Product Endorsement

Before I turned 30, I never worried about beauty products.  Don't misunderstand me, I indulged in makeup and hair treatments plenty-- but I never really paid too much attention to brands and regiments.  The older I get, the more effort and maintenance is required to look (at least semi) attractive.  I don't like it.  I've always considered myself to be low-maintenance.  But I have found a few products that I really love.

Glow, by Hard Candy.

I read a magazine article written by Jennifer Lopez's makeup artist in Allure.  He claims that Jennifer is quite pale and does not have a natural glow about her-- that it is all in the right makeup.  I think J. Lo is so beautiful.  I was encouraged to read that her luminous beauty is, in large part, a result of the right makeup regimen.

I am fortunate to have lived in places that allow me to swim and soak up the sun regularly for 7-8 months out of the year.  I love being tan and haven't had to "fake bake" in a very long time.  But I have found my solution for the winter months.  Glow is a bronzer that enhances a tan and produces a "natural glow".  I love it.  I bought a large bottle at Walmart (classy, I know) months ago and it is still going strong.

Essie Nail Polish

My sister introduced me to Essie.  I love it.  I rarely paint my fingernails because the polish chips too easily.  The only polish I will use on my fingers is Essie.  The colors are so subtle and gorgeous.  I recently bought the color "Master Plan" (see picture above).  Lance calls my nails, "Primer nails"-- but I get a ton of compliments when I wear it.

Philosophy, Falling in Love

I first discovered this scent while shopping in Fresno in 2007.  I have been obsessed with it for five years now.  I don't buy it very often (I am prone to cheap perfume knock-offs and haven't found one for Falling in Love yet).  Lance bought me a bottle of Falling in Love, Summer for our anniversary a few months ago.  Love it.

What I need are some recommendations for 1. skin care (I have never put much effort into my skin at all.  But now that I am over 30, I figure I better start doing something) and 2. mascara  I feel as though I have tried every conceivable mascara out there.  I have made a hobby of it.  But I am still looking for one mascara product that "wows" me.   So... speak up and tell me what your products are!

Slappy's 3

Chase didn't seem to have much concept of birthday celebrations.  I spent all last week telling him about cake and presents and singing "Happy Birthday".  It must have worked because I woke up yesterday with Chase by my bed saying "Its my happy birthday! Cake!  Presents!"  (Ahhhh... another birthday diva is created!)

We were low-key with this one (read: lazy).  Family party after church.  Boring store-bought cake.  I usually spring for one of the decorated, custom-made cakes at the bakery.  I had this one in mind:  

This is what we ended up with.  Lazy, but Chase loved it.

 The kid cleaned up with superhero toys.  He's in heaven.

Am I sad that my youngest is already 3?  Nope.  I am ecstatic.  I love this kid-- its fun to see him growing up.

I took this video for Lance's parents.  It was too big to send via email, so I am posting it here.  Its probably boring for the rest of you.

For the Last Time

I am potty training this week. For the last time.  This has become my mantra- "This is the last time I will ever have to do this."  Repeated over and over again-- in my head and out loud.  (Well, that and "potty training is for sucks".  I say that a lot too.)

Actually, Chase hasn't been that bad.  For starters, he and I are alone from 7:30 until 4:15 every day.  He gets way more personal attention than Zoie and Tobin ever did at this age.  Also, Slappy will be 3 this Sunday.  His "advanced" age have made this (relatively) painless.  And I am really not nearly as busy as I would have been if I were still living in Florida (read: not much social life).  I'm kind of enjoying that part.

Slappy has always been a challenging kid-- mostly due to his stubborn, loud personality.  But with all of this "alone" time that he and I have every day, I'm developing quite a soft spot for the kid.  I don't even mind (much) asking him in a happy, excited voice 10X an hour, "Want to go potty?" 

For the last time.  Ever.

On Being a Mom... Views From a Cynic

This post contains no parenting advice. I could never pretend to have cracked the parenting code. I am not sure that I will ever be qualified to advise anyone on the great challenge of parenting.

Rather, this post is aimed at moms in social settings.  Most moms have some sort of "mom support"-- a play group, some random people at the local park, even an online forum.  I have had plenty of experience with these social situations, so here is a word to the wise:  If you find yourself ostracized from play dates and park get-togethers, perhaps you have broken one of these cardinal rules...

