Purex Ultra Packs review

Laundry has become a daily event in our house.  As much as I hate it, it is an inevitable event.  Grace has actually started to help me out.  She likes to put stuff into the dryer.   I wish she could figure out how to fold though and I'd really put her to work :)  For now she just organizes everything on the floor and helps unfold as I fold.

My little helper.

As part of the Purex Insider group, I get to try out new products from time to time.  I have always been a big fan of Purex.  I think performance for the money is outstanding.  I was fortunate to get to try the new Purex UltraPacks out recently.

Purex UltraPacks are like the little packs we've all come to love for our dishwashers.  There is no mess, no spills and no more heavy jugs of detergent.  I love being able to toss on into the wash and go.  No measuring anything.  Each Purex UltraPack contains powerful 2x concentrated liquid detergent that dissolves quickly once the washer is started even in cold water.  It is formulated to work in high-efficiency washers as well. 

So yes it is convenient, but does it work you might ask?  I have been very impressed with it's cleaning power.  Having a 1 year old, we have ample opportunity to test out any laundry detergent and this does a great job on tough stains like spaghetti sauce.   I will definitely be buying this again in the future.   It helps even a lazy laundress like me do a good job.   

New month Purex will be offering free samples of the new UltraPacks at FreeSamplePurex.com so check it out.  In the meantime, the first 2 people to comment on this post will get a coupon for a free bottle of Purex Complete with Zout!

Tricks!

Grace has lots of what we call her tricks.  They are the fun stuff that any one yr old does but she seems to love to perform for us so I was happy to try and get it on video.    It is kind of long, but I wanted to capture them all for future sake.  Yep, she will probably be embarrassed by it some day, but isn't that our right as a parent :)

Happy New Year 2012!

Yep, I'm late to this New Year's party.  If you can tell from the barrage of posts today, I am late posting about a lot of things lately.

I try and make resolutions each year, only to fail.  We went to church on New Years Day and the pastor spoke about new beginnings rather than resolutions.  I like the idea of a new beginning.  I don't feel like you can fail at a beginning even if you try and aren't as successful as there is success in the trying.   I am hopeful that 2012 will be a great year for my family including a few new beginnings.

If you know me or even follow this blog a bit you will know that we love to travel.  Grace has taken well over 25 flights so far, been out of the country to Mexico, been to at least 6 states(not just driving through), been to Disney World, etc.

Grace and I will be starting 2012 with a bang traveling as well.  The first week of February we will be going back to Colorado skiing with my family.  This is what is sure to be the first of many travels this year - maybe to new places.

Skiing though requires that I be in at least a little bit of shape, so I really need to buckle down and focus on working out.  That is going to be one of my new beginnings - figure out how to get in shape and have a toddler. Grace thankfully takes a good nap each day so something at home would be great.  If anyone has good at home workout suggestions or apps I would love to hear them.  I am looking at Nike Training Club app right now and it looks pretty cool.  I also found a great deal on Plum District for a Baby Boot Camp stroller class. I think Grace would enjoy watching me making a fool of myself. :)  So that is a possibility

I talk more about Plum District here.  I have found a couple of companies that I love like PearTree Greetings via deals that I have bought from Plum District.   There have been some great local deals as well..  I hope to get to the spa soon with one my recent deals that I got.  Maybe this is the year of new beginnings for my skin?

So getting in shape isn't incredibly unusual for a new year start and neither is my next goal, but we all start somewhere.  I really want to be more organized.  Calendar wise, I do fine(those beautiful Erin Condren planners do call my name, but iPhone works fine) - we make it when and where we need to go, but at home is the problem.  I have what is probably called control chaos in terms of my organizational method - some also might call it clutter.  My closet is a disaster right now and needs a complete overhaul.  Additionally, I really want to be better about planning our meals and not going to the store 3 times a week.  I found an online solution last year that I really liked and it really helped, but I'd like to try another one.  Plan to Eat is interesting, but I don't really have to time to find all of the recipes to set it up.  I do like that you can import them, but I'd rather someone do more of the work for me and I can add a few recipes here and there that I find rather than finding them all.  Any recommendations for good meal planning sites?  I used Relish last year.  I've heard good things about E-Mealz, but it seems to be a lot of pre-processed foods.

