Homemade D.O.

For the past few weeks, I've been using a Fabulous new deodorant. It is made up of equal parts arrow root powder & baking soda, then mix in coconut oil until you get the consistency of regular deodorant. WONDERFUL. (note: you may also use cornstarch instead of arrow root powder)

Dan and I have been on a quest for a good natural deodorant for a couple of years now. We've used so many different kinds without the results we were looking for..... UNTIL I found a recipe and against my initial 'that looks to simple & easy' thoughts, I gave it a try. I am soo glad I did. It not only works as good as the others, but better! Amazing stuff.

So, if you want a new & great deodorant than go over to Passionate Homemaking's blog (in my blog roll) and if you have a ton of time, browse her blog... so many interesting things.

Florida State Fair '09

We went to the fair again this year with Dan's mom. It was a beautiful day...

Ali climbed all these stairs by herself (carrying her own mat) and slid down. This is when I realized she is indeed a 'big girl'.

I am careful not to teach my kids 'want', but one day I will have one of these tractors.

An albino Florida alligator. After asking Ali about it she just said he was really heavy and he didn't bite her. There is hope that my girly girly might be my nature girl too.

The real gator handlers.

My favorite place at the fair... Cracker Country. It is full of 100 year old buildings including a church, school, old train station, and homes. All original to Florida. Many of them have (in period dress) people giving tours and answering questions.

In the picture above, Ali is making a rope out of twine with a tool that was over 100 years old.

Here we are making candles the way pioneers did...except they used animal fat. But it was done in this same manner.

Cooling the candle in cold water to complete.

The gimmick this year at the fair was chocolate covered bacon. Mia was looking forward to this treat all day. She loved it. I did taste and will say that I like bacon and can tolerate most chocolate, but don't cover mine.

Last year they had fried Pepsi and the year before it was fried candy bars... no thanks.

Grammy spoiling her buddy... in a good way.

New born bear.

And if you remember Ginger and her brother Fred from last years post... then her she is again.

giraffe

kangaroo

Show dogs

hay

Honey Bears

I saw this in a magazine. Take bread dough and roll it into pieces to shape bears. We made a mommy bear and baby bear. Bake & drizzle with honey.

A great way to have a fun, yummy afternoon snack.

The red heart Ali made and the white, Ben made at story time this week.

Girl Fest '09

A night or two before Valentines Day, the girls on campus have a 'girlfest' (like pj party). They have lots of chocolate & snacks, mani/pedis, & games. This year I took Ali with me. She loved being pampered like a big girl. She played wii, guitar hero, & a lot of stuff I'm not sure - she was 'hanging out' with her friends she said... several girl RA's have become dear to her heart and she is off in a flash with them the second she sees them. Thanks again for the pics Jerrica!

Might be the best...

A delivery from my one and only... crush. It was really cute (filled with beverage) with a bag of treats tied to it.

This Valentines Day might be the best one I can remember. In not so typical fashion, I don't enjoy much about the holiday. I'm not a chocolate fan and my love language has not much to do with red/pink paper hearts or flowers & such.

However this year was memorable. I did decorate with red & pink paper hearts... for A & B... knowing for now, this does make them feel special when they wake to a fuss made over them.

The walls & furniture were covered, but everything that Ben could reach, he ripped off in excitement as soon as he woke up.

We started the day with the four of us at the YMCA for a family swim. Then to the soccer field behind our dorm to lay on our towels and watch birds... and to just enjoy a 'springy' day.

Later we made special treats for our friends, each other, and Dan's parents.

You just cannot beat fresh Plant City, Fl strawberries!

Ali, still in her swimsuit from the morning, helping me with our Valentine tradition.

We went to a great dinner out and then to the hospital to spend some time with Dan's dad...and bring Pap a treat! (He came home today.)

It was a very meaningful and love filled day, as it should be.

My Wonderful World

"What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?"

-George Eliot

Fun in a Box

This is a diaper box that the kids played in for the better part of three days... I almost hated to throw it out, but the cardboard decor started getting on my nerves by the third day.

I thought they looked so cute both neatly fitting inside the box. I thought how fast they are growing and may never sit in boxes together!

And a pic Ali took... that had to make the blog

Say Cheese

Alison, Dylan, & Benjamin

Grammy & Pap with the kids

Grammy & Pap took the 3 Bittinger cousins to get new outfits & get their picture made last week. Even though it was a long wait, the kids did great. The last two are a few snapshots I took while we waited.

Ma-Maw & Pa-Paw Breckenridge

Ma-maw & Pa-paw drove down for a visit a couple of weeks ago. Ben enjoyed Pa-paw. He is fascinated with balls and turns out Pa-paw is pretty handy with them too. Ali is definitely Ma-maw's buddy... they both enjoy little trinkets, bags, & such. Ma-maw's visit meant a treasure trove of goodies for the ever girlie girl Ali.