Laundry Detergent - Part 2

So I have been making my own laundry detergent for a few years now tweaking it every now and then to make it better.  My previous recipe came from a friend of mine and works really well, but the process of making it was sometimes a little tedious.  I have now simplified the process and love the results!  It works even better than my old recipe and is quite a bit easier. 

1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap
2 cups Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
2 cups Borax
Essential Oils (optional)

Grate the bar of soap, mix with the other ingredients and stir.  You may add 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil too scent it up a bit but I really like the smell of the Fels-Naptha soap on its own.  Store in an airtight tupperware container and use 2-3 tablespoons per load.  No need for melting or a 5 gallon bucket!

Friends

These two cuties were born just five days apart.  Their mommies are good friends so they have no choice but to be good friends too! 


Max and Delilah, two and a half

and a look back...



Delilah and Max, one year

Delilah and Max, newborn

Too Cute

This is my niece...she's gorgeous and will probably be a famous actress someday!

xoxo

A day with the butterflies

Sunny Days

I just realized today that we've been back in Arizona for almost two weeks and I've never even mentioned the fact that we moved...  Things have been really hectic this last month and even though the decision wasn't out of the blue, it was definitely a difficult decision to make.  We loved so many things about Chicago and met some really great people.  It will always be a special place in our hearts!  On the flipside...we have desperately missed our family and friends in Phoenix these last two years and are excited to be back.  We also come back to Phoenix changed.  We were forced out of our comfort zone and learned a great deal about ourselves individually, as a couple and as a family.  We now see Phoenix through different eyes and will appreciate it more than ever.  Every city has it's faults and although we miss Chicago we certainly don't mind all the sun we're getting!

I thought I'd share some pictures of the kids enjoying the sunny days...

Max swinging at grandma's

Suki enjoying the swing

our little bunny - she loves carrots!

waiting for the train

monkey girl!

The midwest really shows in the next few pictures...instead of "snow angels" they make "sand angels"!

Almost Four



An almost four year old is

fun

An almost four year old is

talkative

An almost four year old is

asking questions

An almost four year old is

creative

An almost four year old is

bossy

An almost four year old is

writing

An almost four year old is

loved!

taken her last night as a three year old

Let the Wild Rumpus Start

We had a birthday party for Suki this weekend at JumpZone and invited all the kids from her class.  They all had a blast and it was a nice way for Suki to spend some time with her friends before the big move. 

Suki and her friend Mosi

She had this smile on her face all day!

sibling love

Suki, Mikey and Sophie being silly



Birthday Girl



Bedtime Conversation

After singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow, You are my Sunshine, Take me out to the Ball Game, and Hush Little Baby to Suki tonight...

Suki:  Mama will you sing the bluebird song?
Me:    I don't know the bluebird song, can you sing it for me?
Suki:  You have to look it up...
Suki:  On the Internet.
Suki:  You just move the mouse and click on the box and then when you play the game the song plays. That's it.
Me:    I'll do that right after I tuck you in!