brotherly love hurts

Our oldest son, LA, is 3 1/2 now. His younger brother, Boatboy, is 19 months. The past 5 months have been my hardest yet as a Mom. I think it all really started when LA turned 3 and we gave his paci away and Boatboy started becoming very mobile. Those two world-wrecking things happened to him within a period of a month or so. He turned into a child we didn't even recognize. He was so unkind to his brother. He would push and say, "I don't like you brother!" So sad. I wanted to cry almost every time he said it! We had already introduced spanking into his life, but it was so seldom used. It turned into part of the daily routine when timeouts just didn't work. I thought I would never have a child that I would have to spank. I thought, "I am too good of a Mom to have a disobedient child." Oh, how wrong I was! I have been very humbled the last few months with not being in complete control. I have dug very deep for extreme patience and the ability to be very consistent. One thing that really kept me going when the boys were not getting along was knowing that relationships take time to form. God gifted me with these two boys to help form a relationship and to mold me more into the woman He created me to be...I am learning.

LA and Boatboy are very different and it is exciting for me to figure how they each need to be loved differently. LA and I could sit and read 20 (no exaggeration) books together, do crafts and just hang out. Boatboy sits through maybe 2 pages of a book. He loves to dance, sing very loud, do puzzles, chase, talk to complete strangers and be super goofy! They are such beautiful and unique gifts to me. I want to be a Mom that embraces the differences and supports them. The thing is, sometimes I have no idea what I'm doing! I pray every day that God would show me how each of my children need to be loved. I am also very thankful each day I am still able to receive such selfless love from parents. I hope to love my children the way they have always loved me!

Just prior to Christmas-time, a light came on for LA and he started enjoying his brother. At first I was thinking, "Wow! We are having a great day!" Then, the next day was good. And, the next day. After a lot of work, prayer, a VERY supportive and involved hubby and a 5'o clock glass of wine or beer a few days a week - I have finally seen the fruits of brotherly love! LA loves to teach and include Boatboy in almost everything he does these days. And, Boatboy loves to laugh and bother his older brother with everything. I love watching them grow and learn together.

It is a reminder to me of how much God loves me.

And believe me when I say we still have our bad days...but those bad days are nothing compared to the recent valley we muttled through. I would love to hear any of your fun boy stories!

Embedded below is a video that reminds me that the fun we have together will sometimes have its pains. :)

Go COLTS!

[Editor's Note: 1/18/10] - No, we did not go the Baltimore game. This photo was taken on 12/27/09 when we lost to the New York Jets. I guess we'll get to rectify that come this Sunday!

Skin MD sheilding lotion giveaway

Happy New Year! Yes, I know it's half way through January and I'm just getting that out to you. I know it's been a long time since the last post when several friends and family are writing to see "if you're alright." Makes me feel loved! It has been a nice break to just be with my family, recap our past year and set goals for 2010. We had an amazing, but challenging past year. We are excited for 2010! I feel very blessed to have this blog to share our family with yours. And to be able to review and giveaway so many amazing products. I love trying out new products and giving great products away! I have some great stuff coming up!

To kick off 2010...Skin MD shielding lotion
You all know I heart anything natutral and organic. When contacted to review a moisturizer that is over 90% all natural with all food-grade ingredients AND on the FDA's most safe list I was pretty excited. There are no fragrances, parabens and colorants. Making it hypoallergenic.

I found the shielding lotion to be quite unique. Most artificial moisturizers only add moisture to the surface of the skin, but do little to repair the skin's natural barrier. Skin MD breaks the dry skin cycle by bonding to the outer layer of skin, strengthening skins natural barrier against toxins that dry your skin, while locking in the skin's natural oils. It makes a great base for makeup with its protective abilities alone but it is also light weight, fast absorbing and non greasy.

I have very dry skin (especially in these Indiana winters) and I always fell like I need more moisture in my moisturizer. So this product made a GREAT day moisturizer/make-up primer. I feel my skin is protected while wearing my shielding lotion.

