Field Trip: Colorado History Museum

This past Friday we had to take our two girls for some allergy testing at their Dr. office in Denver. My husband took the day off from work to come with us since its a longer drive than I like and to help wrangle the toddler. The girls did great and it was a really good visit. Afterwards we grabbed some lunch then headed over to the Colorado History Museum. The kids had a great time last time we went and they have a new exhibit with toys from the 50's, 60's and 70's. The kids had so much fun looking at them and playing with some of them. We all had a really good time. We didn't stay too long because we didn't want to get stuck in rush hour traffic heading home.

Playing with the cash register.

Milking the cow.

Way up high saying hello.

Big sister having a turn milking the cow.

Shopping in the store.

Taking a car ride.

He LOVED driving the car.

Taking their pictures to be in an old fashioned yearbook.

The boys trying out the outhouse

The girls' turn.

Having a little picnic.

Waiting for the chickens to lay eggs.

He loved these dogs.

Watching old commercials.

The commercials were fun to watch.

Having slinky races.

This contraption was very interesting and fun to play with.

Playing with nerf balls.

Tons of fun doing the hula hoops.

Loved the Mr. Potato head.

He decided to climb right in to the dollhouse.

Homemade Laundry Soap

I make my own laundry soap- it works just as good as the store bought stuff. It doesn't have a smell to it really, so I still use fabric softener because I love the way the clothes smell!! I got this recipe from the Duggar's first book. I love the Duggars, so don't ever speak an unkind word about them to me ;-) . I utilize a lot of their suggestions for running a household and saving money; I also enjoy seeing their family and how great their kids are. I have even met them!! Best.Day.EVER!

Ok so first you need to buy:
1 Fels Naptha soap bar (Wal Mart has these for $1- you will need to buy 1 every time you make a new batch)
1 Cup Washing Soda (it comes in a big box so will last you through a few batches)
1/2 C Borax (also will last a while)

 

First thing you need to do it grate the soap bar into a saucepan and then cover it with hot water. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring the whole time, until the soap dissolves all the way.

Put the washing soda and borax into your 5 gallon bucket.

I got my bucket at a yard sale for fifty cents, but you can buy one at Lowe's or Home Depot for a few dollars. Pour in the hot, melted soap mixture. Stir well till everything is dissolved. Then fill the bucket to the top with more hot tap water. I leave the bucket in one side of my sink while I fill it up and leave it there until I remove about half of it to put into soap containers because otherwise its too heavy for me to lift.

So after you have filled it all the way up with hot tap water you let it sit like that with the lid on overnight. The next day stir the mixture good. I actually wear a tank top and put my whole arm in to stir it up and break up all the gel really good. Then you can mix equal amounts of the mixture with water in a smaller laundry soap holder. I use a funnel and a Pyrex measuring cup that holds 2 cups..i pour 2 cups of soap mixture, then 2 cups of water alternating till my container is full. When I am doing laundry I give the container a really good shake before pouring the soap to break up the gel a bit.

For a front loading machine, use 1/3 cup of soap per load.
For a top loading machine, use 1 cup of soap per load.

Good Luck and Happy laundry doing!!!

Sock bags

I bought these re-usable mesh bags after I saw the idea for sock bags. I have one for each child and hang them each on a 3M hook in their rooms. Instead of just putting their dirty socks in their hampers, we have them put them in their sock bags. As soon as its time to wash white's I twist each bag and put a safety pin over it to keep it from opening in the washer. Then wash the bags of socks with the regular white wash. After drying when its time to fold, just open each child's bag and you have all socks with complete pairs! Its almost like a miracle!

House projects!

We have been busy getting things done this Spring Break!! Mr. J got a new fence built for us, and as you can see is moving along on the chicken coop.

My dad came over and painted a wall in my kitchen so I could put up some bulletin boards & a quote I had bought from Uppercase Living.

My dad also re-finished a buffet I had bought on Craigslist. It came with a hutch, but I only wanted to use the buffet as a tv stand. I am completely in love with it; it turned out just like I imagined!

So these are all the projects that have been completed lately- as you can see I didn't do a darn thing for any of them!! But thankful for the men in my life who are so handy!!!