gifts

Everyone knows how much I love the whole process of growing a baby, giving birth to it, and caring for it.  So, imagine my excitement when I learned that my cousin was having twins!!  This weekend we are traveling to her baby shower, and I wanted to make her something extra special. Practical but fun.  If I were to name my number one "can't live without" baby gear item, it would be a baby carrier.  Its a wonderful thing to be able to snuggle your baby up and at the same time have your hands free.  This is especially important when you are a mama to more than one! So, I asked Jessica, "would you wear a sling?"  She said she would.  Then the question arose, "would your husband wear one?"  Because you can't fit two babies in one sling...and you can't wear two slings at once!  Thankfully, he was totally excited and said he would too.

I finished one sling, and the other is awaiting rings (which were not included in my order, grrrrrr.)

I wanted them to coordinate but not be identical. They have the same middle and different borders.

I also made her some bibs and two outfits for next summer. (I know she will get a bazillion 0-3 months clothes)

I had plans to do so much more...but time didn't allow.  There are so many cute baby patterns out there right now.  The babies won't come until November/December- so I do still have time. 

Anyways, we are off for a little weekend getaway- terrible timing with the start of school being just a week and a half ago.  It may be a bit crazy come the beginning of next week.  "Ten random things about me" will automatically post tomorrow.  Have a great weekend!

Green Clean

My house is a mess.  I take that back.  My house is dirty.  I am pretty good and picking up and making it appear clean.  When it comes to deep down clean...not so good.  I think that maybe it is a time issue.  I remember the days when I could clean my whole house in one day.  From top to bottom everything would be done.  Then, I could sit back and enjoy the sparklyness (I have 3 girls I am allowed to invent words like that).  Nowadays, I have to clean in bits and pieces.  If the girls are soaking in the tub...I wipe down the sink, mirror and toilet etc. But I usually don't have huge blocks of time to really cover the whole house.  Knowing that I won't get very far prevents me from getting anywhere at all. Lame, I know.

Sometimes the only thing that will inspire me to "deep clean" is making my own cleaner.  "Making" inspires me.  (I love the post that Amanda wrote about her daughter's one word sentence.)  Even my husband remarked that he liked my cleaner better than one of the bottles he bought at the store.  This is saying a lot because my huband is the king of using massively toxic bleach laden "be- sure-and- have adequate- ventilation" cleaners.

I have tried lots of recipes for homemade cleaner.  Here is the one that I like the best for all-purpose cleaning (from sew green)

1tsp baking soda

2 tsp borax (in the laundry soap isle of the grocery store)

1 tsp liquid soap-  I use this (weird writing on the bottle, great soap)

2 cups hot water

10 or so drops of favorite essential oil- I like grapefruit or tea tree oil

Mix together, pour into spray bottle, shake before each use.

I actually double or triple this recipe and fill a spray bottle for the kitchen, and all 3 bathrooms.

For scouring or scrubbing I love using baking soda and lemon juice.  Just sprinkle the baking soda in the tub or sink or whatever.   Then, pour a bit of lemon juice in too.  Your kids will love how it "fizzes".  That is the great thing about using homemade cleaners- they are safe for kids! Great, because I can fill a spray bottle with their name on it!!!!   Happy scrubbing.

clogs and pointes

It was about 20 degrees colder here yesterday than the day before.  Autumn is giving us a bit of a preview.  It is infringing on my last week of summer.  However, I think I may be ready to move on.  I found myself making brownies yesterday, and dusting off the slow cooker.  And (if you are my husband, this is where you stop reading) these lovelies arrived yesterday.

Quite fallish don't you think?  They are a bit clumpy- but don't worry, I'll break them in.  I ordered them from Hanna Andersson - only they were full price when I ordered them, ugh! (I told you to stop reading Carl).  Don't you love European sizes?  I do.  It reminds me of when I used to shop for these.

I dusted off my pointe shoes and tried them on again. Like Cinderella, I do this from time to time just to convince myself that they really are mine. Fondly, I remember wearing them for hours on end. Chacott Copellia II 39 C's - Still fit.  That is the great thing about shoes right?  Ten years later, like an old friend, you pick up right where you left off.  Everything is familiar.  They support you, accommodate you, conform to you.  Shoes never betray you the way bathing suits and jeans do. 

You know, ballet flats are all the rage now.  I especially like these (fun colors). Once, for a character I was playing, I got to dye my shoes a beautiful aqua color- I am pretty sure they worked better in that shade.  Or, maybe I'll just wear my old blochs and  pas de chat around the house. My kids think that I am nutty.  Nuts are crunchy right?