The 3 R's

Jack Johnson, my new fav singer, has a song titled “The 3 R’s.”  It’s crazy addicting, and I find myself singing it to myself quite often.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.   He sings about ways kids can live the 3 R’s. 

"If you're going to the market to buy some juice
You've got to bring your own bags and you learn to reduce your waste
And if your brother or your sister's got some cool clothes
You could try them on before you buy some more of those
Reuse, we've got to learn to reuse
And if the first two R's don't work out
And if you've got to make some trash
Don't throw it out
Recycle, we've got to learn to recycle…"

Such a simple message.  Not so simple to apply to our lives in today’s throw away culture. 

Growing up, my mom & dad were “green” because they wanted to save money.  I thought they were trying to ruin my life.  My mom made us bring lunch from home and use reusable lunch sacks.  Even in middle school! *Gah*  Talk about social suicide.  When we were young, she would find different toys and furniture in the alley or garage sales and fix them up for us.  This was cool since we did get “new” things.  But in all honesty, it wasn’t the same as getting something new in a box.  We saved cans and took them to get cash.  My dad used the backs of envelopes as note paper at his business.  He still does this today.  He also used paper towels to dry his hands and would let them air dry so they could be used again multiple times.  We {meaning me and my siblings} thought our parents were so lame.  Hello, let’s throw stuff away and buy new!!  And I can’t even count the number of times we were told to turn off lights when we left the room and to keep the front/back door closed.  “We’re not paying to heat/cool the outside.” Lame-o parents always ruining our fun.   

And the cycle of “lameness” continues with me and the hubs.  We yard sale, garden, recycle everything that we can.  Lights are turned off when not in use.  Thermostats are set to save a little money.  We use reusable grocery bags {when I remember}.  Electronics are unplugged when not in use.  And now we cloth diaper.   To say that using cloth diapers was life changing would be an understatement.  The amount of trash we throw away is so much less than it was with our first child.  And this may be a little TMI, but it’s not half as stinky as it used to be.  Think used diapers, garbage can outside, and hot Arizona summers. *Gag*  When I made the change to cloth wipes {this was a gradual transition} our trash output decreased even more.  I love that I’m not hauling garbage outside as often as I used to.  And not to brag, but *ahem* our recycle bin often has more in it than our garbage can.

So now, that we’re using cloth diapers and wipes, I’m looking for more ways to reuse things.  Much to the hubs frustration, I’m refusing to use paper towels to clean with.  I use our kitchen towels to wipe down the counters, table, and floors. {Yes, mealtimes are insanely messy here.}  I can use one kitchen towel instead of multiple paper towels.  And when it’s been used, I just throw it in the wash with whatever load is going in, except for diapers.  Easy.  Cloth wipes are also doubling as Kleenex for the boys.  Unfortunately, noses are always running.  Those I’ll throw in with diapers to wash.  Once again, less trash to throw out.  Awesome! 

I’m not trying to say, that we are such a super duper “green” family.  We’re not.  There’s more we could be doing, but we don’t for whatever reason.  I use paper bibs at restaurants.  We’ve been known to use paper plates on occasion.  Paper napkins are always used.  Disposable cups serve their purpose every now and then.  Ceiling fans are sometimes left on in rooms during the summer.  My list of transgressions can go on.

I’m learning that living the 3 R’s isn’t so difficult.  Small changes can have a huge impact.  However, at times it can be challenging.  Cloth diapers on vacation isn’t always the easiest, and grabbing a paper towel and tossing it in the trash means there is one less kitchen towel to fold.  But what kind of lesson am I teaching my boys?  Being mindful of our waste and using what we have is something that they can learn and pass on to their children.  Hopefully, I won’t have them commit social suicide in the process!

What do you do that is green? What are some things you’d like to try to change to become less wasteful?

Party Time

Last week I had the pleasure of getting together with a great group of women.  It feels odd to call them women since we have all grown up together.  These friends have been there through middle school angst, high school craziness, and one friend even made it through *gasp* elementary school with me.  It’s rare to have a group of friends with such long lasting ties.  And I’m blessed to be able to gather with the girls women and chit chat over yummy food with them on occasion.  Our last meet up found us on University Boulevard {close to the University of Arizona for those that are not local} at a long standing college hang out.  Let me add a little more info to help set the scene.  It was a Thursday night, packed with college students getting their drink on, and 5 hip 30 something ladies taking a break from our fams.

