Recess

Mom showed up with the camera for lunch with a precious girl and 4th grade recess.  Those fourth graders can make some serious mileage out of the playground.  It was challenging to keep up with them, but I might not be allowed for 5th grade recess, so I have to come visit while I can...she's growing up too fast.

American Girl

 At the American Girl Store in Chicago, celebrating a birthday with friends, pink lemonade, and cute little finger foods, seats and snacks for the dolls AND the girls, an experience of a lifetime and three very happy girls!  The moms will remember this day forever too!

I'm writing again!

There will probably be a series of new posts coming in the next hour...  :-)  I have waited so long that I have a backload of pictures and topics for blogging about...  Oh, well!

Here is a girl who got a sewing machine for her birthday and sewed the bags she is displaying below all by herself (with very little direction from mom), I can't believe how crafty our 10 year old is!!!  How did that happen...

Update at Last!

This was a practice hike at Matthiessen State Park to prepare us for our weekend backpacking trip to Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois.  Schwarz tried out his small but useful pack and the kids carried an assortment of books and other "heavy" things in their smaller packs.  The enthusiasm for hiking is clearly visible in our son's face...don't you think?

More evidence of enthusiasm below!  :-)  When asked if he'd like to go to outdoor camp (where they hike and sleep in tents) my son responded, "Why would I do that when I can just do that with you guys?"

They did have some fun, I think.  At least they didn't complain the whole time.  I'm not sure if we're giving them valuable life experiences and opening up the natural world for them to explore...or...if we're preparing them for years of expensive therapy sessions!

Victory!

I've been making homemade laundry soap for several months, but it never quite turned out with the consistency I wanted. Today we have a victory! It is looking just how I hoped and finally I have inexpensive laundry soap that meets my standard. Yay! If you'd like the recipe...just keep reading. It certainly beats Tide's price ($20 for about 3/4 gallon.) I made about 3 gallons for about $5.00!

Laundry Soap
2 bars Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap (grated)
2 cups borax
2 cups washing soda
water

Mix 1 gallon water with the grated bar soap in a large pot on the stove over medium heat until dissolved. Add the borax and then the washing soda, stirring till dissolved, or a little longer. Should begin thickening in the pot. In clean 5 gallon bucket pour 1 gallon warm water, then add soap mixture and stir well. Add additional 2 quarts/liters of warm water and stir more. Voila! Use about 1 cup per large load.

Just a Reminder...

Just sending out a reminder to those of you who also blog. Because this is a personal blog, I do not make it accessible to the general public. Please do not put a link on your blog to mine, or publish my blog info (including url) on facebook or any other online media group. I send out my blog information to family and friends and am glad to share it, but I prefer to do this myself and keep my readers to just family and friends. Thank you for adhering to this request!

Doing Nothing!

Ever have those days when it seems you can't do anything? Even if you're trying, nothing actually seems to be accomplished at the end of the day. In fact, it seems like everything is in worse shape than when you started! Last week was like that for me--yes, the whole week! (I was sick, so I have an excuse--oops, an explanation) So glad that this week is going better. And there's a bonus because the sun is out and my hubby tilled the garden on the weekend. And now I can't wait to get in there and plant some lovely seeds and plants! At least the bad days don't last forever!