Reina: Return of the Princess

So...I wrote a book. Here is the cover image and if you want to check it out, you can go over to wattpad and read it. Yay!

Here is the link

https://www.wattpad.com/story/100243534

Hair Rose

I pulled a small section over and Bobby pinned it. Divide it into 3 section and braid each section. Pancake braid them all so the are nice and fat. (Pull a piece out of each section so the braid is not so tight and lays flat) then roll the first braid up to be center of rose. Bobby pin it into place. Wrap the 2nd braid around the first making a flower shape and Bobby pin in place. Add the last braid and wrap around the other two braids making it into rose shape. Bobby pin, spray with hairspray and voila, one cute piggy.

Fancy updo

I separated her hair into 4 sections and pulled them into ponytails. I did a twist braid with each ponytail.  Then take each twist and Bobby pin it up into "S" formations. You will need a lot of Bobby pins. Pin each "S" together as well. Spray it off with hairspray and voila, one cute piggy. I got so many compliments on this hairdo. She wore it for church but you could stick some decorative hair pins in for prom.

Braid Bun

To do this hair do, you need a sponge circle to pull the pony tail through. Section off a circle for the ponytail. Dutch braid around crown of head and Bobby pin tail underneath so you can't see it. With the remaining hair- pull into ponytail. Leave one piece out while you put the sponge over the ponytail and pull through. Start lace braiding only pulling from center ponytail. Braid all the way around sponge and finish braid out. Tuck under tail around the bottom of sponge and voila, one cute piggy.

It's Been A While

So I decided I am going to start up on my blog again.  I got distracted for a while with my husband's new business, new church callings,selling our condo and life in general but I really do want to try to keep on this blog thing 2-3 times each month.  I've done some great hair do's and I need to start taking pictures.  I just cut my own bangs as well as my daughter so maybe I should do a fringe post.  I have also read some amazing books.  Right now I am  reading the Midwife's Aprrentice by Karen Cushman to my daughter and Diary of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney to my son.  My daughter reads anything and loves it but my son is getting pickier.  I decided to find books that he is into.  I found some basketball chapter books and I think really, the trick with him is to read together.  He reads a page and then I read a page and that has been working wonders.  I read The Lemonade War Series by Jacqueline Davies to them this summer.  They both loved it.  They also loved Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.  My daughter read Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.  She loved, loved, loved the Whatever After series and wants all of the books by Sarah Mylnowski now.  Anyways I will plan on some new posts coming up soon.  Feel free to comment on the hair styles and the book reviews.

More books for your little ones!!! Part 2

So here are the next 50 children's books recommended  by a reading specialist at our children's elementary.

#51.  Maisy Goes Swimming by Lucy Cousins
#52.  Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
#53.  Mama Cat Has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming
#54.  The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
#55.  Marth Speaks by Susan Meddaugh
#56.  Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia L. Burton
#57.  Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag
#58.  Miss Nilson is Missing by James Marshall and Harry Allard *
#59.  Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Birmingham
#60.  Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe *
#61.  Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by CandaceFleming
#62.  My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
#63.  The Napping House by Audrey Wood *
#64.  No, David!  by David Shannon *
#65.  Off to School, Baby Duck! by Amy Hest
#66. Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth
#67.  Olivia by Ian Falconer *
#68.  Owen by Kevin Henkes
#69.  Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me by Eric Carle
#70.  Pierre:  A Cautionary Tale by Maurice Sendak
#71.  The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg *
#72.  Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault *
#73.  The Random House Book of Mother Goose:  A Treasury of 386 Timeless Nursery Rhymes by Arnold Lobel
#74.  Round Trip by Ann Jonas
#75.  Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky *
#76.  The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats *
#77.  Spots, Feathers and Curly Tails by Nancy Tafuri
#78.  The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
#79.  The Stray Dog by Marc Simont
#80.  Strega Nona by Tomie De Paola
#81.  Swimmy by Leo Lionni
#82.  Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
#83.  The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter *
#84.  Tar Beach by Raith Ringgold
#85.  Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang
#86.  There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback *
#87.  The Three Bears by Paul Galdone *
#88.  Trashy Town by Andrea Griffing Zimmerman
#89.  The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by a Wolf by John Scieszka *
#90.  Tuesday by David Wiesner
#91.  Uptown by Bryan Collier
#92.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle *
#93.  The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky
#94.  Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak *
#95.  Where's Spot?  by Eric Hill
#96.  Whistle For Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
#97.  The Wolf's Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza
#98.  Yoko by Rosemary Wells
#99.  Zomo the Rabbit:  A Trickster Tale From West Africa by Gerald McDermott
#100. It could Always be Worse:  A Yiddish Folktale by Margot Zemach

Great List of Children's Books

So here is a list of children's books in alphabetical order recommended by my children's reading specialist at their elementary.  Thought I would share with my fellow bloggers.  This is the first 50 books.  I will post the next 50 later.  The Books marked with an asterisk * are the books that I have read or have a copy of in our children's book collection.