This is a very safe moisturizer for the great price of $25.

Win a bottle:
Skin MD is giving away one bottle of shielding lotion to a lucky Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader. Please leave me comment telling one thing you like about this moisturizer and why you need it.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter
4. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Hey! @mrsblonde1 is giving away a bottle of all-natural @Skinmdnatural shielding lotion. Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/ybalw38 Please RT."
5. Follow @Skinmdnatural on Twitter.
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Tell 4 friends via email and cc me.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.

I will select a winner Wednesday, January 20. Thanks for entering!

ELEVEN kids shoes winter collection GIVEAWAY

I love to dress my little LA (oldest son - 3.5-yr-old) in Eleven shoes! I'm excited as always to share with you their new line. The Winter Collection. They have designed yet another amazing line for boys and girls.

Eleven shoes are very functional. I love a pair of shoes that can be dressed up with a sweater or worn with a t-shirt. Their shoes are made of all soft leather and very durable soles for superior traction. The soles are super cushioned and easy to slip on and off with velcro or zipper closures. Eleven shoes are available in sizes 9-3. Perfect for children ages 3-8.

I was thrilled to receive the Josef in size 10. We are on our 3rd pair of Eleven shoes and LOVE them even more. I chose the Josef for our winter casual shoes. They are a vintage-inspired navy and gray trainer all about comfort and style.

Buy a pair: Go get your very own Eleven shoes. Buy two pair right now and receive FREE shipping!

(LA is wearing his Josef shoes with Dadda and Boatboy in front of lovely Christmas tree adorned atop our very COOL minivan!)

Win a pair: Eleven is giving one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader a pair of shoes. Your choice. Leave me a comment on which pair you like most and for whom.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter
4. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Hey! @mrsblonde1 is giving away a pair of @ElevenShoes to all those who enter here: http://tinyurl.com/y9kbvyy Please RT"
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
6. Tell 4 friends via email and cc me.
7. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
8. Follow @ElevenShoes on Twitter.
9. Join Eleven's mailing list.

I will select a random winner on Monday, January 4.

there's just something magical about bounceparks

...isn't there? And, yes, Mrs. Blonde took the boys down the slide too. re: All the BPM boys photo here.

Merry Christmas!

UPrinting custom postcard giveaway

Quickly on the tail of having received our Christmas cards, I got the good word that I get to host ANOTHER UPrinting custom postcard giveaway! In exchange for writing this review, I get another 100 for myself as well. This time, they will be thank you cards for all my lovely Beauty by Crystal clients!

UPrinting printed our Christmas cards. Four color over four color glossy postcards with whatever we wanted on them. Their handy online templates are great for even the novice designer.

UPrinting is a quality printing company with great ethics. My favorite thing about the company is their ecological consciousness through FSC certification, SFI certification, use of recycled papers and soy ink! Their web interface is easy to follow too!

UPrinting is giving away 100 postcards to one lucky winner. I would love to hear what you will use the postcards for if you win.

Win them: One Blondes, Poop & Mascara readers will receive 100 postcards.
Size: 4x6; Paper: 14pt glossy cardstock; Printing: Full color both sides
Shipping: As the winner, you will need to cover shipping charges on your own this time.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow @mrsblonde1 on Twitter
4. Tweet about this giveaway like so "Another great giveaway! @mrsblonde1 is giving away a custom @UPrinting postcard giveaway. Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/y945rry Please RT."
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
6. Tell 4 friends via email and cc me.
7. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
8. Follow @UPrinting on Twitter.

I will select a winner January 2. Thanks for entering!

LA sees his new room (pics and video)

NOTE: The payoff for this post involves a 2min video which means you should be using broadband while reading this for the full effect.

We have been wanting to paint LA's room for years. Literally. We just never did because we were moving. Now..we're not moving. At least for now. So, the first order of business on Mr. Blonde's Christmas vacation was getting LA a proper toddler room aesthetic.



his old room was the inherited guest bedroom turned playroom



two coats of hi-end primer and the red wall was covered



the first blue wall done



Mrs. Blonde working the orange stripe at 1am this morning

While the room still isn't done, Mr. Blonde captured video of LA seeing it for the first time earlier this afternoon. His reaction was well worth the work and wait...



