Spring Break and Tips & Tricks

Where I went to school as a kid we did not have a spring break.  We got a few days off around Easter, but that was it.  I remember going to college and hearing of kids who, like, went to the beach for their high school spring breaks and was blown away.  Every school around here in the Cincinnati area has a week off for spring break.  Thanks to Facebook, everyone that does go away for spring break has the opportunity to rub those of us who stay behind noses in it with pictures of sun, surf and sand.  This was the spring break picture I posted this week on Facebook:

That's Emily riding on the front of the cart and Casey trying to photo-bomb the picture.... in the parking lot at Target here in West Chester.  :)  woo-hoo!

A trip to Target for paper towels wasn't our only fun (tongue in cheek here).  The girls and I stayed at my parents' for a few days after Easter to hang out and we had a lot of fun.  Braeden and Adysen came over on Monday and it was cousin fun all day long.  I love that we get to spend quality times like this there and the girls can form some lasting cousin relationships and memories - something I worry they miss out on not living close to any family.

 

 

 

 

 

I grew up in 'the country', which meant there were no close neighbors to play with and sidewalks to ride bikes on, but an abundance of area to fly kites, run and play instead.

My dad made this windmill (he's pretty ridiculously handy)

The girls were also interested in what my dad was busying himself with outside when the weather was nice out.  It didn't take long for Casey to want to help Papa out with trimming the grape vines.  She was really intrigued and listened as dad told her about not cutting the vines that were green inside and I'm glad I had my camera handy to get some shots of them.

 

 

 Casey and I started our training for the 5K we signed up for in June.  Let's just say we are off to a very slow start and leave it at that for now.  I'm still hopeful at this point that it's going to get better and her constant whining and complaining and whining will stop.  Stay tuned for updates to find out which of us kills the other first how we're progressing.  :)

We came home on Wednesday and have checked some projects off our list here.  Mostly stuff that will show up in future posts.  It's been a pretty low key spring break, but it has felt productive as well.

I know there are a few people that read this blog beyond our family, so I will take a minute here to share some really great tips and tricks I've come across lately.  They are really too good not to share.

1.  I had originally thought Tom and I were the only people that had stinky workout clothes until I did a little search online.  To my delight, I discovered we were not alone! (seriously, whew!!)  I wash our workout wear and it smells fine, but some of our things begin to smell as sooon as we start to sweat.  Yuck.  Tom was considering throwing away some of his Under Armour shirts - the special material ones that are supposed to wick moisture away.  After some research online, I decided to try soaking the odor-offending items in the bathtub with hot water and baking soda.  I let them soak for 3 hours, then threw them in the washer.  I sprinkled more baking soda on them, put Tide (our normal detergent) in the dispenser and white vinegar in the dispenser for fabric softener.  Ta-Da!  No more stinky workout clothes.

2.   I saw this just this past week on Pinterest:  After you paint your nails, spray them with Pam With Olive Oil cooking spray.  Let them set for a minute, then rinse them off.  Nail polish dry.  One minute.  Done.  I just did it tonight.  Amazing.  Try it.  Tell your friends.  Just don't tell your husbands - I know that hour when your husband is responsible for the kids while your nails are drying is some precious 'me' time.  He doesn't need to know your nails are really dry when your kids need help tying their shoes or going to the potty.  Spread the word through the underground - moms unite! :)


funny stuff!
 

3.  I saw this one on Pinterest, too:  Clean your ceiling fan blades with an old pillowcase.  When you wipe off the blade all of the dust just falls into the pillowcase.  I won't go into the much more complicated and messy ritual I have always done, just know all those hours on Pinterest have been justified by the use of an old pillowcase.