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Love Your Curls

May 22, 2015 By Erica Deuel 2 Comments

As a mom, one of my biggest hopes for my kids is that they would grow up proud of who they are, how they are wired, and the masterpieces God created them to be.

My boys are gifts that made me a mom, stretched me more than I knew possible, and helped grow me into the mom I am today. I will be forever thankful I got introduced into motherhood with them. When I found out our third was a girl, I was so excited but also….scared to pieces.

It is no secret that girls can be picked apart and critiqued everyday. Sometimes a girls worse critic can be herself. Every comment about her hair, size, color, attitude, likes/dislikes has the power to uplift and build up confidence or tear her completely down.

If I can succeed at anything as a mom to a little girl, I pray that I help her to be confident and convinced in the masterpiece she is. I want so badly for her to grow up knowing she is a unique creation and to and treat herself like she believes it.

wavy_hair_little_girlWhat some may not know about my relationship with my little Reagan Noel is that our biggest fights are about her hair. She hates for is to get styled, washed, brushed, braided, played with, and put in a pony tail. In summary, she really just doesn’t want her hair touched.

She has the most beautiful curly hair. I just adore it, yet it requires care like anything else so that always puts friction between us.

Curly hair gets tangled. The only way I can brush Reagan’s hair is if it gets washed and I comb it while it is wet. Even then, it is still a battle. I don’t wash her hair everyday. So when we do wash and brush it, you can only imagine the cries of my dramatic, sweet four-year old. I am continually trying new brushes, products, and techniques to make this little task easier. I was so excited when I was selected to try Dove’s new curly hair products in their  “Love Your Curls” campaign.

love_your_curlsIf you have a four-year old girl (your experience may be like mine), they like to dress themselves, already have an opinion and taste in clothes, and a little lip gloss will bring them much joy. Reagan is a free spirit when it comes to her style and for the most part I don’t fight it. I let her choose outfits and often times bite my lip when she walks out the door.

When it came to her hair though, I’ve always just taken control. This may be because she is four or may be because for the sake of time it is one thing I can do “quickly”. It has been such an unpleasant experience, why drag it out for longer than it needs to be? I compliment and praise my daughter for her curly hair often, but here was an opportunity to teach her about her hair and build some confidence in the process.

wavy_little_girlWe started with a hair cut. It was hard for her to let her Rapunzel hair goal go, but we cut off eight inches and it is still long. We then tried Dove’s shampoo and conditioner. I let her rub some in her hair, I did as well. There were minimal tears letting her assist with the wash and rinse! I found the shampoo and conditioner left her hair feeling soft and smooth and more manageable!

Next, we tried some of the new Dove styling products.

little_girl_curly_Hair_care

Curly_hair_careWe loved the Quench Absolute Supreme Creme Serum. It is Dove’s first curl leave in nourishing treatment. It’s fast absorbing, lightweight and can be used on wet or dry hair. I let Reagan’s hair be about half air-dried when I apply it. I love how you can’t even tell she has a product in her hair. There is no hardness to her curls. They are still lightweight but just a little less frizzy.

When we were done doing her hair, she was smiling so proud. Here I had not just complimented her hair, I let her take some ownership in helping to care for her hair. By taking the time to turn an unpleasant task into a teachable moment, my daughter grew a little pride. I wonder how many special moments I miss by rushing to get through the task at hand.

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We have not used these products for very long, but I am pretty sure I am a huge fan.

Did you know that one in three women in the US have curly hair?

Did you know that only 4 in 10 little girls with curly hair think their hair is beautiful?

Dove wants all women and girls to love their curly hair. The “Love Your Curls” campaign  was created to encourage women to celebrate their curls and inspire future generations to do the same. I believe the more we celebrate how we are and people around us do the same, girls will more likely feel beautiful and be proud of their unique characteristics.

