Sleepover

So, the one big thing that Jack wanted to do over Christmas break was have a sleepover. Actually, he wanted to have three sleepovers: two at our house with different friends, and one over at a friends house. But partly because it seemed like this was the shortest Christmas break ever, and partly because it seemed like either my kids or Jack's friends were constantly sick, and never at the same time, no sleepovers happened. We actually had an "attempted sleepover," but Jack's buddy got sick and had to go home around 9:00.

After many weeks of Jack praying for the sleepover to happen soon, (Literally. Every night.) it finally happened last weekend. Apparently, having a sleepover is the best way to know that: A) You are a big kid, because only babies can't have sleepovers. And B) You are best buds, because you wouldn't want to have a sleepover with someone you didn't like. The boys watched movies, played video games, ate junk food, and stayed up waaay past bedtime. And they were (mostly) cool with their little tag-along, Harry. (Cute Harry side story: The big kids asked if they could bring drinks up to Jack's room. I told them yes, but to be careful. They went into the kitchen to get cups saying that they wouldn't spill because they were so big, and that there was no way that they would ever, ever, ever, use a sippy cup. Harry came to me and told me he needed to ask me something. He whispered in to my ear, "I want a sippy cup so I don't spill, but I don't want them to know." He's so cute!!! Anyway, no drink casualties to report.) A great time was had by all :)

I've been contemplating the allure of sleepovers, since I would say it has been Jack's top request as far as playing with friends go. (Harry has been asking too, though when he realized that it meant sleeping at a different house than me, he was less insistent.) I think I understand now. You get to stay up all night with your friends, having fun and watching movies while someone (in this case, me) constantly replenishes your snack and pop supply and cleans up after you. I think that having a sleepover sounds pretty awesome. I should try to arrange one with my friends soon! Preferably in a place without children and with room service. And a spa. Who's in?

Our Last Day of Project Step

Last week, Addie's preschool started again. This semester, she'll go five days a week. This means I'll have about an hour and a half of kid free time every day! (With the exception of Wednesday, when I volunteer in Jack's class.) Mommy guilt has me thinking that that is a lot of time each week and maybe I should like, get a job during that time, or something. I wonder what jobs are hiring for for one and a half hours, four days a week? Probably none... So I can use that time to get the house clean (or catch up on episodes of New Girl...)

Anyway, one big change that has come due to Addie's new school schedule is that we will no longer be able to attend the Project Step playgroup that we'd been going to. I first started taking Jack when he was fifteen months old. It was called Beginning Steps back then, and met once a week at the kindergarten near our house. It worked out that even after Jack started preschool, I was still able to take him until he was four. Harry and I went until he was three, and at one point it was two days a week. Eventually, when Harry was two and Addie was a baby, the local class was cancelled, and we started going to the playgroup in a neighboring town. During the welcome song, Harry would always insist that we not sing to baby Addie. Ahh, memories :) Last year, it was just Addie and me. It was nice to do something one on one with her.

Starting this year, the playgroup switched to being just every other week. Since I knew this would be our last semester attending, we made sure to be there every time. Two weeks ago was our last class. It was bittersweet. We all really enjoyed going over the years. But, after six and half years of going, it seems strange and a little sad that I no longer have any babies to bring. (Here's a sure sign that Addie is the third kid: Jack went until he was four. Harry went until he was three. Addie went until she was two! Sigh.) And the future of the class is less than certain due to funding cuts, etc. So, I am sad to see this wonderful program exit our lives, and will be even sadder if it has to end altogether. We have so many happy memories there, meeting some of our best friends, making adorable hand print projects, learning Raffi songs... I am so grateful that we were able to have all of those great experiences, while at the same time I look forward to this new chapter of all big kids :)

So, here's to Project Step and one last time of shaking your sillies out.

Purex Crystals for Baby Giveaway!

Not long after I finished typing up the 20 Mule Team Borax giveaway yesterday, there was a knock on my door. I found a box with Purex Crystals for Baby. I was given a bottle of the regular Purex Crystals to try last year. (I loved them! You can read my review here) I think I might like these even more. I loved the sweet scent. It really reminded me of that yummy baby-just-out-of-the-bath smell. I had was nearly done with a marathon laundry session when it came. I wish it had come a couple of hours earlier so that I could have used it on even more of my laundry. It will be nice for my not-so-little babies' laundry to have a sweet baby smell :) (On the plus side, even though I couldn't use the crystals on all the laundry I did yesterday, there was one whole hour where all the laundry in the house was clean!!!) So, bottom line, I think the Purex Crystals for Baby are awesome. What's even more awesome is that they sent three coupons each good for one free bottle of Purex Crystals for Baby!

Purex is also holding a sweepstakes for great prizes to celebrate the launch of this new product. You can enter the sweepstakes here.

Contest rules and legal stuff: Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. The first entry is a mandatory follow the blog entry. Leave your email address so I can contact you if you win! Earn a bonus second entry by leaving a comment saying how you'd use the product. I will draw the winners on Monday, February 4. I received this product for free from Purex. As a Purex Insiders blogger, I agreed to try the product and post a review on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Purex. This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.

Good Luck!


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Borax Giveaway!

Purex has sent me another great product to try and giveaway to you! This time, it was 20 Mule Team Borax.

I wasn't quite sure what Borax was until recently, but it has tons of uses. Borax is the common name the mineral sodium tetraborate, a 100% naturally occuring substance produced by the evaporation of seasonal lake. (Your science lesson for the day!) It can be used as a laundry booster. It naturally softens water, which helps to maximize laundry detergent's cleaning power. It also helps to stop stains from being redeposited onto clothes.

In addition to laundry uses, you can find lots of other uses on Pinterest. You can use it to make this homemade laundry detergent. Over the summer, the kids and I used 20 Mule Team Borax to make these bouncy balls and these crsystal snowflakes. So many different uses!

Three lucky winners will get a chance to try out Borax too! Purex sent me three coupons each good for a free box of 20 Mule Team Borax. Follow the blog, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below, and I will draw three winners on Sunday, February 3.
Purex is also having a Borax sweepstakes with tons of prizes! Enter here! Good luck!!!

And finally, some legal stuff: I received this product for free from Purex. As a Purex Insiders blogger, I agreed to try the product and post a review on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Purex. This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Winners!

There are five winners to announce from the two recent giveways! My computer is broken, so I am posting this from the Kindle. So, nothing fancy, and hopefully this will work okay.
The TriCalm winners are Bethany S. And Pat K. Mom's Meet will be sending you your prizes asap!

The Purex Baby winners are Amanda H., Julie L., and Valerie M. I will be emailing you ladies soon for your contact info!

Congrats to all the winners!!! I have another giveaway to get up, hopefully this week. So, check back for that.