Olivia...

Visit to the local zoo...

Over Memorial Day weekend we had visitors - Mike's brother Matt and his family, Jillian, Anthony and barely-1-year-old Olivia.

These pictures are compliments of Jillian because I never took my camera out. (What's new?!)

Olivia cruisin' the zoo...

Olivia is definitely enjoying the train ride!
Anthony rode the snake...

Isabella chose the zebra...
Gianna chose the tiger. Unfortunately you can't see how much she loves the merry-go-round in this picture because the ride is over. We still hear "ride the tiger!" every few days.

On her first merry-go-round ride she chose the panda, and we still hear "ride the panda!" once in a while!

Olivia rode the dolphin!

Island Dog

I realize this still isn't a post with pictures of the girls, but here it is anyway...

Island Dog is an organization dedicated to ending animal cruelty in the United States Caribbean Islands - where there are NO animal shelters or control agencies! Thus many people who are "done" with their dogs take them to a beach nicknamed "Dead Dog Beach" where they are dropped off to suffer until they die.

I saw the founder of this organization on Ellen and it was heart-wrenching. So if anyone has a spare $5 or $10 it would be money well spent, and tax-deductible. And if you don't have the money for a mere $.42 stamp you can still let the governor of Puerto Rico know how you feel, the letter here is pre-written, just print, sign and send!

http://www.islanddog.org/images/Letter_to_the_Governor_of_Puerto_Rico_1.doc

and while you're at it, for another $.42, here's a letter to the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico:
http://www.islanddog.org/images/Tourism_OfficePuerto_Rico_Main_OfficeLa_Princesa_Bldg.doc

Please, please, please, someone out there do this with me!

Tax Rebate

Well, we are putting at least some of our tax rebate money back into the economy - thanks to my impulse purchase today! We just got the girls this cute clubhouse! I'll put pictures up when it is put together and the girls are playing on it! I'm so excited!

Care 2 Make a Difference

(You can click on this to go to their site... )

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

—Mahatma Gandhi

I know, here I go again... You came here for pictures of the girls and get more of my ramblings. But I can't resist, this is for some great causes.

Back in the day, I used to be good at writing my senators, etc. to fight for the rights of innocent creatures. But lately I haven't been so good at it. I found this website that has petitions all set up for you to sign. They have done the letter, you just sign your name and add a line or two if you want, push send, and voila - you've done something to help change the world! I love it! There are all kinds of causes, from children's welfare to the environment to breast cancer awareness. I'd love it if anyone would check out the following links and sign them. It takes no time at all! If you have other causes you'd rather support, that's great too!

Stop the Seal Hunt Sponsored by Internation Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

Outlaw Shark Finning Sponsored by Oceana

Condemn the "Greatest Show on Earth" Sponsored by ASPCA

Pass the Bear Protection Act of 2008 Sponsored by World Society for the Protection of Animals

Sprouts

Here's the good news and the bad news...

The good: I started growing our own organic sprouts and the first harvest was successful.

The bad: In browsing through a pregnancy magazine from the doctor's office last night I read that you should not eat sprouts when pregnant, they are on a short list of foods are more likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

What I read went something like this: You're more likely to get foodborne illness when you're pregnant. That's because your immune system isn't as strong. The symptoms (such as nausea and diarrhea) may be severe and your unborn child could even be harmed. This could lead to miscarriage or still birth.

So...anyone want some yummy sprouts???

Big Helpers

This is how the girls helped Daddy put away the groceries Monday night...