So - home workout ideas and meal planning???  Anyone have great resources to help me out??

My camera died so I don't have any great recent pictures. Grace enjoying a movie. 

Birthday Party Time!

No it isn't Grace's birthday yet, but it will be soon. I have been busy trying to figure out what I want to do for her birthday.  If you follow me via Pinterest, you probably have a good idea though.

Thanks to a wonderful playgroup, we have some great friends.  A few turned 2 last fall, but lots more will be 2 this year.  Last weekend, we were invited to one of 2 parties this month.    Kai turned 2 last weekend and had an adorable Fire Station party.  We started off touring a fire station and getting to play/climb on the fire truck.  Then we went back to Kai's house for playtime and dinner.  It was a great time.  Kelli did a fabulous job with all of the details.

Not loving the fireman in his full uniform.  

Got to drive the truck!

Grace and Jackson in these adorable firetrucks.

Whole group on the firetruck!

Happy Birthday Kai!  Thanks for inviting us.  We had a great time!

Christmas 2011

Christmas definitely has new meaning when you have a child.   I love the lights, the decoration, and especially what Christmas truly means, but now watching it through Grace's eyes I really appreciate it so much more.  This year she was fascinated with all of the splendor of the seasons.  Lights were so fascinating.  The first thing she wanted to do in the morning was turn the Christmas tree lights on.  Unwrapping presents was so much fun for her and she even took time to enjoy each present as well.  She obviously doesn't understand the true meaning of Christmas yet, but seeing the light in her eyes at the candle glowing in the church on Christmas eve I know that she will understand in a few years.

Here are a ton of pictures from the holidays.  We were very thankfully to get to see most of my family this year in Atlanta and Keith's parents and brother Justin came to Dallas to see us.

Grace's Great Grandma came to visit us in Atlanta for a few days.  It was great that they got to spend some time together.  

Posing in front of the Choo Choo around the tree.  Grace is all about Choo Choo, Airplanes and Trucks right now.

Happy Family!

Stefanini Family 

We took time to go down to Lenox Mall to see Santa and ride the Pink Pig which is an Atlanta institution.     Unfortunately as we pulled into a parking spot, Grace got sick all over herself in the car seat.  Since she seemed to be feeling fine, my mother and I stripped her down, put her in the stroller with a coat covering her and went to Macy's to by a new outfit.  

It is a pig choo choo that used to be on a monorail in a department store.  The original has since been retired and replaced with a choo choo.  Grace loved it.

Original Pink Pig

Not loving Santa, but I love the picture

Watching the train with Holly

Grace being a good mommy to her Bath Tub Baby

Puzzles Galore!

We went one night to Stone Mountain to see the lights and ride the Choo Choo train.  Here is happy girl on the train!  She loved the ride and looking at all of the lights.  Next time we need to get there earlier to catch the shows.

Last stop was to see the Snow Princess.  

Thankfully Grace was great with the tree, but these 'Bubbles' were irresistible.

We decorated mini Gingerbread houses.  She was very detail oriented.

Until we decided to give her a taste of the icing.  My baby bird.  

5 Mini House by Grace.

Playing with new toys from Great Grandma.

Grace showing Maggie and Callie how their cell phones work.

Dayton Family

Christmas Morning at our House

Easel from Aunt Heather and Tim.  

Look at that focus on unwrapping. 

Bath Tub toys have been a huge hit this year.  This bug catcher is great. 

Ready for post bath too.

Shopping Cart from Mimi and Grandpa

The action running in Christmas Morning.  

Family picture before dinner.  

Grace loved the standing rib roast - our new tradition.  

I honestly can say that all gifts were a huge hit.  Grace has played with everything- puzzles, books, art supplies, movies, etc.  She got a Fisher Price Little people zoo from Nanie and Papa that makes animal sounds that she loves.  She likes to make the animals swing and slide.  It is really cute to watch.  The shopping cart has been the other big favorite.  She puts her groceries in and out and pushes her baby around the playroom in it.  So very cute to watch her pretend play and exploring everything.  Thanks to our wonderful families for a fabulous Christmas.  We are sorry that we weren't able to see everyone this year, but look forward to next year.