...his favorite color is orange in case you couldn't tell.

Fashionthropic eco-friendly organic tee's holiday offer

Order $35 or more and get a FREE $10 GIFT CARD before the end of the year and receive a FREE $10 skreened gift card with your purchase. Visit fashionthropic.org to shop now.

There is never a minimum order and you can customize any design with tons of style and color options.

Fashionthropic partners with Skreened using new technology to print soft, durable, full color prints directly onto garments. It's an efficient printing process that allows printing of as few as one item cost effectively. In addition to our technology, we only print onto garments that have been manufactured in verified work conditions that do not exploit workers. Ethical and stylish lineup of apparel comes from American Apparel in Los Angeles.

on the 3rd day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me...three blonde boys bouncing down a very large indoor blow up slide!

Baby Snazz giveaway!

If you have not heard of Baby Legs then allow me to introduce you to these fancy, universal leg warmers called Baby Legs from Baby Snazz.

Your kiddo can wear Baby Legs so many ways. Since I have 2 boys my little guys don't get to experience them the way they would if they were girls, but little guys can wear them too. Though my husband adamantly disagrees..."If their legs are cold they can wear pants!" He thinks they are girlie. BUT, he has liked the practical way of wearing them...under pants to keep the legs warm and on the arms to look like a t-shirt! So YES boys can wear them as well!

If you do not have Baby Legs you need to get a pair for your children. I think they are great and if I had a girl, she would wear them all the time under skirts! So stinking cute! And they carry an organic line. YEAH!

Baby Snazz has so many other great products to offer. The founder of Baby Snazz has 4 girls....so, she definitely knows what works and what doesn't!Be sure to check out their other great stylish gear!

Buy a pair: Prices starting at only 6.97

Win a pair: Baby Snazz is giving a pair of Baby Legs from their ORGANIC line to one Blondes Poop & Mascara reader. Please let me know who will be wearing these amazing Baby Legs. And which pair you must have if you win!

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on Twitter (@mrsblonde1)
5. Tweet about this giveaway like so "@mrsblonde1 is giving away a pair of organic Baby Legs by @babysnazz Enter up to 10 ways! http://tinyurl.com/ykhwv9k Please RT"
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Tell 4 friends via email and cc me.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
9. Sign up for Babysnazz email newsletter on the bottom right of the homepage.

I will select a random winner on December 14. Thanks for entering.

Thanks Baby Snazz for sending me Baby Legs in exchange for writing this review.

snacktime snapshot

Bring the BOON!

As many of you know, we have quite a few Boon items in our home. And I continue to fall more in love with this company every time I try new products. Boon seems to approach their design of their toys with as much empathizes on style as functionality. The result is very cool and unique for kids!

I am excited to share what a great all around company that Boon is... I absolutely love the modern flair of all their products, but the best part is that they give back 10% of their proceeds to children in need. AMAZING! Everything Boon makes is PVC, phthalate and BPA-free. So, if any of these bright colored pieces of plastic ends up in your child's mouth you won’t have to worry about any of the health risks that have been linked to other not-so-safe plastic baby toys on the market.

Check out these three amazing products I was sent to review.

1. Designer Toys and Scrubbies were a huge hit with the boys as you can see them on our bath walls. They make great teething toys as well as bath toys. And they don't absorb any water which means no mold!

2. FLO protects the child's face/head from hitting the hard metal spout, allows the water to come out like a waterfall which makes it very easy to wash hair, and it is a bubble bath dispenser. I was in awe of this product!

3. Fluid toddler cup was a huge hit with LA who is three. Great functional cup. My only complaint it does leak if it gets knocked over. That doesn't stop LA from getting very excited to use his Boon cup.

I encourage yo to start adding some Boon to your home. It is safe and their products are quality!! Your kids would not be disappointed receiving something from Boon this Christmas season!

