There has been a flurry of conversations going on about the woman who was recently arrested for nursing her 6-week-old while intoxicated. According to the article, “Officers arrested the woman, who later pleaded guilty to child neglect and faces up to five years in prison. Now her case has touched off a debate among moms about breast-feeding, alcohol — and privacy.” Read the complete story here.

Back in 2006 May and I did a little happy hour experiment we called the “Breastalyzer Test” with a box of Milkscreen test strips that measure alcohol in breastmilk. (The things we’ll do for the sake of the blog…) You can read the full post here.
Our conclusion? If you feel tipsy - don’t breastfeed. Just use common sense, combined with time, moderation and a back up plan.

What are your thoughts on the subject of breastfeeding and alcohol?

I think that the above photo summarizes the 4th of July with kids. That’s my brother, Doug and nephew, Jack. My sister-in-law took it at the not-so-secret fireworks viewing spot atop the Southdale parking ramp.

We had a lovely long weekend with a houseful of relatives. Our kids had a pack of cousins to run around with for days.
Seriously, does it get any better than a pack of cousins? Since we live hours away, they don’t get to hang out very often and it was fantastic!

Now come the post-holiday blues. Our house is (a little more) quiet and I need to switch gears to get out of holiday mode and get back to work…
Anyone else feeling that way?

Hope you had a Happy 4th Cribsheeters and would love to get a chance to see you next weekend at Java Train on Saturday! (see post below)

The Cribsheet playdate is back by popular demand!

Write this down in your calendars:

Saturday, July 11, 10am to noon at Java Train, 1341 Pascal Street, St. Paul, MN 55108.

It’s right between the State Fairgrounds and Como Park. Click here for directions.

Last year, we had the first Cribsheet playdate in Minneapolis so we thought it was only fair to head east of the river this year.

We had a blast last year. It was so amazing to meet Cribsheeters in real life and put faces to names.

To those who came last year, we’re so looking forward to seeing you again. For those who didn’t come last year, here’s a link to remind you what you missed and (hopefully) persuade you to show up!

We picked Java Train because some of you had suggested it as a venue for last year. Kay and I checked it out Thursday and it has a great outdoor play area with a “water tower” and a sandbox as well as an indoor play area with a “train” kids can climb into  if the weather’s bad.

And I can vouch for their cranberry scones. Yum.

Becky and Frank at last year’s Cribsheet Cafe

We’ve got relatives coming for the holiday weekend. We’ll have nine people under one roof tomorrow through Sunday. But you know what? Tonight, I’m meeting up with the girls! Instead of whirlwind hiding things cleaning, grocery shopping and prep-cooking for the masses, I’ll go out and have some appetizers, laughter and good conversation. One of my girlfriends, Jo, gave me advice last year that I have to stop and remind myself to do from time to time.

I went to see author, Wally Lamb at a Talking Volumes event with my book club gals last fall. It’s easy to say I “just went” but the whole process wasn’t easy. My husband was working late that night, so I had a lot of things to take care of on my own in a brief window of time. I left work to do the “daycare dash”, picked the kids up, whipped up dinner, fed and pajama-ed them, gave a refresher course to our infrequent sitter on the ins and outs of our children and house, slapped on some lipgloss and ran out the door. I then, drove to St. Paul in the seemingly endless rush hour traffic, no parking meters to be found, ran into the theater as the houselights went down, waved at my friends and finally crumpled in a heap in my seat.

My friend Jo noticed how harried I appeared. She touched my shoulder and whispered. “I know, I know, right now you’re wondering ‘Is it really worth it? It is. You have to get out and replenish your well. Do something just for you.” Wise words.

It took me a few minutes to unwind. Then, I sat there in the dark, so enthralled and inspired by the author’s stories that all my stress just melted away. My friends and I were able to hang out and converse a bit after the show, then it was time to go home. I drove back down the highway feeling a sense of relaxation and renewal.

I often find myself weighing the old hassle:benefit ratio. Sometimes the hassles are worth the benefits. That night was one.

So, I’ll whirlwind hide clean, shop and cook tomorrow. Tonight, I will laugh, catch up with old friends and replenish my well!

How do you replenish your well?

Sunday was a glorious day to go strawberry-picking. So we did.

My husband (the planner) called ahead. One farm said they had a long line of cars waiting to get in. Another said their fields were pretty picked over and to come back another day.

We ended up at Lorence’s Strawberries just outside Northfield.

It was perfect. No wait. Just drive right up and park.

Nothing but blue sky, strawberry fields, a table and a set of scales.

(As you Cribsheeters know from my previous zoo post, I like my outings simple with no side shows.)

One of several perky young people gave us a cardboard box and assigned us a row. They demonstrated how to sweep aside the leaves to find the berries. Slip the strawberry stem between two fingers. Cup the strawberry in your palm. Then pull. 

We came home with 8 pounds of sweet and juicy fruit, with none of that forced ripened texture of the grocery store variety. And you can’t beat $1.50 a pound.

Of course, there’s always one member of the family who won’t eat any.

Here’s Little Miss Picky.

Any fave strawberry farms? Where do you go?