Friday's Finds~My drugstore faves!

I have ignored the blog this week and I apologize. We have been to the pediatrician twice in the last week. Harry had strep (Again!). Kate had severe eczema causing her to lose most of the pigmentation on her face and she was back again today with a bladder infection! She still has horrible eczema around her eyes and it is super red and irritated.

Also, I have had the honor and privilege of posting for my friend Karen (see below) to her blog while she is in China and anything I would post here seems so insignificant to new families being formed.

However, my bloggy friend, Colleen started Friday's Finds a few weeks ago and I wanted to participate this week. I have decided to post a few of my inexpensive drugstore beauty finds. I love good beauty products but I also love a bargain. The following fit both categories.

Nivea Soft. This is THE BEST body moisturizer EVER! Read the reviews here. Seriously, I love this stuff. It is very hydrating but not greasy at all and it has a delightful and extremely light scent. It feels very luxurious but only costs $6.79!

I get forehead shine. I hate it but it is who I am (unless I am juicing regularly-but more on that in my next post). Living in an extremely humid city only makes the forehead shine worse. I have tried every single product out there and this is the best and the cheapest. It is Boot's Instant Matte and it is only $5.99 people!!!! I LOVE it. You can get it at Target.

To me, mascara is the most important cosmetic I purchase. I have tried the expensive brands such as Chanel and Lancome and the new very popular Yves St. Lauent, Singulier. It is supposedly all the rage. But none of them can hold a candle to this mascara. Really! In fact, I returned the $30 Singulier because it was horrible compared to my beloved $7.99 L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in blackest black. I have been using this since it first came out and really, it ROCKS!

So, there you have it...beauty does not need to cost a fortune.

I already have a few great finds for next week too:)

My sweet and adorable Harry is representing his class in the school Spelling Bee this morning. I am so proud of him. Keep your fingers crossed and say some prayers for him. I will let you know how he does!

Kate's First Movie

Today, I took Kate to see her very first movie in the theater. We had been waiting for just the right princess movie to come out and this did not disappoint. We all (Harry and Will came along to share in Kate's special day) really enjoyed this movie. The plot was a little more complex than her beloved Cinderella but as long as Kate had her Skittles and her popcorn, she was happy. The music was fabulous and the message of this movie is a great one. The stereotypes bothered me a bit but in the end I think the message about what is important in life shines through. Raymond was my favorite character by far!

I was a little teary as I held my daughter's hand and sat next to her today. I know it might sound so ridiculous but it was a dream come true to take my daughter to her first movie today. It is the little things that get me sometimes.

And just to show you that I have always been sentimental about these milestones...here is a (scanned and awful quality) photo from Will's 1st movie 10 years ago!!! I took him to see Stuart Little with my dear friend, Linda and her son on January 3, 2000. He was 2 and 1/2. Can you believe that I lug my camera to the movies to document my children's 1st movies?

I feel really bad but I have no idea what Harry's first movie was. I am sure I have a photo somewhere but those albums are not complete. Sigh. Speaking of Harry though, we watched Akeela and the Bee tonight. Harry has been selected to represent his class in the school Spelling Bee and he has been studying his words. I thought it might be inspiring to watch that movie. The language is a little rough in spots but it is a GREAT movie. Harry has been quite the speller and I have posted about his previous successes here and here. I know he will have fun and do well. Go Harry!!!!

Isn't it ironic that Harry was a bee for his first Halloween?

Forgive me for being a little negligent with the blogging. I know I said I would post photos of our decorations but I have not had time to upload all of the photos. And I must confess, I feel a little silly doing so. We have been having such a nice time getting together with friends lately. This weekend we helped a very dear friend celebrate her 40th birthday. It was so much fun. Happy B-day Keesha and thanks for including us!!! The dinner was elegant, fun and delicious!

Then, we wrapped up our Advent Family get together. Each week during this advent season we have been meeting with two other families in our neighborhood and sharing dinner, fellowship, prayer, discussion and advent activities. I have throughly enjoyed it. It was challenging to keep 9 kiddos ranging in age from almost 2 to 12 and 1/2 busy while the adults had our discussion time but somehow we made it work. It was so worth it because it made us stop in the midst of this busy season and prepare our hearts for Jesus.

Our Advent Wreath

Last night we had a fabulous time with some friends that live here in town and our close friends who were visiting from Canada. This group of friends has known each other since our oldest were newborns (12 years) and we are so comfortable with one another. The conversation and the laughs flow so easily (as does the wine and good food). Our kids all get along so well too. A few of the kids slept over at our house last night so it has been busy!

Tomorrow we are finally going to see Santa. I don't think we have ever waited until this late. I am sure it will be another teary day for me as I love nothing more than to see my three kids on Santa's lap...and I know one of these years, Will is going to object. He knows how happy it makes me though.

I really hope that you all are spending good time with your family and friends this Christmas Season.

Harry the Great Speller strikes again!

Warning...a little Mom bragging below!

Even though he has only been at his new school a few weeks, Harry won the Spelling Bee for his grade.  He cannot compete in the school wide Spelling Bee until next year but he will get a trophy for this year's accomplishment.  He seems to have a natural affinity for spelling and won in Kindergarten too! In fact, one of my very first posts was about that. We are so proud of him!

From Baby Bee to Spelling Bee

We had no idea when Harry was just a baby bee (for his 1st Halloween) that he would grow up to represent the kindergarteners in his school Spelling Bee. This week, Harry and another boy from his class competed in front of the whole school (with a microphone and all). He lasted a few rounds and we are very proud of him! We have never practiced spelling with Harry so we didn't know he had this talent. But we do read a lot with him and he is a good reader as well. We hope there are more spelling bees in his future!