Get Lit! - an annual family tradition

Our city does this outstanding Black Friday evening celebration every year to start the Christmas season. A bunch of folks gather downtown for FREE. There's singing and dancing and street vendors selling things that light up and Santa comes...then at the magic time, the switch gets flipped and the monument ("big statue" as LA calls it) gets lit up. Then, there is about a 10 minute fireworks display. It's fantastic if you're into having fun while celebrating with other humans. Which we do...When Amos and I first started dating we went for the first time and haven't missed one since. 6 years running. Tonight was another outstanding time. A few quick shots for you below...

Kickboard USA Mini Scooter

What toddler doesn't need to burn some energy. I know my little LA (3.5 yr old) has way too much energy everyday!! Most days I send him outside and cheer him on as he runs laps around our house. If it's too cold, we do the same inside. We hit 19 laps yesterday. It was amazing!

I came across KickBoard USA who carries scooters for all ages. I loved when I saw an orange Mini scooter built for older toddlers. And, orange is his favorite color!

The mini scooter has a 'lean-and-steer' design, in which children use their body weight to
control steering. It gives kids the feeling of 'surfing' the sidewalk this ability to curve right and left, almost like a skateboard, adds an element of fun and control that young children love. Probably like what surfing on a sidewalk would feel like.

The mini scooter is designed with 3 wheels, providing greater stability and control. The polyurethane wheels create a quiet smooth gliding ride.

The kickboard is low-to-the-ground and large enough for two feet, making it easy for young children to hop on and off as need be, or to switch from pushing to just enjoying the ride. In either case, this toy promotes motor skill development and balance.

The brake at the back adds additional control, and kids like it because its just like the big kid scooters. For parents, the mini scooter is light weight (only 1.5kg), so it's easy to pick up and carry.

Some additional specs...

* The front wheels are 4-inch in diameter and the one in back is 3-inch.

* The two wheels in front are placed 8 inches apart for stability.

* The handle grips are a thick, durable, comfortable foam.

* The length of the deck is 300mm.

And, get this! -- All KickBoard products manufactured with the highest standard of quality control at an ISO-certified manufacturing plant in China. The factory is accredited with ISO 9002 international quality standard. Coupled with an extremely competent R&D team, the factory is always poised to produce the best and most innovative Micro/Kickboard products.

This would be an amazing Christmas gift for any child. Kickboard USA is offering all Blondes, Poop & Mascara readers a 15% discount until December 15. Enter code BLONDESPOOPMASCARA. Happy shopping!

"city" living it shall stay

...not that we were ever really leaving the city in trying to sell our house, but we pulled it off the market on Monday. After a full year of trying to sell and an estimated 40+ showings, we couldn't bear the notion of going into the winter months and trying to pull off the you-have-two-hours-to-ready-your-house-for-a-showing stunt.

We heart our home. And, for now, we're settled with God not selling our home so that we can free ourselves up to give more away. Please don't confuse settled with understand. It still doesn't make sense to us. This action for us is really the anti-American dream.

Anyway, our stay means we get much more outdoor life out our huge front picture window for at least one more Hoosier season...


(click for larger view)

Which we love!

Fashionthropic / Skreened $10 gift card

Limit 1 per customer. Total calculated before shipping and tax (if applicable). Ends 12/31/09 or while supplies last.

Skreened (@skreened) is offering any Fashionthropic store visitor a FREE $10 gift card with a $35 purchase.

You're practically losing money and style if you don't take advantage of this. Check out Fashionthropic for fantastically philanthropic ecologically-friendly fair-trade fashionable gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season!

