Bucket List: Clemyjontri Park

Today after lunch Derek and I decided to take LJ to on of the places on his bucket list: Clemyjontri Park in McLean, Va. It was so much fun! It was perfect for him. Here are a few pictures of his adventure at the playground

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He had an absolute blast and we will have to go back few more times! Next time we will put sunblock on him..he looked like a little Irish potato by the end!

With Mommy and Daddy

LJ's Summer Bucket List

It is almost that time of year again...the weather is getting nicer and the sun is shining! This time last year Liam was only about 6 months and there isn't much he can really do and enjoy, but this summer is a different story...hes the busiest little boy and I have to find things to do with him to keep him happy and smiling. I have research to see what there is out there for toddlers and younger kids..i am new to this part of the VA-the kid activity part. So, I decided that I wanted to make him a bucket list for his summer of things I wanted to take him to do or see May through August. I thought I would share with you my list so far. Maybe it will give you some ideas to do with your kids or friends!

- Frying Pan Park

- Reston Petting Zoo

- Green Springs Gardens Park

- Meadowloark Gardens

- Crooked Run Orchard

- Hartland Orchard

- Ticonderoga Farms

- Bull Run Park and Water Park

- Chesapeake and Ohio Public Canal Boat rides

- Glen Echo Park

- Great Falls

- Lake Fairfax

- Potomac Overlook

- Theodore Roosevelt Island

- Clemjontri Park

- Great Waves Water Park

- The Water Mine

- Upton Hill Regional Park/ Water Park

- Pirates cove Water Park

- Sport Bounce of Loundon

- Curiosity Zone

- Paint your own pottery in Fairfax Corner

- Water fountain in Fairfax Corner

- National Harbor

- The monuments in DC

- Baltimore Harbor and Boat Ride

- National Zoo

- ESPN Zone

- Hard Rock Cafe

- Go to see Toy Story 3

- Take swimming Lessons

that is my list so far..I am sure I will be adding to it but I think its a good start and will keep him busy! I can't wait, and don't worry there will be plenty of pictures to share! If you would love to give me anymore suggestions, that would be great!

It is such a nice day out that it calls for having lunch and doing something outside...when little man wakes up for his nap we are going to go have lunch with Derek and maybe something from the list...I love sunny days!

Happy Friday everyone!

An Apple A Day...

It feels like Christmas in April for me...because as of yesterday I am now a proud owner of this...
a MacBook Pro!! Isn't it pretty?? I have wanted one for so, so long. With my Dell giving me problem, after problem I couldn't take it anymore. Also, it was a great excuse that I am starting back to school in May and of course you need a good computer, right?? Well, i basically maxed out my Best buy credit card for this, but it was totally worth it. Of course, I had to get the cute little keyboard, mouse, iWorks, Mobile Me, I couldn't just stop at the computer... so excited!! I can hardly stand it. After the busiest week that I have had in what it feel like is forever, this just made it an awesome weekend.

As for the rest of my week...it consisted of ordering my textbooks, babysitting and errands. Yes, I still babysit, sure it might sound like if for when you are middle school and need money but its a great side job and I make SO much more than I did when I was younger. Also, its awesome because most of the time I can bring little man and he has someone to play with. Its even better because then little man and me get home, he crashes for about 2-3 hour nap. So, I can get some of my other things done and have a little time for me...but as you moms know, once you finally sit down or get comfy for some " me" they wake up! Story of my life. I feel like I have been going nonstop since Monday and it hasn't stop yet. I like to be busy but it is also nice to breathe once and awhile.

tomorrow mission: run 1 mile, walk 3 and by the end have a sleeping toddler a iced green tea from Starbucks :)

My Fine Hair Basics

When sitting around waiting for our new patio furniture to be delivered between 1-4..I needed something to do and well since we have just been at the house all, nothing too blog worthy has come to mind, I thought I would tell you about a few of my favorite things ( beauty wise)..these are things I have learned that I can not live without so I wanted to share my knowledge with you!

