Someday we'll find it...

First Sleepover

2012-01-27T15:55:00.002-05:00

Packing for her first big girls' sleepover, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. They planned it themselves. I heard snippets, here and there, but figured it was just wishful thinking. Then I got the text. "Are we on for a sleepover tomorrow?" So, she's going. Just down the hill, her friend lives pretty much in our backyard, and they spend so much time together, I'm not really worried that

I can't put my arms down!!!

2012-01-20T18:26:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } I can't put my arms down!!!, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. It probably took longer to dress her than we spent outside, thanks to her sister's accident, but dang. Doesn't she look adorable?

Best friends

2012-01-20T18:25:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Best friends, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. They had a ball playing in the few inches of fresh snow, until Rowan took a header into her buddy's sled. She ended up with a mouth full of blood and a bad attitude, but

Making chocolate chip cookies

2012-01-19T13:27:00.001-05:00

Making chocolate chip cookies, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.Making chocolate chip cookies

Winter's nap

2012-01-13T19:58:00.001-05:00

Anya, rocking the Nutella goatee.

2012-01-02T12:32:00.001-05:00

Anya, rocking the Nutella goatee., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.Anya, rocking the Nutella goatee.

Happy New Year! 2012. (Just typing that makes me feel old.)

2012-01-01T21:54:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } We're still working on that posing gene., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. We spent our first Christmas in our new house, and it was wonderful. Really. Really, really. Really.Christmas, on our terms. No rushing, no

A few photos before Chaos Reigned

2011-12-29T23:08:00.001-05:00

Christmas 2011, a set on Flickr.Our first Christmas in our new home was just wonderful. Here are a few snaps before Hurricane Wrapping Paper took over. Hope your holiday was a special one, too.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

2011-12-24T09:39:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. May you have a joy-filled, blessed holiday. It will probably be a bit stressful, but there's chocolate, booze and comfy socks--make use of them. Much love,

Pizza Cat!!!

2011-12-23T09:01:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Pizza Cat!!! (Rowan, age 4 1/2), originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Suddenly, things take shape. What, in the so recent past, was scribbles and blobs, now is people, animals, buildings--all with recognizable features and

Scandinavian Paper Heart Baskets

2011-11-29T17:15:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Training a little Scandinavian, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. She's Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic, and definitely looks the part. Today, she made her first paper heart basket, with (lots of) help from Mom. After

I make my own laundry soap. Yep. Pretty sure I've gone off the deep end.

2011-11-29T14:56:00.001-05:00

OK, I used to think this was crazy, but got really frustrated that everything I tried didn't work to get my clothes clean (with the added bonus of Allergic Reactions!!! Yippee!!!) So I figured, at 71 cents for 2 gallons, if it didn't work, it was worth the try. IT TOTALLY WORKS. My clothes are so much cleaner now, I don't spend time pretreating (if needed, I may just put the soap on the stain

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough in Dip Form (with no raw eggs!)

2011-11-08T23:04:00.000-05:00

A friend made this, and I threatened her with bodily harm if she wouldn't give me the recipe. No, not really. But I would have if she didn't give it up easily. Seriously, it's good. Really good. Really, really good. And no salmonella! You should make this. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 3/4 cup

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T14:21:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Halloween 2011, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. "A cat. A cat, Mom!"No matter what I did, I could not convince her to be something clever. But I've learned. You don't argue with a kid about her costume. It's what she

Stand up and cheer! version 2.0

2011-10-12T11:22:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Stand up and cheer!, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Just like her big sister, she's got green in her genes.Fight on, Sioux!

My girl

2011-10-12T11:20:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } ...on a rainy day..., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. She looks like me. She loves things I love. Music. Art. Dancing. Good stories.She's stubborn.She's got a lot of fears. Heights. Zombies (even though she doesn't

Cowboy Caviar Bean Dip

2011-10-02T13:28:00.000-04:00

I made this for church coffee hour today, so thought I'd share the recipe here, too. This is one of my favorites, and I've just started tinkering with the recipe to make it a bit zippier, with not so much sugar or oil. Today's result was a hit, so I'm putting it here to make it easy for me to reference again. My original recipe is from my Aunt Carol, but I made a few changes to suit our

Anya Speaks!

2011-09-29T00:18:00.000-04:00

Anya Speaks! from Ronica on Vimeo. Bonus: lots of belly shots.

Sometimes I am amazed at how much fun I have with my kids.

