Friday, August 5, 2011

Our Week Long Activities

Park Play

Luckie Park. This is the only park here (that I know of currently) that has grass. They also have a pool.


 He never tires of the park.


Car Garage


Finally bought D some matchbox cars! Going to get him a little track soon!
Since he had some pretty awesome cars, I figured he needed a pretty awesome garage to put them in. We made one out of a shoe box. He even pretends to push the button to open and close the garage door. Sound effects included. :]

Ice Cube Bags
Items Needed:
Ice cube tray
Water
Red, Yellow, and Blue food coloring
3 Ziploc bags 

Mix water and food coloring and pour into ice cube tray. Once frozen, place red and yellow together in a bag, red and blue into another, and yellow and blue in the last bag.
  

 We made these the evening before...


 BEFORE



 Playing with them and showing him the different colors...

 Showing him the new colors...


AFTER

He had some fun with this one. Pretty cool science activity.


Craft Box


This is the boys' craft box. It contains a number of things. Pom Poms, styrofoam cups, toilet paper/paper towel tubes, stickers, markers, tape, aluminum pie plates, construction paper, sponges, paint brushes, etc. D loves that we have a craft box now. Everything is in one spot!

Pom Pom Fun!


Here we just pass the pom poms from one cup to the other. (Thanks Shelley, Curtis, And Hunter for the idea!) 
P.S. My son has graduated in the art program of self expression. Literally.

Bubble Blowing
Wish I could of taken of pic of the bubble blowing however, I was the one blowing the bubbles! D was cracking up SO hard when they'd blow onto him. I LOVE when he laughs like that. He's so happy.


Package from Grandma Sharon


It contained a photo album from D's visit to MN. I absolutely LOVE when I can see him in her photos. 2 Sesame Street movies, a hat and some pj's. Thanks Grandma Sharon! D LOVES everything! 

Old School Stain Solutions!

Stain Solutions


These techniques are safe on most fabrics, but do not use alkaline materials (borax or soap) on wool or silk; these fabrics only tolerate acids like vinegar or lemon juice. Spot-test first to make sure the remedy is compatible with the dyes. These basic minerals and acids need time to work their magic; most treatments should be left on the stains for at least half an hour, in some cases longer. After treating the fabric, launder as appropriate.
Stain: Berries

Natural Solution: White vinegar or lemon juice; washing soda
Instructions: Soak stains in white vinegar or lemon juice for one hour; rinse. If there is some remaining stain, dampen the area with water, make a paste of equal parts washing soda and water, and rub it in gently.
Stain: Blood

Natural Solution: Cold water; hydrogen peroxide; corn starch

Instructions: Soak in cold water. For stubborn stains, soak in hydrogen peroxide (a natural bleach; spot-test to make sure it won't affect the fabric). Or use a paste of equal parts corn starch and cold water.
Stain: Chocolate
Natural Solution: Vegetable-based detergent or soap; digestive enzymes

Instructions: Mix 1 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent with 1 cup of water, and soak the stained area. To remove the dairy component, buy digestive-enzyme tablets at a natural-foods store, grind up three or four tablets, and add equal parts water to make a damp paste. Gently rub the solution into the stain. Leave for at least one hour.
Stain: Coffee and Tea

Natural Solution: White vinegar or lemon juice; cream of tartar

Instructions: Soak the stain in straight white vinegar or lemon juice for one hour. If there was milk in the tea or coffee, follow directions for removing dairy protein under "Chocolate." Alternatively, clean with a paste made of cream of tartar and water.
Stain: Egg

Natural Solution: Cold water; digestive enzymes

Instructions: Soak the garment in cold water. If some egg remains, follow directions for using enzymes under "Chocolate."
Stain: Grass

Natural Solution: White vinegar
Instructions: Soak the area in white vinegar for one hour. Alternatively, use an enzyme paste (see "Chocolate."
Stain: Grease

Natural Solution: Vegetable-based detergent or soap; washing soda

Instructions: Sometimes just blotting the stain with detergent is all you need. If the stain remains, make a paste of equal parts washing soda and water and gently rub it in. Leave for at least one hour.
Stain: Gum

Natural Solution: Ice
Instructions: Freeze with a wrapped ice cube, then peel off the frozen gum.
Stain: Ink

Natural Solution: White vinegar; milk

Instructions: Soak in milk or white vinegar.
Stain: Paint

Natural Solution: Citrus solvent

Instructions: Soak the area in citrus solvent for 10 minutes.
Stain: Perspiration

Natural Solution: Shampoo
Instructions: Saturate the area with shampoo, then launder as usual. If the perspiration stains remain, use an enzyme paste (see "Chocolate.")
Stain: Tomato Sauce

Natural Solution: White vinegar; washing soda; borax

Instructions: Soak in white vinegar. Alternatively, make a paste of equal parts washing soda or borax and water and rub in gently.
Stain: Wax

Natural Solution: Hot iron
Instructions: Place a clean cotton rag over the wax and iron, making sure not to overheat the fabric. Blot the melted wax with an absorbent rag as you go to remove the residue.
Stain: Wine
Natural Solution: Boiling water; club soda

Instructions: Stretch the fabric over a bowl, then pour boiling water from a height of two to three feet. Or rinse the stain with club soda.
More Natural Stain Fighters
Lemon Juice: A natural bleach, acidic lemon juice help with alkaline stains such as grass, tarnish, and minerals.
Borax: This alkaline mineral is good for acid and protein stains.
Corn Starch: Made from corn, corn starch is very absorbent. Works well on protein stains. Diluted and sprayed on clothes, it's a natural starch.
Vegetable-Based Soap: Better for the environment than petroleum-based detergents, vegetable soaps help with greasy stains. Castile soap, made primarily from olive oil, may be the easiest to find.
Cream of Tartar: A natural by-product of winemaking, cream of tartar is good for stains like tea or coffee. Generally color-safe.
Citrus Solvent: A less-toxic alternative to solvents like acetone, citrus solvent is available online or at some hardware stores. It's used for paint, rust, and nail polish.
Club Soda: The water and bubbles help lift acidic stains like wine and berries.

For permanent marker I've used Goo Gone. Found it at Home Depot but now there is Goof Off also.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

100 Pushups Challenge


Today I started the 100 pushups challenge. I'm always looking to challenge myself and why not do something that will help my quality of life?

Pushups are great for your chest and help define your abs, triceps, shoulders, and torso. And they're FREE. Basically in 6 weeks I should be able to do 100 good-form pushups. I'll let you know when it's finished!

* I couldn't finish the challenge because it started to hurt my wrists, however, I still do them and I'd like to try again!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Candy Cravings!

Today the boys and I ventured off to Candy Cravings in Yucca Valley. D has reached his first line on his "Reward" jar and this was his reward for good behavior. I'll go more into detail about the jar in a later post. The Reward Jar post.

You just pick up a basket and fill it up...

This is what he chose out of everything...


Him enjoying his CANDY!
Mama is so pround of you Bugga.

They also have Mommy and Me classes every Monday so we'll have to check the next one out!