The True Magic of the Magic Eraser

Somehow the magic eraser has turned Jordan into an amazing cleaning machine!! He was so excited to see what it could do on our kitchen floor, that he has since had to try it out all over the house and even when it doesn't work, he's still found whatever tool would to finish the job. So far, he's attacked the fridge - inside and out, the whole top of our oven - every time I go to turn it on I think "Wow! I've got a new oven!", the incredibly burned up, corroded burner covers of our stove top -- these he has had to chip away at with a screwdriver even, but he's got one almost like new! And, yesterday he scrubbed the whole bathtub - a huge task but so nice to have a sparkling white(-ish) CLEAN bathtub! That's the magic of the magic eraser and a super sweet sweetie!

My Little Helper

I've made zucchini and summer squash muffins three times in the past two weeks and Landon just loves the "keeny muffeens." Today I mentioned to Jordan that I'd have to make some more or something and Landon went to the door and said, "More 'quash...get it...garden?" Smart kiddo!

And just as a note -- while my computer was out of commission, the thing that I missed most was being able to check out allrecipes on the spot to find a recipe for whatever I was about to make. Here's my latest favorite from them - super yummy zucchini bread (I make it into muffins, and it was just as good with summer squash too! :)

Hooray for Apple Care!

My new computer arrived today! Apple Care has came through for us yet again - my computer was having some internet problems and Jordan called about sending it in for repair, but instead they said basically "why don't we send you a new, upgraded computer instead?" So, after a week of computer-less-ness, I've got a beautiful, shiny, non-Landon-fingerprinted laptop. Hooray! :)

The Magical Magic Eraser

I've heard people talk about magic erasers and how great they are, and today I became a believer! :) I finally gave in and bought a package in hopes of just cleaning up a few scuff marks on my old linoleum floor. When I sat down on the floor to try it though, I wiped across the scuff mark, and seriously - just the one swipe - and their was a white streak through my graying tile. Whoa!

 Just once, when we first moved in,  I spent several hours, over a few days with scotch cleanser and SOS pads scouring this floor. Somehow, maybe because it's just so old, my weekly mopping only gets the spots off but it has taken some serious scrubbing to get to the real layers of dirt. But, I spent an hour this afternoon with a couple of magic erasers - no intense scrubbing, just regular old cleaning like you'd do if you were washing the table - and got the entire floor clean! Just amazing! I had to know how these things worked - check out the wikipedia article  if you're interested too in the wonder of this great cleaner! :)

Being Nice

I've been taking a water aerobics class at BYU for about 3 years or so and I just love it. I've gotten to be good friends with the instructor and a few others who have also taken the class for a long time. This past month, our teacher has been out of town on vacation and somehow the substitute didn't show up for 2 classes in a row. It was a pain to show up all dressed and ready to swim, just to have to get dressed and drive back home again, but I was excited on Wednesday to have a substitute there. :)

Afterwards, in the locker room, a girl from the class asked "Oh, would you like to sign a form about how our teacher has been such a flake?" I was startled and said something like "No, I don't think so... I'm not so upset and I think I would feel bad about something like that." But, it  I left and was just wishing I had said something better like "No. Amanda's my really good friend. or I think Amanda does such a great job. or I just appreciate Amanda taking time away from all of her little kids to come and teach... Hmmm. Sometimes it's hard in the moment to know just want you want to say. 

Yesterday I went through the drive-thru at Taco Time and when I got to the window I was startled to see a woman who just moved from our ward a little while ago. This is the cutest lady with just a darling family, a beautiful home... My thoughts (besides why is she working at Taco Time?) were -- was I kind and friendly when I ordered my food? I worked at a fast food place for just a few months in high school and it was the hardest job I've ever had. Trying to figure out the cash register and the ordering and trying to understand what people are saying through the drive-thru window... It was so hard for me! So, I always try to be nice to whoever's working at these fast food places, but there are always those times when I'm just hungry and worn out or Landon's cranky or what-not... But seeing this sweet lady from our ward made me want to do better at always being nice and good and friendly. 

So, I've had some good reminders of just being kind. I've been trying to teach Landon about what is 'nice' and 'not nice' and I guess that's something we all have to remember sometimes. :)

A Fixed Computer

Jordan's computer broke last week (for anyone who knows Jordan, you know this is a BIG deal!) We took it in to see how much a repair would be -- they told us something like "This is probably going to be absurdly expensive." Yikes!

But,

It turned out that his computer was still under warranty, just until next month! Hooray! Jordan just bought it used from somebody last year, and apparently they had bought the 3 year apple care plan which runs out in August. What a wonderful blessing to have his computer back and in working order without costing us a fortune that we don't have! Jordan said "doesn't it make you wonder if Heavenly Father somehow made their computer systems glitch to make it so our computer was covered under warranty?" :) 

What a blessing! 

Happy days with our little boy

Making the most of his motorcycle riding while it lasts... Drew bought a motorcycle a few months ago and even though Landon's totally fascinated by the "Brrrooom, Brrrooom", he knows (or so I hope) that real motorcycles are not for him! :)

What a happy little boy we've got! In the morning after breakfast, Landon is really good at playing by himself for a bit while I clean up downstairs, and one of his favorite spots to play is right under the kitchen table. Who could ever resist such a smile as this?

Just a content little guy on a hot summer day with a popsicle from his Daddy!

We finally made it to the 4th of July balloon launch for the first time this year. Since Landon wakes up between 6:00 and 6:30, for once it wasn't too hard to get there by the 6:30 launch time. :) Such a fun event, especially in getting to see Landon so excited and in awe as all the balloons filled up and took off. 

I just love this little boy!