Rub It Out!

This might be my new favorite "busy mom" product. Dry shampoo. Perfect for those days (and several in between) when I don't quite get to washing my hair. I picked up a travel-size at Sephora the other day. Maybe I can find something similar that's not as expensive. I've heard baby powder on your roots works, too. For now, Ojon's Rub Out is a great find. This and a little body spray... somedays that will have to do!

Lazy Sunday

Sorry about the slow blogging. Not much going on around here - in a good way. Last summer when Audrey was born and everything felt crazy I kept saying, "next summer will be better". So here we are, and it is so much better! I am really enjoying my kids. Motherhood (most days) doesn't feel like so much work. I'm in a better place with it all - at least today. I want summer to be filled with beach trips, swimming, playing at the park late into the evening, eating popsicles and plenty of Tyler's favorite - watermelon. On a not-so-happy note Tyler has been throwing some classic three year-old tantrums lately. We've had several fantastic fights... I always win. Unfortunately for Tyler, Audrey is perfection these days. It's her age. Tyler was perfect when he was 13 months old, too. (I might be singing a different tune after six hours with her on an airplane next week). Adam is on hiatus this week, and here's a bit of what we have going on:

Head to Malibu for a beach day

Possible trip to the aquarium

A girls night (or two)

Adam will finish his screenplay for a possible pitch to Al Pacino!!! (For real people, details to come!)

Help Anne with wedding stuff - cake tasting anyone?

Lots of pilates

Finally fix my wedding ring - the diamond is loose

Make 4th of July plans - ideas anyone??

Pick out my bridesmaid dress for Adriana's August wedding

Date night with Adam - grab dinner and see Transformers

Grill some Adobo Peach BBQ Chicken

Get ready for next week's cross country trip - laundry, packing, and prep flying solo with my two kids.

Hope your summer is getting off to a good start, too.

For My Mom

This photo is long overdue. Here is our old kitchen table:

And after a little makeover, we now have a new kitchen table for four and then some:
I think it looks really nice, and I love the bench seat. Thanks mom for helping us pick it out. So who wants to come over for dinner?

Father's Day

I think the best gift I've ever given my kids is to pick the best dad in the world to be their dad. I was searching around online the other night and came across this old Father's Day post I wrote on Tales from the Crib. I still feel this way about Adam and then some. Adding Audrey to our family has only made me even more grateful that he is such a hands-on father and husband. I am thankful for him and every dad who has touched my life, and my kids lives. Happy Father's Day!

Crock Pot Friday

Here's what's going in the crock pot today:

About 4 or 5 chicken breasts

One large onion

A green pepper I need to use up

taco seasoning

1/2 cup chicken stock

squeeze of lime juice

We'll see how it comes out. I'm gonna shred the chicken and serve it on tortillas with whatever toppings I have on hand. Or maybe over lettuce, sort of like a taco salad. Whatever it is, it will be easy and healthy. Happy Friday!

Today

We spent the day at Travel Town with a bunch of friends. Here are some photos from our day:

Climbing on trains. I love pensive Owen in this shot.

Audrey, Tyler, and Abby. Trying to get Audrey to smile. How cute is Abby - and that curly hair!

I don't know if you know this about Audrey, but she loves boys. And men. Pretty much guys in general. Personally I wouldn't mind if she married Owen. He is one cool kid. She let him hold her like this for a long time. Doesn't look very comfortable, but she didn't seem to mind.

Audrey and Penny doing what toddlers do.

Eating rocks.

And here is what transpired between Tyler and Leah when they took a ride on the love train. Amber and I caught them kissing - on the lips. Can you tell that Tyler is all puckered up in this shot?

Then Leah plants one on Tyler. He doesn't seem to mind.

Leah looks guilty, but Tyler is smitten. He'll never wash that cheek again. Oh, love starts young. I don't blame him. She's a pretty cute girl.

Thanks to all our friends for a fun day... and to the sun for finally breaking through the clouds.

Monday Night TV

Now that this is over:
I have a little more time to watch trashy summer television... like this:

I highly suggest watching The Bachelorette with Adam. His ongoing commentary on the bachelors is hilarious. Monday nights are now a favorite over here.

Happy Blog-iversary

Happy One Year to my blog. It's hard to believe that we were here this time last year. Guess it's time to start working on my blurb book.

