Rubbing alcohol....

Some of you may already know this stuff, but I thought I'd share.
We have granite counter tops in this house. They came with the house--I think I would recommend Quartz--"Silestone", "Stonenet", "Zodiaq" if I were choosing a new counter and wanted it to last, because it doesn't require re-sealing, it's super-hard, it resists scratches and stains, etc. From what I found the cost seems to be similar to Granite also. Formica-types have their merit too--they don't shatter dishes or cut open kid's chins when they fall on it! Anyway, I've struggled to find a good granite cleaner that isn't too expensive or chemical-ly. I usually just use water on a dish rag, but sometimes that's not enough. So I recently found a "recipe" that uses rubbing alcohol (1/2 cup) and 5-6 drops of blue Dawn (you don't want anything citrus based) that I spray from an old hairspray bottle. It also seems to work great on the appliances, windows, light switches, etc.

Rubbing alcohol is also great for soothing mosquito bites, getting rid of cold sores, removing ink stains from clothing and carpeting (check for colorfastness), cleaning CDs & DVDs, removing sticky substances--stickers, sap, etc., and of course, killing germs. Not too bad as basic household products go; just be careful cuz it can dry you right out too!

Do you have any simple household products that you love to use?

Busy fun-filled Saturday

Yesterday we got to attend a friend's baptism (and I want to extend an invitation to any interested friends and family to the twins' baptism on Saturday December 20th at 10am--just mark it on your calendars and let us know--we'd love to have lots of people share in our happy day, and I figure the sooner you know, the better :)). Then we had a great day at N&C's music class. To finish off an excellent day, we went to the last couple of hours of free admission at one of our favorite science centers. Below are a few pics of the later part of our day:

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Thoughtyousaider's disease

I had the boy scouts over yesterday to build a boat out of cardboard boxes, duct tape, garbage bags and PVC pipe. After they were done, they left a mess of cardboard and duct tape.

A little while later, there was a foot-long piece of PVC pipe with an elbow that was being used as a horn, a lightsaber, and other things that boy imaginations could come up with. I noticed Christopher swinging it in Andrew's direction and saying "I will terminate you!" I don't know where he picked up that terminology, but I gave him "the look" and he quickly recovered, "um, germinate, Dad, I said germinate." Then he explained that he was telling Andrew that he would help him grow. Riiiiight.

Here's another quote:

Andrew: Mom, now I have magination.

Mom: Wow, Andrew, you're right. Who told you about that?"

Andrew: No one, I just knew it!

And another:

David: Ada (Natalie), A-Dah (Andrew), AhDuh (Amen), Ado (All done), a-DA (Dad), etc.

It's a very versatile language.

Natalie (while running in the house with a stuffed orca tied to her pajamas bottom): YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! WOOOOWOOOOOWOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

Isn't that sweet?

Life is busy and full as always, especially adjusting to the back to school routine. I still have not taken first day of school pictures--last year I at least got them during the first week! Things have quieted down during the middle of the day enough that the two still at home are getting along pretty well and I have had a chance to zoom through two books that I had reserved at the library. I dare not to say much yet since many may not have read them yet, but I'll say that I was a little surprised by how much I thoroughly ENJOYED both of them from two different authors. I also learned a great deal from another great book this last week. I also highly recommend it.
Here's our smallest cowboy. He is so funny toddling around with different items on his head!