2011-09-28T23:23:00.000-04:00

Today, in the car on the way home from preschool, Crazy Train came on. Both girls had big grins and started to headbang in their carseats, giggling and grinning through the entire song. I cranked it up. We looked it up on YouTube when we got home, and Rowan said, "I wish we could get a ticket and go to there!" Someday, we'll all go see Ozzy. After lunch and attempted (FAILED) naps, we got to

They are Full of Awesome.

2011-09-12T22:20:00.001-04:00

First Day of Preschool: Year 2, The Big Kid

2011-08-31T11:36:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Rowan and Anya, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Rowan began her second year with a bang--literally. A certain adult, who shall remain nameless, overstressed one of the supports of her toddler bed and snapped it, and

Don't let a little rain stop you from being glamorous.

2011-08-24T09:05:00.001-04:00

Into the Woods we go again...

2011-08-08T09:12:00.004-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Into the Woods we go again..., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. If you've wondered where I've been, it's here, in front of this score. Besides taking care of my family, I've been studying the score, lining up the performers,

Pinterested?

2011-07-20T11:25:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I'm probably the last one to the party, but I'm having a good time! Found this site, where I can pin up things I find on the net, want to remember, and would like to share with my friends. Then, I can follow others and find other stuff. How cool is that? The only problem is that it's becoming so popular, they're already needing to update their servers (which apparently they are doing right

When you give a teething baby an ice cream sandwich...

2011-07-12T20:51:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } When you give a teething baby an ice cream sandwich..., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. she hoovers it down in 7 seconds flat. Welcome, tooth #3!

Evidence

2011-07-01T21:55:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } I bought the fabric in Paris, at the Marché St. Pierre, in the 18e., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Some days, I work and work and work, all day long, and when J gets home, he has to ask:"What did you do today?"Cooking

Crickets

2011-06-26T23:10:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } The Brownson Family, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Hi.So yeah, haven't been here in a while. Sorry. Been busy. Kids, life. Fires in the fire pit, sliding on the slip and slide, breakfasts and lunches and dinners and

Retour de Chine

2011-05-30T18:21:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } He's home., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. It was a long week without him, while he was doing business in Beijing and enjoying some tourist time in Xi'an, but he's home. We've survived with careful planning, praying

My favorite bouquet

2011-05-29T09:48:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } My favorite bouquet, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. comes from small, grimy hands.Happy Summer, everyone.

Friday the 13th is the Luckiest Day

2011-05-13T23:03:00.002-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Little Blue Eyes, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. One. I can hardly believe you're already a year old. Crawling like crazy, pulling yourself up to stand, eating everything you can get your hands on (including chalk)

Easter 2011: Best Shot I got.

2011-05-02T16:23:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Easter 2011: Best Shot I got., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. The night before, Rowan threw up three times. (Once down her Dad's back, once all over his front, and one more for good measure.) After all the preparation

Rowan's First Rock Concert: the Imagination Movers!!!

2011-04-15T23:10:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Rowan's First Rock Concert: the Imagination Movers!!!, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. I didn't order the tickets until the last minute, so we ended up in the nosebleed seats, and apparently my daughter has inherited my

A Celebration

2011-04-14T11:59:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Sprinkles!, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. I could have been folding laundryor making the bedor preparing lunchsweepingvacuumingor unpacking another boxbut insteadI shaved my legsput on white caprisand painted my

She has discovered food.

2011-03-17T13:54:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } She has discovered food., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. And she is a fan. Big. As in gained a full pound in 2 weeks.With Rowan, I was so careful. One new food every 5 days, for allergies! Because it's so common to be

Yep, definitely genetic.

2011-02-28T14:39:00.002-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Determination!, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. You may remember this. It appears the gene is not dormant.

Very Personalized Valentines

2011-02-14T13:47:00.000-05:00

I saw a link to a blog a few weeks ago with a very cool and clever idea for Valentine cards, and I figured, why not give it a try? So after a few photo snap sessions, we got the shot. Though iPhoto doesn't allow you to add text to photos, I scoured the internet for some help, and found a thread that discussed how to easily edit and add text to a photo using Preview on a Mac. (I had no idea

We're moving!!! SQUEEEEE!!!

2011-02-05T17:17:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } 1 Exterior, front, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. We bought a house, and we finally sold ours. We close on both on Feb. 28th, so I'll be scarce on here. (Not like I haven't been.) Have a lot of packing to do. And

Sold!!!

