Saturday, July 30, 2016

Thieves Wipes

Thieves Cleaner is really amazing. I've mostly transitioned to using white vinegar for cleaning over the years. It's cheap, easy, does a great job and is toxin free. Winning. But I still used Windex, because it just is easier on glass than vinegar. Young Living makes a product called Thieves Cleaner, and I was curious to try it. It's toxin free, and apparently you can clean EVERYTHING with it, even glass. So I wanted to give it a try. I am so completely sold! It has essential oils in it, and it very concentrated, so you dilute it with water.

The bottle I got was 14.4fl oz for $22. I've had it for over a year now, and it's only half gone. The lid is used to measure - and it's a tiny lid, and you only use one capful in a whole spray bottle of water. So it lasts. And it cleans glass!! And toilets, and granite, and floors, and...everything. I really love it.

One thing I really enjoy having, just for ease of life with kids, is wipes. Once I realized this Thieves thing was going to work, I keep Thieves wipes made and ready. The kids can use them to wash or wipe anything. They work for tables, and faces:-)
Cut a roll of papertowel in two - I use Bounty usually, but have also found the "higher end" Great Value brand to be excellent.

For the wipes I only use about 1/2 a capful, in about 1.5ish cups of water. I mix the Thieves cleaner into the water, and then pour over all the papertowels

Pull from the center to use! So easy!

This is the container I chose (from WalMart, just a few dollars). It has a seal tight lid, and can be unlocked and opened with only one hand - bonus for when you're messy with one hand cleaning a mess.
While I started out intending for these to be for the kids - I use them the most. They've become my go-to table and counter wipers for sure. And perfect for windows or mirrors or our glass top coffee table, it cleans all the smudges off in streak-free fashion, and fast!

Friday, July 29, 2016

Cousins Birthday Party

We decided to have one big Cousins Birthday Bash one day. I think maybe it was Danielle or Liana's idea - and what a perfect one! I was unfortunately not feeling well at all that day, and Brooks too, so we missed out on most of the fun entirely.

The grownups took a whole pile of kids (all the ones old enough to enjoy this) to a "Play Until You Puke" place. Since I was sick, I didn't go, so I actually don't know where they went, because Grandpa told my kids that is what it was called, and they are quite insistent upon the fact that that's it's name. Lol! I think it was a bounce/field house of some sort. They played their little hearts out apparently.

We chipped in money to give group/family gifts to each kid, from each kid. They really loved that too! I think most of the details can be seen in the pictures!

Lauryn used her mad baking skills to teach us how to make fancy cupcakes

Jillaine working on the lunch, I think it was grilled cheese?
 Decorations were hung. And there were balloons. So you can imagine the fun level elevated with that, for sure!


Stickers to decorate the balloons


Cute lil Andi!








"Let it goooooo!" Here is Elsa, (disguised as MacKenzie), singing her favourite song
 
Andi







Shooter opening his gift





Grey & Kayla

Mattea (Canaan in front of her)

Kenna

Vienna

Mattea & Brooks

Mac, opening her gift

Via got a Playmobil present!

Lauryn's kids are excited to see what they will open

My kids seem less excited. Maybe because they aren't wearing party hats? :-)

We got Canada-opoly, and we love it! When we got back to the USA, it was the very first game we played (on the very first day we got back:-)

Looks like Andi got some play kitchen food!

Brent's blonde brood getting at their goods!


Playmobil sets for each child. Thank you Cousins, we love our sets!

I think she was probably more happy about the Elsa dress...

A simple animal set for the young ones. 
The kids (of the 14 that participated) seemed to be thrilled at the day and the gifts. Such a fun little idea, and a way to celebrate with family, which is pretty rare for some of us! Thanks for all the fun, Cousins!

Learning To Love What Must Be Done

This job has been given to me to do. 
 Therefore, it is a gift.
 Therefore, it is a privilege.

  Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. 
Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for him. 
Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God's way. 
In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.

Elisabeth Elliot