#1.  Abuela by Arthur Dorros
#2.  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst *
#3.  Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric A Kimmel *
#4   Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty
#5.  Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
#6.  The Bossy Gaillito: A Traditionl Cuban Folk Tale by Lucia M. Gonzalez
#7.  Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban
#8.  Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Jr. Martin *
#9.  Bruno Munari's ABC by Bruno Munari
#10.  Buz by Richard Egielski
#11.  Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina *
#12.  The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
#13.  A Chair For My Mother by Vera B. Williams
#14.  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Jr. Marin *
#15.  Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin *
#16.  Come Along, Daisy! by Jane Simmons
#17.  Corduroy by Don Freeman *
#18.  Curious George by H.A. Rey *
#19.  Dinosaur Roar! by Paul and Henrietta Stickland *
#20.  Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Williams *
#21.  Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
#22.  Fire Truck by Peter Sis
#23.  Freight Train by Donald Crews
#24.  Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
#25.  The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
#26.  George and Martha by James Marshall
#27.  Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley *
#28.  Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia McKissack
#29.  Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
#30.  Goodnight Moon by Margaret W. Brown *
#31.  Gossie by Dunrea Olivier
#32.  Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say
#33.  Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson *
#34.  Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
#35.  Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson
#36.  Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss *
#37.  How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?  by Jane Yolen *
#38.  I kissed the Baby! by Mary Murphy
#39.  If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura J. Numeroff *
#40.  John Henry by Julius Lester
#41.  Julius by Angela Johnson
#42.  Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
#43.  Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes *
#44.  The Line-up Book by Russo Marisabina
#45.  The Little Red Hen: An Old Story by Margot Semach *
#46.  Lon Po Po:  A Red Riding Hood Story From China by Ed Young
#47.  Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Waber
#48.  Mabela the Clever by Margaret Read MacDonald
#49.  Machines at Work by Byron Barton
#50.  Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Little Miss and Mr. Men books

So while out and about in Oakham, England (one of my favorite spots in the world)- we were in a little shop and found the most adorable books ever. We all just LOVED them. They are written by Roger Hargreaves. I wanted to buy the entire set but of course couldn't take them all home with me. They are all so darling. Honestly I love Mr. Tickle, Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. Rude (laugh out loud), Mr. Nosey and Little Miss Fun. They are all cute though. My kids want to read them over and over. They can't get enough.
Here is a little quote from Mr. Rude.

"When you meet somebody, you might think to yourself that that person has a large nose, but you wouldn't say anything to them, would you? Because that would be rude, wouldn't it?
Well, Mr. Rude would just blurt it out.
"Big nose!"
But he wouldn't stop there.
Oh no, not Mr. Rude.
"Big nose! With a nose like that you could vacuum the floor!"
Can you imagine saying that to someone?
Well, I hope you can't!"

Anyways such funny, cute little British books that the whole family will enjoy. I highly suggest buying a few of these little treasures. You won't be sorry you did.

Funny book for kids

Oh my gosh, we have read this over and over. My little boy can't get enough. It is actually quite hilarious. I definitely recommend this book. #2 is 5 years old and thinks that this pigeon is a hoot. The story is about a bus driver who has to leave for a minute and warns not to let the pigeon drive the bus. The pigeon (who acts exactly like a child trying to get what he wants) is so funny. He begs, bribes, throws fits, sweet talks and tries everything imaginable to try to get you to let him drive the bus. #2 says "No!!" out loud every time the pigeon tries to get him to drive the bus. So cute and clever. A must read for little ones!

Baby Hair

So #3 is old enough to finally put her hair in piggies!!!! Wahoo! I decided to try 3 pull-throughs on the top and then scrunch the back of her hair and tease it a little. She was definitely a wiggle worm and would turn her head when I didn't want her too and pull at her hair and grab the combs and mess it up but now I've been doing this for a couple weeks and she does great. I think I might use some shows on my kindle for her to watch while I do it. My sister-in-law taught me that trick :) By the way, if you can't tell- she wouldn't hold her head still long enough for me to snap a good picture.

