Life with Dylan

Month: June 2012

  • Why you need to keep taking those pictures …

    We all take pictures of our children – it’s what parents do. Birthday parties, holidays, vacations and now with cell phone cameras, there isn’t a reason we can’t snap a picture at any time of the day or night. Sometimes we think we take too many pictures and sometimes our children don’t want us to take their picture.

    Well, the next time your child says No more pictures Mom! – think again.

    Last night I was looking through old pictures on the computer and realized that sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Sometimes a picture, no matter how many times you have taken the same picture, same pose, same location … is priceless.

    The sign stayed the same, but boy did my son grow up! Not to mention the tress and the plants.

    Yep, he always wants to pose in the tree by the hippos. I won’t be telling him not another picture in the tree anymore.

    This has got to be one of my favorite “then and now” pictures from the San Diego Zoo. Ever since he was a toddler, he asks to eat at the Treetop Cafe – at his table. Yes, he actually believes that this is his table and we always sit here. In all the times we have visited the San Diego Zoo, these are the only two pictures I have of him at his table … now I’m wishing I had taken more.

    So wherever your “picture spot” may be, keep taking those pictures. There is a reason you stop each time to take a picture here – and nothing is more priceless than watching your child grow up in photographs.

  • Wordless Wednesday – I made this

    I hated having to wake him on his second day of summer vacation, but I’m not on vacation until next week. He looked so peaceful sleeping as the morning sun lit up his room.

    No matter how old he gets, I love watching him sleep. 

  • A crash course in vermicomposting

    I will never forget the day Dylan came home from school and said, with bright eyes and a big smile, “Mom, just listen first, ok?” Oh, this can’t be good. I knew this was going to be something I would have to say yes to, but I must admit what he was about to ask me made me cringe a little.


    This past year, the third grade classes started vermicomposting (worms, for those of you who don’t know) in the school garden. I can’t tell you how many times he came home and told me about these little red wigglers that had become his “friends” – and guess what – They need a home for the summer.

    Now we have talked about starting our own worm bin, but mind you talk is all we have done. I don’t have a yard – we live in an apartment.

    Where would these red wigglers go? Would I have to touch them? Would they get out of the bin? Oh my, the thought of little worms crawling all over me flashed before my eyes.

    Well, last week I became the proud owner of a black bin filled with red wigglers. OK, I can do this – it’s just for the summer. The bin sat in my living room for about an hour while I prepared an area on the balcony that would be in full shade because the worms can’t be in direct sunlight.

    Dylan gave me the crash course in how much to feed them (we were also given a scale to weigh the food), when to water t-shirts that cover them (yes, they came with their own spray bottle), and what not to feed them. Citrus fruit is a big no-no, they don’t like too much acid. Oh, and apparently their favorite food is egg shells, coffee grinds and melon rind, so I have a baggie of melon rind in my fridge. 

    It’s been a week now and I will admit that these guys are growing on me. I actually look forward to coming home and checking on them. (Sshhh, don’t tell Dylan.)

    Do you compost? Is it something you would consider doing? I hear worm poop is the liquid gold of fertilizer. 


    Everything has its place in the ecosystem … even worms!




  • Protect the environment and donate your used cell phones

    Dylan will be collecting used cell phones from June 25 through July 10, 2012


    Once his box is full, he will be sending the phones to the fundraising company and they will send him a check for the phones based on their market value price list. Every phone is worth something and every little bit will help him reach his goal of $1,000



    Cell phone facts:

    ·Over
    100 million cell phones are stockpiled in U.S. households creating 50,000 tons
    of potentially hazardous waste.

    ·On
    average Americans replace their cell phones every 12-18 months. An estimated
    130 million cell phones are discarded annually in the U.S. alone.

    ·Cell
    phones contain toxic substances including Arsenic, Antimony, Beryllium,
    Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Nickel and Zinc which leach into soil and groundwater
    and form toxins during incineration which have been associated cancer and a
    range of reproductive, neurological and developmental disorders.

    ·The
    cadmium from a single cell phone is capable of polluting 158,200 gallons of
    water. (That’s 2.4 million 8-ounce sodas!)

  • Goodbye Lonesome George

    You’ve heard it said before … Extinction is forever, Endangered means we still have time … and sadly today this quote has a new meaning to the world.

    Lonesome George passed away today. He was the last Galapagos tortoise of his species.

    Although many breeding attempts were made, the conservation efforts were unsuccessful. Galapagos National Park rangers estimate that Lonesome George was about 100 years old.

    Lonesome George became known as a conservation icon and will always be remembered to me and Dylan as the one we never got to meet. So many other species are critically endangered and need our help. Don’t let them be the last one like Lonesome George.

    Goodbye Lonesome George.

    Photo courtesy of putneymark under the Creative Commons License.

  • Wordless Wednesday – Magnificent Jellies

    The tentacles on these jellyfish reminds me of silly string.

     Photos taken on a recent trip to Aquarium of the Pacific.

  • Sometimes God needs little angels too

    Last week was a rough one for me and for many of the teachers and students at Ensign Intermediate School. Working at a school, you become very close to the students … so close that these students seem to become children of your own. You see them every day and you watch them grow. You share in their triumphs and in their sorrows – and when the unthinkable happens, your cry with them.

