A few favorites

So I wanted 'a few favorites' to be a part of my blog. I happen to be a lover of many things and an avid shopper (to the chagrin of my dear husband). Once in awhile I'll share something I've found that I love. I may have purchased it and be using it or I may just love it and hope to find an occasion to use it one day. Or I may just really like something about it and want to share it with you.

My first today is this fabulous lip balm/gloss/SPF protection from fresh. I'd been seeing it in many, many magazines and had already tried the plain (no color) version which I loved. This incarnation is Rose and lovely.

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  Silky, not sticky
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  Has just enough color to make it look like you've been tasting a Popsicle (perfect for summer!)
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  Has SPF 15 which is an extra good-for-you step.

Now I've started seeing a plum addition. Guess what I'll be getting when fall rolls around!

Secondly and not nearly as exciting but oh-so important is a great facial cleanser. Trust me, I have tried LOTS and LOTS of them. I've also discovered in the last couple of years that I tend to have dry skin. So...while reading a dermatologist-written book I discovered CeraVe cleanser and lotion. The bonus of the whole deal is its available at drugstores and locally for me at CVS pharmacy/drugstore. That also means no shipping and handling and a reasonable price, hooray!

My first favorites but definitely not my last. What are some of your favorites?

Cool stuff

So I just discovered Lisa Leonard is doing a giveaway! She has a terrific blog {click here to read} and super-fun jewelry {click here to shop}. I happened to get a Father's Day gift for Mr. M from her as well.

Anyway, here are a couple of my favorites.

family crest necklace

I love initials and this is perfect!

key to my heart necklace

I love, love, love this. The key for Mr. M of course and then the sweet charms for my sweet girls. Does it get any better?!?!?!

fly free necklace

I love this sentiment in general but perhaps its especially fitting as I am officially the mother of a school girl this Wednesday. Kindergarten here we come!

Lisa Leonard also has a son who will soon have heart surgery. Say a prayer and think good thoughts.

What's your favorite? Comment and let me know.

7 things...

I just found a new blog and had to share. It's called the good life for less. I know, the name is so good you HAVE to check it out! I'm still reading posts but came across Jill's "7 things" post and just had to do it myself. Here are my 7 things....

1. I love Bravo TV. Real Housewives of XYZ, Rachel Zoe Project, Flipping Out, Top Chef, {dot}, {dot}, {dot} Don't ask me why...I already know I have better things to do and other things I should be doing. For some reason I love these shows and they are my escape from the day to day of mommyhood.

2. Kindergarten will be a good thing. Kindergarten will be a good thing. My new mantra. I completely understand that I will be unhappy/sad/overwhelmed for a few days but Miss A is VERY ready and VERY excited. Each morning I get an update of how many days remain until she can go to school. I'm trying to appreciate the way she says it, "...until I CAN go to school," because in a few years (or maybe a few days) it will be "...until I HAVE TO go to school". I'm going to be a bit sad but she is ready for more than I can give her at home and its time for new adventures.

3. I really like "new car smell". It probably goes back to the car dealership in my family. It's a great smell that can't really be duplicated. Guess I'll have to make a trip to the showroom soon:)

4. Carbs, carbs, carbs. I don't know what I'd do without you. Thankfully my genes allow me to enjoy you and get away with it.

5. Blogs are wonderful! Thank you to those of you who have them and share with others.

6. Even on my worst days I try to remember to be grateful for all that I have which is far more than one should enjoy and experience. I'm one lucky girl!!!

7. The Container Store could keep me occupied for nearly a full day. My closet is much more efficient and pretty since they designed it for me.

What are your 7 things? Put them in the comments or link to your blog. Can't wait to read them!

Birthday girl

Today was Miss K's birthday. She is already three years old! I'm not sure where the last three years went. Seems like just yesterday we were patiently (and then impatiently) waiting for her to arrive. Then I guess I blinked and suddenly today is upon me.

Now she is walking, running, jumping and dancing. She's talking (after lots of extra work!) and learning new words each and every day. She is singing and has a pretty decent voice too. She has earned the nickname, Sarge, as in Sergeant. I really don't need to say much else, do I? She barks orders, likes, dislikes and sometimes her next move. She will always say such things with confidence and enthusiasm. As in, 'This is the way we're going to do this!' 

  

Miss K is lovable and loving. She likes to cuddle occasionally so you better take what you get. She's always willing to give you a hug and/or kiss though. She is very concerned about her big sister. Dropping Miss A off at her Intro. to Kindergarten class was painful until she realized it was just temporary and we'd pick her up again soon. When its just she and I we have to get treats for Miss A too. She never forgets! She asks about her daddy each morning and nearly each time we arrive back home.
 

She is very, very funny. Miss K says funny things. She does funny things. If you watch closely, I think you can see her wheels spinning. You'll always be entertained at how she plays and the determination with which she does each thing. She also 'cooks' up lots of great treats in her kitchen.

Another note about that determination I mentioned, if you ask Miss K do do something she is not interested in doing, be prepared. She will look at you and sweetly say, "no," complete with smile and maybe even a wink. 

