WARNING: Pictures on this blog contain children. In the bath. I hesitated including them because of all the worries that come with posting pictures of your kids on the internet. But I refuse to live our lives in fear of “what it”. That said, this blog post may be removed/edited at a later date to hide them…

Alpha Test

In software development, your alpha test, will be a test among yourselves (the teams) to confirm that your product works. Originally, the term alpha test meant the first phase of testing in a software development process. The first phase includes unit testing, component testing, and system testing. During this time you will compress files, edit for misspelled words and unclear directions, broken links, and sync audio and video. You will also test your product on the lowest common denominator machines to make sure download times are acceptable and preloaders work.

Showing my gaming background here! I decided to name the first official human test of the liquid bubble bath the ‘alpha’ test instead of just ‘testing phase 1′ because instead of just pouring it in the bath and going “oh yes, there’s bubbles” and ticking the pass box, I full on studied my poor kids!

“Honey, mummy needs to feel your skin”

“Why?”

“I need to make sure you’re not too slippery.”……. “Ok, now stand up please.”

“Why??

“I want to see how the bubbles stick to you.”

“Uuuuurgh.”

You get the idea. I really analysed everything. When I started, I was only concerned with the final result looking like it was meant to. Now I find myself really interested in the entire product results. Instead of just wanting bubbles, I knew I wanted a product that was safe, which meant not having the kids or the bath too slippery from the excess oils. I didn’t just want bubbles, I wanted bubbles that LAST! And I wanted to understand my recipe so that I could increase, decrease, add or remove an ingredient to fix any potential issues.

The hardest thing I thought to test was stinging/irritability in the eyes, but I have a two and a five year old… it didn’t take long. Master two got it in his eyes first, and instead of screaming like he would with a commercial product, he just continued to try and wipe it out, without so much as a grizzle. The only problem with that, was that the bubbles were so thick and awesome, he couldn’t get them all off his hands first, which meant he wasn’t able to go in bubble free to wipe his face. A quick grab of a dry face washer solved that problem. Any repeat bubble attacks to the face were met with a calm grab of the face washer, by master two himself, and a quick wipe away.

Miss five followed shortly after with a full smashing of bubbles all over her face, and being the drama queen that she is, put on a bit more of a paniced show. After that first one though, she too just grabbed the cloth anytime it happened. Neither child exited the bath with red or irritated eyes, and when the bubbles were wiped away, it was like it had never happened. So I’m pegging the final product as pretty mild to the eyes. Sweet! Awesome. Tick!

Overall I am extremely happy with the alpha test! I knew I was right to listen to that little voice telling me to jump back into the liquid bubble bath! Previously I was making attempt after attempt and getting close, but not there. This time, wham, wham, wham and DONE!!

Alpha Test #1

Filling the Bath. I did an initial “swishing” of the water to agitate the bubbles and kick them off, but after that, they were all on their own! I am very pleased both with the size of the bubbles, and just how many there were so quickly!

The bubbles past the… um… taste test.

The first test was a hard core half an hour, complete with bubble cupcake making, bubble wall painting, and “clapping”. Not sure what clapping is? Well, next time there is a bath full of bubbles, put some in each hand, then slam your hands together as hard as you can. BUBBLES. EVERYWHERE!

Incase your noticing the bucket over the bubbles, my kids aren’t just testers in this house hold… they’re also full time cleaners! Two to three days after a batch of soap is made, they get the buckets and such to use in the bath. This get’s all the soap utensils rinsed off and made easier for me to clean properly, gives the kids something fun in the bath to play with, and puts enough soap into the actual water that I don’t need to clean them down – bath time does enough. Plus, they always love seeing what new colours they get each time.

Bubbles almost gone (20 minutes after they got in the bath), but look at that gorgeous soapy water not only cleaning them, but nourishing their skin as well. My kids have THE softest skin! So much so I’ve had many people comment on it…

Alpha Test #2

It’s very rare for Miss five to request a bubble bath. She’s addicted to her goggles and looking “under” the bath water, pretending she’s a mermaid, etc. But this morning, just a smidge over 12 hours from her last bath before bed the night before, she was requesting a second bubble bath. There was a condition of course – she wanted the spoons and such I use to soap in there so she could make more bubble cakes.

Bring on the second test.

I actually pulled the ruler out this morning and measured – between 10cm to 30cm depth of bubbles! I also have THE cutest shots of bubble covered bottoms, but don’t want to post those. Let’s just say that there is enough coverage of bubbles that you can’t see any skin! Awesome thickness and coverage!

This morning’s bath lasted a “normal” length of 10 to 15 minutes and included more general play than the bucket cleaning from last night. The result at the end was still plenty of bubbles!

VERY happy with the results!! Time to make up a bigger batch, have a play with some fragrances, and branch out to the bigger… well actually, smaller audience for the “beta testing” phase!