Confessions of a Twilight fan

I'm going to admit it, I'm a Twilight fan. I know it's so teeny-bopper. I'm slightly ashamed to admit it, but I'm also squealing like a teenage girl on the inside, because Eclipse is coming out at the end of the month.

That whole series of books helped me through my pregnancy with my second child. Wait, let me rephrase that. That series prevented me from getting much needed sleep with my second child.

My sister-in-law was the one who introduced me to the books. At first, I was very, very reluctant to read them. I mean seriously...vampires, werewolves, teenage love. I didn't get it! It was all cheesy to me. How could I possibly relate? I'm definitely not a teenager. I was about to be a mother of two kids. I'm an adult, for goodness sakes. It sounded like a waste of time. After awhile, I thought I'd give the first book a go. What did I have to lose? I lost a lot of sleep is what I lost!!!!

After I finished the first book one evening, I needed to get the next book, New Moon. It was probably about 9:00 in the evening when I finished reading Twilight. I changed out of my pajamas and slipped into sweats and a T-shirt. I could at least look a little presentable heading out. I packed, my then 1 year old daughter, in the car so we could go to Target. I carried her all the way to the book section, along with my 6 month pregnant belly, purchased the book, and headed home to read it.

I was hooked! Until this day, I really don't know what has me so addicted to this. Seriously, if a guy was looking at me the way Edward looks at Bella, I would be calling the police. It's a little freaky. I could probably go on and on about stuff especially things in the movie. By the way, I hate how the movies don't follow the books exactly. I guess that's Hollywood.

I'd also like to admit I've read Twilight and New Moon twice. I would read them every 2-3 hours during my son's night feedings. They helped me get through some long nights. If I could, I'd read Eclipse another time before the movie. The books are so much better than the movies. Perhaps it's because one's imagination is so much better than anything Hollywood could produce.

I'll be the first to admit that the acting in the movies isn't the greatest. I wouldn't call the books equivalent to Shakespeare either. Somehow, some way they take you away from the everyday world for just that one moment. They take you to a place of innocence, fairy tales, and your first teenage love. They remind you of the butterflies that once occupied your stomach, and the overwhelming feelings of emotion when "He" would look at you. Sometimes that's all we need.

Confession: The kids are asleep. I have an early start time at work tomorrow (Wed, June 9). I'm patiently waiting for Hubs to come home, so I can drive all the way to work to purchase Eclipse tickets at midnight!

The facility I work for rented out a movie theatre, so the employees can watch a June 29 showing of Eclipse. To top it off, they're selling tickets for $7.50! Wish me luck!

While I'm on a roll on the confessions, I also own a "Team Edward" shirt. Let's end it at that!

$50 Sephora Giveaway

Since summers here & I'm feeling generous, I decided to give away a $50 Sephora giftcard.

Ways to enter:

1.) Follow MamaOnDaGo's blog AND make a comment below on your favorite Sephora product.

2.) Follow me on Twitter (mamaondago14 or use the sidebar) AND leave a comment on your favorite Sephora product.

3.) ReTweet about this giveaway. (Can reTweet once a day for an additional entry until contest ends)

Contest ends June 14.

This giveaway is sponsored solely by me. Good Luck!!!!

Kids Manual: Please read prior to entering the world

I realize that when you become a parent, a manual is not included. There are millions of books, websites, magazines, and other resources to advice you on this journey though.

Apparently, when the stork dropped my little bundles of joy off, my kids must have taken a detour and skipped picking up their "How to Be an Obedient Child" manual. I've taken the liberty to highlight a few key points that I wish they would have at least browsed over prior to entering the world.

1.) Upon arrival, it is best to allow your parents to sleep through the night. If this is asking too much, they would appreciate at least 5-6 hours of straight sleep.

Cliff Note version: day=awake, night=sleep

2.) It would probably help that you don't poop out every last drop of breastmilk that Mama worked so hard to produce right after consuming. You wouldn't be so hungry.

3.) Being rocked to sleep is overrated.

4.) When you're sleepy, why fight it? Go ahead and lay your pretty little head down. Mama and Dada won't take offense.

5.) Things are the way they are for a reason. Continually asking me "Why...." will not help me produce a correct answer. Mama and Dada may even have to make something up.

6.) Brushing your teeth isn't as bad as having to sit in a dentist chair getting your teeth fixed.

7.) Don't be afraid to let your poo out.

Side note: For some reason, as my kids got older, they would hold it in.

8.) When Mama and Dada say, "No" there is a good reason for it. Continually asking will only bring out angry Mama and Dada.

9.) Just listen the first time Mama and Dada say something.

10.) Throwing a tantrum, especially in public, is not the way to solve your problems. It will only cause more problems.

11.) It is okay to cry, if it is done quietly.

12.) That's called food. It goes in your mouth. Eat it!

13.) That's called _____ (eg: coin, toy, dirt, bug, etc). It does NOT go in your mouth!

14.) Fighting your parents as they are trying to put on your diaper or dress you, will only make this so-called torture last longer. Just sit or lay there quietly and it'll be done before you know it.

15.) Strapping you in a car seat is not a form of torture. It's for your safety.

16.) Your parents spent some good, hard earned money on that toy. It's supposed to make you smart. Go play with it and stop playing with that empty box.

17.) That's not a slot machine, it's an electrical outlet. That cover is there for a reason. Stop trying to take it off.

18.) Using "please" does not guarantee you'll get your way.

19.) Mama and Dada realize teething can be painful and itchy. That's why you have a million teething toys to choose from. Our leg, arm, stomach, and other body parts are not teething toys.

20.) "Because I said so" is an acceptable answer.

21.) If you already know the next line to this book or movie, why not try another book or movie? There are other options in the world. No one is forcing you to have to listen to this story or watch this movie over and over and over again.

