Acme Library - One Hen

microfinance. this is a great way to introduce your kids (from a safe distance) to the needs in third world countries.

One Hen is a lovely book to help them grasp the idea. 

this is a true story and such an inspiration!

here's a link to kiva

here's a link to microplace

here's a link to village banking 

to buy this book, see acme library on the right

(this only works if you are on the acme sharing website)

Let It BEE

seeing as how most of us reading this post are parents, i must assume we have all see jerry seinfeld's BEE MOVIE at least 6 or 7 times. so we all know what happens if the bees stop pollinating the flowers - just basic apocalyptic disaster. 

the geniuses at HAAGEN DAZS have taken up honeybees as their cause. there seems to be an endangered group of these buzzing bad boys. the ice creamers have made up special packets of specific wildflowers that provide these guys with the nectar they need to keep on flying along.

send for your packet, stock up on Benedryl, and see what happens.

yellow and black is the new black.

the lesson: taking care of creatures that need our help since they are probably in danger because of us in the first place.

***added bonus: planting flowers is a fun summer activity to do with the kids outside, diggin' in the dirt, playin' with a hose. 

send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Haagen Dazs Saves The Honey Bees Program/ Domino

50 francisco street suite #400

san francisco, california 94133

here's a link for more info helpthehoneybees.com

It's In The Mail

looking to keep your kids busy this summer - look no further than your mailbox.

set up a "postal system so as not to go postal"

kids can retrieve and SORT the mail.

ask them to throw the "penny saver" type junk mail right into the recycle bin. 

now ask them to find a box large enough for the catalogs. all summer, they can fill up the catalog box with everything you aren't interested in (which is pretty much all of it. or do you really need "the peruvian collection"?) and then they can list them so that you can stop them.

there are companies (listed below) that, on your behalf, will STOP these catalogs from coming to you. some of them even stop junk mail. happy dance happy dance!

the lesson: trees glorious trees! i'd rather have them than the latest mortgage payment lowering scam, you?

added bonus: you won't be tempted to just look at the "garnet hill" sale since you KNOW you don't need anything.

here's a link to CATALOG CHOICE

and GREEN DIMES