DIY Laundry Detergent

So I decided to start making my own laundry detergent. Cheaper and safer....and really, really easy. Just thought I would share the recipe I have been using.

All ingredients can be found at your local grocery store.

Grate 1 bar of Fels Naptha Laundry Soap...or I know some people use a bar of Dove soap.
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup of Washing Soda

When ingredients are mixed store in a cool glass jar. Use 1 Tablespoon for every load.

Christmas Getaway

So last year for Christmas my whole family... grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, kids, dogs stayed at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa. We had a great time and decided to make this our tradition rather than giving gifts. We couldn't get a reservation at Grand View this year so we found a vacation home in Brainerd that we have rented for the same weekend. It's beautiful and I know it is going to be lots of fun again. I can't wait for Christmas.

School Days and Renaissance Festival

Sunday we headed to the Renaissance Festival. We decided to do this, this year rather than the fair. Tayah really enjoyed seeing all the people dressed up. This is all up her alley. Monday started school for Tayah. It's her last year before going off to kindergarten next year. I can hardly believe it. Wrapping up summer.

Tayah getting her face painted.

She chose a Purple dragon.

I got suckered in to riding the elephant with Tayah.

New fairy wings.

Off to school. Showing off the big backpack.

Attitude.

MORE

In the past I have tried sign language with Collin but he just has never taken much interest in it. So, I decided to give it a try again as he seemed to be a little more attentive in what I was doing. I tried it at meal time today as it can be a time when frustration may strike. Collin picked up on it pretty quick and I actually was able to get video of him doing so. Yay!! I did lots of signing with Tayah and she picked up on it really quickly at a fairly young age. So, hopefully I can get Collin to do the same until the words start coming more. Too cute!! Good Job Collin!!

Happy 30th Alicia!

This weekend we had a mini surprise party for my best friend Alicia who turned 30. Last but not least for turning the big 3-0. We met at The Foshay downtown Minneapolis and then headed out for a night on the town. Ben and I even got to spend a night downtown at The Radisson. So Cheers to Alicia (whose actual b-day is today!!)

Kara, Me, Alicia

Ben and I.

The Group.

Wrapping up August

Wrapping up August. I've been a little behind in my blog posts for this month so I am just going to sum up the rest of August here and be on with September. September...yikes!! It's already State Fair time which storta means the end of Summer. It makes me want to go shopping for Fall attire and go to the Pumpkin Patch. Kids already have their Halloween costumes picked out so we are almost there.
So Ben spent 2 weekends this month working the Famous Anoka Game Fair. Last year he worked and came home,walked in the door to my water breaking 5 minutes later. Off to the hospital we went to have baby boy.  Awwww, memories. Luckily we won't be experiencing that this year.
So the kids and I were home free and spent one of the weekends going to the Amaze N Farm. This place is so cool!! Tayah is having her birthday party this year and I can't wait to go back. The weekend after that we headed to the zoo with my friend Alicia and her little girl Hayden. It was a great day for the zoo and the kids (and moms) had fun.

Amaze N Farm

MN Zoo

Collin had his 1 year checkup last night. As usual things are going great!! We were scheduled to have 3 shots but went for just one. Nervous mom syndrome and is waiting until he is a little older to get the other ones. Who knows??? Anyways Collin is now 20 lbs 11oz. and 30.5 inches. Long and lean. He is finally caught up to Tayah's weight when she was one. She was almost 20 lbs at her 1 year checkup. Collin has always been a couple lbs. lighter than she was at all of his checkups. He is starting to fill out some. He's a pretty good eater so that helps. 

Collin this morning with his band-aid from the little poke.

Now That I am ONE!!

1. I  can brush my teeth because I actually have teeth now. I was a late bloomer in that dept. but I have 3 and a 1/2 teethers and more on their way. 
2. I am climbing on top of things. Fun until I get stuck and can't get down.
3. I eat anything and everything. No more baby food for me.
4. I am starting to pull myself up on things but not quite walking yet. Mom's okay with that at this point.
5. I say Mama, dada, papa, meow, Bella. 
6. I shake my head "No" when you tell me No. 
7. I drink whole milk now.
8. I'm still a mama's boy but really starting to form an attachment to dada. 
9. I LOVE bananas and any fruit in general.
10. Down to just one nap during the day now....most of the time.
11. Still taking a bottle but working on a sippy cup so mom can throw those bottles away. Taking 2-3 bottles a day rather than one every 2-3 hours. 
12. I really like Elmo and Sesame Street. Calms me down during my "crabby time"
13. I love bath time and splashing with my big sister Tayah.
14. I like looking at duck and geese magazines with my dad. 
15. I like going for walks and looking and pointing at everything. 
16. I still love my taggie blankie.
17. I wave bye-bye, Play SO BIG, and Pat-a-cake.
18. I like pizza. 
19. I like to cuddle.
20. I have the best laugh.

Happy Birthday!!

My youngest is ONE today!! Happy Birthday Collin. We love you.  We had a great party with family and friends on Sunday. Yesterday we spent the evening at a fun park. Today we will finish off the rest of the cake and top off the celebrating.

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