We're right in the middle of our Memorial weekend, and we decided to spend the day outside as much as possible. Rain is in the forecast for all of next week, and we needed to get some energy out before we are forced indoors.

This morning we took a trip to the zoo. We have a membership and the girls and I have gone four times this spring, but this was the first time daddy has gotten to go with us since we usually go during the week. We rode the train to see the pirate exhibit, saw the monkeys playing, elephants eating, birds making lots of noise, and even saw a friend that I haven't seen in a few years since she moved to Mobile! We even had lunch at the zoo today, and everyone ate their meals. S C O R E!!! And no zoo trip is complete without one three rides on the carousel. The pictures below are of one "patiently" waiting for the train to move and who is not into pictures, and one who couldn't be happier to be on her favorite giraffe on the carousel.

 

Once we were home, one napped and one didn't. Let's just say the one who has been fussing all day isn't the one who napped. Even though she needed it. Late in the afternoon we went outside to enjoy some more time outdoors. I found some spray sidewalk chalk in the Target Dollar Bins a few weeks ago and went ahead and purchased for some summer fun. And for $4, it was well worth the money. We ALL had so much fun creating fun art in the driveway.

I sorta made or attempted to make an American Flag. The red sidewalk chalk ended up more like pink. The girls and Terry worked on decorating the inside of a heart. Once I finished my sad attempt on the flag, the girls came over to add to it. So after all was said and done (and after the picture below was taken, it was red, blue, pink and green.

We're having a great weekend, but are humbled for the men and women who gave their all for our great country!

Two Year Old Gift Ideas

We've got a big birthday coming up in our house for a certain two year old! Sometimes I feel like Little Bit was just born, and at other times it seems like she's been a part of this family forever.

We are keeping it low key this year with a family party, and then we are inviting some of our close family friends over the week of her birthday to help her celebrate. I've already started buying some of her presents, but of course, everyone is asking me what they should get her. So, I thought I'll post some of the things she likes, and some of the things we (or other family members) are getting her.

1 - Toddler Shopping Cart Our little girl LOVES to push a play shopping cart at her grandparents house. It's also about fourteen years old, so they found this one online and are gifting her this version for her birthday. She's going to be so excited to have one at her house to play! If you have a little one who loves to shop, don't miss out on this little play shopping cart. It's on sale right now over on Amazon!

2 - Waffle Blocks {Farm} I'll be honest, I've never wanted Legos in our house. But, I really feel like these will be hit with both of our girls. I went ahead and purchased this set for her birthday about a month ago and since our girls love the farm so much, I see endless hours of them playing with the blocks and animals. Purchase this exact set over on Amazon, today!

3 - Paw Patrol Foam Puzzle We already own the Minnie Mouse version like this, so I know she's going to love this Paw Patrol puzzle. She can actually put the Minnie one together by herself. Paw Patrol is a new show she's just started watching, and one both she and her sister now love. You can get this one for under $10 at Amazon. If your little one would rather have the Minnie or Frozen puzzle, those can be purchased here and here. Come to think of it, I think we will add the Frozen version to our collection, too!!

4 - Wooden Building Blocks I know I already have waffle blocks listed, but these are different and are like the ones they have at school. Both of our girls loves to build with blocks, and I'm sad to say we don't currently own any. But we are about to remedy that! I love the bright colors, and the different shapes! I can't wait to see how tall their first tower is! Get your set for your kids or grand kids at Amazon.

5 - Baby Doll High Chair We have a lot of baby dolls in this house. And the girls love to take care of them. Up until here recently, they've been using their high chair for their baby dolls to use. Well, we said goodbye to the high chair and they were crushed because they couldn't play with it anymore. This is perfect for their playroom and will go great with the triple bunk beds they already have in their room! We will be ordering this one from Amazon.

If you've ever gone shopping with kids, you know it can be a hassle because they want E V E R Y T H I N G in sight. So Amazon Prime is the way I shop. I'm so thankful I can order and have most items within two days. We even have Sunday delivery where we live!

Let me know if you have these items for your toddlers, or if you order them. I can't wait to see Little Bit's face when she opens these!

Happy Shopping, y'all!

It Cosmetics Must Haves...

I'm not sure any female will admit that they don't love makeup. But, I bet more than half are still looking for their favorite brand. I was one of those half until November 2015. That's the year it all changed for me. The house was all decorated for Christmas and to get in the mood for buying gifts, I started watching QVC. That day happened to have an It Cosmetics special value featured. I watched that segment and ordered. When it came in, I loved everything! I loved how it was applied, how it looked on my face, and have it felt and wore on my face all day. However, it didn't come with one of my now favorites from It Cosmetics, their CC+ Full Coverage Cream. But, it did come with a sample of it and I as soon as I tried it, I knew it was the right makeup for me.

I'm an "It Girl" and proud to be one. This isn't a sponsored post, although I'd love it if they sent me some new products to try. This is simply a post because I get so many compliments on my makeup everyday. And, it literally takes less than ten minutes to put on from start to finish. Probably less time most days cause let's be honest, with two kids three and under no one has time to be a makeup artist.

