Today was Fuller’s first day of Vacation Bible School. I was really, really, really excited for him because I have such great memories of VBS. There were songs to learn, verses to memorize, prizes to win, and crafts to make.

Now, I know since Fuller is only 3 1/2, he might not have the most awesome experience I did, but still I was excited for him.

And he just sat there.

Fuller wasn’t sure why were at church on a non-Sunday. And he wasn’t too keen on the whole “singing” aspect since he still equates church going with playing trains. But once he was settled with his group, donned a red bandanna, and got his fingers in some glue, he was pretty happy.

I was able to spend the morning taking pictures and tomorrow I will be in charge of the boat craft. And hopefully Fuller will be thrilled to be there another day.

Three!

Damon and Maple are gone until tomorrow evening, having left this morning on a hiking/ camping trip to Silers Bald Winding Stair Gap. He was invited by his friend Bob a few months ago and has been planning his strategy little by little for a while. Damon trained by losing weight, going on hikes around Lookout Mountain (and taking Maple) and planning a menu for himself that he tested a few times out by the fire pit.

Since I have a new camera, my old Canon Powershot has been handed down to Damon just in time for this hike. Hopefully he will come home tomorrow with lots of pictures and can share what he cooked. To help inspire him, I gave him a copy of Campfire Cuisine, which is not just about hot dogs and baked beans.

It will be a little strange being just Fuller, Lively, and myself today and tomorrow. But we have planned some time with friends and of course have Sunday School and church tomorrow. I guess before we know it, Damon will be home!

I was the recipient of some daily facial sunburn protection from Screen, Inc.

In my life, sun protection is very important. As a red headed, fair skinned woman (who happened to have her first serious sunburn before her first birthday, but I have forgiven my parents) I am high on the “prone to skin cancer” radar. I try to be very diligent about sunscreen (which is why I know Fuller will forgive me for the sunburn he got today), and I take what I buy very seriously.

Recently I read a disturbing article on sunscreen and Oxybenzone contamination.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a new study showing that nearly all Americans are contaminated with oxybenzone, a widely-used sunscreen ingredient. This chemical so far has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, as well as low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Oxybenzone is also a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals penetrate the skin.

Another interesting tidbit from the article:

as sunscreen sales have risen, so has the rate of skin cancers.

It made me think about what I am putting on my (and my family’s) skin in the name of “protection.”

Having recently read this article and then receiving these sunburn protection samples in the mail, the first thing I did was read the active ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Avobenzone. Nope, not names I can really pronounce, but non of them contained oxybenzone. This was a plus in my book.

Then I contemplated the rest of the packaging. There are four different types of Screen, Inc’s sunburn protection. One is for tweens, another for teens, one for women (aka chics), and one for men. While they all contain the same product (though the tween version has a tropical fruit scent that made my stomach turn), the packaging is attractive and written for each audience. I am impressed by the advice written at the bottom: “It is important to decrease UV exposure by limiting time in the sun, wearing protective clothing, and using a sunscreen.” The product doesn’t claim to keep from the UV rays all by itself.

I tried the chicscreen and the tweenyscreen (since it had a different scent). Both products lived up to its non-greasy promise. All the samples I received had an SPF of 16+. Screen, Inc wants to focus on face protection, and using only SPF 16 as part of my daily routine is perfectly fine.

According to the Screen, Inc. website, they have received the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation. Which gives it a bigger thumbs up from me, since they have specific criteria required to obtain that honor.

The big pull of Screen, Inc’s products in the idea found in their tag line: “make it your routine.” They want everyone to put on sunburn protection every day, every two hours or so, just as part of their daily routine. This is a great way to teach children (tweens and teens) the importance of keeping their skin healthy.

I would recommend any of Screen, Inc’s products for daily use.

Technorati Tags: screen inc, sunburn protection, daily sun protection

Yesterday morning my mom and I did some final bits of yard work- spreading mulch we had purchased the evening before. If we hadn’t run out of mulch, I am sure there would have been even more work to do. We finished around 9 a.m. and made a mad dash to be ready and out the door so Fuller could show Vieja the penguins and sharks at the aquarium.

Since this was my first aquarium visit with my new camera, I insisted we also visit the butterflies, my favorite part of the aquarium.

While we in the butterfly atrium, Fuller was approached by a volunteer who was holding an injured butterfly. He let Fuller gently hold it, which 1) got Fuller to stop running around and 2) actually hypnotized Fuller into a little bit of awe.

After a little bit (and several pictures by me), Fuller decided the butterfly needed to go back to its natural habitat, so he tried to put it a leaf.

Unfortunately it didn’t work and the volunteer took it back to do whatever they do with injured butterflies.

Later, Fuller saw another butterfly and put his arm out for the butterfly to land on. Fortunately the butterfly had received the memo, because it did land on Fuller. We gave him a quick lecture to not touch the butterflies with his finger (no poking or prodding), but to just let the butterfly sit there.

The aquarium has these laminated identification cards Fuller likes to look at, so while he “held” the butterfly, he and my mom were able to identify it as a Paper Kite Butterfly.

This was such a fun experience, cementing the butterflies as my favorite place in the aquarium. Of course we saw fish, sharks, and penguin (full set here), but all I need are the pretty insects and I am happy.

Technorati Tags: butterflies, encounter, aquarium

My mom’s help in weeding outside my house turned into a one day landscaping adventure that included hiring two neighborhood guys to assist in the fun. Since they were assisting, it meant Mom and I were actually out there using our hands, arms, backs, legs, feet, and other body parts with muscles we had no idea were there. My most annoying ache is found in my neck and it isn’t being caused by a certain three year old. It just hurts when I turn my head.

But the effort was worth it, making the outside of house look a little more kept and hopefully I won’t have to weed again for quite some time. We placed landscaping fabric and mulch around my pretty flowers and plants with the dream of a weed-free lifestyle for this gardening hobby I have somehow picked up. And if we find any, I think Round-up is my friend.

In non-gardening news, Fuller has developed a cold or sinus infection, so I’ll be nursing him to health for the next day or so. Let’s hope it isn’t as painful as weeding and mulching.