A Few of my Favorite Things {April Edition}

I really enjoy getting to know some of my favorite bloggers from “behind the scenes.” Ya know, what they’re doing in REAL life. 

I enjoy how to’s, DIY ideas, 5 ways to… and so on but I also like to know that other bloggers, that they are just like me, real moms who have beyond blessed days and also have days they struggle and are in need of encouragement just like you and I, just trying to figure this thing out.

Some of my favorties are Erin from The Humbled Homemaker, she shares weekend links and I also enjoy Leigh Ann’s What I’m into posts and I followed Andrea Dekker’s model of how she shares her favorite things. 🙂

Disclosure: In some of the links below, I have attached affiliate links which may mean I earn a tiny percentage of sales at no extra cost to you. None of the products are sponsored, I would only suggest and promote things I use in REAL life, in our day to day routines.

So I thought it would be fun to start something new. 

Share just a few of my favorite things… did you start singing the song yet? 😉 

For easy reading I separated them into categories: In the Home, On the Table, Babies & Kids, Just for Fun and Making Life Easier. 

*In the future, I hope to post this around the middle of each month, this time it’s a little late.

A few of my favorite things {April 2015}

These are a Few of my Favorite Things for April:

In the Home 

It seems like this year is going by so quickly. And I feel like I haven’t been the best about deep cleaning. I have been able to (with the help of my kids) get surface cleaning done, like the counters, dishes, living room clutter but not the sweeping/vacuuming and mopping.

vacuum & mop I use #favoritethings  

Over the years I have always bought cheaper vacuums. We live in a log-cabin and don’t have any carpet except for rugs so I have bought the small, cheaper cordless vacuums and you know what I got- 2 broken ones in one year. Guess the statement “you get what ya paid for” is true for cheaper vacuums. 😉 So with my husband’s encouragement, I looked for a more reliable one. At Costco one day,  I found the Electrolux Cordless Vaccuum and decided to make the purchase–>>>> it’s been amazing! 

Another one of my new favorites is the quick mop. It’s even easy for my kids to use. 

We use the quick mop about 1-3 times a month in high traffic areas. 

On the Table

Helping make Homemade Beef Stew #Crockpot #Cookingwithkids

I am really into using my crockpot lately. I think it’s easy for those busy nights. We recently has crockpot lasagna and it was really good! I used this recipe but doubled it and made my own sauce and added ricotta to cheese mixture. 

We also have made muffins a couple times this month.

Silicone Cupcake Liners #Favorite things

A newer favorite are these silicone cupcake liners. They are easy clean up and the muffin comes out very easily. Then just wash em’ and use them again next time! 

Babies & Kids

A new favorite for my kids (and ME too) is doing a “read aloud” almost everyday, well lately just a coupe times a week.

little house

We have been enjoying the chapter book, Little House on the Prairie from our local library. I never read or watched the series so this a whole new adventure for all of us. Getting to know the characters Ma & Pa, Laura and the other sisters. I almost cried when they lost Jack their dog, so glad they were reunited later on. Do any of you enjoy Little House?

Our baby just turned ONE… I cannot even believe it, still. 

Baby Canvas Art #Birthday

We made a 1st Birthday Canvas as a keepsake to hang up.

Favorite baby things recently have been consignment sales and honest company diapers.

I like to consign our stuff but I haven’t done it in a couple years… I am loving shopping at them. A few weekends ago, us girls went and we got some great deals on 1/2 off day. About 20 nice dresses for $10, can’t beat that!

On to diapers. I really, really wanted to cloth diaper but I was already drowning in my laundry so I never got around to trying it out. 

honest diapers with wipes in reusable pouch

We have been using chlorine free diapers then I decided to give honest diapers a try. We got our package the other week. It was full of wipes, adorable designed diapers and they even added a special treat… organic cookie mix with a cookie cutter. I usually have 1-2 diapers and a reusable pouch (we got when London was a newborn) filled with honest wipes with me at all times. 😉

Just for Fun

Over Easter we recently took a short family trip to Asheville, NC.

via my instagram

via my instagram 

It was an absolute blast. Personal Creations had sent me some new Easter baskets for my kiddos and they all loved them.

Easter Baskts 2015

I really enjoy personalized products and look forward to seeing what they offer for Mother’s Day. 

  Motherhood quote

We have been enjoying the beautiful spring weather and are looking forward to summer. 

Making Life Easier

As allergy season approaches something that is making my life easier is a NoseFrida (for the one year old). 

She gets regular chiropractic adjustments to combat this, but the pollen seems extra bad this year and it seems like London is full if boogers lately. She can’t stand her nose being wiped as most little kids her age. Enter the NoseFrida…. is quick and simple and gets the job done.

tote bag as quick diaper bag

The other thing is having a reusable tote bag available to use if we are quickly going into a store or for a walk instead of having to bring the diaper bag. Luckily we have a “stockpile” of them. They’re also good to use for swim lessons or going to the splash pad to keep all of the wet items separate. 

I hope you enjoyed my first edition of “a few of my favorite things” and I hope you find them helpful. 

What are a few of your favorite things? Have you (or do you) use/d any of these same things?

 

About Rachel

Rachel is a mother to four children and a wife to a wellness doctor. Her passions are faith, family, and health. You can find her writing about her family adventures and inspiring you to make healthier choices for your family.

Comments

  1. Carol Meyer says:

    Great Post.
    Lots of Love~