How To Make Play Makeup

One thing I love about the "Blog World" is that there are so many great ideas out there.

So many that I NEVER would've thought of on my own!

For example, I was over here and learned a very clever way to make play makeup for Emma Kate. 

She is always trying to put on my makeup and I know it's only going to get worse.

So here you go...

Go to The Dollar Tree, or whatever dollar store you have near you, and pick up a variety of makeup compacts, as well as some different colors of nail polish. (Or use some of your old makeup compacts and polishes you don't use anymore.)

Use a knife to dig out the makeup from the compact, wash, and then dry.

(If you're like me...resist the temptation to actually keep and use the makeup yourself. As I was doing this, I thought, "This color is actually kinda pretty...")

Then pour your polishes into the compacts.

Let dry for 2-3 days. If it's not as thick as you'd like, repeat the process.

And there you have it, replace the applicators, get some makeup sponges, and have some fun!

I also thought this could make a really cute birthday present for a sweet little girl in your life.

Fill a cute little makeup bag and wrap it up:)

3 Reasons to Smile

I do a lot of complaining about how busy life is, but when it comes down to it...

these 3 (and of course their dad) light up my life!

First Taste of Fall

On Saturday I headed over to Jeff's mom's house to make some apple pies. They had a bunch of home grown apples to use up and I had never made my own pie crust before.

Mary makes the best pie crust EVER!

And her apple pie recipe is that of her mother's.

Jeff's grandmother passed away many years ago and there is nothing I love more than to make recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.

So I had asked Mary several weeks ago if when her apples were ripe, she would teach me to how to make her apple pie.

This was what mine looked like before baking...

I baked it at home later so we could eat it hot out of the oven...

Yummm...it was so good!

And now I know how! Not as intimidating as I had thought.

Apple Pie Baking also totally got me in the Fall mood. We started our decorating this weekend...

a little early...but Connor was anxious. OK I was too!

The End to An Era

Little fact you may or may not know about me:

I watch(ed) All My Children.

I am not proud of it, but I have been watching on and off since I was 4 years old.

Since I got DVR a few years ago, I have been watching religiously.

On my days off, I look forward to getting the kids down for naps/quiet time, making my lunch, and sitting down for some quiet time with All My Children. It's my 1 hour (45 minutes if recorded) of "me time."

A couple of months ago when I started hearing the rumors that they were ending the show, I felt a little relief..."I can actually be productive during nap time now!"

But then I started thinking about what memories the show brings back for me.

I have memories of watching it daily with my mom.

(I look back now and can't believe she let me watch that crap at such a young age!)

I also have memories of watching it at Grandma and Grandpa Heiden's house.

They would make sandwiches, grab some chips, and a Diet Coke, and sit down for an hour to "enjoy" the show. I can still hear my grandfather, yes I said grandfather, yelling at the TV, "Damnit Dixie! What are you doing?!" 

At Grandma and Grandpa Ed's house it was a little different...the show was on the big old TV in the kitchen.  We would sit at the kitchen table there and watch it while we ate lunch.

With 3 of my 4 grandparents now gone, these memories take me back to my childhood and some of the wonderful times I spent with them.

I must admit that it's not all about the memories of time spent with my family...I have memories of Cliff and Nina, Jenny and Greg (whom were on in 1983!) Ryan and Greenlee, Haley and Matteo...probably tied for my favorite all-time couples. It's crazy to look back at Tad, Jessie, and Angie (who were probably in their early 20's when I started watching) and see them in their 50's now.

I know, I know, judge me if you will.

When I was at the grocery store last week and saw this on the News-stand...I deliberated. I am not one to spend $12 on a magazine. I am also not one to keep things forever. But Dominic said to me, "Mom, you have to buy this! You'll have it forever!"

He was right...I will probably have it forever.

I will also hold dear the memories of the show as well as the memories it brings along with it...forever.

No, I will not be following the internet version that will continue.

It's time to say "Goodbye."

(Ok, I'll probably take a little peek!)

Ditching 6th Period

It's pretty sad when you have to use Back to School Night as your Date Night!

Tonight Jeff and I went to Dominic's high school for Back to School Night. Dominic always loves this night because we go, analyze his teachers, and upon picking him up from Youth Group, give him the "run-down" on what we think in the car. Jeff and I always make lots of jokes and we all laugh really hard.

I, on the other hand, "struggle" with this night for a few reasons...

