I created a reel with the different ways we use baking soda in our house. These are things that have been used for years and I hope you find a solution you have been looking for.
How To Clean Kids' Tablet Cases
I don't know about you guys, but my kids get their tablet cases disgustingly dirty. (Well, they used to- they have gotten much better as they've gotten older).
I searched and searched to find out how to clean the foam-like tablet cases (like come with the Kindle Fire Kids Edition). I came up with nothing, so I decided to test things out on my own. It was pretty easy to figure out what to do.
To start out, I better mention to take the tablet our first because I don't want to be sued. Then, fill your sink with hot water and dish soap (we use Dawn, but it doesn't really matter) and let your tablet cases soak for a few minutes. I usually leave them for about 5 minutes but longer won't hurt anything.
Then, I sprinkle some baking soda and just carefully wash them. I only say carefully to make sure you get the grooves. The first time I cleaned them, I had to use a toothbrush because the cases were so gunky. It was really simple and now that I got them clean the initial time, it doesn't take nearly as much effort and they look so much better.
Lay them on a towel to dry completely. I let them dry overnight with the stand open. Make sure they are completely dry before putting them back to use.
We use screen cleaner wipes to wipe the screens of all of our devices and they work well for the tablets as well. When you clean the cases, you are going to want to use a wipe to get the edge of the screen where the tablet case sits- it gets pretty gunky.
Good as new!
10 Tips For An Organized Camp Site
Disclaimer: While this post has affiliate links, these are my ideas and opinions. Thank you for supporting this blog.
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We camped for 9 days earlier in the month. We always get about a week in June to take the kids. Honestly, it's easier to camp with kids for longer stints than just the weekend like Mr. and I did while we were dating and newly married. Over the years, I have implemented things to help keep our campsite organized and functioning well. It really does make for a better experience and more time to make memories.
Here are some of the things I do to keep us organized while camping:
1. Each person has a backpack for their personal items. This keeps what we take to a minimum. The backpack is all we have for personal items. Mom and dad also stick with this rule.
2. We each have one of these drawstring bags. We Keep them beside our beds to keep bathroom bags, flashlights, and other things we need to grab quickly or use a lot. Tbomb puts his lightsaber in his. Snapper puts her crafting things in hers. They both have nerf guns handy. I have my book, flashlight, reading light, and deodorant in mine. It helps keep things handy while keeping the tent floor clear of clutter. (bags here: https://amzn.to/3Vuv1xV)
3. Organize your food. I do this in 2 ways. I have these large fabric flower pots I use. They are similar to shopping bags but sturdier. (find here: https://amzn.to/3RvxdUN). I use 3 of them: snacks, lunches, dinners. The dinner one has a bag for each dinner so I can just grab my ingredients at once. Once again, keeps the tent floor clear of clutter.
5. Have "stations." Like things together. All fishing gear stays together once cleaned up, floats, boogie boards, life jackets, and goggles go in one spot. Other outside toys like water cars, digging stuff, etc goes in a large utility tote.
6. We use a picnic cooler for all of our meal stuff like plates, cutlery, tablecloths, etc. We're able to leave it sitting on the picnic table bench or under the picnic table and it is always ready to go. We have the Igloo with the fabric top, but I would suggest this one because not only is it another surface, but it is water tight. We had a big rain and water did get in ours- I will replace it with the one above (find here: https://amzn.to/3RpKvSn).
7. We have 2 pop-up hampers just for camping. One holds our trash bag and we bungee it to the lantern pole. The other goes in the tent with a trash bag for dirty clothes. When we clean up camp, we just take that trash bag out and everything that needs to be washed is ready to be taken care of when we get home.
8. We put all of our camp set-up items in a plastic storage bin. It has a clothesline, extra tarp, light poles, camp lights, tent stakes/ hammer, toilet, collapsible, etc- all the items we need when we first get to camp and the items that must be stored once we get home. While camping, we can put the tent bag and other items that we only need when putting up and taking down camp. This bin sits outside the tent because it is watertight and has no food in it.
