My New Love

So I've told you how I'm a closet tree hugger right?  Don't judge me.  I'm just trying to do my part people.  Anyway, since having Avery I'm much more concerned about the products that are in our house and the waste that we create.  I've always heard my Sunday School teacher talk about Shaklee products but never really paid too much attention.  I'd read a couple reviews in bloggy world about their cleaning products so I thought I would check them out.

I. am. in. love.  First their products are all natural, non-toxic, biodegradeable and their fabric softener sheets are recycleable!  RECYCLEABLE!  I love that. Secondly, the products are UBER concentrated meaning less packaging.  Thirdly, the products work better than anything I've used!  No lie!

First you start with what's called Basic H concentrate.  This stuff is liquid gold.  This is will make your all purpose cleaner, window cleaner, and degreaser. 

Isn't that just the cutest little bottle?! It only takes 1/4 teaspoon and 16 oz of water to make your all purpose cleaner.  You read correctly- 1/4 TEASPOON!  I use the all purpose for most everything, counter tops, dusting, and even on my stainless steel appliances.  Yep, no more pesky special cleaner for stainless steel.  Here are some before and after pictures.

Can you see that grimy mess?  Gross.

Couple squirts of Basic H and a swipe of my microfiber cloth, good as new.

My microwave.

Gross right?  Don't judge me.

Much better.

The Basic H can be used for window and mirrors (2 DROPS per 16 oz of water)
 and also as a degreaser (1 1/2 TSP per 16 oz of water).  This is THE BEST window and mirror cleaner you will ever use.  No streaks people!

You can also use the Basic H to clean floors, pots and pans, fabrics, irons, etc.  It's completely non-toxic and safe so you don't have to worry about pesky fumes! By the way, one 16 oz bottle of Basic H is only $12.15.  You can make over 5,000 bottles of widow cleaner with one bottle!

My other favorite product is called Scour Off. This stuff is great for cleaning ovens, showers, white porcelin sinks, or anything that has a lot of built up grime.  Witness for yourself.

We've had this oven for almost 3 years and I've never cleaned it. I'm just keeping it real.

A little bit of Scour Off, water and elbow grease and this was the end result.

.

My oven looks brand new.  The best part?  This product smells like cherries.  It so safe I could have had Avery help me clean the over (hmmmm, something to keep in mind).  What oven cleaner would you let your kids use? 

I am sharing this with you because I hope I conveyed how passionate I am about these products. I've also started using their laundry products as well and they out perform any other laundry product I've used in the past. I have learned a ton about Shaklee recently and their products are Always Safe, Alway Green and Always Work.  As I've mentioned the are non-toxic (safe around kids, sensitive adults), biodegradeable (to component parts in 30 days) and leave no harmful residue.

I would encourage you that if you have kids, allergies, asthma, etc. you consider switching to Shaklee products.  The Get Clean line is amazing and if you aren't 100% satisfied, you can get your money back! 

Don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions about the products or the company.  I seriously love these products and would love to share how they've impacted our family!

More (non-cleaning) adventures to come!

Christmas in a big giant nutshell

We had so many events that we attended over the Christmas holiday I just can't dedicate a post to each event.  It would be March before I was done so I'll use this post as a big giant catch-up with a few words and lots of pictures.

Avery's Children's Day Out had a Christmas program which may have been the cutest thing ever! I didn't ever get a really good picture but this is Avery during the program.

We also got to go Orr Family Farm.  It was a very cold evening (fa-reeeezing!) but we managed to get in a pony ride and a train ride to see some Christmas lights.

There's always family Christmas get togethers to attend.  We get together with my mom's side of the family every year.  It's always great to see my family. My cousin Tracie (that watches Avery) and her kids were there.  Avery does not lack in the "I am loved" department!

This is Kelli and Avery.  They are the best of friends.

And Peyton.  He's so good to Avery.

This is my favorite picture. This is Mason and Avery.  Mason is the oldest great-grandchild and Avery is the youngest.  My Meemaw never got to meet Avery and I know they would have had the best of times.

Moving on as I wipe away tears...Sheesh.  These posts are supposed to be funny!

Avery did even managed an outfit change into her one of her favortie nightgowns. This was a gift from Avery's cousins.  Tell me who doesn't love Minnie Mouse?!

Next up Christmas morning.  Since Avery was such a good girl Santa was able to make it by.  He brought Avery the cutest little pink chair.

Avery did get her Pop the Pig game too.  She was so excited!

Avery was not lacking in the gift department.

There was so much more that happened that there just isn't enough time to blog about.  There was Christmas with my family and R's family.  We have enough toys for a small orphanage.  We are very blessed and thankful that Avery is so loved.

And for the parting shot.  This is Avery's "cute smile".  Her dad taught her how to do this. He's going to regret that someday!

More adventures to come!

Breakfast With Santa

Our community center hosted a Breakfast with Santa over the Holidays.  I jumped on the opportunity for Avery to get her picture taken with Santa.  Not to mention I knew there would be pancakes.  It was a win win for everyone!

The morning started with a show.  One of the local dance academies had several of their classes perform some of their Christmas dances.  Avery was a little goofy during this time.

Then we jumped in line to see Santa.  Avery wasn't scared of the Big Guy and hopped right up on his lap.

Nutcracker Tea Party

So I took some time off from the blog over the holidays.  I missed blogging and sharing so I have a renewed spirit to be more consistent in 2011.

The next couple of posts will just have to be catch-up posts.  Not just so I can be sure that our life is chronicled but more so that my mom can see all the pictures she doesn't know she is missing (hi mom!).  Let's face it, blogs are all about the pictures right?  So, I'll catch you up throgh the holidays and all the fun things we got to do.

Avery and i so lucky.  My dear, sweet friend and her daughter invited us to a Tea Party before the Norman Ballet Company performed the Nut Cracker.

This is Meredith and Bobbi.  Aren't they gorgeous?!

Avery was so excited to get to go to a Tea Party!  She had to dress for the occasion.

The event was great because there were crafts, including tiaras.  A princess cannot have too many tiaras!

The girls also learned ballet steps from some of the cast include the Mouse King Himself!

Avery wasn't too sure what to think about the Mouse King.  That's about as close as she would get.

One of the Sugarplum fairies came to show the girls ballet steps too. It was so cute seeing all the little girls listen so intently to the fairy!

Seriously cute!

Avery talked about the beautiful ballerina princess for days, and days and days. Even today she will stand up on the tippy toes and tell me she is a ballerina princess.

Santa even made an appearance at the Tea Party!

This event was so much fun.  I was worried that Avery would be too young but she absolutely loved it.  Avery loves being around big kids so she was in heaven!  I am looking forward to going next year and maybe even watching the performance next time!

This tea party kicked off our Christmas season.  After this it seemed we had something going on every weekend.  You'll see more about our fun adventures soon! Until then, just look at this face.  Does it get any cuter?!