Anatomy in the Woods

The kids get an anatomy lesson today, in the woods! My hubby shot and FOUND his deer today and EVERY kid in the house wanted in on the track and gutting of the deer. I am always looking for a way to teach my children life lessons and this provided the perfect opportunity.

I must say I was completely surprised by this and thought for sure they would all back down once we hit the quiet black that envelopes in the woods, but they didn't they pressed on. I was also surprised when the time came to gut the deer that they all stayed, mouths agape and questions flying! Not even the three year old backed down. I was also surprised that I remembered so much about the anatomy of a deer!

Today I took time out to enjoy the wonder and curiosity that is at the heart of a child's nature!

Summer is Here

It has been awhile, too long really since I have had a chance to sit and do my time out!

Summer has arrived full swing and with it the many preoccupations of parenting 4 children and 2 step-children. Needless to say I am in desperate need of a good time out!

Today I took that time. It wasn't anything special or even expensive. It didn't require me to get dressed up or spend money, I just took advantage of some downtime at my daughters dance and I talked to other adults!

I know it sounds silly, but with summer here, my time has been consumed with children. Their activities, their friends, their needs. I have found it increasingly difficult to fit in any time for myself at all! I usually spend the time my daughter is at dance to run errands or shop, but today I decided to just sit!

I left the dance studio more relaxed than I have been since the bell rang on fateful Friday in June letting my kids out for the summer! It was nice, really nice to just sit and talk. To step out of the mommy shoes, the wifey shoes and the work shoes. It was a pleasure to sit and chat with other women about anything and everything!

So today, take some time out and get reacquainted with other females, your peers. Just go hang out and talk, it is well worth it!

Facial Massage

As an incredibly busy mother of four, I rarely have time for myself and desperately need some me time. I am always looking for ways to obtain a little time and pampering and of course if that can help release the stress of everyday life, I am all for it!

A couple weeks ago as I was browsing through Barnes and Noble, I came across a book that caught my attention and eye. It was a book that had creative snippets and suggestions for pampering yourself. It is driving me crazy that I can not remember the name of the book and a search on Barnes and Noble .com didn't help.

Regardless, I do remember one page on the benefits of fingertip facial massage. I thought it was interesting and I have been using those techniques suggested every time I feel tense and stress. And not only does it help relieve some stress, it has improved the look and quality of my skin.

HOW IT WORKS:

Facial Massages, as with any type, increase the blood flow and circulation to your face. This is why I suppose the color and quality of your face improve with facial massages.

I use a general moisterizer when I do my facial massages, but you can use just about anything else that is good for your skin type and tone.

Once I apply the moisturizer to my fingertips I begin at my neck and gently massage upward with a gentle pressure for about 30 seconds to a minute.

I then use the first and middle fingers and slide gently upward from my chin to my ears for another 30 seconds.

I then use the first and middle fingers and apply pressure to both sides of my nose for 3-4 seconds and then gently stroke downward.

I then move down to my chin and use the same fingers to apply pressure there and rub gently in a circular motion then apply slight pressure and stroke from the middle of my chin out along my jawline to my ears.

Finally I use the middle finger and ring finger to trace a line from the bridge of my nose, over my brows and to the edge of my eyes. After that I use my ring finger to massage from the corner of my eye by the nose out, around and down to the underside corner.

I try religiously to do this every evening and always when needed.

A quick fingertip facial massage is a great way to pamper yourself and give you a slight relaxing timeout.