Make a Smilebox greeting

Little boy loves to spend time learning his signs.

Family Trip to
Las Vegas 09

Look at my Art Center.

I am at big school. I'm a big boy!

My favorite toy is my train.
(From Godparents: Eric and Lorena)
I am a typical Sloan- I love to chase trains!

Hey everybody, look at my sweet ride...
We named her- beep beep.

Mommy teaches me bad habits.

Square Foot Garden- Planting has begun.

Heirloom Tomatoes being hardened for planting.

Easter Weekend!

The Egg Hunt

Grandma visits for Easter

I am on the move, everyone.

The Spring Musical

Caz picks out his new bike.
9th Birthday!

Family trip to the bike shop...

This spring has not only brought flowers
and showers. This spring my little boy, grew up. Now
he is 9, having sleep overs and gets shy about kissing
his mommy goodbye. The oldest son is off to prom this
weekend. I can still remember him getting into my
purse and plastering his face with red lipstick. Then there
is my little princess, who turned 14 this week...
she used to have a favorite pair
of glitter covered mary janes, now her sites are
set on going to a College of the Arts: Cornish. My little
one stood up unassisted yesterday. Soon he will be embarrassed
to kiss his mom goodbye, choosing a tux for prom, and
making academic decisions for the future. Before you
know it they are grown.

Steve's Valentine's Day present
is finally finished. The project took
me two weeks but I love the result.

Tips for hard economic times...

You can stretch your powdered dish washing soap (like cascade).
Homemade STRETCHER dishwasher soap:
Mix and use 2 tablespoon per dishwasher load:
Equal parts: Borax
Baking soda
Powder dishwasher soap (like cascade)

Homemade liquid laundry soap
Ingredients: (I found ingredients at Fred Meyer/ Kroger)
4 cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 cup Arm and Hammer washing soda
½ cup Borax

* Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

* Fill a five-gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

* Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (It will gel.)

* Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per two gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. Top-load machine: 5/8 cup per load (approximately 180 loads). Front-load machine: ¼ cup per load (approx. 640 loads).

Homemade Window cleaner:
Make a great all-purpose window cleaner by combining 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Combine in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. (Make sure to shake before each use.)

Furniture Polish:
4 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp water, 2 tsp olive or vegetable oil- mix- can be put in a spray bottle but use immediately. If you have left over it can become rancid.

*Greasy stains come out of cotton fabrics with a little dawn dish washing soap.

Our family supports the
need for little Sean to
be returned to his
biological father.

Mama takes care of baby with his cold.

Yummy!

Big boy starts to use a cup.

The final product.

Mmm... baking is so fun.

Baking project with the kids.