    Last week, one of our students, Madison “Maddy” May Boutelle, passed away. She was only 13 years old. Taken away from her friends and family too soon, but I know that God had a reason. Death is hard for adults, so you can only imagine what it must be like for a teenager. The hallways were quieter than usual and the tears came without warning. As a school counselor told me, sometimes it hits you like a tsunami and you have to just go with it.

    I attended the services to celebrate the life of Maddy on Saturday, along with over 1,000 other people, most of which were her classmates. It was a beautiful service, but something I can’t get out of my mind is the church filled with children. Children saying goodbye to their friend. A girl who accepted everyone for who they were and did not judge. A girl who had a smile that could light up a room. As beautiful as this sight was, and I will never forget it, I hope I never have to see it again.

    Something I learned about Maddy was that she always said hello with a smile and hug and goodbye with I love you. I think this is wonderful way to live life.

    I know that life cannot be lived in the what if, but the what if is all I could think about for the latter part of the week. What would I do if something ever happened to Dylan? No parent should ever have to say goodbye to their child. I don’t know when God will need me or when he will need my son, but I do know that I cannot live life in the what ifs. I will say hello with a smile and a hug and I will say goodbye with I love you.

    To all the parents out there – Love your children and cherish every moment you have with them. Hold them a minute longer, a little tighter – even when they start to pull away. Take nothing for granted and live life to the fullest. Take the time to get to know your children and be their friend as well as their parent. Take pictures, lots of pictures.

    Because you never know when God is going to need a little angel to watch over us.

  • Summertime means Nature Camp at the ENC

    For the past three summers, Dylan has been attending Nature Camp at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach and this summer will be no different. This is not your typical summer camp.

    The ENC offers a hands-on experience with nature that takes place in a traditional camp setting – without having to drive into the mountains. For anyone who has been to the ENC, you know that once you enter the main gate you are instantly transported from the busy city streets to the great outdoors.

    Campers will walk the trails, learn about the ENC grounds and how to respect the plants and animals who live there, make crafts at good old-fashioned picnic tables, and learn all about science and nature.

    During the ENC Spring Faire, Dylan had the chance to meet some of the special guests who will be joining the campers this summer.

    Each week is a different theme and includes a special guest or local field trip. There are eight sessions to choose from and surely one that your child will love!

    Session 1: July 2 – 5   Do It Yourself Camp
    Campers learn about everyday things and how to make many of them. Special guest – a real beekeeper!

    Session 2: July 9 – 12   Planet Protectors
    Campers learn how the benefits of recycling, reusing, reducing and more. Beach clean-up and visit to a landfill for older campers.

    Session 3: July 16 – 19   Wilderness Survival
    Campers learn how to prepare for the unexpected. Special guest – Coast Live Oak School, ancestral survival skills.

    Session 4: July 23 – 26   Under the Sea
    Campers learn about marine mammals, sharks, fish, and everything living under the sea. Field Trip to Crystal Cove State park tide pools.

    Session 5: July 30 – Aug 2   Outdoor Adventure
    Campers learn about a variety of habitats and the plants and animals that live in them. Special guest – Live birds of prey!

    Session 6: Aug 6 – 9   Incredible Inventions
    Campers learn about famous inventors and make inventions of their own. Field trip to Tessman Planetarium.

    Session 7: Aug 13 – 16   Outdoor Creativity
    Campers explore creativity in nature with drawing, painting, dance, sculpting and more. Special guest – Southland Opera Company performance of “Adventures in Song and Story”

    Session 8: Aug 20 – 23   Mad Science
    Campers enjoy safe, age-appropriate, hands-on experiments. Field trip to Discovery Science Center.

    Summer Nature Camp at ENC



    Who: Elementary students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. The campers are split into small groups based on age.

    When: Nature Camp is Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with an after camp option that runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

    Where: Environmental Nature Center, 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663

    How much: Nature Camp is $175 per session ($157.50 for members) and After Camp is $80 per session ($72 for members)

    For more information about ENC Summer Nature Camp or to register your camper visit the ENC website.

  • Wordless Wednesday – Koala Kisses

    If this isn’t love between a mother and child, then I don’t know what is.

    So honored to have my photograph featured on the San Diego Zoo’s Tumblr page alongside so many amazing photographers.

  • A little guide to life

    I received a birthday card today that fit my life so well that it could have been written just for me. The words are so beautiful … I hope they bring a smile to your face like they did to mine.

    Be good to yourself.

    There are some things everyone deserves –
    Love, respect, time to recharge.
    Never settle for less.

    Seek out your dreams.

    Start small. Take it as it comes.
    Even a butterfly has to inch along before getting its wings.

    Listen to your heart.

    Trust your gut.
    If the way seems unclear, look within you.

    Let your voice be heard.

    You have a story to tell and opinions that count.
    And a difference to make.

    Stay curious.

    Wonder.
    Take every opportunity to learn.
    Knowledge is a gift. It will take you places.

    Hold on to what’s important.

    Let worries go.
    No matter how you look at it, some things just don’t make sense.
    The way you choose to carry on is what really matters.

    And when you make that list of what you want in life,
    make another list of what you’ve got.
    Be sure to start with all the things that make you a beautiful person.
    There are so many.

    Most of all, remember you’re loved.
    Always.