sneak peak: april fool's day festivities

"carrots" made from Starburst candies.

what...

You don't bowl with your baby?

Just got back back from a trip to the Bay Area. We had gorgeous weather.

I'll be posting some of our little adventures as soon as I unpack everything and do a million loads of laundry.

you know you're old when

you take your kid to a museum and this is on display...

Yep, right next to the pretend water pump and telegraph.

Me: Honey, do you know what that is?

Katie (in a very matter-of-fact-tone): It's a computer Mama!

the nanny? so cliche

I love that Spring seems to usher in traveling art exhibits in Southern California. I've done a pretty good circuit over the past month or so. I saw the Renoir sketches at the Getty -- also saw this and this.

I'm partial to paintings, though I do usually check out the other art on exhibit. I haven't taken the Little Wickies with me yet. Maybe soon.

One my favorite Renoirs is Gabrielle and Jean (pictured right). I always thought this was such a sweet picture of a mother and child. When at LACMA I learned that it was his nanny and his boy. Renoir also painted her in the nude all. the. time. I know, it's art and he found inspiration where he found it. But still, I'm a wife after all.

Gabrielle (the nanny) is more than prominent in so many of his paintings. She's the one in the beautifully renown painting which graces the banners currently hanging in the streets of Los Angeles (left).

Do you think his wife rolled in her grave a little when they placed that painting on the cover of the Website and brochure, and then on the banners?

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side note: my article "Caught Mid-Stride in Life" appeared in the magazine Mommies Magazine if you want to check it out.

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taking her apprentice under her wing

Today was National Oatmeal Cookie Day.

What better occasion to introduce Maddie to what Katie and I arguably do best: baking.

I don't know what was better -- seeing my little "old pro" put everything in and work the mixer by herself, or seeing how excited Maddie was to witness the whole process up close.

We always "test" a couple of chocolate chips to make sure they are okay before we put them in.

Katie was a regular Julia Childs, talking Mo through the entire process.

"Now we stir the chocolate chips in Maddie -- like this."

"You want to help? Put your hand here."

She was too cute.

going green

The Little Wickies love a parade.

Especially with friends.

Baby Noah made his first parade appearance.

"Real life" princesses.

Today is our day to bring snacks to school so yesterday we made mini zucchini muffins (with mini chocolate chips).

We added some green food dye which gives them a bit of a green tinge-- which is not showing up that much in the photography. But, believe me they are a bit odd looking.

good investment

There aren't a lot of toys that have proven their longevity in our household. The stackable cups, the tea set from Grandma Beth and the Fridge Farm magnet set on our dishwasher are all front runners in this category.

But the little blue kitchen is a clear -- if not the -- winner.

Picture taken on my cell phone ages ago.

This kitchen was Katie's birthday present on her second birthday. The girls still play with this virtually every day.

What are longtime favorites in your home?

yee-haw

November 2007

February 2010

friends, french painters and food -- oh my!

Susan, Carrie and I go back.

Way back.

We've been through it all over the past couple of decades.

The good -- trips to New Orleans and wine country, weddings, babies

The bad -- a frightening trio of boyfriends starting with the letters "O, A and Z"

And, the ugly -- illness, family feuds and more

Susan hasn't lived in California since high school so time together isn't all that frequent. Luckily her best friend Carrie is great at hosting her when she is in town.

Yesterday we headed out to LACMA to see the Renoir exhibit. Then we were spoiled rotten at Tavern by my brother.

Oh, and if you need a laugh click here to see Susan's post re: our husbands.

it's a hard knock life... for mom

On the tip of a friend Katie and I went and saw a local production of Annie.

It was called Annie Jr. meaning the more "adult" parts of the play were taken out (think drunk Miss Hannigan dancing around in lingerie.)

I thought this would be fine.

On the way there I started outlining the story for her and it was then the questions starting coming at me as if shot from a tommy gun.

"What do you mean she doesn't have any parents? Where did they go? Why do they call them orphans?"

Uh-oh.

When the show began, the questions rained down fast and furious.

"Why are they sleeping on the floor?"

"Where are they?" It doesn't look like they are inside, there is a window, see Mama."

"How old is Annie?"

"Who is dressed up as the dog? That's a real dog?!"

"Is that her real hair?"

"It doesn't look red to me, more brownish."

"Is the big girl on the left wearing a wig?"

"Is that boy wearing a wig?"

"Is the little girl wearing a wig?"

"Is that a grown up or a kid?"

We made it to intermission and that's about it.

Clearly we need some more "prep" work before going into our next play.

love these little faces

June 2007

March 2010

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side note: what are you making for dinner? I need inspiration.

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cousins

This weekend Mo and I headed to Santa Monica to meet some family.

We caught some entertainment.

Had a late lunch where Cam and Mo shared some snacks.

Gave Uncle Scott some smooches.

After all, he bestowed loot on all of us (including the coffee Papa and I are addicted to).

I just want to squeeze Cam's cheeks!