Happy Birthday Corinne!

Today is Corinne Autumn's 2nd birthday. It's also the autumn equinox.
In honor of her birthday I am posting some facts about Corinne...

Favorite food: cheese

Favorite color: purple

Favorite book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear

Favorite toy: bitty baby

Good friends: Abby, Becca, and Oliver

Frequently heard saying: shtop it!

Love you Corinne!

Alaina's 1st Horse Ride

Alaina recently started hippotherapy. I can't describe so your welcome to google for an explanation. Alaina's job was to give the horse commands as she rode with people on each side of her and one leading the horse. She LOVED it once she got comfortable with it. So happy for her!

Following in sister's steps...

Our house is going to be very messy with 3 little girls who love to draw and paint :-)

Soccer

Olivia at her first soccer game with her friend/classmate/neighbor/soccer rival Jackson.

Snuggling

It's what we are doing with our days now that everyone has left us...

My laundry solution

Because of Olivia's eczema I have always been searching for a gentle laundry detergent that doesn't aggravate her skin. I never did find it. I did find a recipe for laundry soap that in my opinion has been the best for her skin and allergies.

Laundry Soap:

1 bar Castile soap
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda

I first grate the soap with a cheese grater than mix everything in the food processor. I use about 2 tablespoons per load. Some people add essential oils to the soap to give it a pretty smell, I don't.

If I'm washing kids clothes or otherwise extra dirty clothes I add 2 tablespoons of Oxygen Bleach directly in with the clothes. It's the same stuff as Oxy Clean without the yucky smell.

Next, I use vinegar instead of the laundry softener at the store. It's super cheap and does just as good of a job.

I've been using this method for a few months now and I think it works great!

Anyone want to share additional laundry or cleaning tips?

Different than I expected

      I was excited for Alaina to go to school.  I didn't realize how hard it would be for both Corinne and I.  When Olivia started kindergarden it was a little emotional, but mostly it was a positive experience.  Her teacher was lovely, she made friends, and she loved riding the bus with the neighbor kids.  I still had two little ones at home to take care of so there just wasn't much time to miss her.

     With Alaina it's different.  First thing, she is only three and second, she can't talk well yet so I can't hear about her day.  Everyone there seemed super nice and I don't doubt that Alaina had a fairly good day.  I would just like to know what's going on in that little head of hers when she has to take a nap for the first time in her life away from her bed and Mom.  I hope as time goes on I don't feel so sad about all this.  It doesn't help that Corinne is constantly reminding me that Alaina is gone and she misses Alaina :-(