No electronics day

Today the kids had a "No computer games/video games/Nintendo DS/Gameboy/ T.V" day. And they survived!!
Wednesday I heard a lady on the radio talk about how she does this once a week to encourage her children's imagination and physical play. I decided to try it out today because it was a school day for everyone and the weather was beautiful for playing outside. Gotta ease them into these things. The one who was most affected by it was Alex. He really loves his Gameboy Pokeman games and his television cartoons. So instead he played with his Pokeman action figures, rode outside on his scooter, played on the swingset and read books with me. I plan on doing this every Thursday. I'll keep you updated.

Coloring pages

The kids and I found a great website for free coloring pages. It has every cartoon character we could think of plus holidays and seasons. www.coloringbookfun.com

Like father like daughter

Jeff and Rebekah have such a great relationship. The two of them have a similar sense of humor and can make light of anything. Almost daily I am struck by what a good time they have together. It pleases me to no end to see my daughter have such a fantastic relationship with her dad.

Emma's journal

Today Emma brought home a composition notebook that she had filled at school. I want to share with you her October 8, 2007 entry: "I do not know how my mom does it all in one day. She is so cool. I wish she was a popstar. I love my mom. I can not love her more. I love my dad. He is the best ever. He is cool to me. I get to see him almost every day."

School pictures

This week Rebekah and Emma came home with their school class pictures. It reminded me of showing them my own class pictures at their ages. This prompted me to post my school pictures from 4th grade (Rebekah's grade) and 1st grade (Emma's grade). Take yours out... your kids would love to see them.

Couples quiz

1. What is your husband's age? 41

2. How long have you been together? Married for 12 years and dated 9 months prior to that (so including the time from our anniversary in January.. 12 years and 10 months total)

3. Who eats more? Jeff

4. Who said I love you first? Me

5. Who is taller? Jeff by about 3 inches

6. Who sings better? Jeff

7. Who is smarter? Jeff, no doubt about it!

8. Who does the laundry? Me

9. Who does the dishes? Me

10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jeff

11. Who pays the bills? I do with the money he earns! Thanks honey!

12. Who mows the lawn? Rodriquez Lawn Service

13. Who cooks dinner? Me

14. Who drives when you are together? We take my car when it is the whole family and either one of us drives. If it's just he and I then we take his truck and he's in the driver's seat!

15. Who is more stubborn? tough one to call... sorry Jeff, but I think it's you

16. Who is the first to admit when they're wrong? Jeff (I'll admit it sometimes just to be the marytr or end the discussion. Then there are other times when I really am wrong - can it be?!)

17. Whose family do you see the most? Mine

18. Who kissed whom first? Jeff kissed me. Well, he attempted to and I moved my head not allowing him. The next date he tried and I complied.

19. Who proposed? Jeff

20. Who is more sensitive? ME!

21. Who has more friends? Me (isn't that the norm with men and women?)

22. Who has more siblings? Jeff . I have one sister, he has a sister, a brother (deceased) and two adoptive siblings from his dad's remarriage

23. Who wears the pants in the family? Jeff, he doesn't have the legs for a skirt!

Beauty favorites

I am always on the hunt for the best and affordable beauty products. These are a few of my favorites.
Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara in Brown Black: Genetics blessed me with nice long eyelashes so I don't buy a mascara for lengthening or thickening. I just need one to enhance what I already have. This mascara is the best for me because it isn't clumpy and does not smudge with all the sweating I do in our weather.
Burt's Bees Lip Balm in Pomegranate: I apply this in the morning before I do my lipstick. It conditions without being greasy and has such a nice light taste and scent. At most retailers it sells for $3 a tube.
BeautiControl Secret Agent Liquid Foundation: With all the makeup choices we ladies have now I just can't seem to get away from the liquid base. I prefer the BC one because it covers very well, stays put all day, is priced well at $15, and comes in such an array of shades you are sure to find the perfect match.
bareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder: I was a diehard user of Cornsilk loose powder for all of my adult life. Then a few months ago a friend showed me her bareMinerals makeup and I tried her Mineral Veil. WOW! It adds such a nice softness to my makeup and you will use such a small amount each time. The price tag of $19 may seem like a lot but this product will last you a long time.
bareMinerals Bisque: This is their concealer and it is just fantastic. This covers blemishes, redness, and my scarring so well. Bisque is the best product for great concealer coverage. It is in powder form and just makes your problem spots disappear.
Sebastian Shaper Hairspray: This hairspray is for "brushable hold control" but doesn't fall flat in our humidity. I like the aerosol formula and I can keep the top of my hair in place while still having the rest movable and touchable.

Jeff returns with presents

Jeff returned home Thursday and brought gifts from Europe. Emma received a Manchester futbol team scarf, Rebekah got a towel with a griffin on it, and Alex got a jester type hat with England's insignia. He also brought them each an art print souvenir from the National Gallery. The wonderful mother who did such a fine job taking care of his children in his absence was given a box of delicous Belgium chocolate truffles.

Mom Logic

Today I discovered a fun little website. www.momlogic.com It's moniker is "for thinking moms who don't have time to think."

Technology challenged

Alright, I admit it. I am technologically challenged. Let me tell you why. We woke up today without any extended cable service. See, we had to get digital converter boxes for our televisions due to the all digital mandate from the government. I have the boxes and tried to set it all up by talking with Jeff, talking with En-touch, reading the directions and I still can't make heads or tails of it all. It should be a simple thing of attached the cable into the new box but that's not doing it. This is a very good example of how well matched Jeff and I are. He is the brains behind the technology and finances and I am good at everything else!

Swivel Sweeper

Let me tell you about this fantastic cleaning machine! It is the cordless Swivel Sweeper and runs on a rechargeable battery. It is lightweight, durable and quiet. (So lightweight and easy to use that even Alex helps me out with the cleaning.) Did your little one dump out all of the bird's food? Swivel sweep it! Did your other little one drop his bowl of goldfish crachers? Swivel sweep it! Did your cat make a big mess with the litter? Swivel sweep it!

I have had mine for almost a year now; and it has helped tremendously when I have a showing on the house. Rather than lug out the vacuum to do the downstairs I simply pull the sweeper out and zip, zip, zip right through. You can buy it at most major retailers including Bed Bath & Beyond where you can use your 20% off coupon. (Retail price is $34.95 less the 20%)

Sisters