Is Earth Day a bunch of propaganda, or just a nice way to remind ourselves that we need to take care of the planet instead of polluting it?

I’m in the latter camp, and I try as much as I can to do my part by saving water, recycling, using as many green products as I can, and cutting down on my family’s waste and consumption.

My secret shame, though, is that I can’t seem to give up the fifteen minute showers.  I mean, hey, I’ve got really long hair, it takes a while to shampoo and condition that stuff!  Excuses aside, no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get my shower under fifteen minutes. 

You can go here to view some great Earth Day activities for kids, one of which includes watching or reading Dr. Suess’ The Lorax with your kids. Or go here to see some events that might be happening in your neck of the woods!

And if you like, share your favorite “green” tip with us!

My favorite is using recycled materials to make your own drip irrigation system, such as the one found here.  Not only are you recycling, it really cuts down on the water you use for your plants, while at the same time delivering them enough to thrive!

Kids and gardening go together like hot fudge and ice cream. Even if you don’t have acres of land at your disposal, here are some things to help them get started.

Wee Enchanted Garden Plant the seeds, then make a tiny pebble path to the enchanted fairy cottage with this adorable terrarium. Then, decorate with rocks, shells, and tiny animals provided. Or, go with the Enchanted Fairy Garden, complete with fairies, toadstools, and butterflies!

Alex My Wooden Flower Press One of my fondest memories is of my grandmother’s pressed flowers, which she would then place in frames. This designed-for-kids flower press will have your little artiste doing the same!

Butterfly Garden– This kit has all you need to grow caterpillars into beeyootiful butterflies before their very eyes!

Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children– From a detailed resource list to craft ideas to how to grow a “moon garden,” this book gives parents and children a great start on working together in the garden.

Kid’s Tote with Gardening Tools– This adorable tote with three gardening tools is sure to get them excited!

Threesixty Innovation Little Garden Angels Children’s Folding Gardening Seat with Tool Storage Bag This compact gardening seat with removable storage bag will help them feel all grown up!

Creativity For Kids Mini Windowsill Garden Not only does this set contain pots, mini-tools, and seeds for growing, it also provides paint to decorate the pots! Tres cute!

Gardening Wizardry for Kids– Focusing mostly on indoor projects, this book helps kids to understand gardening fundamentals. Contains crafts and experiments, too!

Toysmith Garden Root Viewer You can actually watch the “underground” growing process, from sprouting to full harvest. Includes all you need to see the magic happen before your eyes instead of underground!

A Kid’s Herb Book– Want to grow an edible herb garden with your child? This book is the perfect guide.

Over the past few months, I have been to more kid birthday parties than I care to remember.  But one thing that has struck me is the utter and complete waste of giving children bithday cards.

Seriously, they could give a crap about cards.  Unless there is money or a gift certificate inside.  But even then, the card is tossed and the contents kept. 

So I began to ask myself, why even bother buying a card?  That’s an extra buck or two per child that I don’t need to spend, and in this economy, the extra buck or two can be quite handy to have.

And since I have my own slave labor over here, what is to stop my son from becoming a cheap, one-man card making operation?

Not a thing, my friends.  Not a thing.

Just think of the personalization! Think of the less waste! Think of the child’s pride in creating something so special for their friend!

There are no drawbacks here, people.

If we all just had our kids start making all of our birthday cards, we could change the world, I tell you! 

A revolution, if you will, one card at a time.

The following blog post is brought to you by Dr Boli. And before you chuckle, realize that there is a posh salon in my city that charges women $10 extra to sit outside with wet hair and one of those ridiculous facial tanning reflectors; they call it a “solar dry.”

Chemicals, chemicals, everywhere!  A lot of them under or non-regulated, or even some that are considered safe, but then whoops!  We find out years later that they weren’t so great for anyone after all.  There is particular concern for chemical exposure to children, simply because of their higher skin area to body mass ratios as compared to adults. 

So, one way to ease your fears is to buy products that are organic.  I know that I try to whenever possible, simply because I don’t trust our government to protect our children from harmful chemicals.  And I’m not even a Republican. 

These products are all-natural or organic, or in some cases both, so use with confidence.

California Baby Calming Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

Can be used by adults with sensitive skin as well!

California Baby Calendula Cream

Perfect for many skin conditions, ranging from diaper rash to cradle cap and everything in between.

California Baby SPF 30 + Sunblock Stick

This sunscreen does not contain potentially harmful ingredients found in many bestselling sunscreens. If you feel like getting annoyed, go read this article.

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This is an amusing, yet paradoxically educational, video by Mose Giganticus and The Emotron, two guys who are driving a vegetable-oil-powered bus from New York to Alaska. Made for Mrs. Aderman’s 1st Period Environmental Science Class, school unknown (if you know, please share put out in the comments (there’s only so much sincerity and wholesomeness I can take, you know?)).

A human finger??? Those New York hippies are hardcore!