Homemade powdered laundry detergent recipe

Annnnnd blogger app erased my fully written post again... Seriously?!

Anyways, a few weeks ago, I ran out I my homemade powdered laundry detergent (1 bar finely grated Zote, 2 cups washing soda, 2 cups borax) and it's been killing me to have to use the store bought laundry detergent I keep as backup. 

I finally got around to making more powdered detergent and did things ever so slightly differently this time. 

1 bar zote (microwaved, cooled, crumbled, and blended into a fine powder)

2 cups washing soda

2 cups borax

1 cup oxiclean (just for kicks because it was on sale)

*** I use 1-2 tbsp per load... put directly in with the clothing ***

I store it in an empty nestle powdered milk can and one batch fills the can halfway.  I finally wrapped the can in scrapbook paper so it looks a little happier. Its the little things in life. Also, I like that the soap is a powder consistency so I don't have to think about if I'm getting a disproportionate amount of soap shavings in my little scoop.  Because those things matter to my OCD self. 

If you're looking for the cheapest and easiest laundry detergent ever... Go to the dollar store where you can buy liquid detergent for 3 cents a load. 

But if you're interested in making your own... Go for it!  It's strangely satisfying. And super fun that it's pink. 

Saturday

Honey took Abigail to the rec center playground and pool today while I waited for Brady to wake up (I didn't get him out of his crib til almost 12:30!  I blame teething) and took him with me I run errands at the library and target and Walmart. 

Abigail loved it all but was in heaven going down the big water slide. And apparently it wore her out because she fell asleep on the way home. 

Brady was randomly laughing or screaming throughout our errand process and spent a huge chunk of our time in Walmart literally screaming while strangers gave him sympathetic looks. I price matched some amazing deals. 

That all took forever and then I put groceries away and went to pick up our babysitter. The avs game tonight was incredible and really the whole day was just great.

I. Am. Exhausted. 

My first win!

I've been to a number of avs games this season... And they've lost every single one. In previous seasons, it's been the opposite so this losing thing had me all our of sorts. And tonight was game five of the first round of the playoffs so I was stressing hardcore that they might lose. Well, they didn't. 

The first period came and went with no score. Then we got a short handed goal, but then the wild scored almost immediately after. And then we scored again and they scored again so it was still tied at two. Then they scored and we were down by one. And it was painfully stressful. In true avs fashion, Roy pulled the goalie with 2:15 to go. He probably would have pulled him earlier except that we were on the penalty kill. Well 60 seconds later we had the game tied again. And then our 18 year old, first round draft pick scored the game winning goal only 4 minutes into overtime. 

Normal games are fun and have a lot of cheering. This was out of control with my chest pounding for the entire game. But when the avs scored, the place erupted like crazy... Like at an Olympic event... It was that level. 

It was sooo exciting and so so so fun. But on the way home, I told honey that if it goes to game seven, I think it might be too much to handle and he can go without me. 

Friday

Lately I've been so tired and it's been impossible for me to get out of bed in the morning. I keep hoping I can sleep in but it doesn't happen. This morning my honeys alarm woke me up while he was in the shower. I never felt like i could actually get back to sleep after that and some amount of time later, Abigail came in and played quietly on our bed while she kept climbing over and around me while brushing through my bedhead and removing half of my hair in the process. No matter how many times I tried to explain that it was painfully pulling my hair out, she kept responding with a "wwwwhhhhhyyyyyy?  Why can't I do that?!"  And then my alarm went off and thirty minutes later I dragged myself from bed. 

I also had to drag this guy from bed to go visiting teaching. 

When we got back, we took a walk to the playground. On the way home, Brady decided he'd rather walk. 

Give me your opinion. And if you're reading this, I better hear from you because there's probably only two or three of you out there. 

Which bookcase topper option looks less strange?  The random assortment of stuffed animals and book?

Or this giant fake ivy plant that I got for free last night? 

Also, this was what abigail was doing when i came out of Brady's room from putting him down for nap. It was a precious moment we had. And we read books. 

And we're trying to grow her bangs out but sometimes clipping them back just isn't working. Hence this unique concoction. 

I used to let Brady feed himself his oatmeal. But then it wasn't worth it because it was sometimes so messy that it took me longer to clean everything up than if I would have just spoon fed it to him. So I always just feed it to him with a spoon. Today I decided to see if he had matured at all with age. Sadly, the only thing matured is his ability to make a huge mess. Taking him out of his chair, it was all over his arms and bib and alllll through his hair. I cleaned him off as best I could and got everything except some in his hair. We could get that during bath time. A few minutes later, Brady feel and cried so I picked him up. And for some mysterious reason, I feel something wet on my arm. Somehow his little bum was dirty with oatmeal. And now it has spread to both of my arms. Then I look down at this. 

I guess when he was eating, he somehow got a whole bunch of oatmeal underneath him, so when I was waging him off in the sink, I was unknowingly, simultaneously, cleaning off his tiny bum with the side of my shirt. The craziest part was that it took me so long to even notice. It was so much oatmeal! What the heck! 

Abigail got to play at Elle's twice today. Once when we were visiting teaching Jodi, and then later when Jodi came by to drop off a tie she got for Brady and invited Abigail to come over again. That second time, Abigail came home with monsters inc and said Elle let her borrow it. I'm all, "ohh fun!  We can watch it tonight after daddy gets home and we're done eating dinner!"  She was super excited. But then most of the way through dinner she tells me that she's tired and wants to go to bed. Chris tried to convince her to stay up and watch the movie but she wasn't feeling it. So at 7:30, we headed up to bed and read books. I left at 8 and told her I'd check on her soon and she was still awake at 8:20 when I went in her room to put away her laundry. So I guess she wasn't sleepy so much as just worn out from the day. Either way though, so cute. 