Miss K you are quite a little lady. You make us smile and laugh each day. You also frustrate us (mostly me, I think) on occasion. I know, however, that the independent spirit you have will take you far in this world. Remember to go your own way and do what you love. I can't wait to see what you do with your humor and hard work. I'm sure you'll accomplish great things!

Happy Happy 3rd Birthday Miss K!

May your wishes come true!

Something about a fair

There's just something about a county fair. Each summer we take the girls to this little county fair near by. It's small, full of enough rides to keep them entertained and busting with people Mr. M and I grew up with, stay in touch with or just see once a year as though no time has passed.

Sometimes the pictures are all you need to see. I hope you all find a fun summer fair. Remember its not really a fair without...

...a parade

...a bag for the candy (you have to be prepared)

...a princess...a REAL princess

...a game

...a ride on the choo-choo train (notice the fish)

...a red car that goes fast

...and a snack, of course.

Small town days

Mr. M and I were lucky enough to grow up in a small town just north of where we currently live. He works there every day and the girls and I make the trip often. We're lucky enough to have family on both sides of the family there so it's a no-brainer!

Recently we joined a few others (really more than a few...I suppose a few hundred) to celebrate this great little town. A place where you know those who live there. A place where I grew up riding bike over to both of my grandparents' homes. A place that will always be a bit of home no matter where I go or what I end up doing.

Miss A and I began the day bright and early to walk in the inaugural Relay for Life walk/run. I really should have taken a picture or two (bad mommy blogger!). You'll have to use your imagination but it involved Miss A on rollerblades with a pink Barbie helmet. She skated the 1-mile loop (a.k.a. was pulled by Grandma and Mom) while my mom and me walked. We may have finished near the end of our division (you are really slowed down when you have to pull a 5 year-old, ocassionally on gravel) but we got medals!

Then it was time to get ready for the parade. Miss A rode in the back of a shiny black pick-up with me and Miss K got to ride in a tractor with Mr. M. She was most excited to throw candy although I have a sneaking suspicion more ended up in her mouth than out the window!
We ate at the park, watched some dancing, played at the playground, got temporary tattoos, saw kids of all ages race tricycles down Main Street and capped off the night with some great fireworks.

Let's get this parade going.

Riding with Mr. M in the "tacter"

A view from the box...as we rounded the corner Ally said, "Oh Mom, there are thousands. Hundreds!"

A wonderful day in a wonderful place.

Blogging 101

A few months ago I began to think that I should start blogging. I have become a fan of MANY (perhaps TOO many) blogs over the past couple of years. I have learned many things from blogs like how to do projects, new fashions, adorable home decor, great floor plans and fun nail polish colors. The women who write and/or edit these blogs have very interesting stories and lots of fun information to share. Maybe I have something to share?

Then there's the inevitable fact that in a couple of years both of my girls will be enjoying school all day, every day. What's a stay-at-home mom to do? I admit that it will be nice to schedule appointments without worrying about where the kids are going to go for that hour or two. However, I have a feeling that after a week or two of days alone I will begin to need something to fill some time.

I also have this problem/affliction/challenge that prevents me from keeping very good track of everyday moments/funny things that happen in our everyday life. While I hear funny conversation in the car on a regular basis I rarely (if EVER) write it down somewhere. I always think, 'I'm sure I'll remember that.' Then come bedtime I think I should tell Mr. M about it and its gone. So perhaps typing it on this computer screen will be more fun to do than writing it in one of the pretty journals I keep buying.

Here are a few things I've learned on this blogging journey.

I had long admired the cute signature Holly uses on her blog, Life in the Fun Lane. One day I scrolled over the signature and realized it came from this site. My Live Signature lets you create your very own signature to use on a blog or email. Check it out if you ever need such a service.

This little endeavor also introduced me to code. It's a whole new language and I wish I could speak it! After a little (ok, really it was ALOT) trial and error, I figured it out and got my signature moved to where I wanted it instead of way at the bottom of each post!

Don't you love all of my cute buttons? If you're not sure what I mean scroll down a bit and look at the right side of your screen. They also look like stickers from a few of my favorite blogs. You can 'grab' the code for these little guys while reading other blogs and bring them over to yours. Cross-marketing at its finest! Perhaps I'll have my very own button one day.

Everyone needs a great reminder of things they may have missed. LinkWithin lets you remind your blog's visitors of posts they may have missed. It creates a widget (another computer language word!) that puts those cute pictures and titles from other posts at the bottom of this one. I'll help you create one for yours but don't ask me to help you get it in the right spot...blame it on a computer language barrier! I hope to change the font associated with this little widget one day too. That however requires me to break that barrier again.

Then there's the wonderful world of Facebook. It is addictive as many had warned me but really fun too. You can share the link to your site as well as a little picture from it. A great way to let friends know what you're up to and increase visits to your blog.

Finally I had to figure out how to add a counter to my site. It's probably a function of my marketing degree but what's the point of doing something if you can't measure some type of result. Thank you UND College of Business for making me do this!

All in all, this blogging adventure has been a great learning experience for a stay-at-home mom. I get to flex my professional skills a bit on a personal level. I get to share some fun stories from my wonderful family. It's also a great (and more fun) way to record what we're doing in our lives. I'm sure all of these reasons will continue to be very worthwhile for a long, long time.

Off to learn more wonderful things....