Doesn't My Bathroom Look Pretty?

The H painted our bathroom walls this vibrant, sea-spray blue color last weekend. And just like that the whole room went from drab to fab. For us anyway. The bathroom's always been my sanctuary, but now I might never come out!

Cheese and Crackers

There's nothing like a good Mad Men premier to inspire the H in the kitchen. The only problem: the crackers were so crunchy I had to stop chewing in order to catch all of the great dialogue. Is it just my T.V. (could it be my ears?!?), or does everyone have to strain to hear that show? Frustrating!

Sweet Somethings No. 10

So the other day, I forget where we were going, but I was walking slightly ahead of Snook when she had to get all poignant on me. Quick disclaimer: in a few short weeks, she's starting a Pre-K program that will have her gone five days a week from 8:00-3:00! So I'm a little fragile.

S: Mommy! Wait for me!
Me: I will. I wasn't going to leave you.
S: Yeah, but Mommy, one day you will have to let me go.
Me: I know, honey. (WATERWORKS)

Four and Two

My bundles turned four and two earlier this year! Which was huge for me because I cannot tell you how many people, back when I was struggling with a terrible two and an infant, told me, "It's hard now, but just wait until they turn four and two. Life will get so much easier." So as much as I tried to live in the moment/savor each day/carpe diem (blah blah blah), 2010 was always kind of looming out there like the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. Of course, as soon as we closed in on four and two, the new mantra I started hearing was, "Five and three. Those are the real golden ages." Figures. But this year still called for a celebration. So we did some Disneyland . . .. . . some Corvette Diner . . . . . . some Chuck E. Cheese . . . . . . some Wild Animal Park . . . . . . and some good old-fashioned family parties.

And I'm glad we did because so far, four and two have been pretty darn golden compared to those rockier early years. The best parts being that both kids can communicate and be reasoned with, for the most part. And they play together and love each other up like never before. So I think I can safely say, half a year in, that four and two was every bit worth the wait.

She Schlepped Sea Shells

The kids and I jumped at the chance to join in on a playdate with friends C-Man and Juju and new friend Bug the other day. The sea shell craft that Bug's mommy brought along with her made it extra special. You can read all about this lovely summertime craft idea here.A dip in the pool afterwards was especially nice. Guess who did not think three was a crowd in the inner tube. Priceless.

Photo credits: Secret Agent Josephine

Party Power

A few months back, Snook got to go to her friend Ellie's most fun, super-powered, 4th birthday party ever. Where the kids got to make their own masks and personalized capes, . . .. . . and then run around like super heroes. All in a very organized fashion.It was super duper fun.

For Our Dining Pleasure

Every now and then the H likes to remind me who's boss in the kitchen. Case in point: this duck prosciutto-wrapped halibut in asparagus sauce and stuffed strawberries for dessert. Consider me reminded.

Snook Imitating Art

Hamming it up with this lovely sculpture in front of her ballet studio!

Basket Case

Folding laundry really ranks up there (down there?) on my list of least favorite domestic tasks.But this little love fest that my kiddies had in the laundry basket after I was done put a much-needed smile on my face.

In Need of a Read?

Life always feels more complete somehow with a good book on the nightstand. This book comes highly recommended from a very reliable source. Can't wait to get my hands on it. And while we're on the subject of good books, here's what's been keeping me up at night lately:

American Rust, by Philipp Meyer
Forest Gate, by Peter Akinti
Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood, by Alexandra Fuller
Abundance, a Novel of Marie Antoinette, by Sena Jeter Naslund
The Alchemy of Murder, by Carol McCleary

Girl Knows How to Eat Sardines

Sardines have been one of my favorite foods for a long time. Mentioned this to Jora the other day though, and she asked me if I've ever tried them on those AK-MAK whole wheat crackers from Trader Joe's with cornichons and Tabasco sauce. Um no. But you can bet I haven't eaten them any other way since. Um yummmmmm. Thanks, girl!

Foodie Finds

We made our way up to the new Farmer's Market in our 'hood this evening and made off with some porcini butter from the 'shroom Shack. Their butter is a creamy blend of: butter (cream, salt), dried porcini mushrooms, mushroom broth (water, mushrooms {brown beech, oyster, crimini, king trumpet}, rose petals, parsley flakes, garlic powder, rice vinegar. A melting pad on a rib eye slab later and I am in love. Rose petals actually materialize as it melts!Le Caramel is my other most favorite recent foodie find. Their caramel is a blend of: sugar, Creme Fraiche and salted butter. To try it is to crave it nightly and reject all other caramel impostors. I know because I do.

When The People Clapped

Snook danced in her second ever ballet recital about a month ago. Remember her first? I love how some of these pictures acually show her dancing.\Her favorite part after it was all said and done -- "When the people clapped." Good job little one!

Witchy Woman

Like most kids, my two definitely had their witching hours as babies. That no man's zone in between afternoon nap and dinner of inconsolable and inexplicable crankiness. Not fun. But oh man how the tables have turned. Nowadays between about 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., I can almost feel my skin take on a greenish tinge, my chin get a little pointier, and my voice sound a lot cacklier. Does this happen to anyone else, where all of a sudden the slightest utterance of the word "mommy" can start your skin a-crawling and make you wish you were anywhere else but here??? I think Snook is on to me and is slowly but surely starting to steer clear of me during my witching hour. Or kiss me, which kills me. Poor Bubs on the other hand still chooses to play with fire every now and then ("Go play!" "Mommy needs a break!" "You're still supposed to be napping!" "No, I don't want to play baseball!"). Luckily the mood passes, we all get through it, and we're off to see the wizard once again. But oh man do I feel sorry for my poor little munchkins. Fingers crossed this phase passes quickly and they forgive my wicked ways.

P.S. Isn't that still one of the scariest faces you've ever seen?

The Zumba's Gonna Get You

My new favorite thing to do on Thursday nights is --- Zumba! Have you tried it? From what I've gathered, you just dance your ass off to salsa, merengue, samba, hip hop, whatever your teacher has on his or her playlist really. And supposedly if you do it right, you can burn 1000 calories in an hour. Yep, I love Zumba. And what's more, Zumba loves me. The first week, the instructor asked me if I was a dancer. Awww! The second week, he asked me to lead the class in a combination. Stop! And the third week, another dancer asked me if I was Brazilian. Too, too kind! So you see why I'm hooked. It's good for the body AND the ego. Mostly I am so happy to have this release and to be dancing again in an environment where I don't look too (how do I put this nicely?) out of place. Now if only I had a zumba buddy . . .

Summer Lust List

A picture of these linen pants from Sanctuary popped into my inbox last night, and now they're on my list. That I just started. Such a welcome alternative to jeans, which are starting to sound very sweaty right now.

My New Happy Place

Last week, I needed to shop for a special gift for my mom (Happy Retirement, Mom!). So I decided to check out a newish boutique in town called Rosamariposa. While there, my heart did about twenty backflips because I found my mom a perfectly whimsical gift, AND I found some of the most unique and stylish jewelry I've seen in a while at seriously rock bottom prices. We're talking $5 earrings and $10 necklaces aplenty. For imported, all natural, and sustainable pieces that beg to be worn. When I asked the owner about her prices, she just said, "I like to keep things simple." That's my kind of simplicity. I let Snook have my camera to keep her occupied while I shopped. Here are some of her images, but I urge you to take a look at the website for a slightly less abstract take on why I'm so enamored. There are also cute shoes, bags, tunics, scarves and hats, sans the sticker shock you'll experience at most boutiques. It really is a very happy place that I pretty much am looking for any excuse to go back to.