As crazy as this place can get with three Witchlets running around, I love when we are all here together. I miss the noise when it's quite. Maybe I should invest in a noise machine to help me with this, LOL.

I had Olivia this weekend and although I anticipated some fighting between her and Dante, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they got along! Here they are doing arts and crafts, TOGETHER!

They made animals out of hearts. I know, sounds odd. They got the idea from the magazine My Big Back Yard. Here are the finished masterpieces:

I recently blogged about 5 Must Haves During Cold and Flu Season and yes, I do have all of those things but I think I started taking them much too late. I wound up sick but luckily recovered rather quickly, except for an annoying cough. Coughs I get from being sick seem to linger forever.

I am all better but now I feel like I should be wearing a nurse uniform or something because I have spent the entire week taking care of everyone else! I guess this is all part of a mommy's job, huh? Either way, I love my job :)

Next on the agenda I am going to have Olivia gather information about Imbolc so we can get the altar decorated for it.

I thought now was a good time to get Olivia familiar with tarot. I want her to pick her own deck, one that calls to her but before doing that, I wanted her to have a basic understanding of tarot. I have the Rider-Waite Tarot deck and never really used it much. I prefer my Dragon deck, so I offered her the Rider-Waite deck because I feel it is simple, perfect for learning.

Of course I had her smudge the deck first. We used a sage smudge stick to cleanse the deck and remove any lingering energies from it.

A new baby in the house means some big changes for everyone. Your schedule will be changed and the things you would normally do might be harder to manage with a little one in the house. To do your best to get all the things done you need to while caring for your new baby one of the newest baby monitors is essential. Gone are the days of simple baby monitors that allow you to hear into your baby's room. These baby monitors are more portable and full featured than ever.

One of the favorites for baby monitors is the great colored monitor. These monitors have a portable wireless hand set that can go with you anywhere with a color screen monitor showing your child including audio. The cameras themselves are actually made to look like great accents to the baby room and are also cordless and portable. The ability to not only hear you baby but see the baby brings a whole new level to peace and security. Although these video baby monitors are more than those you can purchase that have great sound only they might be worth the money just to give you that peace.

Some digital baby monitors even include motion sensors on the baby's bed that alert you when the baby rolls over or there is a weight difference on the mattress. This lets you know that the baby is in the position you have left them in. These great features make it easier than ever to get things accomplished that you need to while your baby safely sleeps in their room or plays in their playpen nearby. The price range for these monitors range from approximately $20 to $200 and are easily available online or at local retailers. Think about your daily routine before you make your selection and choose one that will work well for your family dynamic.

Echinacea

Echinacea has been used by America Indians for hundreds of years. It is native to the North America Plains, but varieties of the species are now found on most continents. This herb increases levels of properdin, a chemical which activates the part of the immune system responsible for increasing the defense mechanisms against virus and bacteria attacks.

Its anti-bacterial effect makes it a good herb for treating many viral and bacterial infections. Echinacea also helps to sweep dead cells and other debris through the channels of the lymphatic system and sends white blood cells to fight the infection. When you feel a cold coming on - take echinacea. It is important to try to take echinacea before the full onset of a cold or flu to give the best chance for a fast recovery.


Garlic



Garlic has anti-bacterial properties that help the immune system to fight infection, it is an excellent boost to the immune system. The reason for this is garlic contains several helpful compounds, including allicin, one of the plant kingdom's most potent antibiotics. Garlic combines well with echinacea and together make a strong fighting force against infections.


Ginger



Ginger is another of natures' antiviral herbs. It contains nearly a dozen antiviral compounds. Ginger is pain relieving, antiseptic and antioxidant. It is valuable for preventing and treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membranes. Ginger reduces pain and fever and has a mild sedative effect that will encourage rest. Drink a tea, or soak fresh ginger in hot water, take as a tincture and include it in your food.


Vitamin C



Vitamin C is very good for the relief of cold symptoms and to help the body fight infection. The best source of vitamins is always fresh fruit and vegetables. Citrus fruit is especially high in vitamin C. Combine orange, pineapple, seedless grapes, lots of fresh ginger, banana, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe in a blender. Add orange juice if more liquid is needed.


Goldenseal


Goldenseal is both antiseptic and immune stimulating, increasing blood supply to the spleen. The spleen is the bodies staging area for the fighting cells in your immune system. Berberine is present in goldenseal, and activates the special white blood cells which are responsible for destruction of bacteria, fungi, viruses and tumor cells.

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My son is a bookworm, and does really well in school. As parents, my husband and I try to give him all the resources he needs to excel. It can be hard on us since neither of us ever went to college or did extremely well in school. Usually we don’t know all of the right things to do, and he needs to tell us what he needs. We want him to have the same opportunities all of his friends at school have even though we never got them.

My son started asking us for clear wireless internet a few months ago. After some serious contemplation and budgeting analysis, we decided that we could afford it and got it for him. I didn’t think it would make such a huge difference in his life since he always had internet access at school. He is so happy since we got the wireless internet connected that he is behaving like an angel and doing every single chore we ask him to.

This is huge for the parents of teenagers! I guess we did the right thing in waiting to connect the internet, because now our son really appreciates it.

My mom ad grandma came over on Yule. It was really nice, I am so glad we have all finally come to a compromise. They come over on Yule and give the kids gifts. We go there on Christmas Eve and have dinner.