Trash or Treasure? I can't save it all!

Calling all moms! What do you do with all of your kid's art work and school work? Since my daughter started pre-K last fall I am accumulating so many school papers and art projects, doodles, crafts... I could wallpaper her room in the amount of paper I'm saving. Some are masterpieces and others are... well... let's just say I'm saving those because I'm a conservationist. But the inner voice that wants to break the hoarder tendencies that run in my family says, "RECYCLE!" How do you determine what or how much to keep for posterity? I mean, I have to draw the line somewhere, she has another 13 years of school ahead of her. HELP!

Party for the Planet! Earth Day 2012 Bridgeport's Beardsley Zoo

Gumdrop Swap will be an exhibitor at the "Party for the Planet" event at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT on April 21, 2012. This is in honor of Earth Day. This is a perfect opportunity to let my local community know of Gumdrop Swap and my mission to keep kids clothes, books, and toys out of our landfills. We "recycle" damaged clothing into new apparel, accessories, and quilts. This is my 3rd year as a participant!

The Zoo is offering environmental education activities, amazing animal encounters, and fun for the whole family. This conservation themed bash will take place on Saturday, April 21 (Sunday, April 22 is canceled due to expected rain) and will shine a light on initiatives that make our planet a more sustainable place to live. This event is FREE with paid admission to the Zoo.

"Party for the Planet is the largest Earth Day celebration in North America and we want everyone to get in on the action by visiting the Zoo this weekend!" said Gregg Dancho, Zoo Director. "It's up to all of us to play our part in saving the planet and making our community a healthier place to live for people, animals, and all living things."

Party for the Planet encourages local, organic, earth-friendly choices as a way of promoting better health for our planet and ourselves. Environmentally friendly vendors will be on hand with everything from green cleaning products and recycled fashion accessories to better lawn care for humans and wildlife. The Mudpuppies and by The Environmental Hootenanny with Tom Calliman and Ann Shapiro will perform at the Peacock Pavilion.

To highlight the Zoo's ongoing connection to nature and support of the arts, Kim Kuzina has created a large sculpture of the earth, which greets visitors at the Zoo's front entrance and will remain outdoors year round. Kuzina, a Middletown resident, creates art that honors the beauty she finds outdoors.

UPDATE: Here is a photo from 2012 event. It turned out to be a beautiful day!

4/23/11, 1pm-4pm Eco Kid Bash at Gumdrop Swap in Downtown Bridgeport

So excited to announce this FREE event for Fairfield County! Like our Halloween event, Boo Bash, last fall, this event is open to the public. We will feature sponsors and vendors geared towards families, children, sustainability, wellness, and recycling. Kids will make crafts from recycled material and can plant seeds in a container they decorate. The Bluefish mascot (minor league baseball) will make an appearance at 2pm. Please RSVP on Facebook! If you have a business and are interested in sponsoring, opportunities start as low as $20! As of 4/4/11 there are 2 vendor spaces left.



Event planning by Pryceless Consulting. Thank you to all of our vendors and sponsors so far!

Community Residences Inc.
Clockwork Learning Center Black Rock
Veridian Energy for Less
Foster Adoptive Mission
Greater Bridgeport Transit
Snappy Dawgs, Gourmet Street Food
Cook and Grow, A Healthy Classroom Project
Uniquely Yours Handmade Greeting Cards
Natural Awakenings Magazine (Fairfield County)
Bridgeport Theatre Co.
Center for Green Builders
Main Street Pharmacy
Toppings Cupcakes
Gofer Ice Cream
Viva Cantina Mexican Restaurant
Moe's Burger Joint
City of Bridgeport
Email gumdropswap(at)gmail.com with any questions. We hope to see you there!
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Slight Exaggeration

I try to tell the truth. Especially with my daughter. I like for her to know the reason adults do things like when she wants to play with diaper wipes and waste them I tell her "those cost Mommy a lot of money so we can't play with them." I realize she is only two and doesn't understand currency but how will she ever learn if I don't explain these things? Or when she is trying some daredevil move like standing on the Sit-and Spin and I explain to her that she has to stop. Not because I don't want her to have fun but because I don't want her to hurt herself. It's proving to be effective so far.

