Before and After: Laundry

Before: Once a week
After: Once a day

Before: Whites, colors, sheets and towels.
After: Whites, colors, sheets, towels, diapers, baby clothes, wash rags, rugs, curtains-- basically any fabric that can fit in the washing machine because it is covered in baby goo.

Before: A scoop of Oxy Clean to get out any stains
After: Constantly having to refer to How to Clean Practically Anything (how exactly do you get out spaghetti sauce when it is mashed into sweet potato and soaked in blueberry juice?)

Before: Wash. Rinse. Dry.
After: Pre-soak. Wash. Soak. Rinse. Dry. Touch up.

Before: The feeling of accomplishment when all the laundry is done and put away.
After: The feeling of accomplishment when there is more than one pair of clean, matching socks in the drawer.

Need a last minute Valentine?

Or just a delicious one?

I found this idea for White Chocolate Popcorn with Valentine Candies here and tried it this week. It turned out sweet, salty and a little spicy (thanks to the Red Hots). Yum!

These are a little "thank you" to our amazing families who watch Mason for us during the week.

We are so, SO blessed to have you!

Weekend Fun

Mason's first visit to the zoo!

(And yes, Mommy and Daddy were way more excited about it than he was.)

The animals were out (albeit lethargic) despite the gloomy weather.

Church

(This is Mason's "Please get me Mommy" face!)

And then his goofy "Look at how cute I am" face in the funny mirrors.

Mel's Green Chili Corn Dip (minus the green onions) with homemade pita chips-- YUM

Super Bowl at Grandpa Jack and Grandma Dee's

(Heart)gyle

There are about a zillion adorable Valentines Day projects out there.

For girls.

You know, things like tutu shirts.

Things I will someday get to make.

(Thanks to Ella and Madeline I do get my girlie craft fix once in a while.)

While I'm not above sticking Mason in a ruffle butt onesie, I got the urge last night to make him a little something *sweet* to wear next Sunday.

I used the same idea as the argyle shirt I made for Mase's birthday party but with a heart shape instead of a diamond.

I think the black t-shirt makes it a little less girly.

At least that's what you had better tell Mason (and Tage) when you see him wearing it. :)

Have a great weekend!

In case you were wondering

It's not always this neat when Mase uses a spoon.

In fact, it looks a lot more like this.

And this.

(Notice his hair sticking straight out on the left there, thanks to the brown rice and lentil mixture.)

Independent

My weekly "your baby this week" email came yesterday and it referred to my child as a toddler.

What?!

 

 I guess this is evidence.

Food actually made it from the spoon into Mason's mouth this morning-- several times in a row!

The funny part is he stopped to clap after each bite (can you tell I was cheering him on?)

It's not a good idea...

to have a picnic...

in the park...

unless you have enough to share...

with everyone!

That is our picnic blanket in the picture there.

We had to vacate.

We were surrounded! (And those geese were much larger than Mason.)