Clean Hands = Healthy Body

I may be the only parent brave enough to admit this out loud, though I doubt I'm the only one who has ever had the thought.  My children are dirtier than I would like them to be. They aren't pigs, most of the time.  But they don't have the same appreciation that I do for things like freshly brushed hair and soft, neutral smelling feet.  My daughter whines every day when I tell her that it's time to take her shower.  "But I showered yesterday," is an argument she actually uses. Does that make sense to anyone as a justifiable excuse for being dirty today? If so, humor me, lie to me, what ever, just please don't tell me that seems right for you to stink today because you didn't yesterday.  I'd rather not know.

Knowing this about my kids makes me all the more a proud mama when I realize that I spend a good portion of our grocery money on liquid hand soap.  I have to refill that sucker every other week in the kitchen and every ten days at most in the bathroom. At least I know that they believed me when I taught them that you should wash your hands every time you pass a sink.  The dirt and sweat may cling to their arms and legs, but the fingers that they eat with are sanitary.  I have taken steps to make this blessing a little more affordable, convenient, and enjoyable for all.  Maybe you can make use of theses little tips for your family.

1. Buy two separate soap dispensers for each sink.  Keep one full under the sink so that when someone can't squirt any soap out anymore they can just reach under and grab the new one rather than skip washing.

2. Hang a hand towel hook by your sinks so kids/hubbies won't re-dirty their hands by drying them on their t-shirt or jeans.

3. Refill individual dispensers with a bulk sized bottle.  

4. Soap washes away germs.  Don't spend extra money on anti-bacterial soaps that may contain harsh and dangerous chemicals.  The FDA has issued official statements regarding Triclosan saying that we are still unsure of whether this chemical is even useful in hand soap, let alone benign.  

***As always, do your own research.***

5. Do use liquid rather than bar, for convenience.  It is easier for your kids to pump than lather, so they will be more likely to do it.  It is also a real pain to wipe up the sink when the soap dish has a wet bar of soap sitting in it.

6. Add a few squirts of cocoa butter to each refill and shake well.  This will make washing your hands repeatedly throughout the day easier on skin.

7. Add one or two drops, no more, of an essential oil or extract, like vanilla or lavender to make washing hands just a little more of a splurge than a duty.

Read Before You Watch

Orson Scott Card amazed me with his science-fiction novel Ender's Game.  It's harsh look at the impact the universe can have on the hearts and minds of children would have made Lois Lowry proud.  The true testament to the book's power, however, is that fact that I already had such high expectations.  Mario (hubby) read four books in the series more than five years ago and praised them highly.  When I read a book on Mario's recommendation, I expect near perfection in both creativity and process. Ender's Game surpassed those expectations.

I dread stating that the plot line is a bit predictable. However, not in the banal interpretation usually implied by the term, "predictable." The characters are all written so well that readers who have been exposed to gifted children or referred to as gifted themselves are easily able to interpret motivations as if these characters were real people. Understanding motivations then makes it easier to foresee actions. Becoming acquainted with one character leads to more familiarity with another. So one person's actions only naturally lead to another's reactions and so forth.

I in no way mean to imply that you shouldn't immerse yourself fully from beginning to end.  The journey is like no other.  And, I am wholly convinced that there is absolutely no way a movie will be able to do this story justice. So I plead with you, "Please read the book."  That said, having loved the book I am anxiously awaiting the movie.  I personally cannot wait to see the Battle Room.

Ender's Game Official Trailer #2