Monday, July 16, 2012

Baby Wipes

So what do you do when you arrive home from the grocery store only to discover that when you thought your darling was finding her sippy cup so you could leave she was actually emptying an entire container of wipes in front of the fan; where they promptly dried up? Well you can run to the nearest place that carries wipes, which would be a gas station 10 minutes away and would charge you an arm and a leg. Or you can run to Pinterest and find some inspiration to create your own. Guess which one I chose?

That's right, my best friend... Pinterest! After reading a few different tutorials on how to make your own baby wipes, I concocted my own version with what I had on hand. This is what I came up with....


Baby Wipes

To make 2 batches you will need:

1 roll of select-a-size paper towels (some of the pinners said you should use Bounty because they hold up better than bargain brands. I only had Sams Clubs brand so that is what I used).
4 Tablespoons of Olive Oil (or baby oil)
3 Tablespoons of your favorite baby wash. (I used J&J's because I have a TON of it still from my baby shower)
4 cups of water

Also a cutting board and a sharp knife!



  
Grab your roll of paper towels and your super sharp knife and get ready! It is NOT an easy task to cut through a roll of paper towels. So be prepared to get some seriously funny looks if your FIL walks into the room while your hacking away! I'm pretty sure he thought I had lost my mind!



 I chose to use a bread knife, and that may not have been my best idea. I ended up with paper towel shrapnel EVERYWHERE! Do what you think works best for you.

 After you hack cut up your paper towel roll. Grab your liquid ingredients and stir them all together.

Then divide the liquid mix equally into each of your containers. I chose to use old baby wipes containers I already had. Then put a paper towel roll into each (putting the cut side down). Don't fret if you have to squish your roll to fit into it, it's not going to hurt anything. 

{{Oops! Apparently I forgot the picture for this step. Sorry!}}

Turn your containers upside down and let them sit for at least 5-10 minutes so the liquid and absorb and disperse. I recommend if you use wipe containers like I did that you put them on something because some of your liquid will seep out. Not much, just a little bit.

 After 5 minutes flip them back over, and pull out the cardboard tube.

Your first wipe should pull out with the cardboard but if not you can just reach in to get it started.


There you go... your very own baby wipes! I promise to come back and update in a few days as to how these work for us! I will say that I'm not sure about the olive oil. I think I might have used too much, but time will tell!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Laundry Detergent Update

Did you know I make my own laundry soap? I started doing it this past February and just noticed I'm almost out and it's time to make my second batch. That means my first batch lasted me for exactly 5 months. I think that's pretty good. For $19.16 I got 5 months of clean clothes. Worth it? Absolutely.

I am still so in love with this stuff. My clothes smell amazing, are always clean, and my whites are so much brighter! This time I decided to change it up a bit and instead of Downy Unstoppables I'm using Purex Crystals. They smelled so good when I was mixing it up, I can't wait to see how my clothes smell!

If you want to know more about how to make your own laundry detergent you can check out the original post by clicking here- DIY Laundry Detergent.

And as always, I love feedback! If you made it after the first post is yours still going strong? Do you like it? If you haven't tried it and aren't sure, ask questions. I will gladly answer all of them! If you want to try it, but don't want to make it and end up hating it, let me know and I will get you a sample to try. You will fall in love with it too!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

What's For Dinner Wednesday

Stromboli

Ingredients to make 2 Stromboli:


2 loaves of frozen bread dough
1lb mozzarella cheese
1/2lb of thinly sliced pepperoni (sometimes I just use the stuff from the pizza aisle)
1pkg of hard salami (or 1/2lb if you get it from the deli)
1lb of ham
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 pepper, thinly sliced
Mushrooms, thinly sliced




This is my favorite kind of frozen dough to use. 

Directions:

  • Thaw bread according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Roll dough out into a long rectangle shape about 1/4 inch thick and move to a cookie sheet.


  • Layer with meats, cheese and veggies right down the center leaving some space at the top and bottom. (Cannot believe I forgot a picture for this step!)
  • Fold each end up and then each side to seal. 


  • Bake for 20-30 minutes. 
  • Remove from oven and allow to set for about 10 minutes before slicing. 
  • Serve with marinara sauce.

Enjoy!!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Painting With Ice

I mentioned on FB the other day when it was 90+ degrees out, that Bug and I had been painting with ice.I've been getting lots of questions about it... so here ya go. Just in time for the next heat wave!

I filled up an ice tray with water, added 1-2 drops of food coloring to each, put in Popsicle sticks and then froze them.

Once they were all set up I took a white crib sheet and put it over a folding table on the porch and let Bug go to town with it.

 She decided eating the ice was more fun!
 It was nice and fun and a great activity to do a on a HOT HOT day!

Our pretty tie-dyed sheet.


Bugs clothes are also tie-dyed so I'm glad we remembered to put play clothes on! Or just let your child play in a diaper, they will be even cooler!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July! 
We had a great picnic today with my parents, grandma and my brother-in-law! We cooked burgers and hot dogs out on the grill with sweet corn and deviled eggs. My mom made an awesome strawberry and blueberry trifle. Bug had a great time playing out on the porch with everyone.

swinging on the porch waiting for the burgers

wheee!

someone gave Bug a chocolate chip cookie!


First time eating corn on the cob

Stealing Grandpas dessert

After lunch we went to Bugs very first parade. She loved the bands and the firetrucks! She was dancing and clapping and trying to give kisses to the doggy sitting in front of us. I think she really enjoyed herself!
watching all the parade floats

She was Grampies girl today!

Yay!!

Grandpa took her down front so she could get candy.