Also, this guy. Took forever to fall asleep tonight. He is the slowest teether evvvveeeeerrrrrrrrr.  

Other noteables:

Honey grilled us hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner... It's feeling more like summer!

Abigail told me all about how Elle gave her a gun. (Which we eventually discovered was gum... When Abigail took it out of her mouth to show me)

Brady is finally consistently signing. He's also seeming like he's got interesting in trying to form words with his mouth. Baby signs are the most adorable thing ever. 

I made powdered laundry detergent this afternoon and used the method of microwaving the zote soap and putting it in the blender. I learned from the experience so hopefully it won't be a hassle at all next time. But right now, I'm loving that my soap blended to a fine powder. I have such pretty pink laundry detergent now.  

Yesterday we were in the library parking lot when a car started to move ad I couldn't see Abigail. I panicked and called out her name. But then she panicked and started running. So I yelled repeatedly for her to stop but shakeout running... All the way around my car to me. I grabbed her so fast and swooped her into my arms where she was terrified and almost crying. Whatever anger I almost felt was completely obliterated when I saw her face and heard her voice quiver while blurting out, "I got scared because I didn't know what to do!"  I just held her so tight. It wasn't a dangerous situation so I feel terrible for frightening her, but ohmygoodness, what a sweet experience for me to have. I told her that I felt the same way, that I also got scared because I didn't know what to do... And that happens to me frequently. 

Heavenly father knows just how to teach us. 

Speaking of, to document for myself, this happened Wednesday night. 

A few sleepless nights. Like this one at 1:47. Yes, Heavenly Father is mindful of us and exactly what we need. 

We were all well behaved

Abigail and Brady were so great today. Which made it easy for me to be great too. Which was contagious so honey turned his headache into greatness. It was just really wonderful. Sometimes I feel like Abigail is spiraling out of control, which causes me to do the same. The past few days have been great though. We appreciate all of the moments. 

She occupied herself while I kept pressing snooze on my alarm. And then she hung out while I showered until the last part when I told her she could hop in. She snuggled in bed while she waited for me to get ready, and then let me blow dry her hair without a problem and get her dressed even though she was "soooo hungry!"  

Abigail has been doing better eating breakfast. The trick? Her preferred breakfast is the same as mine. She wants her eggs on top of her toast. I live it because it guarantees that she won't eat all of her toast ad then tell me she's too full for eggs. It's a win win. 

We woke Brady up at 9:45 and I snuggled him for several minutes before getting him dressed. I'm finding it helps me recharge my patience and love and energy but it also helps Brady adjust to being awake and not staying sensitive for long. He's doing well these days wandering around the house and busying himself with exploring and making messes. 

We got to the playground at 10:15, which has got to be a record for us getting out of the house that early without any stress or yelling. It's probably because of all the time I saved from not feeding Brady breakfast. Bananas are our ultimate food on the go. 

Turns out, both kids still fit in the swing together. They probably would have for way better back to back but where's the fun in that?!  Brady wasn't thrilled at being confined. Also, it was a bit of a struggle getting him out and I was afraid for a minute that my kids would be stuck there forever. Don't underestimate the power of a kid that knows how to bend and wiggle their legs out of a swing. Brady and I were not really working together on that one. 

Brady has developed a fierce love of the outdoors. He loves the wandering and climbing and adventure. He also loooves slides and went down all five (?) of them multiple times. His favorite was this super tall curly slide. 

As long as I sent him down on his belly, he was happy as could be. 

Just walking away like it's no big deal. 

And then he took a freaking 4.5 hour nap until I finally woke him up at 6:15. He was so wiped out. 

We hung out and ate and went on a walk around the neighborhood while honey and I talked and the kids sang together and laughed at every bunny they saw (I'd be really curious to know the local bunny population) and it was just great. Honey got pulled over today. He doesn't have the greatest record and he breaks all the rules in the book... It drives me crazy. Luckily today he got off with a warning... For driving 35 in a 55 zone. He had been driving slowly while trying to find the address for one of his meetings and the cop told him that he was a hazard to other drivers. Honey said she wasn't at all amused by this but we sure had a good laugh about that one. 

Also, I'm still waiting for the plants around here to figure out this whole springtime thing. Behold this tree honey butchered last fall. I know it'll come back super full and huge but I'm getting impatient for it to not look so naked anymore. 

Normally I beg honey to put the kids to bed because they're falling apart and I have no more patience with them. Today I asked honey if he's clean up the kitchen while I put the kids to bed. He was all "what?!  are you sure?!". But I just wanted mire time with my kids and that opportunity to debrief with abigail about the day and I was just so annoyed with feeling like I'm constantly having to clean up. I mean, I felt like my old self for a bit. Abigail was crying (because she's a complete wreck when she's tired... Reminding me how emotionally unstable I am when I'm pregnant) while we brushed teeth and whatever but it didn't phase me. And Brady wasn't tired yet (because of the long and late nap) but I just rocked him and sang to him for a long time until he was calm and ready to get in his crib. 

I feel like a bipolar parent these days.. although mostly on the angry, unenjoyable side of the spectrum... that I'm just so grateful I haven't completely lost that part of me that enjoys every minute of being a mom. With one kid, that was me. Currently, that is not me. So tonight I have a thankful heart that today, that was me again. I felt like my old self again and it was a welcome relief. 

kid portraits

4.22.14  -   playing in the front yard

and because that wasn't enough... here's some that didn't make the initial cut.

note to self: next time you get our your camera, it'll be easier just to do a decent job cleaning your kid's face instead of photo-shopping graham cracker crustiness out of a million and one pictures.