Solo Mission with the Kids

It's was a beautiful Friday here in SoCal. The sun was out and, most importantly, Mama had a day off! On top of that, I was able to get a solid 6 hours of sleep the night before. Feeling energized, with the help of 2 cups of morning coffee, I decided that I'd take the kids out to Sea World. Solo! Some may refer to this as a suicide mission. Alone, at an amusement park, with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. What possessed me to be so adventurous?

Dada had to go to work and make some $$$ to support this SoCal lifestyle of ours.

The preparation began early. It's usually quite a circus act trying to get the diaper bags, cooler, the kids and myself all ready to go. I want to get there and enjoy the sites before the Sandman comes along and turns the kids into psychotic/beyond reason/please stop crying & quite this tantrum loonatics. The preparation alone can be quite exhausting. I paced myself since I knew the big mission was still upon us.

Chubs, the 1 year old, falls asleep in the car. Nice, I think to myself. Princess Ninja, the 3 year old, is excited and has the biggest grin on her face. It's enough to make me not turn the car around and head straight home.

Luckily, Sea World wasn't too crowded on this fine Friday afternoon. We were able to find a parking spot right away. After struggling with the stroller and balancing the diaper bag and a few supplies, I was ready to get the kids out of the car. Problem, where is that darn cooler that's full of sippy cups!? I could have sworn I packed it. Um, think again! I'd figure out something once the kids get thirsty.

Let the games begin!!!!

We headed straight to the Sesame Street Bay of Play. There's an Elmo ride that the kids love. It's very similar to the flying Dumbo ride at Disneyland. Here I am, holding Princess Ninja's hand and carrying Chubs on the opposite hip. We get to the front of the line and the lady proceeds to tell me that I can't take both kids on the ride. There seems to be a 1 child to 1 adult rule. No exceptions.

The little Princess was not taking this rule well. She began to throw a mini tantrum as I walked us over to the next ride.

Princess Ninja: I want to ride Elmo!

Mama: We can't. We have to have Dada with us. This next ride will be fun, I promise.

Princess Ninja: No, it won't!

Mama: Yes, it will, I promise. (angry voice starting to come out)

Princess Ninja: I want to ride Elmo!

Mama: Do you want to go home? (angry voice getting angrier. I'm carrying Chubs so I'm trying not yell in his ear)

Finally it's our turn to ride this spinning teacup type ride but with Sesame Street characters. We get to the front of the line and the guy stops us. (I know for a fact this is not a 1 adult to 1 kid ride). He wants to see Chubs walk! Apparently, this ride has a "you must walk, to ride this ride rule."

I put Chubs down. He stands there with his arms up, wanting me to carry him. Great, I thought, the one time we really need you to walk. I take a step back, hoping Chubs takes a step. You know if we don't get on this ride, Princess will have a MAJOR tantrum. One step. That's all I'm asking for.

Yay! Chubs walks towards me and the man in charge is satisfied. The line behind us starts to look less angry. Smiles all around. The kids enjoyed the ride.

The rest of the day was pretty much the same way. Minor bumps here and there. The angry Mama voice did come out a few times. I had to carry a child on each hip so they can both see the penguins. Eventually the kids got thirsty and I had to spend $12 on an ugly, scary dolphin souvenir cup that was full of sugar, make your kids hyper lemonade that I made them share. Princess refused to go to the bathroom and I prayed she wouldn't have an accident. That would have been the icing on the cake, wouldn't it? Right before we leave the park, I buy them a Shamu cookie...it's tradition.

As we strolled back to the car, the Sandman was really doing a number on Chubs. He was starting to get belligerent. I was able to strap everyone into their car seats and load the car with our millions of pounds of supplies, minus that darn cooler.

Princess Ninja and Chubs fall asleep on the way home! We all managed to survive the trip. The end!

Here's a picture of the $12 scary dolphin cup. They look possessed and are about to attack me. I think I'm going to get rid of this thing before the kids start asking for it.

Guess what I saw sitting on top of the counter? The darn cooler!!!!

Side note: used Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer and it held up nicely.

Summertime make-up (stuff I heart)

It's summer! At least in my world. Officially, according to Answers.com, the first real day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere is in June. Blah, blah, blah. Regardless, it's getting warmer and warmer!

I'd like to do a favorite list for summer foundation-ish. If you keep reading, you'll see why it's called "ish". Mind you, I'm not a make-up guru. I've never received my MAC diploma or attended a single class on how to appy make-up. I think my only real credential is that I am a Sephora V.I.B. (very important beauty insider). Meaning, I've spent some hard earn $$$ at that store. It's the Toys R Us/Nordstroms of make-up....love it. Plus, you can order on-line and get samples.

Now that you know my credentials, let's move on.

Drum roll please!!!!

1.) Nars: Sheer Glow Foundation

It claims it can improve skin brightness, radiance, and texture leaving skin with a luminous, sensual glow.

Seriously, who out there couldn't use a little luminous, sensual glow? Especially when you're getting a few hours sleep and running around chasing the kids, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. You get what I'm saying.

This is my favorite! I seem to reach for it more often than not. The consistency is pretty light. It's very easy to blend. You don't even have to use a loose powder to set it. The coverage is nice. It looks like skin...not too matte and not really glowy (even though it says it gives a glow).

Seriously, who's skin really glows? Healthy, maybe.

Although, it is recommended for those that have normal to dry skin, I still use it. I have combination skin. T-zone can look like an oily mess if I'm not careful. I don't even touch up after a 10-12+ hour day.

Sadly, it doesn't have a SPF. You'll still need to use a primer or moisturizer to protect against the sun. Say no to wrinkles and skin damage!

Speaking of damage, it'll run you $42 at Sephora.

2.) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-free

This product claims to be a lightweight foundation that can be reapplied as necessary

Who really wants to reapply foundation during the day? Actually, who has time to reapply?

It's definitely more of a foundation than a tinted moisturizer. It just seems thicker. I still like the coverage. Skin looks more matte rather than the sheer look you would expect from a moisturizer. I prefer the oil-free formulation to help with that oily T-zone.

It does have a SPF 20. I had a harder time finding my ideal shade. Overall, a good product that's easy to use.

Again, $42 at Sephora.

3.) Bare Minerals Original

States it is a mineral-based foundation that gives flawless coverage

It does offer good coverage and it's buildable. It's easy to use: swir, tap, buff (I think that's what they tell you to do). Skin looks natural but better after using it. It has a SPF 15. It offers a pretty good range as far as colors.

My pet peeve is that the powder gets everywhere. The guy at the store told me to punch a few holes on the sticker of a new container to eliminate overload. Tried it and it didn't work. Maybe I'm just messy.

It'll run you $25.

The products range from a foundation, tinted "moisturizer", and powder. I find for the hot summer months, these tend to hold up. I use all three. It depends on my mood, what I'm doing that day, how the stars are aligned and what my horoscope says.

Side note: All products were purchased using my money. Reviews were done by my own experience using these products and claims were those of the manufacturer.