Picture Day

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I did my best to ensure that my children did not show up looking like total scrubs for Picture Day. My own First Grade picture was god awful. Like I was a hippie child booted from the commune after refusing food and sunlight for months. Truthfully, I think I had been out sick and no one got the notice that it was sparkle and shine time. Sigh. Other than convince Beck that a button up short sleeve shirt should not be worn with ONLY the top button buttoned, and persuading Max to NOT wear a long sleeve T under a short sleeve button up, we were good to go. They even had me put product in their hair. So handsome.

 

Overheard: Beck & Max


To help me savor the choice conversations and comments from the boys, I'm inspired to write them down, and keep a jarful of such moments. Brooke, over at inchmark.squarespace.com shared this lovely idea. She always has great photography and is such a beautiful designer. Enjoy!

Beck: Aren't you watching the show of Me?
Beck: The Director told me to be right here for the show.

Beck: This one is a detonator.
Max: What's a detonator?
Beck: It's like a grown up bomb.

Beck: We're having a grand opening.
Max: What's a grand opening?
Back: It's for my birthday.

Whoaa

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My head is freakin' spinning. Maybe I have a month's worth of blog posts in my brain. What happened to the last 30 days? What have I been doing for crying out loud?

At work we launched a new member program I've been working on for the past nine months...The Gallery. In conjunction with the launch came a blog (I post once a week or so...) and new collateral materials. Whoo Hoo! We have 30 members to date...

I'm getting my feet wet as the mom of two kindergartners...in separate classrooms. The PTA is knockin', the Foundation is callin', and daily emails are delivered from room moms. I volunteered to be the "Art Odyssey" teacher for Max's class, and a helper for Beck's class.

I was invited to join a group called the Axiology Collective. This dynamic dozen is packed with intelligence and sincerity. It's been less than a month since I was introduced to the group, but I am truly grateful for the invitation and look forward to the monthly gatherings. And yes, there is a blog (find me there, too)! The ladies have done a beautiful job of designing and documenting the past year of topics with related resources, and now our collective commentary.

Oh yes! I finished up the logo and business card design for a fabulous new matchmaking business called Love Happens Here. Yea Kim! Fun project and wonderful connections...On this Truly Fine note, I was thrilled to be a featured designer at the VIP Grand Opening for Green in Hillcrest. My longtime floral friend, Carlos Franco gave Truly Fine Design a prime spot in his hot new shop.

Which reminds me...the Mister surprised me with a gorgeous floral arrangement from Green after we celebrated 9 years (of humor, of hip hop, of love, of friendship...) at Cucina Urbana near Balboa Park. We sat at the community table, met great people and had a fantastic night with lively conversation. The Basil Martini is a MUST, the egg and pancetta pizza was outstanding (with a Super-Tuscan red), and really, yes, the roasted strawberry frangipane is SO worth it.

Which brings me finally to the last big hurrah of the past 30 days. My very dear BFF Cindy (better known as Cynthia) accepted a job in Boston with Reebok. Last weekend we threw her a party at the East Village Tavern & Bowl. This Monday we'll have our last Muffy & Buffy adventure before she heads to beantown. Heavy sigh.

Legoland & Guinness Ganache Cupcakes


For the boys’ 6th birthday celebration I skipped throwing a party for their friends and we went directly to Legoland for a raucous day of fun. {Photos Here} Beck & Max had their first REAL grown up rollercoaster ride! Immediately after the ride, they were like “I WANT TO GO AGAIN!!!!” We ended the day at Pizza Port, “the best pizza in the world,” according to Beck.

The boys requested chocolate cupcakes...so I made this recipe via SmittenKitchen:

Chocolate Stout Cake
Adapted from the Barrington Brewery in Great Barrington, MA via Bon Appetit

This recipe was originally intended to make a layer cake of 3 8-inch rounds. Upon many reviewers’ suggestions, I halved it and it fit perfectly in a bundt pan. The halved amount is below, and the icing replaced with a simple ganache.

1 cup stout (such as Guinness)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
6 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
6 tablespoons heavy cream
3/4 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Cake prep:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a bundt pan well; make sure you get in all of the nooks and crannies. (Some people even go so far as to brush the inside of their bundt pans with melted butter–you cannot be too careful!). Bring 1 cup stout and 1 cup butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend. Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Using rubber spatula, fold batter until completely combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Transfer cake to rack; cool completely in the pan, then turn cake out onto rack for drizzling ganache.*

Ganache:
For the ganache, melt the chocolate, heavy cream, and coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally. Drizzle over the top of cooled cake.

Ode to the Motherlode

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I'm a relatively new subscriber to Lisa Belkin's Blog at The New York Times. It's called Motherlode, Adventures in Parenting. I dig this blog because Lisa just seems to nail the issues that I'm already thinking about, or want to be thinking about. Tonight I saw her recent post regarding the boy with cancer from Minnesota, the strip search of a 13 year old girl in Arizona, and Jon and Kate Plus 8, which I do not watch but have fair knowledge of (who doesn't these days?). I enjoyed this so I clicked through her links to an earlier post...and landed here: "What's Harder, Marriage or Parenting?".

Hmmmm. Lisa addressed this topic in the context of other "momversations" that were happening online (January 2009). SHOCKINGLY not all moms were experiencing the same challenges. Many moms are overwhelmed by today's parenting pressures. Others are struggling to manage their marriage. I know where I fall on this issue, as I said out loud tonight (with my watermelon margarita) "It can't get any harder than this." OY. Where are you?

