Independence Day

The kids really wanted to go to the local parade this year for the 4th of July. But Matthew and I vetoed the idea since it's a steam engine parade and 4/5 of children scream when they hear loud noises. So I suggested we have a parade of our own. they weren't thrilled at the idea at first and then Kendall confessed that what they really wanted was to catch candy. Once I guaranteed them candy to throw they were all for it. They spent the day decorating their bikes. And then that evening our good friends the Hatches came for a cook out.




After the parade we headed over to one of the parks on Lake Lanier just down the street. As we got their Kendall lost another tooth. Rebecca joked that Kendall's tooth had declared it's independence from her mouth.



At the Lake we let the kids play in the sand and water until it was dark and then we had an excellent view of the Lake Lanier Islands' fireworks. And the nice thing was that we were far enough away that no one screamed when they went off.

The Cherries Did it Again

Dakotta was telling me the other day that the cherries painted her nails red. The next day she ran into the room and yelled. "Mom the cherries did it again." Those mischievous little cherries. No wonder Dakotta loves them so much.



Apparently they got her face too.

After 2 magic erasers we were finally able to find Dakotta under all that cherry juice. (Not really)

Soap Cheese

Some of my friends have been raving about this homemade laundry detergent so I thought I would give it a try. The ingredients are Borox, Washing Soda and a bar of washing soap (after I finally located the one that was recommended to me I found out a bar of Ivory would have work as well). I spent about $5 on ingredients and only used a small portion of that to make a 2 gallon batch of laundry detergent. So it probably comes to about 50 cents per batch compared to about $8 normally. And anyone who know me, knows I love a bargain. It's also environmentally friendly so I figured it was worth a try.

Here's some pictures of the kids helping me make the detergent.



Elliott helping to grate the soap.



Corinna helping. (Please don't call the fashion police. Didn't you know tights on top of leotards are all the rage with 4 year olds this summer? )


We got down to the last little sliver to grate so I took over. Unfortunately he was a little too eager to help and got this for it.


Grated soap. Corinna said she wanted to put the cheese in and I explained it wasn't cheese. She said, "But it looks like cheese." I agreed that it was shaped like cheese and the color of cheese but it was really soap. Not willing to admit she might be wrong she declared it "SOAP CHEESE"


Adding more ingredients.


Yum.

Other people have told me this recipe takes 10 minutes. I don't think they had as many helpers I did so it took me about 45. I have washed my first load of laundry in it and so far I'm pleased.

Kid's Answers

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Rebecca (9): Go. (go brush your teeth, go do your homework, go get your shoes and socks on)
Kendall: (6): "Kendall!"
Corinna (3): I don't know.
Dakotta (3): I don't know.
Elliott (23 months): Mama.

2. What makes mom happy?
R: A day off.
K: Hugs & kisses.
C: Saying, "Please."
D: Love on sumpfing.
E: Mama

3. What makes mom sad?
R: When Kids destroy things/
K: Hitting and kicking her.
C: Yelling.
D: When her eyes get red.
E: Mama

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
R: Her jokes.
K: Tickling.
C: Silly
D: Being silly.
E: Mama

5. What was your mom like as a child?
R: A ballerina/granola girl.
K: A ballerina.
C: family.
D: FAMILY!!!
E: Mama

6. How old is your mom?
R: 35
K: 34/35
D: 3
C: 6
D: No 8
E: Mama

7. How tall is your mom?
R: 5 or 6 feet
K: 8 feet
C: Big as a giant.
D: This tall (reaches her hands way over her head).
E: Mama

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
R: LOST
C: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
D: Princess and the Pauper
E: Mama

9: What does your mom do when you're not around?
R: Clean.
K: Be on the computer
C: Stuff up in your room.
D: I will get lost.
E: Mama

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
R: How many kids she can keep track of.
K: Ballerina
C: All the stuff.
E: Mama

11. What is your mom really good at?
R: Reading
K: Taking care of the family
C: Doing all the stuff.
D: Drawing pictures on doodle pads.
E: Mama

12. What is your mom not very good at?
R: Getting Kendall up in the mornings.
C: Not doing stuff.
E: Mama

13: What does your mom do for her job?
R: Take care of everybody.
K: Take care of the family.
C: Make Birthday cakes.
D: Getting everyone milk and stuff.
E: Mama

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
R: Pork and something else.
K: Pizza!
C: Ramen noodles
D: Chicken nuggets.
E: Mama

15: What makes you proud of your mom?
R: She doesn't embarrass me.
K: She takes care of me.
E: Mama

16: If your mom was a cartoon character, who would she be?
R: A MOM
K: hmmmmm
C: Melissa
D: Goofy
E: Mama

17. What do you and your mom do together?
R: Talk
K: Help each other
C: We do stuff we want to do.
D: Go to Disney World.
E: Mama

18: How are you and your mom the same?
R: We both did ballet/
K: We both have brown hair.
D: We're different
C: Dakotta is the same as me.
E: Mama

19: How are you and your mom different?
R: She's older than me.
K: I have brown eyes and she has blue.
E: Mama

20: How do you know your mom loves you?
R: Cuz she tells me all the time.
K: She takes care of me.
E: Mama

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
R: He's nice.
K: He works.
C: He's handsome as a prince.
D: He's handsome as a Eeyore dad.
E: Mama

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
R: Utah.
K: Kari's house
C: Kari's house
D: Disney World
E: Mama

I asked Kendall and Rebecca separately but the 3 little ones I asked at the same time.