The NEW Love Your Curls book is a poetic tribute to curly hair. It is intended to represent and inspire curly-haired girls of all ages. If you would like to get a copy of the book to read to your little girl, you can download a free e-book here. You can also personalize it and create a customize dedication to your little girl. Reagan absolutely loved the book and seeing girls that had hair just like her.

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My Reagan is sassy, spirited, full of life, and so fun just like her curly hair. I pray she grows up loving her hair and being proud of how she was created.

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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My colorful girl’s bedroom

April 6, 2015 By Erica Deuel 10 Comments

Disclaimer: The wall stencil and stencil brush I received for free. Thank you Royal Design Studio Stencils for so generously gifting them to me. All opinions are very much my own.
royal_design_studio_stencilWhen I started dreaming of how I wanted to create my Reagan’s new bedroom, I knew I wanted lots of color, texture, patterns, and fun. I pictured fun color with pops of natural elements and black and white contrasts thrown in. What I did not take in account was my daughter having an opinion, and she had one.

She wanted a pink room.

What!? Everything in me screamed “nooooooooo!” I am much more a purple mom for a girl. I wanted to fight her, but it’s her room. I love her more than my hatred for pink. Together we decided one purple wall would be fun. So, I painted some samples on her wall and they lived like that for a couple months while holidays and other rooms were completed. Finally it was time to paint her room. She was THRILLED to see that pink go on the wall. I held my breath.

before_paint_jobchoosing_paint_colorlight_pinkIt was really bright. I had to try to envision the end result. I kept thinking this seems like a nursery for a pink ballet themed room. I just kept playing in my head “I love my daughter, I really love my daughter” as I painted every stroke. I fought that picture in my head with what I knew the end result could be.

I loved the purple wall, but it didn’t seem quite right. It was definitely a punch of color, but it was also a little just like a purple wall. I wanted it to have more jazz and fun. I knew I needed to stencil it up, just like I stenciled my boys accent wall.

painted_girls_roomI was so excited when I saw that Royal Design Studio Stencils had so many fun, girly stencils. I fell in love with the Petal Play Floral Damask Wall Stencil. It was the perfect mix of fun and beauty without being a cartoon flower or a formal old floral.

When this stencil arrived, I was thrilled to see that there was a special ceiling stencil included that helped fill in the pattern at the top of the wall. You may remember on my boys wall, I simply cut the stencil to create that piece, but this was all ready for me!

I used what I learned from stenciling my boys wall and just went at it. No fear this time!

royal_design_stencil

royal_design_stencils

stencilingThis stencil was so simple in the fact that I did not worry about it looking slanted when I stood back. Based on the pattern there was no fear of my stencil going crooked. What was a little more tricky was lining up the stencils, and that was only because the connecting pieces (petals) were smaller.

I ended up drawing a sharpie arrow on my stencil to a few bigger, stand out petals. This helped spot the connecting place quicker.

how_to_stencilI decided to use gold as the accent color for this stencil because it’s fun and also subtle. I wanted the wall to ultimately look purple but also fun and a true accent wall. The stencil created that look!

I did the stippling effect again. I loved it with the gold paint because it created a gold leaf look with shimmering highlights of metallic gold.

One thing that I did not realize until this project was what a difference the stencil brush makes! My boys room was the first wall stencil I have ever done, so I just used the same stencil brush I use to create little wood signs. Big mistake. I got my hands on on the 2″ All Over Stencil Brush from Royal Design Studio Stencils, and it made all the difference. This project flew in comparison to my boys room.

wall_stencilingThe process wasn’t fast enough for this sweet, exited girl.

It was worth it though! The wall came out better than I expected. I love it. It is that punch of fun, whimsical, pattern, and color that I was hoping to create in this room.

stenciled_girls_wallI love how this room can grow with her. It’s so fun now, but it can also last for years. I joke with her now about trading rooms. What I love most though, is she loves it as much as me. She calls her wall her golden flowers.Bohemian_decorBohemian_girls_roomAs I painted this room, I realized I really didn’t want to spend the paint or time to paint her closet. It was a clean light gray. It looked fine and was in good shape. There was really no need to paint it except that it would have this harsh line that might look like I took the lazy way out in not painting it, whenever the closet doors were open.