2011-01-28T20:55:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Sold!!!, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Woohooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Now, we get the new house. YAY! The right person had to come along, and as it was, two did, so we got to pick an offer. Better late than never! So

A Walk in Paris

2011-01-18T14:34:00.000-05:00

My friend is amazing. I miss her, and all my Paris friends. And I miss Paris. If you don't read her blog already, please go there. Whether you like Paris or not, you'll like Irene. Promise.

Shades of Blue: Our Girls

2011-01-16T17:09:00.002-05:00

Holiday 2010 Photos (Edited for more photos)

2011-01-15T16:00:00.001-05:00

So I finally got it done. Phew. Not the best quality, but they're up. I only brought my tiny point-and-shoot with us back to North Dakota for Xmas, and honestly, I think the lens was kind of dirty. I'd been procrastinating putting them up because I wanted to try to clean them up in editor, but I couldn't do much so eventually I gave up and just loaded them. Go here and here for more. Now, I

Magic Blue Cheese Pecan Dip

2011-01-08T09:47:00.000-05:00

Over Christmas, we were back in North Dakota. Staying at my dad's and Pam's house was great--no cleaning to do, no one showing our house, and very little cooking, save for the day when Pam was having major dental work done. (It worked, thank goodness! She had been in agony.) We also did some shopping, and realized living in the middle of nowhere North Dakota does sometimes have distinct

I'm working on it...

2011-01-04T23:58:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Little Norsk/Swede/Icelander: can eat Krumkake without breaking them!, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Pictures to come, and a post about our holiday trip, but know it was fabulous and we're home safe and sound. We were

3 going on 30

2010-12-16T15:59:00.002-05:00

Lunchtime Conversation: "Mommy, since I pooped in the potty at preschool, can I have a caramel marshmallow after my lunch?" "Sure, honey. It can be your dessert." "No, I still want dessert. Nice try, Mommy."

It's official, she's a part of the family.

2010-12-09T22:35:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } One for everyone... (Lucy's is hanging down low), originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Anya's stocking arrived the other day. What a wonderful feeling to hang all of them together!

Merry Christmas!!! Classical Flash Mob

2010-12-02T09:53:00.001-05:00

The Obligatory Xmas Card Shot

2010-12-01T20:23:00.001-05:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Christmas 2010, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. Turned out pretty good, didn't it?My dad asked for a family shot, which of course, we didn't have because I'm always behind the camera. So tonight, I learned how to use

Rowan's Christmas Email to Santa, 2010

2010-11-25T12:09:00.002-05:00

State College, Pennsylvania, United States Dear Santa Claus, My name is Rowan. I am a girl and I am already 3 years old!! I live in the great city of State College. Of course, that's in Pennsylvania, United States, but I'll bet you knew that!! This year I've been so good that my halo is just a teensy weensy bit crooked! Santa Claus, some things I might like for Christmas this year are:

Little Ballerinas

2010-11-23T09:29:00.000-05:00

OK, I stopped. No more microblogging. Yes, it was irritating and dropping my visits. Sorry about that. Follow twitter if you like. The open house went well. We supposedly had several interested people, and someone called for a showing today. I'm hoping it's someone wanting a second, confirming look before they make an offer. I can dream, right? Rowan doesn't have dance class this week, for

2010-11-22T20:54:00.001-05:00

Enjoying a Brooklyn Brown Ale. :)

2010-11-22T19:41:00.001-05:00

Tried to give Anya her first cereal tonight. 6 1/2 months old, and she still has absolutely no interest. Oh well, fewer dishes for me!

Anya's Devo Dance Party

2010-11-22T19:38:00.000-05:00

Anya's Devo Dance Party from Ronica on Vimeo. I am a cruel, horrible mother who makes my baby groove to music so I can film it and laugh. Note, while watching this replay, she was dancing to her own music video.

2010-11-22T15:02:00.001-05:00

Vacuumed and wiped down the car interior, hosed off the mats. Still kind of gross in there. Wish there was a car detailing fairy.

2010-11-22T14:43:00.001-05:00

Just got complimented on my housekeeping by the busybody neighbor who came to the open house. Not sure how I feel about that. :-

Is this microblogging horribly irritating? And other stuff.

