Let's Try Something New

From time to time I find a product, activity or accessory that I just HAVE to share. Much like Oprah's Favorite Things, but at a more realistic price point.




Newest discovery:

Avon Smooth Minerals Loose Powder Foundation

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff.

I have to admit, I have a love/hate relationship with Avon.

Love part:

When I was little my mom sold Avon. There was nothing better than every other Saturday morning finding that big box of stuff on our doorstep. Going through the products, helping my mom sort out who bought what, checking off each item and deciding which samples to give to whom. And always, there was a little lipgloss or balm perfume to be had in it for me. Good memories.

Hate part:

It does not fulfill my need for immediate gratification.

Yea, that's pretty much it. Not much to hate there.

Anyways, my mom no longer sells Avon, but she does order it. The other day I didn't have time to do my makeup for work. I was dropping off Sam at my moms for the day and since my carpooler wasn't there yet, I quick ran and used my mom's makeup. I didn't have high hopes, because in all honesty, it is MOM makeup.

I used her little kabuki brush and Smooth Minerals Loose Face Powder and it was a glorious sight! My skin is a little bit blotchy, some red tones in it (thanks to my partially Norwegian heritage). This stuff smoothed it right out, and here is the best part: without being cakey.

HALLELUJAH!

The even better best part: lasted all dang day! I glowed. All day. Trust me, I checked continually in the bathroom. I wasn't so much checking on my makeup as I was checking myself out. My skin looked FAB.

The even betterest best part: $8.99

As Denise would say: AMAZEBALLS!

DANG, this is good stuff!

Even betterest best part Sharer,

Gabbi

Call your Avon Rep, people! If you need one go online at http://http://shop.avon.com/shop/default.aspx?col=2&omnCode=Shop_Home and they will hook you up, plus you can browse right online.

Response to Trends

Grace and I have been fascinated with the new trend of jean hybrids. Seriously, we have these conversations regularly in our house, of either the wonders or the horros of what jeans can be made into.

For example:

Jeggings (Jeans + Leggings) Hmmm, interesting idea, but not for myself being in the curvaceously blessed category.

Pajama Jeans (Jeans+ Pajamas) I could get behind these, but not for $39.95 and not when they leave blue stains on any body part they happen to touch. Yes, I know someone who bought them and returned them. I suppose if you wash them before trying them on the smurf effect may go away, but once washed, no return-y. Not worth the risk.

Junderpants (Jeans + Underpants) This, I am just distraught over. I am not even sure where to go with this.

Grace had an amazing insight this morning into the NEXT BIG THING:

GENDERPANTS!

Genderpants are for people who want to HIDE THEIR GENDER!

I am assuming Genderpants are more for the male persuasion, but I could be wrong.

I am also assuming they come with some type of a backwards, grippy pouch for any manly bits that need to be tucked away. Maybe there is some creative usage of sticky tape or rubber speed bumps to hold things in place.

Genderpants. I like it. And my daughter will be a millionaire and I won't have to work and I can just blog all day. Lucky you.

ALL FEMALE GENDER,

Gabbi

Peaceful Parenting

My peaceful parenting techniques have been tested by decidedly UNpeaceful children.

I really think they are both seeing me more peaceful and are just checking how far will I really take this whole "peaceful" thing.

How much can they get away with before my head pops off and lava bursts out of my neck?!?

We got close to a lava explosion.

Disaster was barely averted when the "F" bomb escaped someone's lips...I won't say who....but it was not Sam.

I took a moment or three and I managed to just say "You know what? I love you and I want you to be happy and have all the things you desire in life. But, I would not be a good mom if I let you behave like a fool and then rewarded you for it."

OK, this was moments after I yelled "SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"

But still. It's a work in progress, don't get all judgy on me.

Do you find when you have a new bit of knowledge or insight, it seems to be tested routinely after you discover it?

As if the Universe is just making sure you REALLY got it.

Well, I think I REALLY got it. When Sam has been throwing fits, I have been saying things like "Wow, I can tell you are really angry. It is ok to be angry, but it is not ok to scream or throw a fit. Why don't you come hug me and we can talk about it."

I was so proud when, after being told he could not do something (insert random half dangerous half hilarious activity) told me:

Sam: "Mom, I am SO ANGRY at you right now."

Mom: "I know, I would be mad if I REALLY wanted to do something and my mom told me no. But, Moms make the rules and sometimes we don't like them, but we still have to follow them. Give me hug."

And he did. He came over and hugged me. And for the most part, he felt better. He said how he felt, I acknowledged it and yet still kept the boundaries firmly in place. I loved that he TOLD me how he felt instead of throwing himself on the floor or stomping or hitting or any of those other physical activities that SHOW me he is angry.