Let’s be honest.

They are open most of the time too. I toy with taking the sliding doors off at some point, but for now they are there. I decided to just make this element creative as well. I used some painters tape and added some jagged lines into the closet to paint the wall.

painted_closetBy doing this technique the wall looks intentional (not like a lazy mom), and it’s also a fun element all on its own! I really love it, and now I want to go back and do the same thing in my boys’ bedroom.

Reagan’s room is so close to being done. I have a window treatment idea still to do, and I also want to sew her a rag quilt like I did for my bed and then I will be ready for a full room tour!

color_is_so_funWhat do you think of all the color and splashes of fun? Does it make your heart go pitter patter as well?

I hope you feel brave and try going for it with color or some other crazy element in your life and home this week. The more I go with my gut and be bold with color…the braver I get to keep trying new things! Who knew you could find such bravery in you by a fresh coat of paint!?

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Up Your Snack Time

March 30, 2015 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

If you have boys, you probably have some battles in your house. They may be battles of the wills, skills, or even battle’s of sheer strength. Those later battles are the ones that are hardest for me. But boys will be boys, and it’s good for them to have some rough and tumble time – and when it ends with no tears, bruises, or broken furniture, even better!

We try to instill the phrase “use your muscles for good” around here. My boys are growing up knowing they use their muscles to protect. Skylanders_game_boardI love the moment though where I can head off the tears and need for super glue and convince them to “battle” with their minds thinking creatively through a strategic game.

We were all excited when they learned of Skylanders. We are new fans and my boys love the battles. I was excited when I heard that General Mills and Skylanders have teamed up to offer an exclusive Skystones game free with our favorite boxes of cereal. Hidden inside specially marked Big G cereals, fans will find Skystones cards playable on the game board found on the back of the cereal box. This is a battle my boys can participate in!

We love cereal and eat it for snacks as much as enjoying it for breakfast. There is usually a moment every school day where we need a little break and time to refuel before getting back to our book work. Cereal is one of my go to grab items. They will often eat it as I read to them, but when this game came I was excited for them to play! The Skystones game fosters family fun and fuels development through imaginative and cognitive play. My boys were still practicing critical thinking and processing order of steps all while playing. They loved it and didn’t know our school break was still a learning process!

Skylanders_game

fun_snackThe game is simple. Each player gets a set of cards (characters) and takes turns placing one at a time on the board. Each card has certain strengths and by how you place the card on the board determines if your character is stronger than the one you are battling. If you win the battle (you know by little arrows on the cards), you get to flip your opponents card over and that character has joined your team! The player with the most cards on the board once it is full, wins!

Skylanders_cereal_game

Skylanders_cereal_toyThe instructions were so quick to read and grasp. My boys are 6 and 8 and after two rounds of assisting, they were off and playing all by themselves. It looked so fun though, I joined in for a few rounds. No joke, my kids have played lots since and even started battling their dad.

As a kid, I remember the great joy in cereal box toys. They usually were lost or claimed by a sibling pretty quick. I love how this Skystones game is something everyone can enjoy. We will be saving it to play, long after the cereal is gone.

general_mills_cerealHow fun that it comes with cereal!? Participating Big G brands include Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, Fruity Cheerios, Reese’s Puffs, Cookie Crisp, Lucky Charms, Trix and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. A snack and a game…perfect kid activity all in one!

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Teaching Patience (to the wee lil one…and me)

March 23, 2015 By Erica Deuel 2 Comments

Disclaimer: The wall decal I received for free. Thank you RoomMates for so generously gifting it to my girl. All opinions are very much my own.

teaching_patienceGetting out the door can be one hard task as a mom.

This winter I learned there was an extra step to it when you have to account for a winter coat, gloves, and a hat.

