DDD has a new home!

Diapers, Dogs and Daypacks has a new home everyone! It's now called Nature For Kids . I'm just finishing up building the site. Let me know what you think. I'm so totally up for recommendations. The site will have a lot of the same posts I've done here but I'll get caught up soon and post some new stuff. If you have DDD linked on your blog or internet explorer favorites be sure to change the site address so you can keep checking in easily. Thanks for all your support so far everybody. I really appreciate it. Above all I hope DDD helps kids get outdoors more! Oh and DDD is not dead. I'll work it in somehow. People just don't search for diapers and dogs in the same sentence on the internet very much, you know what I mean. :)

Harmful Plastic

Just wanted to give you all a heads up on this study done on plastic. I heard about it on television and my friend Jennie just sent me this story. Here's the shortcut . And here's another one. I've talked alot about Nalgene water bottle on my blog. Unfortunately they are made of polycarbonate, the type of plastic that is the most harmful, according to this recent study. Check the bottom of your bottles, baby bottles included. if it has a small number 7 that means it's polycarbonate. Read what you want. I'm still drinking out of mine. I just don't put hot things inside it anymore. Later!

Outdoor Photography Tips

Part I
Outdoor Portraits

Okay I'll start out with the simple things I learned that are super effective!
*When taking a portrait shot (where your subject of the picture is a person) take the picture vertically instead of horizontally. This eliminates a lot of empty useless space from the picture.

Horizontal








Vertical

*Photographers say there are two perfect times during the day to take a picture. They call it the "golden hours". They are the hour before the sun comes up and an hour before the sun goes down. The lighting is perfect during these times.
*When taking a portrait picture outside have your subject between you and the sun. Use an on-camera flash (which all cameras have) to brighten the subjects face so there are no shadows. Angle the camera so the sun is not in the picture but so that it's shining on the back of the subject, allowing a line of bright light to outline your subject. (Notice the line on the shoulders, top and side of head)

*Never take pictures during the middle of the day. Shadows are ugly and unflattering. The sun shines straight down casting shadows from brows, nose and chin.

Now if you think these were simple enough tips stay tuned for Part II. They are all really easy and will improve your photography skills ...allowing family and friends to actually enjoy looking at your vacation pictures!

Written Word To Recreation

I've always wanted to make a wolf suit for my boys. One like Max wears in the book "Where The Wild Things Are" written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I know they would wear it out just like their super man, ninja and spiderman costumes. Unfortunately my sewing skills are lacking. I can handle mending things but the extent of my sewing skills ended at an apron I made in 4-H when I was like 10. "Where The Wild Things Are," has always been a favorite book of mine and now my children seem to enjoy it as much as me. The main character, Max, has a playful personality that becomes apparent on the very first page. "Max...made mischief of one kind and another." As does any little boy, including my own two. he's so mischievous his mother sends him to bed without eating anything. His playful personality isn't the only portion of his character that appeals to me. His imagination is what really makes the meat of the book. It takes him and the reader on an outdoor adventure where he finds himself in a forest, sails a boat, discovers wild things, does magic tricks, dances under the moonlight, hangs from trees and becomes a king. Max eventually becomes lonely and hungry however, two things that a mother and a home can remedy easily. So he decides to give up being a wild thing and returns home. The loving part I see in the story is that his mom has his dinner waiting for him when he returns..."and it's still hot". The pictures are delightful. I have some of the prints hanging in my boys' room. While you read and look at the illustrations it's easy to produce your own sound effects and wild rumpus music.

I believe books like these help inspire children to create their own journey. It's a spring board for adventure. Plus it's something for parents and children to share.

Other books my children love and I'd recommend:

"Clap Your Hands" by Lorinda Bryan Cauley.

Keeps their little bodies moving!

Through Usborne Books "Farmyard Tales"

"The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR" written by Don and Audrey Wood.

By far Corbin's FAVORITE!

"Good Dog Carl" by Alexandra Day

"Blueberries For Sal" by Robert McCloskey

"Ferdinand The Bull" by Munro Leaf

My favorite as a kid.

As much as I'd hate to admit it, my boys love "Go Diego Go" books. They're not my favorite book's to read but they teach a lot about different animals and the outdoors. Plus Diego is the coolest kid I know. Seriously, how many little boys do you know get to explore the rain forest with no supervision and drive their own jeep?!

If you have a favorite children's book that encourages physical activity or outdoor play leave a comment! I'm always up for buying new books! (Becca I know you have a plethora of suggestions...I'm banking on you girl! So go to your book shelf and stretch out your typing fingers :))