Snow Day Fun!

So last week we had a little bit of a snow storm.  Okay, fine. We had a blizzard.  So they say.  By the way, who are "they"?  When you find out let me know.

Anyway, we had a bit of snow storm that seemed to shut down the city, the state and what seemed like the entire country.  My Pioneer Woman book was delayed, my Pampered Chef shipment was delayed and best worst of all I had to work at home. 

The storm came in hard and heavy on Monday night and by around 7 that evening I knew my office would be closed.  Working at home has it's advantages, one of which is that I'm home with my Avery G. Although the cold was chilling to the bone, we did manage a little snow play during one of my "breaks".

But before we could go out in the snow, we had to get Avery properly dressed.

Oh yeah, and we couldn't go out with out giving Broozer some pettin's.  If I can recall correctly, Avery had on dress (don't judge me), leggings, leg warms, 2 pair of socks, fleece hoodie, wool coat, gloves, beanie, hoodie on her head and sunglasses.  Oh yeah, and the cutest little wellie boots ever.  So what she was wearing a dress, she was warm, I promise.  Please don't call DHS.

Avery and Broozer have a special bond.  He can't be without her for one minute.  She acousts loves Broozer so much. It just wasn't possible for the two to be outside together though. Broozer might have gotten lost in the snow never to be found again.

R was the one who volunteered to really go out in the snow with Avery. And he was ready.  Doesn't he look so cute?!

Let me say that our house is like the vortex of snow drifts. It could snow 1 inch ourside and we would get 5 foot drifts in front of our garage and house.  It makes it difficult to travel during snow storms even if we wanted too. But it does make for some fun play!

Not quite sure what to do.

That's some deep snow.  And, aren't those just the cutest boots?!

So that drift that Avery is walking up heads up to the front of our house.  The "peak" of the drift was probably a good 3 foot tall and Avery wanted to walk up to the top.

But that's hard to do when you are 2.

Daddy to the rescue!

Nothing is too tall or treacherous for R!

Success at the top of Mount Morris!

I lasted approximately 3 minutes outside.  Hey, it was fa-reeezing cold and my gloves didn't have fingers!  Avery did last much longer than me though...approximately 5 minutes.  Like mother like daughter!

It was fun though to see Avery playing in snow.  Now that storm number 2 has hit all she wants to do is walk in the snow.  Love that girl!

More adventures to come!

Entertainment

One of the great characteristics that Avery possesses is that she can entertain herself pretty easily.  It comes and goes, but for the most part, if I'm cooking dinner, working on a project or just in the middle of something, Avery will find something to do.  And yes, it usually involves wearing her Minnie Mouse costume or Cinderealla dress.  This night, it was the Minnie Mouse costume.

I have a little cabinet in the hall that I house random stuff.  Including birthday party supplies for Avery's 2 year old party...i really didn't know where else to put the stuff.  Heaven help me if i were to get rid of it!

Cute cabinet right?  Well Avery has discovered the party supplies and she is always wanting to play with them.  This night Avery was on especially good behaviour.
A: Mommy, may I pway with the this (holding up a table runner).
Me: Yes you may.
A: Oh mommy! Tank you, tank you!

A: Mommy, I fogot the bag.  May I pway with the bag?
Me: What bag?
A: Wet me show you.
Me: Ohhh, you want to play with that stuff. Go for it.
A: Mommy, you the best.
(Yes I am)

This is what she proceeded to do.
You can see how she placed the skully runner and a Christmas runner (it never made it back the Christmas box).

She got in the bag and lined up all the little buckets and got out all these paper skully's.

I get kind of weirded out when she lines up stuff in row.  Like those buckets.  Is it just my kid that does that?  Do your children do that?  Please help me out and tell me my child is normal!

She got everything perfectly lined up and in place.
A:Mommy, may I get my fwiends pwease?
Me: Sure. That sounds like a great idea.

Lord help us.  I didn't know she meant ALL her babies!  She got them laid out and in a circle.  And then asked if I would take her picture.  Well, of course I will!

What you can't really see in the picture is when she gets her babies (or friends) laid out like this, she tries to get all of them to hold hands.

It's just about the sweetest thing every!

So there's Avery entertaining herself all the while i'm taking pictures of her.  She was the model child that night using her manners perfectly and not crying or whining one time when it was time to clean up.  i just want to eat her up she's so cute!

More adventures to come!

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.