Lighten Up

Do you have tired eyes? Since Audrey was born I am constantly in search of products that help me look little more, well... awake. So I asked my good friend Beauty Gal for advice, and she let me borrow two of her favorite products. Here they are, and by the way I love them:

I especially love the High Beam. I put it on over my makeup this morning, around my eyes and on my cheekbones. It is perfect shimmer (read: I don't look like a twenty year old with glitter on my face). The Powderflage is more subtle. I used it for dark circles and to fill in the fine lines around my eyes. I haven't bought either product yet, but am looking forward to treating myself to a little Sephora shopping trip sometime soon. How about you? Do you have a secret for covering up those tired mommy eyes? If so, please share!

Gimme Some Style

Audrey's hair has been driving me a little crazy. It's growing fast. Her bangs are getting long, but I can't pull them back with a barrette because she takes it out and eats it. Nice. I trimmed them a bit Sunday. She's just a little ragamuffin... but still darn cute of course.

I saw this photo on Design Mom today and instantly thought of Audrey. I think I'm gonna try to get her hair to do this as it grows out. Maybe try a little product and sweep those crazy bangs to the side. How cute is this little girl? And while I'm at it, I'll take her adorable little outfit, too. Just Audrey's style.

Tuesday's Special

It might be June Gloom here in LA, but we are ready for summer at our house. Tonight we baked this cherry pie made with fresh cherries hand-picked by Tyler from Grandma Tait's backyard. It's the first one I've ever made, and it was delicious! Obviously I don't know how to make the crust look all pretty. I'm calling it "rustic". There is still a slice or two left if you wanna come over... but you better get here fast.

Done

We finished our cleanse and sat down this morning to a delicious breakfast of steel-cut oatmeal, fresh fruit, and yogurt. Adam and I both feel really great. Two things I especially hope to hold onto from doing the cleanse are 1) drinking more water, and 2) healthy snacking. I'm feeling pretty accomplished, and I would recommend this cleanse to anyone. (If you do ever do it, let me know - I have a lot of good tips). I have to say though, I am looking forward to treating myself to a Diet Coke this afternoon. And I totally owe Adam a pepperoni pizza for doing this with me. I think he's been craving one for nine days straight. Overall it was a great experience, and I'm very glad to be done! And a big thank you for all of the encouragement along the way.

From the Back Seat

Driving around town I often check my rearview asking Tyler, "What are you guys doing back there?". "Just hangin' out" he always answers. Yep, sure looks that way. And not a bad view from where I sit.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Happy birthday to my dad (aka Grandpa Faust). We love you and can't wait to do a little belated celebrating when we come to Virginia next month! Thanks for being a great dad and grandpa. We hope you have the best day.

Update

Here's the latest cleanse update. We're on Day 4. So far I've found out that I am a major fan of eating. Those first two juice days were hard! (I even cried once on Sunday). I woke up on Day 3 feeling yuck - tired, a little nauseous - but once I got a shake in me and the most delicious meal ever (being so delicious because I was so hungry), I felt much better. Since then I am feeling great! Without TMI I have definitely seen the effects of the cleanse, so something is going on in there. I have only once or twice missed my beloved diet coke (although I'm not convinced I'm off it for good), and what's even more amazing - I haven't had a headache (which I have almost every day), probably due to drinking so much water. My cravings for "bad" food are few and far between right now (minus the random craving I had for nachos last night, and all Adam wants is pepperoni pizza), and meal planning has been pretty fun. The shakes and juice don't taste the best, but I appreciate that they aren't full of added sugars to mask the flavor. Adam is feeling great and has felt so since Day 1. I'm not looking forward to the last two juice days, but I'll get through it. I don't think I could do this if Adam weren't off work this week doing it with me. And PS - shopping completely organic is expensive! I hate that. I love going to Whole Foods but it is too expensive. Thank goodness for Trader Joe's. Five days to go!

Ideas?

Just wondering, what are you doing for your dad or husband this Father's Day? Do you have any favorite traditions? Gift ideas - especially the budget friendly ones? We have always done breakfast or dinner, Adam gets to sleep in, making cards, some sort of gift. We can do the same ol', but this year I'm looking to incorporate something new, or pick up a present Adam would really love. So what are your Father's Day plans this year - or favorites from the past? Anything good I can steal? (Don't worry, Adam doesn't read my blog too often.)