Save the Figs, Save the World 2016: Quadropus Bird Deterrent

For those of you who know Ken, you know how much he loves the fig tree in our backyard and covets every single fig that makes it through to harvest time. Since we moved here in 2010, he has tenaciously defended the tree from interloping birds who seek to rob him of the precious figs. It all started off so simply with common, static deterrents but graduated into what can only be described as an obsession. The motto around here is: when in doubt, add technology. So friends, for your viewing pleasure, I give you "The Quadropus." And yes, this means fig harvest is officially on.







To read about previous fig defending efforts and a little more history on our fig tree, check out this 2013 post.

Potty Training with Trains!

This started out as a something I just wrote for myself so I wouldn't ever [let Calvin] forget. Potty training our son was so different and took longer than the experience with our daughter. Figuring out what motivated each of them was key but it's so easy to get spooked and convince yourself that potty training a boy will be so difficult. It was all about incentive, attitude and, crazy but true, it was spelled out clear as day: potty TRAIN.

Here's my piece on Parentmap.com detailing the ordeal. 

Thomas the Train and his knowing smile

Pro tip: "If I’ve learned anything about potty training, it's that both the kid and the parents must be on board with the process." 

Rally to protest turning Loyal Heights Elementary into an almost double-sized 'Mega School' with a tiny playground

This was the scene today at Loyal Heights Elementary School: A rally organized by concerned parents and citizens about the 'Mega-school' Loyal Heights Redesign that is still being pushed through despite lower enrollment projections. As a result, the Seattle Public Schools is planning to open boundaries to include parts of North Beach, Crown Hill and Whittier. This will mean the school will almost double the size of the existing one and require a significant portion of the playground to be built upon.

This isn't how quality education is planned for. This is cost consolidation at the expense of the kids.

I know it sounds ungrateful: a north Seattle school is getting a fancy remodel and they don't want it because it's TOO big... But the planning process has largely ignored the comments from a very vocal community, one that would like to accommodate for the future but also keep a neighborhood school atmosphere while (most importantly) providing for the physical and kinetic needs of kids to move/play and thus learn better.

The basic ask is that Seattle Public Schools reconsider this design and save more of the playground space.

File under "Amazing Dental Facts"-- Baby Teeth Contain Dental Stem Cells

Sidney lost baby tooth #2 this week. When she lost her first one a few months ago, I learned of the existence of dental stem cells. 

Surprise! Did you know that baby teeth have stem cells in them that may potentially be useful some day for life-saving treatments or regenerative therapy? Growing up in/around a dental office all my life, I never knew about this and am delighted by it. So I couldn't resist looking into it further.

Here's my latest ParentMap article about it and the fascinating possibility for future healthcare.

https://www.parentmap.com/article/baby-teeth-dental-stem-cells

Sidney right after pulling out tooth #2