So I thought I was the last one to join, but since I asked a few friends over the weekend if they were on Facebook and they asked "what is that" I thought I would update everyone else who didn't know how fun this site is. I really thought it was for students, given that it was called Facebook...but there are so many people on the site young and old. I joined and within a few days I had reconnected with old friends, family and coworkers. I even found a friend from a junior high I attended briefly 25 years ago and found she lived only the next town over. I am already playing (well losing by 100 points) a scrabble-like game and I have seen updated photos of my friends and family. I like anonymity so others online can only see my profile if I say they can. It's a nice way to keep in touch. www.facebook.com

I am sure you have heard about just how many plastic bottles end up in landfills, BUT did you know that even though you put your plastic bottles in the recycling, they could still end up tossed in with the trash? Most recycling centers only recycle the bottle portion and not the lid....so if you keep them together, they get tossed into the trash at the recycling center. Separate them if you have to use them.

Ever wonder how many steps your child takes in a day? Between television and video games I bet you'd be surprised at how little those feet move. It's summer and you can't beat these pedometers for the pint sized mover and shaker in your home. These functional and adorable frog-shaped pedometers come in fun colors and help kids track their steps (just like we should be doing). The corresponding web site helps them set goals, play games (the kids must enter their steps each day to earn points to move throughout the site), challenge their friends and more. My favorite part is the security strap so the pedometer doesn't fly off during activity. Why don't the adult versions have these?? Brilliant. Find more information here: www.mypedz.com

Confused about BPA-free materials? Plastics is a confusing business...leaching, deposits, recyclable, polycarbonates, phthalates...bless you. Not to mention PETE, LDPE, HDPE and PVC. Playtex has come out with a very helpful Q & A fact sheet about the use of plastics in their products as well as an easy to understand guide for recycling materials and choosing plastics for you and your family. Find the great info here: http://www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html

For you bottle users, sign up to receive a free sample of their Playtex® Drop-Ins® Original Nurser System.

http://www.playtexbaby.com

We just found a site with stations perfect for the little ones. Slacker.com, an interactive Internet radio service, has created Toddlers and Kids music stations for parents who want their kids to enjoy the very best hand selected children's music. After a few hours of sampling the stations, we got a double thumbs up. The littlest one gets the toddler station for Laurie Berkner, Hi-5 and the Wiggles and the older insists on "big kid music" with her own station featuring some of the Disney kids from HSM (that's High School Musical for all of you living under a rock). You and your kids can listen to endless songs without having to change CDs or stations. On a side note, we did a big person test run after the kiddies went to bed and the variety is great. You can find whatever suits your mood and unlike the radio, you can skip a song and no commercial interruptions. Slacker.com