Less Naughty. More Nice. Ergo Baby carrier (giveaway)

Less Naughty. More Nice. is a way for me to promote amazing products with reviews and giveaways! I am sharing ethically produced products in advance of the Christmas buying season. I have a heart for fair trade, eco-friendly and U.S. made companies. It will continue through November 21st. I am receiving no financial compensation for these promotions. However, I have received sample product in order to supply you an authentic and honest review.}

By now you know I LOVE to wear my babies! I have found an amazing carrier by ERGObaby. I have to start with the most exciting thing to me about the company..their ethics. Yes, the carrier is amazing and I will get to that, but it makes me proud to wear my little guy in a carrier that I know was made fair trade. All carriers are made by workers 18 and older. ERGObaby carries an entire line made with 100% organic cotton. Love it! They also carry a line of Standard cotton carriers. ERGObaby is family owned and operated out of Maui, Hawaii. I have had such a pleasant time working with them. From using their website to direct contact via email. Makes me smile when a company loves what they are doing. Their passion for a great carrier really shows.

I chose to review the Organic green carrier with silver lining. My little Boatboy loves it. It's great that I can now wear him on my back as well. It is extremely comfortable either way and feels very secure. And this carrier is for an infant through toddler.

"ERGObaby’s baby carrier design supports a natural sitting position for babies, eliminating compression of the spine and hips that can be caused by unsupported suspension. The baby carrier also balances the baby's weight to parents' hips and shoulders, and alleviates physical stress for the parent."

I am very excited to give away an entire ERGObaby system ($193 value) compliments of ERGObaby themselves. The system includes the carrier, backpack and a front pouch. All components can be used individually or attached together for truly hands-free babywearing.

Buy your own: Check out the many options to choose from starting at 120.00. This would make an incredible gift to any expecting Mom!

Win your own: As I mentioned above, ERGObaby is giving away a system to one lucky Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader. Head over to ERGO baby and tell me your favorite color and why you must have this carrier!

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on Twitter (@mrsblonde1)
5. Tweet about this giveaway like so "@mrsblonde1 is giving away an @ERGObaby organic carrier system (~$200 value) as part of #LessNaughtyMoreNice http://tinyurl.com/ykddc2f"
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Tell 4 friends via email and cc me.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
9. Follow @ergobaby on Twitter
10. Become a Facebook fan of ERGObaby

I will select a winner on BLACK FRIDAY, November 27. Thanks for entering!

The winner is zealandsmom who was random.org number 12. Congrats and thanks to everyone who entered!

ironing made easy

Ironing has never been something I enjoy doing. Since I been married, I have found myself purchasing clothes that say wrinkle-free much more often to avoid said task. Unfortunately, not all clothes say that. And, not all clothes that say that actually do that. Up until a couple weeks ago when Mr. Blonde would hand me a wrinkled shirt I would just throw it in the dryer and remove it quickly and say "You're good to go!" or rewash a shirt because the wrinkles were just too much to tackle.

When I was sent a Panasonic 360 Quick iron to review I was quickly intrigued by the shape and asked myself what is SO good about this iron. I am extremely impressed. I have ironed with the 360 and gotten gitty with excitement as the wrinkles quickly disappear.

First item to tackle...A silk dress that should have been dry cleaned 2 times ago, but I needed to wear it in 2 hours for a wedding. So...I fired up my new 360 Panasonic iron and steamed away. I spent 3 minutes ironing the entire dress and all wrinkles were gone!! My first Awe moment with my iron. Let me remind you I have had a $14.99 iron for 6 years and it never completely took any wrinkles away and it was a chore to just iron 1 shirt.

Second item of attack...A men's cashmere sweater that should be dry cleaned, but I am too cheapthrifty. Wash on gentle cycle. Let dry on dining room chair. Left with 2 points on the shoulders. Fire up the 360 and turn on the steam. Took the bumps away immediately. I am not talking about 3 or 4 times over the bumpy area...1 time each. In awe once again.

Last item of attack...A pair of thick woman's jeans that were wadded up in the bottom of the clean clothes pile. And I needed to wear them immediately! Of course, I did! The dual pointed ends makes ironing pants VERY easy. It also has controls for all types of fabrics.

I must say I am huge fan of my Panasonic 360 Quick iron. Still not my favorite thing to do, but it has drastically cut my time in half. And it really works. What more could I ask for?!

night night weekend

...work week here we come