1. His high school is our former high school's rival and being that Jeff and I both participated in school sports, just seeing the purple color around campus makes us shudder:)

2. I feel OLD!

3. I realize how little it is that Jeff and I get out together and it has come to the fact that we can almost call Back to School Night..."Date Night!"

Dominic is now a Sophmore. WOW! He is also taking 4, yes I said it...FOUR AP classes!

Shoot me now!

So I was very anxious to see what these classes are going to be like and get a feel (from my own perspective, rather than Dom's) of what the teachers are all about.

1st through 4th periods went pretty much as expected.

The bell rang for us to head to 5th period.

After searching for the classroom, feeling like a Freshman on her 1st day of school holding hands with her boyfriend (yup...we held hands!) we arrived to find a few parents standing outside a dark, locked up classroom. Hmmm...now I'm back in college..."Do we stay? Will the instructor arrive shortly? If we leave, will we get marked absent?" 

After about 30 seconds of deliberation, we walked away. Just as I was thinking, "Thank the Lord I have time to use the bathroom," Jeff said to me,

 "Let's ditch 6th period and go get dessert before we have to pick up Dom!" 

Needless to say, dessert won when faced with the choice of that or AP Environmental Science.

So there you have it folks...while our son is embarking on a huge, intellectual year of growth and critical thinking...his parents are ditching class!

I swear we talked about him the whole time...

And we did get a little "Date" time in as well.

Nonetheless we are so proud of this young man.

(August 2011 School Picture)

Goodbye Cast

Today we said Goodbye to Emma Kate's cast!

(She didn't even cry as they literally sawed it off!)

Yeahhhhhhh!!!!!!

The boys decorated it this weekend.

She would point to the pictures and say, "Choo Choo" and "Baby!"

Today we also welcomed back water play and a real bath!

There's nothing like running through the sprinklers in the Summer-time.

She hasn't been able to play in the water or take a bath in over 3 weeks.

This girl was so happy today.

We have another week and a half till we can go play on the playground at the park to allow for a little more strength just in case. That's ok though, because I get to look at that beautiful little arm again.

Happy:)

Oh, and Dom's off the crutches and walking normally again!

Double Happy:) :)

Happy Monday!

Ummm...This is what Emma Kate looked like in the car on the way to the birthday party yesterday.

Awesome!

Hope your Monday doesn't look like this;)

Garbage Truck Birthday

Last week my nephew, Corben, turned 2!

It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating his 1st birthday.

I cannot tell you how much I love this kiddo. He is so easy-going and always is up for some

Auntie Laura Hugs!

Today we headed over to his house for a Garbage Truck Birthday Party.

(This boy loves garbage trucks and anytime you have something to toss away, Corben wants to help.)

Birthday Boy

  

And the party was done in true Becki fashion...So Cute!

She is so good at all the details.

Emma Kate was dressed in her fun party dress.

And shoes.

(Why does my daughter with the broken arm insist on being at the top of the playground?!?!)

Connor thought it was pretty cool to wear his Papa's hat.

Dominic (AKA Spiderman) got to relax and enjoy this party as himself.

Emma Kate thought what the boys were up to was pretty interesting.

The men got to hang a bit.

We sang to Mr. Corbie and enjoyed cupcakes.

The party was great. No organized games or activities. Just families catching up and kids having a blast.

The new BBQ he got for his birthday was a hit with everyone!

Happy Birthday Corben!

We love you buddy!

Changes

 Today was a big day around here. After careful consideration and much prayer, we decided to enroll Connor in the after-school program at his school. Up until today, he has always been with family or close family friends while I'm working. But we feel he needs a little more these days.

So today was his first day. And he was excited! I was nervous. I've been having a hard time with the idea that he's "at school" all day. But I keep reminding myself that it's only 3 days a week. And on Monday's, Bunga is going to pick him up early.

When Jeff picked him up today he was all excited and said that he had fun.

When I arrived home a few hours later and asked how his day had been, he replied,

 "Loooong! I missed you Mommy. I walked around for a while saying, 'Momma, Momma.'"

OK rip my heart out why don't you!

Nonetheless, we feel that he will adjust and really enjoy it. I pray.

Connor wasn't the only one in a new place.

Emma Kate went to daycare as well. It won't be on a regular basis but there are many times when we have parents out of town and we are scrambling for a place for the kids to go.