#1 Section off 3 squares. Mine were on the diagonal.

#2 Use your topsy tail to make your pull throughs.

#3 Add a little mouse and a couple sprays of water.

#4 Tease hair and spray with hairspray.#5 Voila.....one cute little piggie!

The Snake Braid

This is a really cool hairdo. I have had lots of compliments and questions on how to do this hairstyle. We like to call it the snake braid.

#1 Divide hair into 3 sections horizontally. The first section being from ear to ear, the next is the middle section and the last is the bottom section.

#2 Tie off the bottom to sections with elastics.

#3 Begin working with the top sections by combing the hair from the left to the right. Spray generously with water. I decided to do a dutch braid which simply means you grab the hair under instead of over like a regular french braid.#4 When you get to the right ear, undo the middle section and comb it down. Keep adding hair to the french braid turning it so you will now be heading to the left side of her head.#4 When you get to the left side undo the bottom section. Now this part gets tricky with your fingers but just keep dutch braiding until you end up on the right side of the head again. Finish out the braid.#5 Tuck the braid into the base of the hair by using your finger and making an opening at the end. Stuff the braid into the opening. Bobby pin down to secure.#6 Add a bow or a headband#7 Voila....one cute little piggie!

3 Twisted Piggies

Sorry I didn't have a step by step on this one. I remembered to take pictures after the fact. So this seems complicated but is actually a piece of cake.

#1 Part hair down the middle.

#2 Section off a square on the top left and put aside.

#3 Section off a square on the bottom right and put aside.

#4 Put the rest of the hair into the 2 pig tails.

#5 Make 3 twists out of the top left section and add to bottom right hair.

#6 Make 3 twists out of the bottom right section and add to top left hair.

#7 Spray hair with water bottle and make a twist braid out of remaining hair. Fold over so the ends are sticking up in the air and tie off with another elastic.
#8 Do the same thing on the other side.#9 Tease ends and add ribbons, bows, headbands, whatever.

#10 Voila..... one cute little piggie!

The Perfect Bun

 So I bought this little circle thing in Paris at H&M.  It was like $2.  I've wanted one forever so I got one.  You don't have to go all the way to Paris to get one or H&M for that matter.  In fact- you can get one at Sally's here.  This is also used with a sock if you don't want to spend any money at all.  Just cut up an old sock and roll it up.  All you do is this.

#1  Comb hair into high ponytail.

#2  Put circle thing around ponytail. 

#3  Wrap hair around it and tie a clear elastic around.

#4  Wrap the remaining hair around bun and tuck under with bobby pins.  This is why I love this little contraption.  You can poke bobby pins right into it.

#5  Spray hair with hairspray.

#6  Add a ribbon or bow and voila.....one cute little piggie!

1/2 french braid 1/2 pony

#1 Wet hair and comb to side.

#2  Begin French braiding to the diaganol

#3  French braid all hair until to the base of head.

#4  Tie off with a pony tail.  I wish I would have done it more on the diagonal so that the ponytail was more on the right side of her head but o-well.

#5  Curl hair and tease.  Spray with hairspray.

#6  Add bow and voila....one cute little piggie!

Zig Zag Piggie Tails

So #1 wanted pig tales today.  I decided to do them a little differently.

#1  Spray hair with water

#2  Use the pointy end of a comb and draw a  (z) pattern on the top of her head clear down to the nape of her neck.

#3  Pull one side into a ponytail or clip to hold until later.

#4  Section off from her part to the back of the ear.

#5  Add remaining hair in clip to hold until later.

#6  French braid the top part and braid back until you can combine into one ponytail.

#7  Do the same thing on the other side.

#8  Spray with hairspray and tie off with ribbons and voila....one cute little piggie!

Knots and messy bun

Sorry I have been out of commission for a while. Just got back from my dream vacation and now back to reality. Anyways here is a fun hairstyle that I have been doing for years. Knots.

#1 Start off by parting hair on the side.

#2 Section square off on top of head. Put rest in low side ponytail.#3 Divide that section into 3 pieces. With the first piece tie in a knot like you tie your shoe laces.
#4 Add next piece and tie another knot.

#5 Add final piece and tie another knot. I added a clear elastic after I tied

#6 Add hair to side ponytail with an elastic.
#7 Make a side messy bun#8 Add a bow and voila.....one cute little piggie!