Wet n’ Wild Product Review

Last week I purchased Wet n’ Wild Ultimate brow retractable brow pencil. I was skeptical of the product because of the price. $2.99 for a brow pencil. I was impressed! The pencil applied very smooth, it also has a tapered end to allow you to easily carve out the brow arch. The pencil come with a spooly on the opposite end for easy blending. The brow pencil was very easy to blend to give a natural look. I was also impressed by how long it lasted. It lasted all day without fading. I don’t touch my eyes or brows throughout the day. If you rubbed your brow it would come off fairly easily.

Overall, I would highly recommend this product and will definitely be repurchasing it. For the price you cannot beat it! I have tried high end and drugstore brow pencils (Anastasia of Beverly Hills, Lorél) and I think this one applies better than those.

I am also going to be trying their foundation and other products and let you know how they wear.

Rolo Cookies: Easy & Delicious

I’m always up for an easy and delicious anytime treat! Over the holidays, we were invited to a party where Rolo cookies were brought for a dessert. YUM! Sweet and savory — caramel, chocolate, salty, and crunch! I decided this was going to be a new go to potluck dessert or an easy anytime treat for the house. Below are steps to make these simple yet delicious Rolo cookies!

Ingredients: 1 bag of Rolo candies, 1 bag of square pretzels

1. Pre-heat the over to 250 degree
2. while oven is pre-heating unwrap Rolo candies (most time consuming part, ask for help from spouse or kids!)
3. Line cookie sheet with tinfoil or wax paper.
4. Place pretzel squares on lined cookie sheet and place one Rolo candy on top.
5. Heat in oven for 3 minutes — not a minute longer!
6. Squish another square pretzel on top of the soften candy
7. Allow to cool, or place in freezer for 10-15 minutes faster cooling time.
8. Enjoy!

Dear Babysitter

Dear Babysitter,

Please lie to me. Please lie about the big stuff, the huge stuff. Please lie about the giggles, the hugs, the first steps, the first words. You get to hold him and comfort him in my absents while I am at work. Please keep those sweet moments to yourself while he shares his “firsts” with me.

Today, was the first day I left my baby at a sitter. As I was packing his bag this morning, I thought about all the moments that you will get to have with the person that has my heart completely torn up. My head knows I need to work, but my heart wants to stay at home forever and cherish every moment.

Thankfully, I am able to have him in a comfortable environment where he can have one on one attention. Being able to have him in a private home with only three other children gives me comfort. Knowing that he is just five minutes from my work gives me strength to get through the first weeks apart, even if it is for just a short amount of time. I know he is safe and I can be to him quickly.

Finally, sweet babysitter, please lie to me about those moments so that I can have my firsts with him too. He and you will soon share a special bond that he and I don’t have, I want him to feel safe in your arms like he is in mine. Don’t lie when he talks about me or tells you he wants me. Don’t lie when he’s not had a good day and just wants his momma to hold him. I know you will let me know if he is sick or not himself, but keep those priceless moments a secret. Please keep those sweet moments to yourself while he shares his “firsts” with me.

Christmas on a Budget

This Christmas season has been very different for us. This year we added a new family member, I am on maternity leave so financially we are in a different situation than we have been in Christmas’ past.

I don’t want to be a Scrooge on Christmas so I decided to make some personal gifts for our family. We opted to not participate in all the “dirty Santa’s” gifts ($20-$30 gifts add up when you have to buy male and female). I printed out pictures of our son on Black Friday from Wal-Greens. They had 50% off sale! I printed off his birth announcements and pictures of him. Then I went to the Dollar Tree to get some frames. You have to do some searching at Dollar Tree for specific frames if you have a color scheme. I decided to choose a faux brushed metal frame that can be hung or displayed on a table. They have holiday bags 2 for $1, and tissue paper bundles for $1. All in all the gift was approximately $3 for each. WOW! A personal gift and it looks like you spent more than what you did.

For my son that is 5 weeks this week, I was torn. What to buy? He won’t remember? He doesn’t need anything? What to do? I decided that I would re-wrap some gifts he got at his baby showers. Yes they were purchased by someone else, but they are for him. The ultimate “re-gifting” at its best. He has several things under the tree and things we can photograph on Christmas morning.

For my husband, we decided not to exchange any gifts. Our son was our gift this year. However, he has been such a great support to me during my maternity leave I decided to make him a photo collage and put it in a magnet frame. He works in Tool and Dye so he has a tool box that he has at work, and no pictures yet of our son. I also wrote him a very heartfelt card. Again, Wal-Greens for the win, I got the picture for .33 cents with a 25% off coupon and the magnetic frame for $2.99. The most expensive item was the card, $5.99, you could totally write or make your own card to save even more. So, his gift was about $10.50 total.

Of Course, Christmas isn’t about the gifts it’s about Jesus’ birth and the gift of salvation. I have so much to be thankful for this year. We have been blessed beyond measure. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

My Three Names: Mommy, Maternity Leave = OVER (insert tears)

Today it hit me. I have 4 more weeks of maternity leave, then I have to leave my baby boy with a sitter. I cried today at the thought of this. I know millions of women do this every day, but I now will be dreading this impending date as it approaches. I am thankful for the 8 weeks that we will get together, but the bonding has grown so strong as it should. Who would I be if I didn’t feel this way? Today for example, my baby cried almost all day, he wanted to be held and cuddled. Some days he does this, it is normal. I am so anxious about this and probably a billion other things when I leave him. As of now we have been apart three times. Kevin keeps telling me that I need to get out more that way the day that I drop him off will be easier. EASIER??? NO! It won’t be easier. I know I am being slightly over-reactive, but what if anything can I do to ease this anxiety? It is natural and will get easier over time, but it already hurts to think about.