Having fine hair for the most part isn't fun or easy to work with..but after you read this, I am sure you will change your mind...
My hair never had body or lift to it, it was a project just to get it to stay the way I wanted it; plus a whole lot of hairspray that left me feeling like I was wearing a helmet. You know this if you have fine hair, if you mess with it too much trying different things it just ends up oily and gross. So, after awhile, I was getting so frustrated with it that I just had it one style everyday, day in and day now...how boring! A year or so ago I decided to go to a different salon to get a fresh new lookout with my hair. Let me tell you best thing I did! I absolutely love her, not just because she makes me look amazing every time I go in and that she gives me discounts but because she knows her stuff and she knows exactly what was best for my hair. She introduced me to a product line that I fell in love with. So, say hello to....
I can not live without these product or at least my hair doesn't look or feel as good if I use something else.The first one is "Miso Knotty". It is a leave-in Detangler. I realized after using this just once that my hair look healthier and not so weighted down. Conditioning in the shower was completely weighing down my fine locks to the point that they look stringy by the end of the day.Gross. So after shampooing I don't put anything else in, I just finish up. After I towel take the towel off my head or towel dry it. I stray this in, you don't need a lot and comb through. It's that easy! My hair feels smooth and nice.

Now if I decide to dry my hair...depending on my little ones mood and what the plan id for that day, I don't do anything until I put this one my roots! This is magical, Shang High Root Booster, let me tell you. I thought my hair would never have life or body to it unless I teased it to death ( and that's not very nice). I Spray in into my hands and apply it my roots. Then when I blow dry my hair I flip my head upside down for most of it to make sure i get the roots blown out. Now, don:t be scared when you flip your head back up, your hair might look like you a 70's fo, but that's okay..you are just gibe the root booster a chance to do it job. Then finish my blowing the rest of the way it clams it down enough. It is great because when I pin it back and want to have the " bumpit" look this product does the trick without having to put some crazy thing in your hair!

The names of these product always make me laugh and put a smile on my face too. So my fine haired friends and those just looking for something new to try, I hope this helps you and its too long and boring!! Let me know if any of these products work for you or if you have any other suggestions..I would love to hear them!

more hair products coming soon: Sashini Thermal solution and Oso Shimmer

No Mom Jeans For This Chick

Women all around the world fight the urge everyday to not give into the "mom jean" and I am no different, just because you have a baby doesn't mean you lose your sense of fashion!

When I first had Liam, I told myself that I would look before then before I even got pregnant and I stuck to that. It came at a perfect time that my best friend said that we should train and run for a marathon in San Fran. Not only did I think it was a great idea, I thought it was a great cause and knew the person in my heart that would have been so proud. I got up to running 10 miles with basically no running and I was running everyday. I was really enjoying it and always in a great mood after a ran. I hit my "runners block" around 6 miles and could go forever...something I never thought I would say. When it was time for me to go back to work full time, running kind of took a back seat.. it was either run at 4 am before Liam got and I had to get ready for my 9 hour day or run at &pm ands miss that time with Liam...of course the choice was easy..I wanted to spend that time with him. I will tell you now I think the worst hours of the day are between 4 am and 5:45 am..so there was no way I was going to get up...sorry...I am a morning person but thats just insane! Now that I am home again I started this every morning, I am not at the same point that I was by any means Instead of running the whole thing, I am more a run/walk kind of person...okay okay, more on the walking side, but no worries that will change, you just wait and see!!

One of the many gifts spoiled me with was a Baby Trend Jogging Stroller.. best thing ever!! While I do all the work Liam just to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride...seems fair right? For those moms out there or the moms-to-be, I vote that you get one of those!! It just makes you want to exercise!

Now that I am into this running stroller thing, I try to get everyone to run or walk with me...I have even joined a mommy group that love running strollers as much as I do. don't judge. We meet and go for a run and then go get coffee or in my case: water, green tea or iced tea. It makes working out not feel like working out and that's the best kind!

Today: 3 miles & 1 sleeping toddler

I am new to blogging and this my first real post and am VERY excited about it.
As my first post I need to give a HUGE thank you and a lot of love to my lovely, smart friend Aliya for designing my blog for me. She is absolutely amazing!!!
You need to check out her blog http://my-scenery.blogspot.com/ and also her business... she is so creative and great at what she does...plus one of the sweetest people you will meet!
http://aliyarinaldidesigns.blogspot.com/

I love you Aliya!!