Up High! Tomato Plants!

One of Blessing's fave games lately is what she calls "up high"! She throws all her stuffed animals up on the top bunk and then she throws them to us (or at us, depending on her energy). Then we have to repeat the process over and over and etc....

Wow! It's only been 10 days since Blessing planted her tomato plants and they are already several inches tall. I have some plants I planted a week before hers and hers are taller than mine. What a great thing that she has a green thumb! She is proudly displaying them in these pictures. I think we're going to be thinning them out soon. I believe I will have several tomato plants to sell this year for outdoor play equipment and Andy's school. If you are interested, please let me know. They will be priced VERY right!

Laundry Soap!

"We made soap daddy! Soup? No SOAP!" Today Blessing and I made Laundry Detergent. However, I told her we were making soap just to simplify it for her. She was soooo excited that she got to help me! She helped grate the soap with her new pink gardening gloves so she wouldn't cut herself. She also helped stir some.
I started making my own laundry soap about 3-4 years ago. It is way less expensive than actually buying it and I get to control what is in it. I am still on my first box of borax, washing soda, and case of Fels Naptha Soap! So, I've spent about $18 and still have enough to make several more batches. I usually only have to make it every 6 months, depending on laundry demand. If you are interested, here is the recipe.

Liquid Laundry Detergent

3 pints water
1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated
1/2 cup Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
2-gallon bucket
1 quart hot water

Mix grated Fels Naptha Laundry Bar Soap in a large saucepan with 3 pints hot water and heat on the stove over Low heat until dissolved. Do not allow to boil. Stir in Super Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened. Remove from heat. Add 1 quart hot water to 2-gallon bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill up bucket with some additional hot water, leaving a few inches at the top, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load. Note: This recipe multiplies well, but you'll need a 5-gallon bucket.

Puzzles and Pigtails

We picked out a puzzle at Wallyworld yesterday! It's a... drum roll please.... princess puzzle! She actually wanted a Thomas one, but I finally persuaded her to get the princess one instead. Sometimes I think there's really a boy hiding inside her!!! :-) Must've been all of Eli's influence!!!
Also, Blessing has hit a growth spurt! Luckily, last summer/fall when I was rummaging, I got some 4T's also..... and I'm so glad I did!!! She is too tall for her 3T's and her torso is pretty long, too. She definitely gets her height from my side of the family and not the Rickner's!!! For those of you who don't know, Rickner's tend to fall on the shorter side height-wise!
The bottom picture is her sporting some of her "new" 4T clothes. (You might recognize the shirt, Mom!) :-)

Springtime!

It sure feels like Spring to me! Blessing is sure is loving the outdoors and the warm sunshine!

Blessing's Starter Garden

Today, Blessing and I planted some seedlings for her garden. She is excited to have her own greenhouse and garden.
1- Holding her Tomato Seed kit!
2- Arranging the pots in her greenhouse.
3- Waiting for the dirt to "grow".
4- Putting the seeds in the dirt.
5- Watering her plants!
We'll keep ya updated as we go!!!