My Crazy Recipes!

I've had a request for some of my homemade recipes, so here we go!  Everything is SO expensive...if I can make it cheaper, and it works well, then that gives me more $$ to spend elsewhere.

Dishwasher Soap:
1 c. borax
1 c. washing soda
1/2 c. citric acid
1/2 c. kosher salt
*Use 1 Tbsp/ load
[The verdict is still out on this one...I've tried homemade dishwasher soap before and it didn't work.  This is a little different.  So I'll try it for another week or two, and see how it cleans.  I like my dishes to be sparkling!]

Deoderant:
Here's 1 recipe:
1/4 c. baking soda
1/4 c. arrowroot powder or cornstarch
5 T. coconut oil
--essential oils--optional (I use lavender or tea tree oil)

Here's another:
3 T. shea butter
3 T. baking soda
2 T. cornstarch
2 T cocoa butter
2 vitamin E caps opened and squeezed in
Essential oils

Really, I like both.  The 2nd one is a new recipe and I really liked the consistency. The ingredients I just happened to have on hand...they are rather unusual.  (I ordered them through Mountain Rose Herbs a few years ago, when trying to make lotion to help William's eczema)  The mixtures can be put into an old deodorant container or a small jar.  The only issue w/ the 1st recipe, is that if the air temperature is above 70 degrees, it'll liquefy your deodorant--may have to stick it in the fridge.

Toothpaste:
Now!  I've tried several recipes, some good, some not-so-much :) 
I'll post my 2 favorites:

Toothpaste 1:
2-3 T coconut oil
3 T. baking soda
1 1/2 t. salt
10-15 drops peppermint essential oil

Toothpaste 2:
Mix 4 parts baking soda with 1 part salt.  Add a few drops of peppermint or wintergreen oil.  This is a tooth powder.  The brushing powder will leave your mouth fresh and clean.  No worries about fluoride or strange chemicals or about your toddler eating it.  To make it into a toothpaste, take 1/2 cup of the tooth powder, and add 3 tsp. food grade glycerin and some more essential oil.  Spoon it into individual squeeze bottles (find them at Walmart in the health and beauty: travel section) 

I suppose, some of the ingredients are kind of expensive...but I do keep coconut oil, glycerin, essential oils on hand.  Beachy's or The Family Healthfood Store in Arthur carries all of the ingredients, as well as online stores.  

There you go!

And Benjamin's 2 1/2 year old pictures...

Samuel's 8 year old pictures...again, where has time gone?

Madeline's 5 year old pictures...where has time gone??

School Started!

We started back in with "full-fledge" school right after Labor Day.  (We do continue school through the summer...just not every subject) We just finished up our 2nd week today.  I'm enjoying our new schedule/routine...and the kids are doing well on their school subjects. :) 

 The kids and I took a morning at the end of August, to make a new supply of Playdough and Flubber.  It keeps them well occupied, for times I need to spend 1-on-1 time with someone. :)

 Thanks to my friend, Angie, we started a little game to positively reinforce good attitudes and good character when we started school.  The kids LOVE it!  I had to do my own twist on it...but it's the same idea as hers. :) 

 Yes, school is taking us pretty much all day, now that I have 3 officially in school + 1 pre-schooler. 

 On busy homeschooling days, it's amazing how it's the little things that can make or break your day. :)  I've just finished a GREAT book...really, a resource...there's SO much packed into it.  The books is called, "Trim Healthy Mama"...it's one I will definitely re-visit with Madeline, when she's old enough to soak all the info in!  I've been loving their recipe for "EarthMilk"  I know.  It sounds gross...but it's an amazing pick-me-up.  Full of healthy greens, enzymes, coconut oil and almond milk.  Delish!!

 Here's another idea...not originally mine.  It's a magnetic musical staff.  We review notes with joy now...although my boys like to just throw the magnets at the staff like it's a dart board. ;)  **homeschooling boys is quite the adventure...lol!!**

 Daily To Do Lists...

 Where would I be without my "Brain in a Binder"...it's my written household organization plan book.  Each year, I revise everything before school starts...I make menus, our daily schedule, our yearly goals as a family, and then school goals for each child.  Again, not my original idea...but it's been SO helpful to me to have a written plan!

 ...and notes to myself... :)

 Our running book list...

And, as for homeschooling, we definitely have gone the cheaper route, by choosing an eclectic approach.  My Mom has lots of resources and wisdom, so I've gleaned lots of do's and don'ts from her.  We're doing Abeka Math, Phonics Pathways, How To Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons, KJV Bible, Thy Word Creations for Bible Memory (love, love!!), Faber Pre-Reading Piano Series/Regular Series, handwriting books from Timberdoodle (love them!!)...and lots and lots of books! 
Yay for learning & the freedom and privilege to educate my own children.  What fun and what a blessing!  I am reminded daily that the main reason we're homeschooling is to disciple our own children.  Homeschooling is definitely not easy--there's lots of other things I could be doing...but it's something we feel called to do for TODAY.  Some people homeschool year by year...I homeschool day-to-day.  lol!!  I get the opportunity daily, to remind my kids of WHY we need the GOSPEL!  It's quite the experience living with 4 unsaved little people.  :)  My schedule was out the window 2 days ago, when I had to take aside 45 minutes to minister to one of my little people...who struggles with a good attitude.  I know if they were shooed out of the door before 8 am every morning, and away from me for 8 hours, I wouldn't have near the # of opportunities to deal with their heart issues.  Oh, and it's also quite the revealing process for myself as well--my heart and my NEED for Jesus minute by minute.
So, after all that!  Here's to another year...I mean day...of school, learning, character building, nurturing, and teaching little hearts. 
"Oh teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to understanding..." Prov...