Happiness is...(Week 23)

 We made bubble gum sparkle play dough adapted from this recipe.

 W decided to share milk with his toy car. I was then introduced to "Nurse You Lizard." Hilarious!

 1 of my Rhode Island Reds is now laying!

 A bought a piece of salmon just for me and enjoyed that lovely piece of fish for breakfast.

 These 2 took a much needed nap. Isn't it sweet how she tucked him in?

Walking with the baby. He is always a full house length behind because flowers, rocks, sticks & fences are so fascinating.

As always I'm linking up with Lisa at Crazy Adventures in Parenting. Click over and check out her Graduate!

Happiness is..(Twenty-two!)

"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling twenty-two! Everything will be alright, if you keep me next to you." Thank you Taylor for being so darn catchy.

Bits of happy from my week include,

Honey sweetened lemonade, made from lemons picked off our tree & juiced with the help of the kids.

 We have been breastfeeding for almost 15 months! That's nearly twice as long as my poor baby #1.

 I bought a new dress for myself! & I love it.

 Seriously how does one little person take up the whole Cal King bed?

Also can you believe he is now 34.5" tall? He's grown an inch for every month he's been earthside.

 My new immersion blender! It's turquoise!!!!!

Even the baby was excited.

Once again I'm linking up with Lisa at Crazy Adventures in Parenting, because she's awesome and makes life a lot more fun.

Happiness is...(Week 21)

I almost missed out on this week's post. I totally though today was Tuesday!

This little grad insisted on wearing her sunglasses.

I took the plunge & buzzed my hair.

The men in my life know how to work a vacuum.

My honey-wheat bread turned out perfectly.

Lots of babywearing & nursing.

 I'm linking up at Crazy Adventures in Parenting.

It's the final day of the Flats & Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry!

"This event aims to bring awareness and educate cloth diapering families and beyond about the benefits and feasibility of using flat cloth diapers, the most basic of all diapers, and handwashing. Why? Because there are families who struggle everyday with diaper need. There are no federal or state funded assistance programs to help families buy diapers. This can result in babies being left in diapers too long or families reusing disposable diapers; both options pose serious health risks for the baby. My goal has always been to prove that, when necessary, a small number of flat cloth diapers, covers, and a simple bucket washer or tub can be all a family needs to provide clean and sanitary diapers."

--Kim Rosas of Dirty Diaper Laundry

We did it.
7 days, 10 diapers, 5 flat doublers, 4 covers, 10 washes and 1 lanolization. 
And I'd do over again without hesitation.
We had easy days. (Thursday was a no poop day!)
We had tough days. (Friday was a 4 poops day & the poopslosion all over the wool this morning.)
The rest of the days were pretty much average days.
I do have one more load to do tomorrow morning (our bedtime diaper) but I already counted in the total above.

Personally, this year taught me the slow down & enjoy the quiet times. I loved sitting outback with my camp washer watching my kids chases the chickens, climb the orange tree & run about like goof balls.
It also reenforced my belief that anyone could cloth diaper on a budget.

Thank you Kim Rosas for hosting this great event!
Linking up HERE!

Flats Challenge-Day 6

It's now day 6 of the Flats & Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry!

"This event aims to bring awareness and educate cloth diapering families and beyond about the benefits and feasibility of using flat cloth diapers, the most basic of all diapers, and handwashing. Why? Because there are families who struggle everyday with diaper need. There are no federal or state funded assistance programs to help families buy diapers. This can result in babies being left in diapers too long or families reusing disposable diapers; both options pose serious health risks for the baby. My goal has always been to prove that, when necessary, a small number of flat cloth diapers, covers, and a simple bucket washer or tub can be all a family needs to provide clean and sanitary diapers."

--Kim Rosas of Dirty Diaper Laundry

Today is another open topic day so I guess I'll talk about cost of my flats stash vs. sposies. My first two children were in sposies because I lived in an apartment & didn't think I could cloth diaper since we had a community laundry room and it was difficult to get regular clothes in the wash. 6 washers for 40 units is not enough. If you happened to be a few minutes late to switch your loads you were apt to find them in a wet pile UNDER the folding table. That's right under. The dry clothes got toss on the table. It was crazy. I wish I had done more research and learned that handwashing was an option. I was spending $20 a week on diapers. I could have saved SOOOO much money. I estimate I spent  $5000 on sposies for my girls. Ridiculous! And I didn't know I had to scrape the poop!
I wish someone had told me back then & I've made it my goal to be that someone now.

My little rainbow tie-dye butt ham baby.

 

 First cloth diaper

My son & my nephew

My 3.5 year old on day 1 of this years Flats Challenge

 I love my fluff!

  I'm linking up over at Dirty Diaper Laundry.