What a mess.

This week we had some friends over to celebrate a birthday.  With only an hour until they arrived, I told the girls to go and play, gave Ella a cookie and went to work.  I was trying to keep an eye on the girls, but somehow I missed the small mud puddle right outside our front door.  I heard Livi say, "Addie, this time let's squish as far as we can."  When I got to them, it was too late.  They were a mess and they had painted the entry way with mud.  I just had to laugh.  Life seems to always go this way.  With no outside hose to spray them off,  clean up was a disaster. 

Addison and her new umbrella

Addison loves umbrellas.   Two days ago, she picked out a new pink umbrella.  She has had it by her side constantly (even in bed with her). If it is truly 7 years of bad luck for opening an umbrella indoor, we are out of luck for at least 700.   :)

All natural dishwasher detergent

I finally found a "green" recipe for my dishwasher.  It works great and is very inexpensive!   1 T baking soda + 1 T borax + vinegar (rinse cycle) = spot free, shiny dishes  :)

Mother's Day

I have had an amazing mother's day. I woke up to a bouquet of beautiful flowers, chocolate and breakfast in bed. The girls told me that if I needed anything during the day I could ring a bell. Addison said, "Mom, we don't really have a bell, but you can make a bird noise or whistle." I was not so sure about the bird noise, but I have been whistling all day. :) Brad made me an awesome lunch after church. We spent the afternoon playing Candyland and Go Fish. (They even let me win) Just before bedtime we took a walk at the Governor's Mansion. It was beautiful. What a perfect day. I just wish I could be celebrating with my mom today. I LOVE YOU MOM. YOU ARE THE BEST! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Addison drew this picture of our family. She is so cute, she said, "I hope you don't mind, I added another kid to our family, and I named him Sam." (I guess she wants a brother)

Ella's 1 year pictures

I finally took Ella's 1 year pics. I wanted to get them with her walking. She started walking a month ago, but has not been completely steady. Well, now I am chasing her everywhere. Taking her picture was an adventure. I made her mad when I tried to put a bow on her head. She started to cry and only stopped for a minute as I chased her through the park. :)

Green Cleaning

As many of you know, we have lung issues in our family.  Olivia has horrible asthma and Brad has sarcoidosis.   Our Pulmonologist gave me a list of suggestions that should improve our environment and possibly decrease health problems.  It was a list a mile long, and I was totally overwhelmed.  I had to change everything to all natural, "green" products.  So, I started doing my research.  After searching online and reading a few books, I am totally converted to going green all of the way.  It has been so fun, and SO EASY.  If any of you have things you do in your home or ideas for cleaning, etc.  please let me know.  I would LOVE knew ideas.  I am still looking for an all natural, inexpensive dishwasher detergent.  Any suggestions?

My favorite book.  You can clean your whole house with baking soda, vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice.

I love these cleaning products.
Method has some great products. I have not tried everything, but so far I love the foam hand soap, dish soap, cleaning wipes.  What do you think?
I joined "Green Moms" online.   You get a ton of good ideas.  I would highly recommend it if you are interested.