Here are my must haves from It Cosmetics. I wear or use these products everyday. And you can get yours at QVC, Sephora, or Ulta. Some are only at one or two of those stores, but I'll try to tell you which ones when I post below about them.
 

1 - Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination This concealer is my magic wand. Seriously. Once I became a mom, my dark circles became my enemy. But this product keeps them at bay. I wear "light" because I like for it to be one step lighter than my makeup so it gives a little highlighter affect. I know this is sold at QVC and it even comes with a brush, but it can also be purchased at Sephora. And that one little tube will last you half the year, even if you wear it everyday.  

2 - Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Blush, Bye Bye Pores, Highlighter and Bronzer all in one! I'll be honest, I don't use the Bye Bye Pores much — but the others are well used, everyday. I use the bronzer under my cheek bone, the blush on my cheeks and the highlighter just about my cheek. I've purchased this at Ulta, and will probably have to go back for more, soon!

3 - CC+ Full Coverage Cream Illumination You know those filters on snapchat, or what's worse, those apps you buy to make your face look flawless? You don't have to use those anymore with this gem. It's lightweight, covers everything, and it only takes one pump. I apply it with an It Cosmetics brush like number 8. It stays on ALL day, even in the summer when I sweat or swim. AND, it has SPF 50+! Score! I wear light in the winter/spring and medium in the summer/fall. I get it at Ulta, Sephora or QVC. (If you order at QVC, it's about $5 more and you get a brush to apply it with!) This small tube lasts me at least six months, sometimes longer — and I wear it everyday.

4 - Bye Bye Lines Serium Okay, I'll be honest. I got this as a sample and fell in love. It's not a miracle worker, but it does help with the fine lines around my eyes and mouth. It's pricey, but I got a full bottle in a QVC special value. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have bought a bottle. But, I'm glad it came with it — I kinda fell in love with it! Buy it at QVC or Sephora.

5 - Superhero Mascara Holy lashes, y'all. And I'm not talking about the clumpy flaky lashes either. This mascara should be in everyone's makeup bag. Long, beautiful, lushus lashes. What every girl wants, right? My only issue is that it's not waterproof. Sold at QVC (as a set of two for only $26!), Sephora and Ulta.

6 - Brow Power Super Skinny I've used their regular Brow Power pencil since 2015, but I decided to go with this one since you can pick your hair color. The universal pencil color works for me, but I really like this Super Skinny one better. I have really thin eyebrows, and this makes them fuller and more visible without looking fake or drawn on. You can purchase at QVC and Ulta.

7 - Confidence in a Cream Hello hydration! Literally my favorite moisturizer, ever. Lightweight, not greasy, and won't break you out. Now that's what I call a win win! I don't wear it during the day under my makeup, but you can. I love to put it on once I've washed my face and am getting ready for bed. I've purchased at QVC, Ulta and Sephora.

8 - It Cosmetics Brushes I couldn't pick a favorite brush, because I use so many of their heavenly brushes and I love them all. I have one for my CC+ Full Coverage Cream, Complexion Perfection, and a powder brush. Check out all the It Cosmetics brushes at Ulta. You can't go wrong with any of them!

9 - Bye Bye Makeup Hands down, my favorite makeup remover, ever! It removes it all. Just a little to melt in your fingers, rub all over your face, including your eye lids, and it is all gone. Now, I go through this probably everything three months. But it's one simple step, so I'm not buying multiple bottles of stuff to get my makeup off. So worth the money! Only sold at QVC and Sephora.

They have so many other products that I love and use, but these are my everyday favorites. I'm not QVC addict, but I do like to watch them during Christmas and that's how I found out about It Cosmetics. Now, I get an email when they will air their products or have a special value coming up with their products. I'll be honest, I hate that I can't get all my favorites at both Ulta and Sephora, but they've sold exclusive products to them — so I'm thankful we have both close to us. Sometimes I just can't wait for an order to be shipped to me. Ha!

Have you tried It Cosmetics? What are your favorites?

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Our menu seems to revolve around one main ingredient, chicken. I'm always trying to find new ways to cook it so we aren't eating the same kind of chicken dish every single night. Of course we have our favorites that are one dish meals like Plain Chicken's Cracked Out Chicken Bubble Up and her French Onion Chicken and Rice. It also helps if it's easy to make, and it uses ingredients we already have around the house. And, since this recipe calls for it to be made in the crockpot, I've got one word for you — score!

For this recipe, you can eat the chicken breasts like they are once they are finished cooking, or you can pull the chicken apart once they are ready. Once you've shredded the chicken, let it soak in the sauce for about fifteen minutes and build your sandwich! The hubs likes mustard and sweet pickles on his pulled chicken sandwich. We paired our sandwich with homemade potato salad and baked beans. Yum!

Ingredients:
3-4 boneless chicken breasts (frozen or thawed)
2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce
1 cup of italian dressing
1 tsp of paparika
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of chili powder
1 tsp of red pepper flakes

Directions:
Set your crockpot on low. Add all ingredients and cook for three to four hours.
(If using frozen chicken, add two additional hours to the cook time.)

Enjoy y'all!