Playroom Mural...Is it almost done ?

It's been a while since I updated the work my husband has done on the mural. It seems every week we get a little closer to finishing it. There is still some tree and grass details that need to be added. We are contemplating adding a lion, unfortunately we need to start cleaning out the garage and the mural has taken us a couple of months already. Seems like this is how it's going to stay for a while, that garage isn't going to organize itself.

Another trip to the used book store !

The Wheels on the School Bus by Mary-Alice MooreAnimal Strike at the Zoo by Karma Wilson

I love scholastic books ! This was quite a find, I had just seen the story books at Barnes and Noble. Although these are soft cover books, the illustrations are nice and of coarse my son loves them. I have taught him since a young age (he's 20 months old) to always respect books. While this policy currently only applies to non-pop-up books. I don't have to worry that he will rip up the books. So, the fact that they are not the hard cardboard is fine. Definitely $2.00 well spent :)

8.29.13--UPDATE
So, the fact that the story of the wheels on the school bus is not the same as the wheels on the bus has been the downfall of this book. My son loves, loves, loves the song 'the wheels on the bus' and the fact that the book's story line doesn't match the song lyrics has made him hate the book :( The graphics have also been too overwhelming for his age. Meaning, that there is a lot of details in each page making it hard for him to locate items when I ask him to search for something. So, for right now that book has gone in his 'when he grows up' pile. Maybe someday he will like the book.

Gund Peek A Boo Bear-Animated With Voice

Update: Nov. 2013

My son received this for his 1st birthday. During the last year, he has played with it maybe 5 times. When he does take interest in it he has a good laugh. Compared to his other animated toys though, it's the least used of them all. I think it would have been a great toy if he would have recieved it before his 1st birthday.

Should I buy water shoes for my toddler?

I never thought one of the main wardrobe components of my son's would be water shoes. We live in a hot desert climate and we find water recreationto be the funnest on a warm day. The cost of my son's water shoes was $30 at Stride Rite. Ouch, they were so cute I couldn't resist. To my surprise, I can't imagine my son's life without them. First, we used them for swimmng lessons, the hot pool concrete made it essential to have. Then, the water parks and splash parks, it's safer for him to be wearing them rather than stepping on dangerous park grounds. Overall, the investment in these shoes was worth it for us. Even playtime outside just watering the lawn requires these types of shoes. I am glad I purchased them and I think anyone with a toddler should consider adding them as an essential toddler accessory. 

My Favorite Tortilla Soup Recipe

I made this soup last night and it is so easy and delicious! I really recommend Marcella Valladolid's recipes. I never cooked anything in my life until I got married. I use to live on cereal and sandwiches before my domestic life started. I always blamed the fact that I never had an easy bake oven as a child! Now, I'm learning how to cook but one of my main rules is to avoid canned and processed food (There are no frozen meals in our freezer). With a lifestyle so limited, I find recipes like this perfect, fulfilling and healthy. I will note, that I place my tomatoes, onion, garlic and chili in the oven on broil at 415 degrees. I also make chicken broth by just boiling chicken in salty water and we also make plain white rice and shred the chicken I use to make the broth. Adding rice and chicken really makes this a hearty soup.

A fun trip to the used book store and In-n-Out

Every day, I find myself trying to figure out what activities I can do with my toddler. Today, I decided to go to In-n-Out for lunch and the used book store. I have a secret addiction to children's books. Even before I had kids, I would only read youth books : The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, Harry Potter and The 39 clues etc. So, when I had my first child I went book crazy, unfortunately books are costly and I knew after paying full price for some awesome pop-up books I needed to find a cheaper alternative. I am happy to say that most libraries have bookstores, which makes book shopping like a treasure hunt.
This is what I bought today, the Soft Shapes Animals book is actually a puzzle inside which my son loved immediately. The Monkey and Me book will hopefully help me start teaching my son Spanish. I find that find foreign book is difficult, so I am really happy to be able to add to my foreign language collection.

