Jade

We were so lucky to have Sue and little baby Jade visit us...Jade is so perfect and sweet. Nora and Drew LOVED her and we can't wait to watch her grow!

One more!

Good Times, Great Lakes

We went up to Leland, MI again this summer for a week of relaxation. Leland is in the pinky of Michigan, really the Lelanau Peninsula, surrounded by lake Michigan and a huge bay. It is absolutely beautiful and the backwoods, small town living is such a good change of pace.

Here is Pop on a hike, pointing to Pyramid Point, a huge dune that juts out into the water, Emily, Pop and Drew climbed it the day before.

Val and Drew swimming at South Manitou Island. Pop, Emily, Val Drew and I took a boat over to the ghost island for a day.

The middle of the peninsula is filled with rolling hills, farms and winerys. From the top, you can see all the way to the water. This is peaches. She was born on one of these farms.

Nora loved the beach.

Nora on the way home (these pictures are really out of order!) She had a tough time of it with the sleep thing on vacation so this was a much needed crash.

Nora with her favorite person ever, Grandma





This is a shot of a dune south of Leland. Pop convinced us to climb down (bounce would be a better word), and then we ended up walking the beach back to town. I'm glad we did, it was great!

Aunt Emmy playing with the kids, and giving me a break all at the same time:)

We climbed up this light house, very cool.

on the boat

Me and Aunt Emmy (aka Emily)

Benzine update

OK, so I think we have done as much with this toxin as we can....

1. The water test that included benzine was about $500. Needless to say, that won't happen. (there is a much cheaper test that tests for a few things that I will do when I get to those toxins:) )

2. We have phased out all unnatural cleaning products. I did a little research on Johnson's baby shampoo and turns out it is full of Benzine...Didn't find much on Tide but commercial laundry soap in general contains benzine, so we have switched to an all natural product. (if it is biodegradable, it is a safe bet)

3. We do intend to paint a few rooms soon so I will have to do some more research in the paint department but know that it at least must be water based.

4. Got rid of the elmer's glue (has yucky animal products in it anyway) and now make our own paste- here is the recipe:

White Flour and Water Paste

In a saucepan, mix one part white flour with two parts water. Slowly bring to a boil over low heat. Mix until thick and shiny. Let cool, store in airtight container. Use paint brush to apply. This is cheap and a great way to use up white flour!

5. I have eliminated swifter juice, instead I use a mop and vinegar water on the tile. I add a little pure castile soap to the vinegar water for the hard wood floors. Besides from the house smelling like salad, it works great (and i really kind of like the vinegar smell).... If it smells "clean" it is probably toxic. I already use T.J.'s all purpose cleaner, vinegar, baking soda and castile soap to clean just about everything else. Mineral oil is a good substitute for furniture polish, just rub a little into the wood, i would do a spot test first though. (castile soap and a wet rag works well on the wood/laminate kitchen table).

6. I am trying to fill up at the gas station with out the kids which proves difficult on road trips.

Ok, i think that is it...off to wash the floors with my new mop (it's the little things these days:)...)

Next toxin: Lead (yikes)

Noraism

I have so much to blog about, our trip to Michigan(with aunt Emmy) and Drew going to school. But for now I wanted to record what Nora has said now on both days that I have dropped Drew off at school...

So after me returning home from drop off, after about oh, 20 minutes, she states "Mom, you left Drew in the car!"

For some reason, this is so cute!