Mom To Mom Play Date

Yesterday was our Mom To Mom group play date. I think I had much more fun than my kids :) It's always so good to get together with other moms and chat while the kiddies have a blast ( and let all that energy out so they can have a good afternoon nap :P ) I'm appreciating more and more for Mom To Mom. We have such a great group where all the moms get together and talk, ask questions and learn about motherhood from our Mom Mentors. And during these winter months, I definitely appreciate a fun place to go and let the kids play indoors- especially with the great bounce house. Here are some pictures.

 

Looking forward to every Tuesday. 

Eyes. Lips. Face.

Ok, so...
Since it's been a really long time from the last post we did, let's do something fun to get it back up again. But before we do that, I just want to mention briefly how good it is to be back! After having our fourth child, life sped up a notch (or two). The last several months have been, well, quite interesting and honestly... challenging. From raising a new baby, sleep training, potty training, overwhelming demands from my job and dealing with a family crisis really took a toll on me. But the important thing is(one thing was very clear): God was using all this to teach me (can't cover all the details now), and for that, I'm utterly thankful for this valuable time of hardship. So, now that we covered that, let's move on to ELF make-up!

What's ELF make-up? It stands for Eyes. Lips. Face. And why is it special? For the quality and the price tag that comes with it! Every item is only a dollar. They also have their studio line for $3 items which is comparable to NARS and Urban Decay products (which run somewhere around $20s). If you're a mom like me, I cannot afford to buy high end make-up because all that money goes into my kids (diapers, baby items,  groceries, etc). But I also cannot just settle for poor quality make-up because I end up not using it anyway due to the quality and that money goes to waste. Plus, I have highly sensitive skin, where anything I put on will cause an allergic reaction right away.

I heard so many people and magazines raving about ELF but couldn't really believe what I was hearing. So after researching including YouTube ( many make-up gurus do a product review) and decided to purchase some highly recommended products. And I have to say, I really give my two thumbs up. Their eyeshadows were pretty good. The quality of the pigments are impressive. I think it's actually better than some of Estee Lauder, Clinique and Lancome ones that I have. Their famous C brush, which is an eyeshadow brush is very soft and works really well. I think it's important to research though, because I'm sure there are some products that are not as impressive. I'll post the links to some review videos below.

Overall, I am really impressed with ELF. The only thing I wasn't sure about was their mineral foundation. I use Bare Minerals, which I can't live without, and I don't think the quality is comparable. Bare Minerals is the only foundation that doesn't irritate my skin but provides good but natural looking coverage. Plus you only use tiny amount each time and my supply lasts a very long time. But with everything else, I don't mind switching to ELF. If you want to check out their website, click HERE. Plus, they're doing a special promo with a purchase over a certain amount, they give you a free subscription to a woman's magazine. I got a year subscription of Vogue.

YouTube review videos:
Top 10 ELF Product Review
ELF YouTube

Photo credit: bluefeastmedia.com & eyelipsfacee.com

Happy September!

It's been a while!
The month of August was quite busy in my home-
basically we were trying to squeeze in as much fun as
possible before the kids go back to school.
We made many valuable memories together.
I hope they'll remember them.
But for just in case, I think I'll have them make a
memory book about it.
Because sometimes I know my kids get the
"we never do anything fun" viruses :)

Wendy wrote me today about her way of making memories.
Every year, when her kids go off to school on the "first day of school",
she makes them pose and takes a picture.
She started when her daughter was going off to kindergarten,
and she's been doing it since. Today, she started middle school.

What a simple but great idea to make memories :)
Although, I couldn't do it this morning, I'm hoping
to get a snapshot when they come home from their
first day of school.

Have a good day moms!

Fresh Summer Tips: Dryer Sheets - by Wendy T

Did you know that dryer sheets keep the flies and bugs away when you are outside? So rub them on yourself and tie around the picnic table before eating. You can also tie or pin one inside your shirt, your children's clothing or your umbrella at the beach.

Another fresh use for dryer sheets: put them inside your kids' stinky water shoes to absorb odor.

Birthday Gifts!

Today is my baby girl's third birthday! She woke up very excited! "Last night when I went to bed I was two and now in the morning I am THREE!" she exclaimed. As I watched her dance around, and run to wake up Nana and Papa (her grandparents who came for the occasion) I had a hard time believing that three years had passed since she was born.

I still remember the first time I saw her beautiful face, the first time I held her. Even though she has grown into an independent little girl (she would fiercely correct me and say 'big girl') I still think of her as my baby!

God has reminded me again today how much I have to be thankful for and how many blessings he has poured out on us. While my 3 year old was thrilled to open presents this morning, I know she is still one of the best gifts I have ever received. An amazing gift from God. And I will continue to cherish her, teach her and love her through many more birthdays!

Thought for the Day - from 'Nana'

Dear Mothers,

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you" ~Isaiah 54~

What a wonderful thing to know about our Father in heaven. He loves us no matter what and is always there for us.... in the good times and the bad. All we have to do it respond to Him. So when you feel frazzled, uncertain or just overwhelmed by managing your family and home...read this passage again and remember His peace and love will meet you wherever you are!

Tips for the Amusement Park & Big Attractions - by Wendy

Before you head out to the amusement park, check out these quick tips:

• Wear bright colors! Put your children in the same shirt or same color to make it easier to find everyone. (Brightly colored bathing suits and rash guards work for water parks.)
• If you have a stroller, buy one or two balloons to tie onto it, so the rest of your family can spot you easily.
• Have a signal or whistle that everyone knows to respond to.
• Bring walkie talkies to use if you split up (or to communicate when waiting in those long lines).
  
• Create a meeting place in case you get lost or split up. Show everyone where it is before you head off to the rides and discuss what to do if you get lost.
• Bring a small first aid kit (bandaids, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, alcohol swabs, etc...) so you can deal with any minor scrapes or injuries quickly and easily. Don't forget the pepto-bismol, tums or whatever best settles the little tummies in your family.