9. Set up a cooking area. That way, when it is time to cook, everything is ready for you and you are not scrambling.
10. Hand washing station. This is a big one for us. I put camp-safe soap in an empty hand sanitizer bottle for a backpack- the silicone case allows me to hang it from the spigot. I also hang a hand towel with a bungee from the back of the spigot. We use a neck light wrapped around the pipe for light after dark.
Every family has different needs, but figuring out a camp setup that works for your family is essential to a peaceful and productive trip. If our camp is not organized, I can't enjoy the time with my family. I hope some of these ideas help your family.
The Firing Squad
Disclaimer: I was able to watch this movie for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
I just do not have the words for the feels I felt during this movie. Seriously, the tears were pouring down my face. I've forever been a fan of Kevin Sorbo and Cuba Gooding, Jr. However, nothing I've ever seen them in has compared to The Firing Squad.
This is something that happened in 2015, so it wasn't that long ago. The Firing Squad is a true story of a man convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death by firing squad at a prison in Indonesia. He went in an atheist who was also bitter and somewhat entitled. He even tried to escape and was caught. In solitary confinement, as a result of his attempted escape, he found salvation. Because of the change in the man and the faith he exhibited, lives all around him were changed forever. That's all I'm giving away. It is such a great movie that you must see.
Tim Chey, the directory and screenwriter urges us to participate in the 1 Million Souls to Jesus campaign and I'm all about it. Please share this movie, get some tickets, take people, pray, and witness to all you can. Let's make heaven crowded!
Be sure to check the website because there will actually be some free screenings in some cities- your city might be included! (https://bit.ly/
#thefiringsquad #christianfilm #summerblockbuster #movienight @firingsquadfilm
FB Page: @TheFiringSquadMovie
Our Favorite Educational YouTube Channels
We use YouTube a good bit in school. Not only for diving deeper into lessons and for Classical Conversations, but I have a new rule for the kids. If they want to watch their favorite YouTube channels (usually gaming stuff), then they have to watch something educational as well.
So, here are our favorites:
1. Brave Wilderness (Tbomb loves watching Coyote Peterson)
2. Nature At Your Door (Frank Taylor is wonderful)
3. Peekaboo Kids (We love Dr. Binocs for science)
4. PBS Kids (Snapper loves Wild Kratts)
5. Crash Course (Great for history)
8. Learn Bright
40
Today is my 40th birthday. I'm camping with my family, so I'm going to make this post short-ish. I just wanted to share 5 things I've realized in the last year that I will be doing more of in the future.
This picture was taken about 6 years ago. It is one of my favorites. I was still growing my hair out after shaving it off when my MIL lost hers to chemo. My fearless youngest had climbed up to the top of the play place and couldn't figure out how to get back down. Her brother is scared of heights and didn't want to go get her. What does mom do? Goes and gets her. What does granny do? Snap a picture. I'm so grateful for her thinking to do that because I cherish it.
That leads me to the first thing I've realized.
1. Be in the pictures. Set up a tripod, give the camera to someone else, hire a photographer for events. How you do it doesn't matter, just get in those pictures with your kids. It doesn't matter what you look like. That smile you have when spending time with your kids makes you beautiful.
2. Let it go. Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? No? Let it go. Very little does matter in the great picture.
3. Don't worry about posting everything. I know for some of us, it is our job, but there should be just as much time with our kids away from the phone. I've taken the majority of the last year sharing very little because I've been enjoying my kids. I haven't even taken as many pictures as usual.
4. Stop and kiss your husband. Life gets crazy and we spin around each other. Take a moment, stop, look him in the eye, and kiss him. You'll never regret doing it, but you may regret not doing it.
5. Tell people how much you love them. My dad died recently and I was so grateful that I never got off the phone or left him without saying "I Love You." Its something I grew up doing, but that doesn't minimize the meaning. Yes, its habit; but its habit because it is true. Even though I always told him, I still worry that he didn't know how I really felt, but at least he knew I loved him.
You may have thought this was an organizing tips post, but I just wanted to share real-life things I've learned. Hopefully, you have already learned these things and this post is senseless, but if not- trust my words and don't wait.
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