It seems as though I have a better handle on peacefully dealing with my 4 year old, and then the 12 year old acts out.

This is the Universe saying "You SURE you got this?"

I GOT THIS,

Gabbi aka Mama Peace with a tiny bit of lava

Super Fun!

This weekend Sam, Grace and I went to Mankato, MN to see my niece Ari graduate from college.

First, let me say how I am BURSTING with pride over my niece Ari. She is so amazing. Every time I see her I feel inspired to be a better person and to look fabulous doing it!

So, congratulations Ari, on being the first woman in our family to graduate from college. I could not be more proud of you.

Besides being a senior in college this year, Ari also worked at the brand spanking new Children's Museum in Mankato http://cmsouthernmn.org/ . She was one of the first employees and helped to create this brand new space for children to learn and explore their world. Sam and I got to experience it firsthand on Friday night.

Musical Maestros


HOLY TAPE SCAPE!

This is Sam and I inside the Tape Scape! The Tape Scape is the first of it's kind in the US. I was so fortunate to speak with Eric, the designer of the Tape Scape. The Tape Scape is a large structure you can walk, bounce, zoom, slide, glide and basically have super fun inside of, and it is made completely of TAPE! It took 240 hours to build and over 15 miles of tape! Huge THANKS to 3M for donating all of the tape. Eric, you did an awesome job!

There were plenty of other exhibits to keep the kiddos and the big kiddos (ME!) totally engaged and entertained, such as; tent play, they had a fisshing area with a real fishing boat you could sit in and a kayak you could test out, a fun play house with food and a garden out front you could harvest your food from, and a large area of foam blocks you could use to build a fort, an art store where you can buy very inexpensive supplies for your art-y projects, and don't get me started on the FAB shoes in the Dress up area! It also gave me many projects ideas to bring home and incorporate into our "real life".

What an amazingly fun time we had. Not to mention The Science Museum of Minnesota did a presentation called Suitcase Science which their website http://www.smm.org/suitcase/ describes as:

"Suitcase Science is a community-inspired theatre piece and exhibit that highlights many scientific disciplines: anthropology, geology, chemistry, sociology, and more!"

I actually learned a ton and laughed my butt off. Who knew silver is antibacterial??

We also did some of my other favorite things, such as eat at Chipotle (on my food program, I must proudly add), watched Despicable Me, and all pig piled into Ari's bedroom for a good long snooze.

Saturday morning, I hooted and hollered as Ari's name was announced, and she walked across the stage to get her degree, Cum Laude, no less.

I am so proud of you. I think I might have said that before, but just in case you missed it:

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!

BURSTING,

Aunti Gabbi

MAD SCIENTISTS!

This weekend, the kids and I played MAD SCIENTIST!

My four year old has had this awful habit of making "Potions" all over my house. I hadn't found a good way to deal with his getting into things he knows full well he should not be getting into. To be honest, I have felt exasperated. Opening my shower curtain to find a full tube of toothpaste squirted in it, is not exactly my favorite way to start the day; regardless of how creative and intricate the design.

Or walking upstairs to discover my hallway looks like this:

Not only is it a huge mess...but seriously, only MacGyver, and now my son, know how shaving cream and peroxide react to each other. The kid could blow up my house one day!

After spending a couple of weeks reading this website:

http://www.ahaparenting.com/

Which emphasizes peaceful parenting, did I come up with a proactive approach to try to head off his potion making.

The plan is this:

I made a sticker chart. For everyday that he stay out of the potion making business, he gets a sticker. Once he has accumulated 6 stickers, he and I do a science project/potion together.

I started off this Saturday with a fun and easy project for him and I to do together.

For this, he needed to earn no stickers. This science project was just to entice him in....give him a little taste of the fun we can have TOGETHER, and hope it is enough to keep him wanting more and out of my cabinets!

Here is how it went:

1. We put on our aprons



2. We gathered our supplies: plates, whole milk, food coloring, Q-tips and soap (yes, Grace, we see you, Silly Girl!

3. We poured just enough milk to cover the bottom of our plates

4. We prepared our magic wands a.k.a. Q-Tips by covering the tips in soap

5. We put drops of food coloring into our milk

6. And then: we swirled!

This project was perfect for all of the kids ages ranging from 1-12!

Even the baby had a blast.

So far, Sam has earned 2 stickers towards making a VOLCANO!!!

I feel really proud of myself for finding a way to solve this issue without it involving punishment. I love that I am now able to indulge his desire to explore his world in a safe way and while creating more of a bond between us. Last night he was so excited to put a sticker on his chart and to talk about the volcano we are going to make. This is a major win win for both of us.

Mad Scientist and Peaceful Parent,

Gabbi