I had received a flyer on my doorstep almost a year ago and just tucked it away for a rainy day. Last week I called the lady (who owns an in-hone-daycare) and met with her immediately.

Emma Kate loved her home and lucky for us...she takes "Drop-In's" at a very affordable price!

I was "fine" until she started to scream as I left.

Then I called Rose for backup...or rather a pick me up...so I wouldn't cry too.

We all made it through the day...some better than others!

(In other words...them better than me:)

Tuesday With Gram

Meet Gram.

88 Years Old...I think?

Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Mother of 6.

Grandmother of 11.

Great-Grandmother of 9.

Husband of over 60 years passed away almost 1 year ago.

Gram lives about 5 minutes away and for extenuating circumstances we don't see her as often as I would like. But there are times that she joins us for an afternoon and dinner. Yesterday was one of those times. Everytime she joins us, I think about how I should not let the business of life get in the way of having her over more often. Here's the thing about Gram. She "suffers" from dimensia. Which means her short term memory is pretty much shot. I say "suffers" because she isn't really suffering. She has no clue that she asks the same question over and over throughout our visit, or that she has commented 20 times over the past 3 hours on how cute Emma Kate's shoes are.

Nonetheless, I cannot tell you how much I love to watch her watch my children. Her eyes light up when she sees them and they twinkle as she interacts with them. She is totally content to sit on the couch and watch Dora with Emma Kate or read Connor a story. And when I am too busy making dinner to sit and look at the latest Toys R Us ad with Connor, Gram is ready and willing. Just when I think that she isn't "there" listening to our conversation, she interjects with some hilarious comment that is totally applicable!

I love this woman and I love that my children are able to spend this precious time with her.

(Yes, she is sitting in the kids Anywhere Chair!)

I can also try new recipes on her, like this one I got over at Kim's blog.

I didn't have the Basil Cream Sauce that she made, but it was still delicious. I think I had "4ths."

"Pre-Baking:"

"Post-Baking:"

I got the zucchini from my neighbor's garden...it was the biggest zucchini I have ever seen in my life!

And I had all the rest of the ingredients on hand. Nice!

Jeff isn't a big fan of zucchini and I can't say that this recipe helped that at all. But the kids, Gram, and I loved them!

Do you have a zucchini recipe that you love? I'll take all I can get.

And So It Begins

This morning marked the first day of volunteering for Connor's teacher.

31 Students

6 Homework Pages

+

1 Reading Log

+

1 Flyer

=

31 Homework Packets complete, stapled, and ready to return at Pickup today.

It's really not much. I wish I could volunteer more, but it's difficult to get into the classroom with an 18 month old at home. I just can't believe how little funding and help our teachers get these days. So any little way I can help...I'm game.

Happy Thursday!

Tegan's Wedding: Wedding Day

Here we are! The big day finally arrived!

One thing I love about being in a wedding is that we get to do all the fun "girly" things like getting our hair done, makeup, and dressing up. These are all things that with 3 kids, I don't get much time to spend on these things. And if I do spend much time on any of it, it usually involves someone pulling on my leg or being interrupted by the buzzer of the dryer, etc...

Here's Kim getting her hair done. Yup. That's two girls working on her at one time. Superstar!

We're all ready for pictures...

So beautiful..

These 2 took me back to my wedding day and so reminded me of Dominic and me. So much excitement of a new and growing family.

I don't have any pictures of the ceremony but I think Heidi has a couple.

The reception, however was held at The Woman's Club in Lodi. It was a beautiful old building. Perfect for the reception!

Some other wedding details...

Placecards.

The tables (before the flower centerpieces.)

The Candy Bar.

Mmmm...cake and cupcakes! My fave!

Cigar Bar.

The Party.

Couples.

For some reason I like to pucker up for pictures with my girlfriends...

(Maybe because I love them so much...or the fact that when I make that face it stretches out my chubby cheeks and chin...shhh...don't tell!)

See?

Sisters.

Lindsey and I had some camera fun. This is one of many!

More of The Girls.

There was dancing.

And more dancing.

And more. (I believe this was during a Michael Jackson song:)

There was dancing with a certain Uncle.

And "very deep" conversations;)

(Love that pic!)

Ohh...sad dark picture of our Toms:(

These two are so in love. I couldn't be happier for Tegan. This weekend only solidified what a perfect match Matt is for her.

Love you guys and thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day!

Now it's time to catch up on my sleep!