2010-11-19T15:45:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry. Yeah. I was getting a bit stressed out because I wasn't updating the blog often enough (and didn't want to get in trouble with Blogher), so I pinged it. I hope it's not driving you crazy. It's much easier to ping than update all my social networking sites, so I've been lazy. But here's what's happening in my life. We found a house. Did I tell you this? I can't remember, and am too

2010-11-19T10:26:00.001-05:00

Rowan's first PT conference. She loves school and is doing well with everything. No surprise, but I wish she behaved the same at home! ;-)

2010-11-18T19:05:00.001-05:00

Chocolate swirl marshmallows are surprisingly delicious.

2010-11-18T12:24:00.001-05:00

First showing tomorrow! Woot! Finally. (Runs to frantically clean things again.)

2010-11-18T11:12:00.001-05:00

Field trip to Giant (grocery store). Guess who ended up wearing the paper hat?

2010-11-18T08:46:00.001-05:00

Enjoying a calm morning. Bribed Rowan with a surprise if she was cooperative and threw no tantrums. So far so good.

2010-11-17T18:01:00.001-05:00

Watching Muppets from Space with Rowan while we eat supper. This is my favorite movie soundtrack ever. http://bit.ly/cgSMli

2010-11-17T16:57:00.001-05:00

Anya just rolled front to back! Yes, I know she's six months old, but she beat her sister by 2 months! We're a bit roll-challenged.

2010-11-17T14:25:00.001-05:00

Checked her and walked back out of the room. She fell asleep again. Phew! Must break this weird nap cycle.

2010-11-16T15:13:00.001-05:00

Wow. 800 mg. of Advil is really something. I feel so amazingly good right now. Absolutely nothing hurts! And both my kids are napping! Woot!

2010-11-16T13:54:00.001-05:00

Dentist adjusted and gave me big Advils since I couldn't get to the store until tomorrow. Can be tough on the stomach, good reason for cake.

2010-11-14T23:33:00.001-05:00

Rowan, upon seeing drawings of reindeer: "Look, Mom! Feather Goats!!!" Imagination is awesome. :)

2010-11-14T21:04:00.001-05:00

Stuck my kid on the potty chair with _Babar: the Movie_ on her Daddy's laptop playing on the lid of the toilet. I call this parenting.

2010-11-14T19:42:00.001-05:00

Worked my fingers to the bone for the open house, and no one showed up. Argh. I declare tomorrow yoga pants, ice cream and boob tube day.

2010-11-13T08:57:00.001-05:00

Anya slept for 13 hours. Huh. So that's where Jean-Paul Gaultier got the idea for those cone bras.

2010-11-13T08:54:00.001-05:00

3 hour rehearsal: just what I want to be doing the day before perfect strangers are coming into my house to judge me and my housecleaning abilities. :- *tries to let go*

2010-11-11T16:48:00.001-05:00

Roasting chicken makes your house smell pretty darn awesome.

2010-11-11T14:17:00.001-05:00

Rest in peace, Coffee Maker. You had 3 good years.

2010-11-11T14:11:00.001-05:00

My daughter took her daily halloween treat, and a second one, too. That one was for me. <3 <3 <3

2010-11-11T08:06:00.001-05:00

Toad in the Hole. Delicious, and weird.

2010-11-10T22:52:00.001-05:00

It appears Amazon has pulled the offensive ebook. About time. Can't believe they sold it. Shame on them.

2010-11-10T18:51:00.001-05:00

Mmmmm, pork chop gravy. :)

2010-11-09T16:34:00.001-05:00

Just cleaned the living room carpet. Wow. Gross. I need one of these machines. This should be done weekly.

2010-11-09T13:01:00.001-05:00

Enjoying homemade stir fry leftovers. Glad hub was willing to drive to Chinese place for rice when I ran out. Bow tie pasta would be weird.

2010-11-09T12:56:00.001-05:00

Yay! Staircase is fixed for $10. Woot! Knowing a metal forger in town is a handy thing.

2010-11-09T08:52:00.001-05:00

Hubby's off to Ace hardware. Hoping to fix the attic walk up ladder thing. Open house Sunday, no time to order a new one. ARGH.

2010-11-08T22:28:00.001-05:00

Was going to shampoo the living room carpet, but somehow managed to break the attic ladder thingamabob. Ugh. Will we ever get it all done?

2010-11-08T16:18:00.001-05:00

taking a break from scrubbing, spackling and magic erasing.

2010-11-08T13:38:00.001-05:00

Confession: I buy Spaghetti-O's with meatballs. And sometimes, I share them with my 3-year old.

