We will be visiting Lauri's family over Christmas/New Year - and trying to sneak a little R&R in as well. Below is the store schedule for the end of December and beginning of January.

There is a Cloth Diaper 101 class scheduled for 5:30pm Monday, January 11, 2010. This class is still taking place.

Believe it or not we have added new products to our offering that haven't come from the ABC show in Las Vegas.

• Thirsties has taken the concept of their very popular Duo Wrap covers and come out with the Duo Diaper! These two size diapers look and adjust just the same as the wraps, except instead of being covers these are pocket diapers. In fact, the pockets open at both ends and don't need to be unstuffed prior to washing! We've tried these out in our front loading HE washer and it really works!
• Everyone's favorite reusable bag that's named after the city of it's manufacture. That's right, straight from Chico, CA, it the amazing self-storing ChicoBags! And not your ordinary ChicoBags, but ChicoBags rePETes - made from 99% recycled materials. We have both the original size and the larger shoulder carry Vita. Thes make great stocking stuffers!
• Lauri found these very cute organic stuffed thingies that encourage children to learn about environmental awareness and stewardship. They're called Idbids. They come either individually or in kits with a story book, field guide, organic cotton backpack and access to an online reward program. Each comes with a unique code for you and your child to enter online to direct a 50¢ donation towards one of three Nature Conservancy programs.
• Lauri is lending a hand to the local ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) chapter and is carrying two of their fundraiser items:
  • The ICAN 2010 Calendar
  • Pregnant in America DVD - Written and directed by an expecting father who realized that most couples are left in the dark when it comes to birth practices.
  100% of the proceeds from these items will go to ICAN.

Because of the weather last week, the last Valley Junction Holiday Open House has been postponed until Thursday, December 17th. Please join us from 5:00 - 9:00 pm to take a free horse and carriage ride, visit with Santa and Mrs Claus, enjoy over 150,000 white holiday lights, listen to caroling groups, and shop and dine at Valley Junction's unique independent stores and restaurants.

This rescheduling also applies to the Hospice of Central Iowa Walk of Wreaths. Over 80 decorated wreaths are displayed throughout the district in memory of Caren Sturm. They will be auctioned off in a silent auction ending at 8pm. Ten wreaths will be selected for a live auction beginning at 7pm. All proceeds will be donated to Hospice of Central Iowa.

Sunday, December 20
1:00pm New time

Monday, January 11
5:30pm

Sunday, January 24
10:00am

Babywearing Classes!

VBAC Classes!

Stay tuned for details...
Same Bat Channel...
Same Bat Time.

The origin of the safety pin dates back to the Mycenaeans during the 14th century BC. In plain English, the Ancient Greeks at the end of the Bronze Age! They are known today as fibulae (singular fibula) and were used in the same manner as modern day safety pins. In fact, the very first fibulae of the 14th and 13th centuries B.C. looked remarkably like the modern safety pin. Fibulae replaced straight pins that were used to fasten clothing in the Neolithic period and early Bronze Age. In turn, fibulae were replaced as clothing fasteners in the Middle Ages by buttons.

The safety pin was re-invented by American inventor Walter Hunt, and on April 10, 1849, was granted US Patent #6281. Within hours of the patent being granted, Hunt sold the rights to his invention for $400. On October 12 of the same year Englishman Charles Rowley, unaware of the US Patent, applied for and received a British patent for the safety pin.

Q: How did Darth Vader know what Luke was getting for Christmas?

A: He felt his presents.

Happy Christmahanakwanzika!

Have a Salubrious Solstice, and a Perfectly Peachy Perihelion!