Two, she's TWO??

Yep, my "baby" is two.  Yesterday was the Yo Gabba Gabba extravaganza she's been begging for since she could communicate it to me.  Cake, ice cream, cotton candy (what was I thinking??), and all the other goodies that go along with a birthday party. 

My two favorite moments?  I had decorated the living room the night before her birthday, so when we came down the stairs and she looked around and saw the balloons, streamers, and various other shimmering decorations, she simply said "thank you Mommy!"  (It was more like "cank you mommy", but I heard her loud and clear)

Fast forward to today...my 3 1/2-yr-old and newly 2-yr-old are in the car with me, and the older one says "Look Gracie, that's the store where we picked up your Yo Gabba Gabba cake!" and little G said "Thank you sissy!"  (Again, more like "cank you", but we knew.) 

So sweet and innocent...even two years later.  Happy Birthday little pickle. 

Free Doughnut at Krispy Kreme®

Oh I remember this day well...last year my daughters and I celebrated National Doughnut Day by getting our freebies at Krispy Kreme®, and we get to do it again June 1st! 

"Celebrate one of the sweetest days of the year by commemorating National Doughnut Day with a one-of-a-kind complimentary treat from Krispy Kreme®. On Friday, June 1 stop in to any participating Krispy Kreme US shops for a FREE doughnut of any variety. No purchase necessary.

On Friday, June 1, Krispy Kreme is helping its fans across the country pay homage on this delectable holiday by offering every guest one FREE doughnut of any variety at participating Krispy Kreme US locations.

Fans can also share the National Doughnut Day fun with Krispy Kreme on Twitter @KrispyKreme #NationalDoughnutDay.

The offer is good for one free doughnut of any variety per customer on Friday, June 1 only. Visit http://KrispyKreme.com/ for store locations."

Vacation Mode

Do you remember how excited you were on the last day of school before summer vacation?  I do.  And I miss that excitement.  The closest I come to it now is on a Friday heading into a three day weekend. 

But my anticipation is rising as (drumroll please)...it's almost VACATION TIME!!  Ah yes, a whole week this summer road-tripping through the midwest.  Is it Paris in the rain?  No.  The clear sand of Antigua?  Eh-eh.  But it IS time off work, and time bonding with my family as we swim our way through hotels and visit children's museums.  With a 3 and 1-yr-old, those are the vacations we get right now, and that's just fine with me. 

One stop that we're all really excited about is the Magic House in St. Louis.  It's a children's museum that my husband says he went to a long time ago and loved, so we're taking the kids. 

After the Magic House, it's off to "Grandma and Grandpa's house" for a little visit (which means mommy and daddy get to go out to eat while g-ma and g-pa babysit!!), and who knows what else.  That's what I love most about our summer vacation...no deadlines.  Well, that's not totally true.  We only have eight days, but no pressure during those days to be anywhere specific.  No alarm clock + coffee = happy me.

Annmarie Gianni Skin Care Review

Ok, I'm 36.  There I admitted it.  I still get pimples and have oily skin like a teenager anxious for prom, but the fine lines of a mature woman are creeping in as well.  Sooo, do I buy face wash for a kid...or grown-up products?  Fortunately there may be something for me all wrapped up in an organic, natural skin care line from AnnMarie Gianni. 

I've been sampling products from AnnMarie Gianni for the past week or so, and have truly seen and FELT a difference in my skin.  During my nightly skin care routine with the products, I would start with the Aloe-Herb facial cleanser, which was nice and light.  Then I would spritz a little Rosemary Toning Mist...I never thought a mist would have much effect, but now I believe it really is important to the whole routine.  From there I added some Anti-Aging Serum to my face (so my 36 will look more like 30...), and some Herbal Facial Oil--for Oily and Acne Prone Skin.  I love that the products address my oily "teenage" skin as well as my "mature" 36-yr-old here-we-come fine lines. 

Everything I used felt VERY light.  I never felt like I had a film on my face or like it was stripped from overcleansing.  I truly feel like after just one week, my skin is clearer and fresher.  And to top it all off, the products are made with such wonderful ingredients, you could even EAT some!  The Coconut Honey Mask consists of  "Love, raw mountain wildflower honey, organic extra virgin coconut oil, beeswax, organic vanilla powder".  How great is that??

Check out Annmarie Gianni Skin Care at Annmariegianni.com.

Disclosure--I was given products to sample for review.  I was not required to write a postive review, or compensated for the review.

SassySteals.com Giveaway

I always love helping busy moms (then they'll help me back, right??), and recently learned about SassySteals.com, which is a daily deal website started by a mother of two.  SassySteals.com features boutique and handmade items like Hand-Stamped Spoons...

And super cute Flower Wallets...



SassySteals.com has offered to GIVE AWAY the following three items to one lucky Break For Moms reader!!

To win those three great "steals", enter the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You Tweet?

Great giveaways (jewelry and coffee giveaways ending soon...check them out HERE), celebrity mom interviews (you can click on a few of them on the left side of the page), funny stories, product reviews...this blog has all sorts of stuff!  You should probably go ahead and follow Break For Moms on Twitter so you can find out exactly when new giveaways are going up and when fun stuff gets posted.  Please?? 

ANOTHER title?

So I'm a mom, wife, blogger, sister, daughter, radio news person, cook (only for family!), baker (again for family), the list of titles goes on and on.  So why add another?  Eh, why not.  I have always been interested in real estate, and often talked about getting my real estate license "someday"...and my sister finally convinced me that "someday" was NOW. 

So in January I embarked on the journey...started with online classes, which at times involved taking tests with two little kids climbing on my lap, then I progressed to the REAL tests (which cost money, so you don't want to go in willy nilly), then paperwork, another class, more paperwork...and here I am, officially licensed. 

Ahhh, it feels good.

So if you need a Referral Agent (I can help you no matter WHERE you live...Kansas City, Chicago, Alaska) to help you get started, let me know!

Rachel Rode Jewelry Giveaway

Rachel Rode is a mom, which is exhausting in and of itself, but she's also an amazing jewelry maker.  I've had her create custom pieces for my mom (a really cool family tree) and nieces (swimmer and gymnast necklaces), and they're AWESOME.  Check out her etsy store or Facebook page.

In honor of her own birthday (29 right??), Rachel is having a big sale on her jewelry May 1st through May 6th (midnight).  According to Rachel, "Everything will be on sale except custom and made-to-order items. I'll use my facebook page to show examples of what will be on sale and for how much starting tomorrow...i.e. This Pendant was $20 and will be on sale for $15 from May 1st to May 6th...that sort of thing. So facebook fans can get an idea of what to expect as the sale draws closer. I'll have some items on clearance with deep discounts as well. This is my only big sale for the year, so this is the time to buy. :)"

And even better, she's offered to GIVE AWAY one of her pieces to a Break For Moms reader!  You can choose between her birdnest necklace or a tree of life pendant (pictured below).

Enter the rafflecopter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure--I was provided with the item for this giveaway. I was not required to write a positive review.