Will's Sleepy Haircut

2010-11-07T23:33:00.000-05:00

My friends' son, Will got a haircut. Also, he fell asleep in the middle of it. Lucky he didn't lose an ear. This cracks me up.

2010-11-07T20:20:00.001-05:00

The Queen has joined Facebook. Pretty sure that's the last nail in the coffin of coolness.

2010-11-07T09:05:00.001-05:00

Is it just me, or does Big Chris on Roary the Racing Car look just like Elliott Gould (except clay)?

2010-11-06T18:01:00.001-04:00

Vacuumed the lampshades. Huh. They were white all along!

2010-11-06T09:54:00.001-04:00

Difference between my husband and myself: to me, the safe place for a very important teeny, tiny key is a keychain. For him, it's a windowsill.

2010-11-05T14:32:00.001-04:00

Does anyone have a crappy chili recipe? No matter how big a batch of my chili I make, my husband seems to think it equals 1 serving.

2010-11-05T10:25:00.001-04:00

is trying to limit Xmas gifts. Big gift is our trip, she won't get much. Rowan said she wants a computer. Parents: suggestions? Leapster?

2010-11-05T10:12:00.001-04:00

Must grocery shop today with 2 kids in tow. Will be glad when preschool is back next week. Pray for me.

2010-11-05T10:04:00.001-04:00

Is trying to consolidate my social networks. Bear with me, it may get repetitive.

Wonder Woman!!!

2010-11-03T17:20:00.000-04:00

Today, I earned my golden lasso. And satin tights (but no hot pants, please. I have had two kids.) And my three year old? She's definitely in the running for the role of Evil Villain in the next movie. That kid has major tantrum stamina. I used to feel guilty for not doing aerobics (I get dizzy and faint), running (ditto), lifting weights (I'm muscular without--I don't want to look like Conan

Tips for Puking Kids

2010-10-25T21:47:00.000-04:00

Garbage bag, over the pillow, under the pillowcase. Mattress protectors: 10 bucks and half an hour of wrangling the thing on over the mattress, no scent of barf embedded in the mattress forever. Barf smell sucks. Cover the couch in towels, top with kid, keep a bucket handy. Lysol. Backup DVDs or a preschool cable channel is worth it when you're trapped in the house for 2 days. Have Sierra Mist,

Star Bright

2010-10-16T23:32:00.000-04:00

I hauled her sister's carseat up the stairs, gave her a hello kiss, and watched her run off again to play on the playground as I went in to the preschool to check her cubbie. In her neighbor's was a glittery star of David, the daily craft. I didn't see Rowan's. On the way home, I asked her about the art projects they'd worked on. "Did you make a special star today, Rowan? Cool! Where is it?"

Let's Dance!

2010-10-16T11:57:00.003-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Strike a Pose, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.Rowan is loving her dance class, Dancing with Grace with Hannah. Every Tuesday we meet downtown and they fly around like baby birds, galop like ponies, jump over mud puddles,

Bathtime Grin

2010-10-16T11:53:00.001-04:00

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Bathtime Grin, originally uploaded by MrsBinParis. It's a teeny bit blurry, but I just can't resist that smile. 5 months old.

Best Compliment Ever

2010-10-12T23:03:00.000-04:00

I was reading her post this morning, and it kind of touched on something I've been thinking about for a long time. Back when I read this article and then the book, Nurture Shock, it got something percolating in my brain. Compliments, praise. When are they real? When do they matter? When do they change our behavior? Our perception of ourselves? Our reaction to others? How can a compliment mean

I’ll Show You Mine, Now You Show Me Yours

2010-10-06T00:44:00.001-04:00

She asked, I delivered. Yep, that's me. In powder blue terry cloth that matched my sister, and the ubiquitous girl mullet. I just wish my dad had scanned in the one with me "thinking about" my sister as her face floated above my head. (What was up with that anyway? What a weird thing to do.) Worst part is, there are much more embarrassing photos in the set it's a part of on Flickr. And yeah,

Observant

2010-10-04T15:41:00.000-04:00

"MOM! I pushed a poop out!!!" "In the potty?" "YES!!!" I ran up the stairs, yelling "HOT DOG!!!" We examined the evidence. "Is that corn?" she said. "Yeah. It is. One kernel. Um, good job, honey! Way to go! You earned the right to use the Dora soap, and a jumbo marshmallow! I'm so proud of you!" Yes, one corn kernel. But she pushed it out, by herself, without prompting. At this rate,