Does everyone have what they need? or could possibly need? Has everyone done what they are supposed to so they are ready to go? These are just some of the questions that run through my mind as we are loading up to go somewhere.

I don’t know about you, but when I have that list running through my head of: Reagan needs to go potty, everyone needs to fill their water bottles, does J have on two shoes…that match, do I have my post office packages, where is that receipt? and on and on. It’s a lot to process.

My mind has a jumble of different things that it’s trying to remember and process all at the same time.

If one sweet, sweet voice asks me something in that brain filing, it’s hard. If three little voices all speak on top of each other, at the same time during that filing…I’m one comment away from mental overload and can lose my cool.

I hate it. Can you relate? It’s like all those good things you work so so hard the rest of the day instilling feels like in one trial to get out the door…they can be lost. I find myself more and more getting in the car, pulling away from the house, and having to apologize to my kids. I want them to learn patience, yet I don’t always show it. So what if I pause to answer a question and forget something. This town is not that big. We can come back home. Nothing is worth more than my kids heart, even that forgotten return item on the counter.

I say all this to say, there are moments where we feel like our kids aren’t learning or how can they learn from my behavior….but they are. My sweet Reagan Noel has been waiting so patiently for her room to get painted. Her room was the first room we painted at our last house, so I thought it was the boys turn this time. In this house setting up process, I realized both my craft studio and our foster care room needed shelves put up. Well, I might as well paint the walls before the shelves go up right? So, her room just kept getting pushed further and further back on my to do list.

No joke, she has carried her Rainbow Dash Wall Decal box around for weeks and weeks asking to place it on her wall. Each time I had to explain, we couldn’t yet, I would paint her room soon, and then we could. She would place that box down and go on her merry little way. I have found that decal all over the house for when she would carry it and place it down in some new place. She has been waiting and so very excited. The day I told her we were doing her room the next day, I might as well have told her we were going to Disney World. She was that excited.

doing_a_wall_decal

sticker_puzzle

fun_wall_decalI painted her room (more on that soon). She participated with her own paint project so we were working together. The paint set for 3 days. Three long days to this new four-year old, and then we got to hang her beloved Rainbow Dash up. She called it her sticker puzzle. She wanted to do it herself, and did a pretty good job. There were a couple of areas I smoothed out behind her back, but she did most of it. She is so proud. If you come to our house, one of the first things Reagan will say to you is “come see my room!”

wall_decals

proud_girlAs I sat watching her decorate her dresser with all her extra fun decals, my heart just swelled with pride. She was so patient. She loved me so well as she waited for her turn.

We try to practice love is patient, love is kind….but often my kids re-teach me this lesson. We have been in this house for over three months and she has waited and waited.

There are those moments where we are impatient getting out the door and wish our kids didn’t get distracted or moved faster. There are those moments where your child is impatient waiting for a snack, or for shoes to get tied, or for that beloved blanket to come out of the dryer. But then there are the big moments where you see they are grasping concepts you are desperately trying to instill. By seeing them grasp it, you are encouraged, re taught the lesson, and maybe do a little better in the not so big moments..like getting out the door in time for church.

My kids are molding me, just as much as I am molding them. I often say I want to be like them when I grow up. They laugh and tell me I am already grown up. I say “no way, I’m learning right with you.” Humility is such a big tool in parenting.

rainbow_dash_wall_decal

fly_rainbow_dashSo, as my little girl, flies off her bed as “Rainbow Dash” ready to take on Ponyville or at least conquering my world….I am so thankful for the gift she is. It was just a wall decal, but I will always smile at it and remember the process and lessons we went through to get it on that light pink wall.

I hope you have a great week and get to imagine the possibilities and maybe get to create a little. Even if the only creating you do, is a moment with your child. That might be the best craft there is.

**Note: if you want to see the wall decals we did in our boys room, you can see them here. If you are in love with the idea of wall decals, please check out Roommates. They are awesome. You can follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to be in the know as well.**

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