But today she stumped me. I brought her to the boutique with me and there was a brief thunderstorm. She was frightened by the thunder and I told her what the noise was and she seemed ok. She resumed playing with her toys. Then there was a lightning flash a few minutes later and she turned to me and said, "Mommy you take my picture?" So, I tried to explain that the thunder she heard is the sound of the light that flash and mid-sentence I was struck with the thought that I am not completely sure how it all works. So, I lied. I paused as if I pushed the reset button and said, "That was God taking your picture." And she replied, "Oh" and giggled delightfully. And I have never felt better about telling a lie. It was the perfect answer. I am confident she won't have a fear of thunderstorms considering her love of being photographed.

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Earth Day Celebration 2010

GumdropSwap will be an exhibitor at the "Party for the Planet" event at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT on April 17-18, 2010. This is part of their Earth Day celebration. I was contacted after a representative from the zoo read about GumdropSwap in the Natural Awakenings of Fairfield County publication this past February. This is a perfect opportunity to let my local community know of GumdropSwap and my mission to keep kids clothes, books, and toys out of our landfills. We "recycle" damaged clothing into new apparel, accessories, and quilts. I better get to sewing! The "gumdrop Couture" items I made before have all been sold except for one sample. I guess people like the idea of having a one of a kind garment. Here is my daughter in a dress I made by cutting off the stained part of a shirt and attaching fabric to make a bohemian dress.

On Sat. 4/17/10, I will be there from 10am-3pm but Sunday I will only be there from 1-3pm due to my obligations at church. I would love to meet you in person if you can make it. I know my daughter will enjoy the festivities. You should bring your kids too!

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What kind of "sickie-poo" are you?

Nothing like a category 5 illness to jump start a weight-loss plan. This past week my house was hit with a stomach bug that would put Montezuma's Revenge to shame. It would send Montezuma shamefully to a corner, shivering at it's immense power. It tore through our house (read: digestive systems) like a Kansas cyclone and left a devastated wasteland in it's wake. And when you tell someone about it and the response you get is "Yeah, that's going around," you feel cheated of sympathy. You want to scream (but you're too weak), "No, you don't understand! I almost died!"

My daughter will be 2 years old on Monday. We planned to have a party at our house on the Sat before (the day I am writing this) but that had to be canceled. The toll this virus took on us was diabolical. There was no way I could get everything done in time, when I couldn't even keep ginger ale down.

After the worst was over, it took about a day to rest and recover. While I was rehydrating, it dawned on me how different my husband, daughter and I all handled being ill. My daughter was unphased between her bouts of puking. She ran a low-grade fever but continued to play and maintained her appetite even though she couldn't keep anything down. What a trooper! She was sick first and it was hours before I showed symptoms and realized we were dealing with something contagious. I'm pitiful when I'm sick. I drag my feet and groan. I'm very quiet and easily irritated. I just wanted to sleep it off. Now my husband is dramatic to say the least. He's that character from any sitcom that gets crazy with the bell and terrorizes the family. Of course, he did not have a bell, I'm not stupid enough to do that. But incessantly calls my name and whines. I have to leave the room and laugh because he is too much.

I'm curious, what kind of sickie-poo are you when you're under the weather? Any home remedies to share?

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2009 in Review

I started GumdropSwap when I was laid off early in 2009. I was appalled to discover how many people throw away clothes in great condition. Especially when so many families are struggling financially. As a new mom, I know how fast children grow and the strain to keep up with the demand. I wanted to figure out a way for parents to get rid of the things their kids had outgrown and be able to get "new" clothes with minimal cost. I was also determined to have an eco-friendly business. It's an opportunity for them to save money while respecting our planet. I launched the website http://www.gumdropswap.com in September.