: Linkage

Between traveling last weekend, recovering from traveling, and then spending most of our time OUT of the apartment (again) this weekend , I have just not had a chance to tackle any new projects. I've had some percolating, especially since we are moving in a week and have not packed a single thing! Still... I won't let a Monday go by without sharing something minimalist!

As much as I'd like to say that my idea for a weekly post (on the M-day, of course) about minimalism is a totally original idea... I'm not the only one to come up with the idea. I hadn't seen it anywhere when I started, but there is also a series on miss minimalist. Every Monday she posts the profile of one of her readers - real life minimalists. She even has an interesting character shared today! So if you're interested to see how other real people do minimalism: Head on over and check out the series, or at least today's post.

Even MORE special, though, is last Friday's post! She caught up with a couple from a previous Monday post. These folks used minimalism to reach their dream of world travel and are now living out of backpacks!! What a beautiful tale that goes right to my heart! This post also includes a giveaway that ends today! Its an eBook, so don't sweat the space it'll take - its just digital. ;-)

Have a great week! I hope you have less to tackle than I do this week!

Sunday Surf: Banana, Anyone?

After driving 5½ hours home on Monday, we've had a very busy week! Monday night: toured hospital. Tuesday: OB appointment where we agreed I should actually deliver at a different hospital (with a higher level of nursery available). I also went to the Buddy Walk kick off event to drop of cash donations and pick up t-shirts! Wednesday: WIC appointment and meeting with Tyler's new teacher. Thursday: drove sister to an appointment. Friday: a lengthy appointment with the Healthy Start woman - which is actually a nice visit. Saturday: Tyler's Manga AI club meeting! and today? The BUDDY WALK!! Monday I actually have clear... so far. But we're moving next weekend so we have LOTS to do!!

All that... would you like some links?

• Hobo Mama's husband, Crackerdog Sam, guest posted for her carnival post this past Summer. He wrote about starting their 3yo son on an allowance. This month he guest posted for the carnival again and provided us with an update on the program. I loved the first post and really enjoyed the follow-up as well! It can be nice to have friends with kids slightly older than your own, so you can get ideas on how you want to handle different topics. Check it out at New lessons from an allowance.
  
  
• I re-posted an image on my blog about how words hurt. My friend Luschka shared her post with me and it is a good one. Check out Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones…
  
  
• I love to read funny tales that show just how silly some opinions can sound. In this example, read about Penis Reduction Surgery: Does Size Not Matter? Maybe a funny approach can help you convince someone in your life. I know they helped me!
  
  
• I know I already posted my own article about the Natural Parents Network Meet-up, complete with a link list of other volunteers. However, there is a post about it on the actual site and I thought I'd share. The First Annual Natural Parents Network Cross-Country Get Together!
  

I hope you found something here worth your while. What interesting things have you learned online lately?

Down Syndrome Awareness Month ~ Medical Concerns

This year / month marks 30 Years of Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Before we received Spencer's diagnosis, I knew very little about Down syndrome. So I'm taking the opportunity of my blog and this month to give you some little snippets of information. Once again, I tried not to write a book.

Photo Credit

This week I'd like to tell you about the medical problems that can affect babies and children with Down syndrome. Again, these issues will not all affect every person with Down syndrome, but they are all possibilities. Our son will likely get a grab-bag selection of issues. We're hoping for as few as possible!

Vacation Weekend with Volunteers

On the weekend of October 8 some of the amazing women and men who work hard to make Natural Parents Network the wonderful community and resource that it is got together for a meet-up at two locations across the U.S. — the Midwest and the Northwest. This was the first time that many of the volunteers have met in person after a year of collaborating on this amazing website. Please scroll to the bottom of this post for a list of links so that you can read what some of the other volunteers had to say about this incredible First Annual Natural Parents Network Team Get-Together!

---

It had been in the planning for months! As the date approached, my husband wanted me to admit (and realize) that we might not be able to afford the trip, but I was determined! This was just the light at the end of the tunnel / vacation I needed! Camping was great, but it was only one night.

It was a full weekend get together of volunteers from Natural Parents Network! A chance to meet all these internet friends... IRL! There were lots of confessions leading up to it, mostly people worried about meeting. Just like online, though, no one judged.

Most of our group.

With my first impressions of our arrival to our hosts' home running through my mind, it feels like it will sound like a hotel review! It was just really, really cool to see a real person using cloth "toilet paper," unpaper towels, and actually sorting garbage into recycle bins! Either she just re-organized how she handles these things or she is the real green deal!

Wordless Wednesday: Money

Especially with very young children, hand-me-down birthday gifts are a great way to save money!

See more MONEY photos on Natural Parents Network today and check out this month's Carnival of Natural Parenting: Money Matters.