I'm sure there a billion more that can be added. If you have any more, please share. These were just the few that popped up in my mind.

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.

Yummy Yummy in my Tummy Cheese Danish

I made this oh-so delicious recipe last weekend and I plan on making another batch. It was fast and easy. Did I mention delicious?

I couldn't wait for it to cool, so I ended up burning my tongue. Luckily, Familybites suggested I have a glass of cold milk ready. Good thing I did, because it came in handy. Sadly, the minor burn did not stop me from eating 3/4 of the pan myself....no joke! Guess what I'm going to be making again?!

The other 1/4 of the pan was consumed happily by family and friends. My daughter loved the cream cheese filling. All had rave reviews!

Here is the recipe from the Familybites blog. You can also visit her blog directly to read the history behind this danish. It's on her April 16, 2010 posting.

I had to substitute in vanilla extract for the almond extract, since I ran out. I'm going to get myself another bottle of almond extract for this weekends batch.

The Cream Cheese Danish
Adapted by: Me

2 tubes crescent rolls*(I have found Pillsbury works best...I know, I seem like a brand name snob, but I'm telling you, it's worth it)
2 (8oz.) packages of cream cheese, softened
1 C. sugar
1/2 tsp. almond extract

For topping:
5 T. butter, softened
1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Grease a 9x13 pan. Take one tube of crescent roll dough and roll out so it covers entire bottom of pan. Blend the cream cheese, sugar and extract until smooth. Take cream cheese mixture and spread on top of the crescent roll dough. Take the 2nd tube of dough and cover the top of the cream cheese mixture. Then combine the softened butter, sugar and cinnamon and crumble (or spread, depending on consistency of your butter mixture) on top.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Cool before cutting.

Here's your warning: have glass of cold milk ready for fresh, out of the oven danishes!!!! They also taste great with a cup of coffee.

I Heart: Urban Decay Primer Potion

Meet Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion! It'll be your best friend if you wear any type of eye make up during the summer.

It's hot, you're sweating. Your eyelids are sweating! You're eyeliner isn't where you originally placed it. You're eye shadow has pooled in the creases of your eyes and to be honest, you're a hot mess! You can either leave those big, Jackie O. sunglasses on or get yourself this product. It's worth the $18.

There are actually different shades of this product. I use the original which is a sheer nude. It not only helps to keep eye make-up in place, but it can intensify the color of your eyeshadows. This version of the magic potion also comes in Eden (matte nude) and Sin (shimmering champagne).

The picture below is an example of how using a eyeshadow primer (not necessarily Urban Decay) can intensify the color of your shadow. The top shadow was placed without a primer. The bottom picture was a shadow placed with a primer. You can see the difference in color intensity.

I also use it all year long to prevent my eyeliner from migrating to my eyebrows. Yeah, it's a nice look, isn't it? Some days I don't even wear eyeshadow. Since it's nude, you doesn't change the color of my eyelids.

I Heart Technology

Last night I had another lovely conversation with my friend Em. We usually have 2-3+ chats during the week. The interesting part of our chats is that they are ALL text messages. Em even had to upgrade her phone plan to accommodate our "talks". It seems that our relationship was costing her an arm and a leg to keep up with. The last time Em and I had a real conversation, where we actually had to speak to one another (heaven forbid), was months ago.

Thinking about it even more, I really don't "talk" to any of my family or friends on a daily basis. The chats with hubs on the phone are usually short because one of us, if not both of us, are at work.

How are the kids?

Can you pick up some milk on your way home?

What's to eat?

How's your day going?

More often than not, I find out things and communicate through text messages, emails, Twitter, Facebook, and other types of non-human contact. Perfect example: here I am blogging.

On a side note, I'm very much a novice on some of the latest versions of communicating. Twitter especially. Pardon my etiquette, if you follow me.

The times I did have to speak to someone on the phone (usually some customer service person), the kids were screaming in the background, climbing all over me, asking me to help them with things, as I'm trying to wash dishes, do laundry, and cook.

I remember back in the day, I would spend hours and hours on the phone. I have no idea what I could possibly talk to someone about for that period of time. I also had A LOT more free time, since it was my pre-mama days. I also could only do 1-2 things at a time.

I just find it utterly impossible and unenjoyable to try and catch-up with someone when I'm already doing at least 10 different things at the same time. Also, everyone else is busy with their families, work and life. It's almost impossible to try and catch someone. It usually ends up with a frustrating game of phone tag competition and the emails/text messages begin.

The wonderful part of texting is that I can continue doing several things at the same time and the kids can do what they usually do without me stopping the conversation to tell them to be quiet, mama is trying to talk on the phone! Or every 2 seconds, I place my hand on the phone receiver, yell from across the room and shoot the kids an evil look. Of course, they ignore me, as that furrow/wrinkle between my eyebrows continues to deepen and deepen beyond any miracle creams claims. I've gotten quite skilled at typing on my phone and multi-tasking other things....another thing to add to my mama resume.

Do any of you remember Runs House? It was a show on MTV.

Well at the end of every episode, Run would be laying in his jacuzzi size tub that was filled with bubbles. He'd lay their contemplating his day as he types up an inspiring blog.

Well every night, mostly every night, you can catch me in my bed typing away on my i-phone. My only moment of alone time. I'm usually playing Word with Friends, catching up on my emails, blogs and FB, checking out You Tube how-tos from MakeupbytiffanyD, and/or exchanging texts.

If it wasn't for all other forms of communication, I would be sooooo out of the loop. It's introduced me to many interesting people and ideas from across the land. Although it has completely destroyed my "hold a conversation on the phone" skills, I love how it's opened up so many doors.

I Heart Technology!