Back to Basics...

The Christmas I was 11 1/2 was an important one. It was the day I took a few of those first, wonderful, magical steps toward womanhood. It was the day I started being allowed to wear MAKEUP.

6th grade had been a rough year for me. New School, new people, and groups already formed. Girls start to figure out how to be mean to each other at that age. One day you're best buds, the next your being ostracized and don't really even know why. Power struggles back and forth between cliques. Boys thinking that they should put there 2 cents in, and quite honestly, I was at a really awkward stage. (I like to joke now that my awkward stage started in 5th grade and lasted until 10th grade...thats when I really started to appreciate my unique form of beauty). Add all that on top of a brainy, somewhat nerdy personality...talk about a combination for 6th grade heartache. My mom had watched me struggle (painfully, I'm sure, as I know from watching my own kids struggle with things I can't fix!) and had done everthing in her power to help me get through it...even to buying me new, trendier clothes to help me "fit in". But most the girls were wearing makeup, and I wasn't allowed...yet. On Christmas, that all changed...

Santa brought me this...

From Product Review Pics

I have never forgotten the confidence it instilled in me, those few swipes of mascara. How it made me feel older and beautiful. Though I've experimented with many different makeup products through the years, there's nothing like a few swipes of mascara to make you feel put together.

So, I've been on the hunt for a good mascara that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I have....expensive tastes in makeup, and I've really been trying to tone down that habit a bit. There are a few things I can't compromise on because of my sensitive skin. So, I've been out of my main mascara for awhile now (Sephora Lash Plumper). I've been trying a few samples that I have, but nothing special. I was at Target Wednesday, and I like to wander the cosmetic section every so often. I had an idea...I liked Great Lash back then, it still gets rave reviews as the best "drugstore" brand of mascara, and at $4.50...I decided it's worth another try. After all, it gave me such a sense of beauty and confidence at 11 1/2 years old. I have since built my own confidence, and grown to love and accept my own brand of beauty. I am comfortable in my own skin...literally, as I am never unafraid to go out in public with out "putting on my face". However, I love makeup, so there's no way I'm giving it up.

So it's back to basics for awhile....

Growing up....

My children are growing up. There's no denying it anymore. I've tried and tried to hang on to them...and I'm realizing that I have to let them go, and it's going to be ok.

Kyle decided in June that he wanted a new bike. A mountain bike with hand brakes and gears. A real, grown up bike. Unfortunately, his birthday isn't until December. He decided he would save his money.

I've watched him, all summer long. He's been mowing our lawn and doing a few chores for Grandma(and I know very well that Grandma overpays, but it's her privilege as Grandma :)). He's also saved any "gift money" he's been given. He's had times when he's been tempted to spend some money, and gave in to spending a little bit at Scout Camp, but for the most part he's been driven to save enough to buy his bike before the weather turns cold. We've looked at bikes several times, watching prices, trying to give him an idea of what style/color he wants.

Last week, Cole noticed that the Layton Walmart was clearancing their bikes. He took Kyle down, and even though he hadn't saved quite enough (he was about $20 short) the price was too good to pass up. $80 for a $130 bike is a killer deal. So, we loaned Kyle the rest of the money he needed (he still has to mow the lawn until October, so there's plenty of time to pay us back). My 10 year old bought his own, grownup mountain bike.


I am so proud of him!!! From a very young age, we teach our children that if they want "toys" they have to earn and save their own money. This is the second time Kyle has been able to work towards saving for something "bigger and better", and to a 10 year old, $80 is a LOT of money. I know it was hard for him, especially when Alec would take his own money and buy Bionicles or Bakugans. The learned responsibility shows...I bought a bike lock, so the boys could ride their bikes to school. Kyle wants to use the bike lock in the neighborhood, to make sure his cool, new bike doesn't disappear (we have had bikes and other things stolen before :( ). It's nice to see him taking responsibility for his things.

Speaking of riding to school, I let the boys ride their bikes for the first time today. I didn't think it would be so hard...they're growing up.

I've been hanging on to Alec too hard too. He's always been my more difficult child...he processes information so differently than Kyle, that I worry more about him. He is in his own world, oblivious to the rest of the world. I've babied him, I'll admit...I worry that his different take on the world won't keep him safe. Yesterday, however, I finally let him have a bit more freedom (he is in second grade, after all) and let him do what Kyle has done for several years...take a walkie talkie, and go out into the neighborhood. He did really good, always letting me know where he was, keeping track of the walkie...he's ready. It's so hard for his mommy, though....

On the up side, They both seem to like school so far. Kyle's excited for choir to start next week. I'm liking the routine so far. It's been easier for me to get up at 7 this year....probably because I got used to getting up at 6:30 a couple of times a week to exercise over the past month or so. Our mornings have been pretty good, the kids have done exactly what they were supposed to, and LISTENED when I've been talking...It's been good.

Talia didn't notice the boys being gone as much as I thought she would. On Monday, she seemed to enjoy not having to share the TV or her "space" with the boys....Yesterday, I had to go into a meeting at work, and she came with me, so she didn't have a chance to miss them. This morning she finally seemed to notice that the boys weren't here. She's asked me numerous times "Where's Kyle?" "He's at School." "Where's Alec?" "He's at school." She's not as sad as she was last year when they went back, though. It's been good.

I know they have to grow up, and they're growing up so well...I'm so proud of all of them. I'm a lucky mom.