Built-in shelving update

One of our main reasons for purchasing our house was, was the built in shelves. We love them classic library look too them, but they were outdated all the natural wood in our home was clashing and making it dark.

So after tons of Pinterest I knew I needed to update these bad boys. So I took my idea to lowes.  

I had to first caulk all the book cases next to the ceiling and adjoining walls so they were flush. I painted by hand two coats of stain blocker from vaspar. To block the dark staining, then I started covering everything with tarps because I bought a new paint gun. (Wagner flexio570)

Yes, I know what a mess our living room is, but the spray gun worked like a charm. We chose to paint our shelves Pure White in satin finish from Sherman Williams. We ended up doing the mantle by hand and three coats on the shelves. We couldn't be happier with the finish.

Like I always say there is nothing paint can't fix. I love the age of this house it has undeniable character it just needed a little TLC. On to the next shelf and window. 

Classic Toys

It may only be September but our little one is about to turn 4 and christmas is around the corner so I took to the web to find classic toys that she can play with for years and not cheap plastic that will break in a month. These are the toys we are currently loving!

Lilah's 4th birthday present






Christmas gifts- of course we amazon prime everything in our house because we live in Alaska and shipping is free with amazon, unlike everywhere else. 

 

Easy Toddler Eating

Back in June we noticed our youngest was struggling with eating...mainly getting food inside her mouth. Yes there were a lot of messes and battling with a two year old you will lose. She didn't want our help with feeding her. So I took to the internet searching for pouches that were spill free and easy enough for her to get the food out. After trying about 4 different types of pouches we found our favorites!




Squeasy snackers by far were the best they are super simple to clean they have a no spill insert that you can just pop in for youngsters that may just squeazy to hard causing a mess. We choose not to use the insert with our 3 year old. Best food for your babies with out a mess yogurt, apple sauce, smoothies they can do it on their own with no mess. The price is right and they clean super easy just rinse and throw in the dish washer. They even can turn inside out for tough messes.














 

Disneyland Food for Kids with Peanut Allergies.

Our 3 day adventurous family vacation was beyond a success. Disneyland has made major improvements on food allergies. We were at first stressed about all day trips their but with lots of investigation we found many restaurants and diners that are safe for our little bean. She is deathly allergic to peanuts. While I helicopter over her I also want her to have all the same experiences as other children.

Disneyland is expensive  what ever way you look at it.

Places to eat in disney:
$$$$ Blue Bayou - you can make a reservation, kids at about 21$ and adults 40$ each but despite the price you can sit down see a live show, and your child get there own special allergy menu that lists for peanuts, tree nut, dairy, vegan and gluten free. I think its totally worth the price after walking for 8 hours straight.

$$$ Ariel's Grotto - make a reservation for your children to meet their favorite characters at Ariels Grotto this is the only character dining that is not a buffet style. Buffets  really freak me out with food allergies. It was reasonable prices.

$$ Rancho Del Zocalo Resturante-  This place was amazing kid menu was simple, they make the food right in front of you the kids ate bean and cheese burritos with rice. Super Simple. Prices was really low kids meal with drinks was $7. Our family of four ate for $48.98 which included drinks, amazing service, and fee refills. Which we needed since it was so hot that day. I may be biased but one of my good friends works their and it just made even more special.

$ Hungary Bear Restaurant - This place was perfect for a quick bite to eat, sandwiches, burgers, and fried food. They do not use peanuts or peanut oils so that was a sure fire win!  They even have little toddler meals that are for 2 and under perfect size scoop of mac&cheese and fries with a  drink for like $4. kid meals are great prices and with the temp rising all day the lemonade smoothie with honey stick was a perfect desert.

Snacks we found:

Carmel corn is safe for kids with peanut allergies.
cotton candy, smoothies, and fruit stands (pineapple, grapes, & watermelon)

All time kid favorite ICE CREAM Check our my post on  Gibson Ice Cream Parlor and nut allergies

Disneyland and food allergies

We just took our first family vacation to disneyland in August. Sounds amazing right, well when you have a child with food allergies vacations are a little more stressful. We prepare ourselves with safe snacks, a list of questions when eating out, and epi pens.  Even though our youngest has no allergies, we still try to make sure everyone eats safe. That way Lilah doesn't feel left out. In 3 1/2 years we have not been able to take Lilah to an Ice Cream Parlor because of cross contamination. (Mind you we are pretty soft on cross contamination except when it comes to ice cream scoops and topping.) Gives me an anxiety attack just thinking about it. 

Disneyland changed the game for us! Lilah was able to watch her dreams come true meeting her heroes and favorite princesses. While being able to enjoy ice-cream like all the other kids!

The Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, saved us! It was extremely hot in august like 97 degrees and the kids were miserable after waiting in lines, they were slightly Hangry (hungry/ angry). I went into Gibson first just because I normally ask all the questions before Lilah even knows about the ice cream. To my amazement the lady is like of course she can have some ice cream but all the ice cream out here has been cross contaminated. I was heart broken until she grabbed a chef from the back. He's like I will clean the area in the kitchen were they have individual tubs of ice cream just for kiddos with nut allergies that stay off the line in the back he will use new sanitized scoops. I literally started to cry, never in her life could I take her to get ice cream except at home. They even offered two flavors which is better than nothing. Chocolate and vanilla, the chef delivered it in person and told her Mickey had to taste it just to make sure it was perfect. 

Lilah's eyes lit up her dreams were really coming true.

Thank you DISNEYLAND!
 For more food restaurants and options for your vacation check out my blog on eating in Disneyland

DIY Weed Killer

As we all know landscaping is a full time job. In Alaska with the sun never setting it seems like the weeds just grow like wild fire. We have chick weed problems, this is 2 weeks of not weeding. My back yard is turning into a jungle.

I have a hard time justifying buying weed spray, all the chemicals, toxic, dogs, and toddlers. It just unrealistic for me to find an hour by myself to go spray roundup everywhere. Then barricade the kids and dogs from messing with it. There is a lot of DIY weed killers on the internet so I decided to experiment with the common ones and adjust the measurements. I think I have perfected this recipe.

What you will need:
Vinegar White
Salt (everyday table salt)
Dish soap
Spray bottle

I started off by pouring about 2-3 Table Spoons of salt in the bottom of the empty spray bottle. 3 Table Spoonful of dish soap on top of that. Then add Vinegar. I did not mix or shake it up, It naturally mixes! I was afraid of suds mess.

Thats it I just went to town on the weeds near our house. I even let Lilah go spray since she just loves helping mommy out. This mixture was just right in an hours I could already see the weeds wilting, and changing color. 

24 hour results

Super EASY! Happy Weeding!

XO

REDHEAD Problems

Just a fun short video on redhead problems. This video was so much fun to make. It is just common thing us redheads hear on a daily basis. Hope you enjoyed this video!



Xo