Perfect Toddler Morning

Good morning, I woke up bright and early this morning thanks to the extra loud garbage trucks going down my street:) Since I always wake up when my toddler starts yelling 'mama' from his room. I decided I would use the time wisely. So, I got up, washed my face, put on make-up (yes! first time this month) and got dressed. By the time I was done, my toddler was calling me and making all sorts of noise from his room. To say I was ready to leave the house before my toddler is an accomplishment around here. Usually, I make him priority from the moment I wake up. Making me be that crazy haired lady with stained clothing running after a perfectly groomed toddler. One of my main life question is what do other mommies do on a regular day? I sometime feel my life so boring and predictable, how do other parent manage life with a toddler? So, to give some insight into my mommy day:

Woke up at 7:00
Dressed and Ready by 7:30
Downstairs with my toddler by 7:45
Toddler eating breakfast 8:00-8:30
By 9:00 I had washed dishes, swept the floor, cleaned puppy area, sanitized laundry floor, took dry clothing from dryer, did a new load of laundry, fed the cat and prepared my breakfast and snack to go.
At 9:30 I took my toddler upstairs, ran the vacuum in my room and hallway, gave him a morning bath and got him ready to leave the house.
In the car by 9:35 and on our way to morning story time for some playtime.
In the car by 11:00 and on our way to the duck pond to feed the ducks and eat a lunch snack.
Home by 12:30, my son arrived fast asleep and has been sleeping since then.

During nap time, I took care of finances, cooked lunch, did more laundry and started writing this blog. For me, it seems like a perfect morning, my toddler has so much fun at story time and feeding the ducks is always fun for both of us. So, this is my morning and this is a good day, when we get out of the house before nap time. Now, I'm just waiting for him to wake up so we can eat, play and be ready for when daddy gets home to go bike ridding, walk the dogs (we have 5 dogs) and enjoy the rest of the afternoon together.

Most days aren't like this but thanks to the morning garbage trucks this was how we spent the day.

Extra Wide Twin Needle

I haven't had the chance to start my sewing project but I have tested out this extra wide twin needle. I am so excited it turned out beautifully ! I love that I can have two thread colors and the overall look is awesome. I was so scare that it wouldn't fit to my sewing machine foot. It fits just right, but make sure to have the right needle position!  

Playroom mural - half way finished !!

This past weekend my husband painted the edges of the wall and an adjoining wall. It makes the mural look amazing ! While we still have an elephant, monkey, birds,  bird nest and a lion. It's looking awesome :)

No Soliciting Decal - Pinterest Inspired

Even in this hot weather, solicitors still seem to roam the streets. While once in a while may be okay, I feel like every time they show up at my door its during nap time. What I dislike the most is the fact that the dogs start barking the baby starts crying and the solicitor waits patiently outside still expecting me to open the door. Seriously, don't they understand their presence is what started the chaos in this house.
I use to have a cute 'no soliciting' sign outside but over the years it started to look old and people didn't take it seriously. So, after researching on Pinterest my options I found a decal that made the point and still added politeness to the statement.
I ordered mine from The sticket hut on eBay, it took me almost a month to place on my door but I love how it looks. It was supper easy too, I was so worried about how I would place each letter in place. Luckly, its just like a giant sticker you place and then voila! Its placed perfectly centered on your door.

Cleaning My Front Load Washer with Vinegar and Baking Soda

My clothes lately have not been Downy fresh; which makes me so upset because I want things to smell clean and fresh. In one week I do 8 loads of laundry. One day of the week I wash whites, dark colors, red colors, towels, baby clothes and kitchen towels. The rest of the week I wash pet blankets. We currently have two puppies that make huge messes and require a new clean blanket daily. The smell is driving me nuts and all of the work I put into doing laundry I feel I need to do something about the smell. So, I looked on Pinterest on how to clean front load washers. After reading some pins, I decided to go with baking soda and vinegar. Unfortunately, my washer does have a 'clean washer' setting. I decided to test my own method and see if it works for my machine too. 

Used: 1 Cup of Rice Vinegar (No regular vinegar at home) and 1 Cup of Baking soda
Set the washer to 'normal wash,' low spin, hot water and added the cup of vinegar to all the washer compartment trays. This cycle ran for 46 min

Then, I ran the same cycle but I sprinkled the baking soda in the washer.

Results: 

I was in a total panic after the vinegar wash. Everything smelled like vinegar! After the baking soda wash, the vinegar smell was gone. The washer machine does smell better but I think I will need to do it a few more times before the smell is all gone. Definetly worked but I wonder if there is something else other than vinegar I can use ?

Note: I also cleaned the rubber seal on the door. Omg, slimy dirt came off. Define try to clean it regularly ! I sanitized mine with an alcohol wipe.