Happy Birthday, Grandpa Carl!

Granpa Carl, man of style. On a picnic with Dennis, Carol and Ron. Probably around 1952 or 53., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.

He couldn't have done it better.

Kind, thoughtful, patient, hard working but always has plenty of time for us. Generous with everything he is and everything he has, with a ready smile and a laugh and of course, a hug. If you're up for it, he'll sit and talk until 2 AM, eating goodies, and then get up at 4 and put the coffee on for the early risers. He's the one we've always been able to count on, no matter what. And on top of that, the man can rock a fedora.

Happy 90th Birthday, Grandpa Carl. We love you so much!

Happy Easter!

Then things get crazy..., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.

Though we are still feeling like it's winter around here, the snow melted the day before and we had a wonderful day. Rowan woke us up with hand made paper Easter eggs for each of us (delivered in bed), followed by Easter baskets, an egg hunt, breakfast, and getting ready for church. The girls indulged me and let me take a few photos before heading off for more Easter activities at Sunday school, including another egg hunt. Worship was wonderful, and the girls sang in the Angel choir (under my direction). Well, Rowan did. Anya walked out halfway through, but she's not even 3 yet so it's forgivable. We came home for a quick, light lunch and Anya and her dad took long naps while Rowan read her new books and I prepped Easter dinner. Two families of friends came over, and we had the big, traditional Easter dinner, with ham, scalloped potatoes, and all the fixings (and I mean ALL.). We ate enough to gain about 5 lbs. each, and then everyone stayed until every dish was done, dried and put away. This is how you get another invitation to dinner! (Love our friends!)

It was a wonderful day, even if nature didn't cooperate with warm temperatures.

I hope you had a wonderful day, and got plenty of chocolate in your Easter basket!

(Full set here.)

She's learning to read

Untitled, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.

and I love what she's writing.

"This is my mommy. This nice. I love my mommy. My mom is so nice. This is my mom with me."

Free EBooks!

A friend recently posted a link to a page of an aggregator that lists FREE ebooks. Woot! I hate paying for them, since I'm an avid library user, but I also hate disappearing books on my nook, and I never seem to remember to turn of the wifi in time to keep them until I'm finished.

Since they don't have any images, and I wanted to pin it to remember it, I'm blogging it here so I can find it again. Photo from here. Thanks to Neil Harvey for the image.

Snow!

Snow!%, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.

We got none for months (and my mood sank lower and lower). Then, in about 3 days we got lots. The girls dressed up in their new winter coats and hats, and headed out to burn off some energy. Yay, snow!

Mom still dresses up, too. Halloween 2012

Love me. #maudelebowski #thebiglebowski #halloween, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.

My costume this year: Maude Lebowski from the phone scene in The Big Lebowski.

Specs: wig was an Electra auburn wig that I cut short. It curled under naturally, so it was very easy to do. I got it at Party City, but can't find it online right now. It was about 20 bucks.

Robe was a self-design, made of dark green felt. I wanted velvet, but they didn't have any in this color and the price would have been prohibitive anyway. It approximates her costume quite well, and is super comfy to boot. I wore it to a Halloween party Friday night, and those who'd seen the movie loved it. I am surprised by how many people have not seen the movie. Travesty! I wore it with a tank and jean skirt underneath, and black knee-high boots like she wears in the painting scene. I also approximated her makeup, though my attempt to create the lipstick shade wasn't exact, but whatever. So I was Technicolor Maude.

Hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween, and get lots of good candy!

Ruby Gloom and an uncooperative strawberry: Happy Halloween 2012!

Ruby Gloom and an uncooperative strawberry, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.

We've survived Hurricane Sandy with no damage, and didn't even lose power. But, despite being home all together for 2 days, Halloween still managed to sneak up on us, and our pumpkins are yet uncarved. School is back on today, so we woke a little earlier to get ready. The girls enjoyed jack o'lantern oatmeal and then Rowan sat patiently for her hair and makeup session. She decided way back in November last year that she wanted to be Ruby Gloom, and surprisingly, never changed her mind about her costume. I found the perfect little black velvet dress on sale at Walmart after Christmas, and due to the snow today, we had to top it with a little long-sleeved velvet shrug she had just so she wouldn't be too cold. She wore black bike shorts underneath for warmth and so she can play without flashing the kindergarten, and the tights are actually adult socks purchased from an online clown supply company. We sprayed her hair red, added a little black makeup for brows, freckles and lashes, and she is Ruby Gloom! She was so excited, she didn't even complain about having to carry 6 quarts of apple juice to school for her party.



My sister had given us a bunch of theater makeup from a company she worked for that went out of business, so I'll be interested to see how it lasts. It was beautiful to work with and went on very smoothly. Since she is only 5, we skipped the white base--better chance she'll still be OK with it by the end of the day, in time to trick-or-treat tonight.

She had wanted Anya to go as Doom Kitty, Ruby's sidekick, but Anya protested. I happened to see (and totally fall in love with) this strawberry costume at Old Navy, and it was on sale, so there you go. It's cute as a button and warm, too, so it was a no brainer. Anya, however, was not interested in posing or even looking in the camera's general direction this morning, so we will make another attempt later, but this might be it.

We wish you a safe and fun Halloween! May your bucket be filled with all your favorite treats!

Anya says her bedtime prayers.

I couldn't bear the thought of forgetting how her voice sounds right now. "Wakey wiff" gets me every time.