1.  Be honest about your kids.  Brag about your kids and complain about your kids.  But do both.  This rule has no exceptions. 
Don't be the cranky mom who is constantly whining about the horrors of motherhood.  You make us laugh and we can all sympathize, but then you are a drag and we start to feel sorry for your husband and kids. 
And please, please don't be the Mom who is shamelessly bragging non-stop about how her 6 month-old knows the alphabet and balances the budget.  We are impressed with the occasional achievement-- we roll our eyes and stop believing you with constant bragging.  If you really can't find anything to say that is not glowing and positive, then at least humor the rest of us with a generic comment like:
"It definitely takes patience to be a Mom", or "My kid sure does wear me out sometimes". 
You get the idea. Be real.  Being a mom is amazing... and exhausting.  Find a balance.

2.  Don't ever refer to yourself as a "Mommy".  Unless you are using a direct quote from your child, the word "Mommy" really should never pass your lips.  Its not cute.  Its akin to baby talk (which is also not cute).  You are not a stay-at-home "mommy".  You are a stay-at-home mom.  You do not love being a "mommy".  You love being a mom.  Please get it right.  The next time you get an urge to refer to yourself (while speaking to another adult) as a "mommy"-- stop it.

3.  Your kid is not acting out in class because he/ she is so advanced that they are bored. If I had a dollar for every parent who told me this, I'd be rich.  It is possible to be smart and also well-behaved.  If your kid is acting up in class-- it is not up to the teacher to challenge them more (that is a separate issue).  It is up to your kid to learn how to behave.
 

I realize how cynical this sounds.  Just a heads-up for new moms finding their footing in social situations.  You are welcome.

School 2012

First day of school!  The kids (and I) have been looking forward to school starting ever since we moved here.  They both love school-- let's hope that continues...

This will mark the first time that the kids are able to take a bus.  They were so excited and nervous about this.  I am mostly just excited.  No more long drop-off/pick-up lines for me!  And their bus stop is only one house away.

My cute school kids

Big Kindergarten Boy!

Standard Zoie pose (She's 7... what can you do?)

2nd Grade Girl

Chase trying to get in on the act

The Boys

So happy!

Waiting at the bus stop

And waiting...

And waiting...

At last!

A moment of separation anxiety

Rasmussen Family Adventures

The first thing we noticed about Kingwood (the city we live in) are all the trails that run through the trees that are EVERYWHERE in the town (recall: Kingwood is called the "livable forest").  Lance and I said, "Wouldn't it be fun to go on family bike rides through the forest?"  We agreed that it would.

And so we do.  We quickly taught Tobin to ride without training wheels.  We bought cheap bikes from Wal-mart and a trailer for Slappy.  And now we engage in "Rasmussen Family Adventures" several times a week. (That is literally what we call it.  I don't even think we've referred to it as a "bike ride" yet).

Since we ride through the forest, its not too hot (relatively speaking--  It IS August in Texas, after all).  There are 75 miles of trails through Kingwood, so come across parks and playgrounds fairly regularly. We always stop and play and bring snacks and drinks.  We even found a large turtle population that we like to throw crackers at from the bridge.  Its our favorite thing.

I love my old lady beach cruiser.  Lance looks hot toting the baby trailer behind his mountain bike.  We've become "that" dorky family.  Still... its so much fun.  It'll be even better in the winter. 

 The only pictures I captured were of Zoie on the move, so here they are (above).  I may include a few stock photos (below).

Another Random List

Whenever I don't really feel like writing anything of any kind of significance, I make a list instead.  This particular list is of things I hate.  I am generally a pretty positive person.  This type of negativity is a bit out of character-- but people who don't posses strong feelings of any kind are boring.  So, without further ado:

Things I hate:

1. UF Gators
2. Holding my breath
3. Any professional sports team from Pittsburgh
4. Country music and Heavy Metal
5. R. Kelly
6. Generic, unfunny sitcoms that are inexplicably popular (Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory, etc.)
7. Being tickled
8. A messy kitchen
9. Insincerity
10. Being pale