Weekends

Last weekend crystal came down just to play. It was SOOO good to see her. We spent most Of the weekend cooking, eating, window shopping (at target), and we went shooting! It was fun to get out and go play outside!

We had some old sprouting potatoes that we brought with to shoot. It was fun to watch them explode ;)

Lately

This is rare.  And so precious.  Eli woke up from a nap but was still so tired.  Bryan quietly rocked him for a new minutes and he fell back asleep.

Eli "helped" me put together the laundry clothes drying rack.  He's always willing to help!

When did my baby turn into a little boy?!

This walker has turned into his new fort.  Everyday without fail he will crawl under it and play.

Peach oatmeal doesnt usually go in your eyes, unless you're Eli

We went to the Nickel Arcade yesterday! So fun!!We were like kids again ;)

Baby Cardigan Onesies

I talked with a friend who encouraged me to add a few baby girl items to my Etsy shop: Click here

So I added Baby Girl Cardigan Onesies!  They are so stinkin' cute!

The baby boy onesies are being made right now and I can't wait!

Serious Concentration

What do you look like when you are concentrating on something really difficult like maybe, crawling, picking up a little toy, or rolling somewhere?

Those tasks are really tough when you are Eli. And you may look like this ;)

Honey Oat Bread

I am always trying new homemade bread recipes to find "the one". They usually turn out good but not great. I tried this recipe found here: http://www.bakingdom.com/2011/09/homemade-honey-oat-bread.html

It's AMAZING. It has oats and honey in it and a drizzle of honey on top. Divine. This recipe said bake 40-50 minutes or until internal temp of 190 degrees. I had never used a thermometer to check doneness in bread but it was perfect. I highly recommend it. The bread was fantastic. I say was because although I made it yesterday we ate the whole loaf ;)

Try it yourself!

Natural Cleaning

As my little man is crawling around now- with his cute tummy scraping the floor- I realize I don't want to be using harsh chemicals like bleach on the floor and comet in the tub where he bathes.  After doing some official research on Pinterest I found tons of great links to natural cleaning supplies.

The first I found was homemade laundry soap.  I am using up my current soap and then I will be trying this recipe.  I have found several online that make multiple gallons and you need a 5 gallon bucket to let it soak overnight.  I am not ready to commit to 5 gallons of laundry soap, so this recipe only makes a gallon at a time.  Perfect!  It also uses Dawn soap which I have found to be super effective.  You can also add essential oils for scent and to make it antibacterial/antifungal (like tea tree oil).  The biggest bonus for me is the savings. Many mommas on these blogs did the math for me and found regular detergant like Tide, Arm & Hammer, ect are .15-.20 cents a load, and this is .03-.05 cents depending on how much you use.  Who can beat that?
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/no-grate-homemade-laundry-soap.html


The next one is my absolute favorite.  Vinegar.  The end.  This stuff is amazing for cleaning everything.  I deep cleaned our house Saturday and used just straight vinegar and also a vinegar/dawn spray.  Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, non toxic, edible, and dang cheap.  It can be used directly on counters, floors, sinks, mirrors, a rinse aid in the laundry, microwave, stove, tables, and anything else you need to clean.  For amazing shower grime cleaner I use 1/2 cup really hot vinegar and 1/2 cup dawn dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the grime, let sit for a bit while you clean the rest of the bathroom and just wipe it off!  Simple as that.  No scrubbing with comet or stinky fumes.  (except as my mom says your house may smell like pickles)  :)

Here is a link: http://lifecraftsandwhatever.blogspot.com/2012/01/dawn-vinegar-soap-scum-killa.html

This next one I want to try soon.  I did some reading on dryer sheets (like Bounce) and found known carcinogens in them.  Cancer causing agents.  um--no thanks.  Now I do realize that everything from makeup to processed food probably has some of this crap in them, but if I can omit them easily and inexpensivly, why not?!  Enter Dryer Balls:

http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2011/04/homemade-wool-dryer-balls.html

These dryer balls are made of wool yarn that has been washed and dried a couple times to felt it and make it stick together.  Then you can add a few drops of any essential oil  you'd like and toss them in your dryer.  The lady on the link above says that it decreases her drying time too.  Awesome.  Dryer sheets are expensive anyway, and using a Joann's, Michael's or Hobby Lobby coupon you can get wool yarn for just a few dollars.

I am really not trying to go all Hippy on you (although i'm sure it really sounds like it), but my perspective has changed SO MUCH after having my sweet little Eli, and I want to do anything I can to protect him.  These things are amazingly inexpensive and much safer to have in your home. I know I can't protect Him from everything, but I feel it is my job as a mom to protect him from what I can, and these are so easy!  Now don't get me started on vaccinations.  I spent the entire summer after Eli was born researching and talking to my mom about them.  I have some strong opinions on the poison they use in these immunizations.  I'll save that for another post ;)

Let me know if you try any of these and have success!  My pickle smelling house sure is clean thanks to these!

Hiring help

Good thing Eli is my son and works free or I would have to pay him to help fold laundry. He's getting more efficient everyday. Now he reaches in the basket himself to get a sock or cloth. He chews on it a bit then leaves it up to me to fold ;) he double checks the basket is completely empty too ;)

What a good helper (and dang cute too)