For this particular get together, cloth diapers were on the menu so to speak.  One friend, who has an adorable baby boy, asked me to bring some diapers for her to see.  I can’t say no to that!  So as dinner was coming to an end, I brought out the stash of cloth dipes to share.  We all ooo’ed and aaahh’ed over the colors, prints, and cuddly softness.  Questions were asked and answered.  Notes were taken in order to help remember the onslaught of diapers that were presented.  At one point it was mentioned how never in a million years would we have thought we’d all be together as adults talking about the benefits of cloth diapers. I think it was pretty amazing, and I think the rest of the gals would agree!  I wish I had thought of having someone take our picture to have proof, because it must have been an unusual sight.  We were uber hip passing around some of the best cloth diapers on a Thursday night down by the University of Arizona. {Go Cats!}

The whole purpose of Green Baby Elephant is to get Tucson moms together to see and talk about cloth diapers.  Diaper parties can be as formal or informal as you’d like.  It’s all about getting together and learning about the many benefits of cloth diapering.  So gather up your group of friends, and remember to include your non-mommy friends too, as often they are aunts, god-mothers, or have other wonderful relationships with our children.  At your party, I will literally bring the store to you.  No waiting for shipping or delivery! How often does a store come to you?  Contact me today and schedule your cloth diaper get together!

For anyone in Tucson that may not want to host a party, I would be thrilled to be able to bring cloth diapers to you.  This is an investment that you are making, and it's perfectly understandable to want to see before you buy.  And to my non-Tucsonan followers, I am happy to answer any cloth diapering questions you may have.

Awesomest Toy Store Ever

I was first drawn to Mildred & Dildred by the red door.  There is something about a red door that I can’t resist.  While talking with Autumn, the owner, I found out that Mildred & Dildred opened their doors in November of 2007.  I must have visited the store shortly after they had opened, because I was I was very pregnant with my first baby my first time there. The hubs and I checked out at all the great toys, but sadly didn’t purchase anything at that time.  This was mainly due to the fact that we didn’t know the gender of the baby and didn’t know what to buy.  However, we were very impressed by the selection of toys and have since made many visits to Mildred & Dildred.



Makes me smile!



Let’s talk toys.  The selection here is not your run of the mill big box toy store.  No sir-ee.  At Mildred & Dildred I was pleasantly reunited with many of my childhood toys.  A favorite baby toy/rattle made by Ambi Brio was discovered during one of my visits.  It brought back great memories and of course I had to get it for BW.  I think I love it just as much as he does.  There’s something magical about sharing a piece of your childhood with your little ones.  Or maybe I’m just a sentimental sort.  Mildred & Dildred also carries awesome modern toys.  I secretly admire the Rody while I’m there.  It is a rubber, bouncy, funky-in-a-cute-way horse.  One day if no one is looking I may try a bounce on it.  Supposedly it will hold up to 400 lbs.  There’s only one way to find out how true that claim is.  In addition to my secret obsession, there is a wide variety of books, puzzles, wooden toys, Sophie the Giraffe {a staple in this house thanks to M&D}, and eco-friendly toys to name a few.  You’ll have to check them out to see it all.  I guarantee you’ll want to walk out with something. Just Do It! But be sure to pay for it first!



Rody Horses



Need more reasons why Mildred & Dildred is the bestest toy store ever?!  Here you are allowed to play! There are play tables for the kiddos, and you can try out the toys before you buy.  With all the fancy stores at La Encantada, there are not many places to let your kiddies out of the stroller, but at Mildred & Dildred play is encouraged.  The staff is great and will help you find just what you’re looking for.  And if you don’t have what you’re looking for, just ask.  They may be able to get it for you. How great is that?  Mildred & Dildred even offers gift wrapping once you’ve found the perfect gift.  And if need be, they ship FedEx.  One-stop shopping!  Who doesn’t love that?  I despise strapping my kids in and out of the car more than necessary, so one less stop to go to the post office is great.



There is always something going on at Mildred & Dildred.  Story times, plays, magic shows, Lego Mini Figure Swaps, and many more events are frequently held at the store.  Be sure to check out the story times that are offered at Mildred & Dildred on Tuesdays at 10:30am and Thursdays at 3:30pm.  Story times are free and are geared toward ages 4 and under.  The plays that are put on at Mildred & Dildred are amazing.  The hubs and I took the boys awhile back to see Jack and the Beanstalk.  It was great!  I regret that we weren’t able to make the most recent play, The Tortoise and the Hare, last Saturday.  Friends went, and their kids loved it!  Coming up this weekend on Saturday, April 2^nd at 1 pm is a free magic show.  Magic is huge with CW ever since he “saw” a magic show on Sesame Street with Will Arnett {HILARIOUS! Think Arrested Development meets Sesame Street}.  Hopefully, we’ll be able to check out some magic this weekend.  To keep up with the latest special events, check out their website at www.mildredanddildred.com or “like” them on Facebook.  They are located downstairs at La Encantada in Tucson, AZ.  Stop in and let Autumn know that Tonya from Green Baby Elephant sent you.

~~Tonya~~