Take a deep breath. One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish. Smell the marine layer, listen to Michael Jackson and eat a homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich.

Pinky Dinky Don't

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Uggh. It finally happenend. Beck's love of the color pink finally fell in disfavor when his summer school mates teased him about his girly pink lunchbox. Right now Max and Beck are among the youngest in the group and I believe most of the boys are quite comfortable conforming to traditional gender roles. Poor little thug. He is quite sensitive now, though he is strong and has a fierce temper. I could have prevented this hardship by censoring his selections, but that can only last so long. If we teach our children (boys or girls) to stand up for their own decisions and embrace the things they love then they will be self assured independent thinkers, right?

It's painful, and trust me I know from experience, but I think I'm better for it. I learned by my own accord, and went through many years of generic conformity to avoid ridicule. I made myself invisible by blending in and making choices that went along with the crowd. So boring. Still, they were my choices. I hope Beck stays strong--loving all colors of the rainbow, asking to wear my Goody stretch headbands, and buying "girl" books like Pinkalicious at the book fair. He may be a twin, but to me, he's one of a kind.

Working Mom Guilt #327 "The Choir Concert"

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So...I thought I had it all down pat when I marked the calendar for the Kindergarten/PEPP choir concert. Thursday, May 21, 8:30 AM. I gave the light blue xeroxed flier to Jarrod, to hang on the fridge in the garage. Just a couple of days later I noticed the following "Uniform: White tops and blue jeans" written on this invitation. Hmmm. White tops. Do the boys have white shirts? Then onto...Packing lunches, making breakfasts, dinner, whatever. In. and then Out.

Cue Thursday morning at home: AHHHHHHH. The boys do not have white shirts. Of any kind or variety. What kind of sane mother puts her 5 year old boys in white tees? That is never worth the laundry headache. The mister offered to go to the store, and I admit, I did call Rite Aid. The lady at the store says yes indeed they carry boys white tees. According to the Mister, no they do not carry BOYS white tees. Grrrr. Cue to the boys getting dressed. No white tee??!!! Well, then I want to wear a "cool" shirt, said Max. Beck had his choice of the party clothes too.

I assured myself, really it won't be a big deal. How many other working parents or just plain busy moms are there? It will probably be about 60/40 for white shirt representation, right?

Not even close.

After swimming through the parental paparazzi, I found myself in the back row--me with my iPhone (forgot my other fabulous devices), and every other amateur film maker using tripods and video cameras to capture the glory. There they all marched in, white shirt after white shirt after white shirt. Front row arrives, the last of the students. Beck, then a few later, Max. Try....112 kids in white shirts. 2 in Hawaiian*. Rock on mom, rock on.

*I might have seen a striped white shirt, and one with some funky designs, but nothing, not even close to the Beck & Max show...

Cheers to Chore Charts!

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Yea! I think I've been able to cut my nagging by at least half since creating these chore charts. Mornings are easier since I began setting their alarm clock, and now the boys have stopped asking me what to do next in the getting-ready-for-school-drill. After school they need to empty and put away their lunch and snack bags, empty their school folders and wash hands. At some point before bed they need to hang up their hat, shower, brush chops, and get jammies on.

I've put the pages into protective sleeves, and posted them in the foyer. They use dry erase markers to check off the boxes as they go. While there are a host of different charts on the market, most are geared to older kids who can read. Using pictures and words allows them to take ownership of the list and manage it without our help. If they ever get stuck..."uuugh what do I do next?"..."Check your chart." "Oh, right."

I do need to add a box for book reading (homework) and possibly add a section for bigger chores like taking out the trash and watering the plants. If anyone wants a more generic version (no names or shower pics!) I can provide a PDF with a few fill in the blanks.

Overheard

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Like Mother, Like Son.

After announcing that I tripped on a dart gun and inadvertently kicked it under an unknown piece of furniture, I walked away and overheard the following...

Max: Beck, this is just a reminder, but don't leave your toys around the house. I know you know this already, but it's just a reminder. Okay Beck? Thanks.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

After discovering the package of dried blueberries was left open in the pantry I promptly told the boys they needed to seal up the bag or they would dry up...

Beck: But Mommy, they're already dried out.

Touché, my love, touché.

The Super Friends are Awesome


We are way into the Super Friends right now, after Max used gift $$$ to buy the All New Super Friends (1977) double disc set. Each of us have been assigned a Super Alter Ego: Beck is Superman, Max is Batman, Papa is Aquaman and I am Wonder Woman. I'm digging the old school graphics and costumes (yes, even though it's animated you can definitely timeline the shorty shorts and knee high tube socks). Each mini-episode is interspersed with magic tricks, safety hints (don't hitch hike (!), don't play with matches), and recycle tips. Finally--the ultimate gem--Ted Knight is the narrator. Seriously?

Mr. Universe

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I've always had a horrible time with historic timelines and events. It's just all sorts of people and places floating around in a spherical world of happenings. Totally non-linear thinking. I can usually cover this pretty well in general cocktail banter, but if it came to Final Jeopardy I'd be screwed. That said, I hope the boys inherit Jarrod's historical and political acumen. Admittedly, they are not there yet...

The world according to Max & Beck begins with Jesus, Santa and George Washington. The current debate (and it has been this for quite some time...) revolves around the physical strength of Jesus. "Jesus is as strong as Superman." "Jesus is stronger than Papa." "Is Opa as strong as Jesus?". Jesus, of course, has strength beyond his bitty biceps. He is magic. Otherwise, I might never have heard this one..."Jesus made me do it. He controls me."

Thank God Jesus is Magic. Really. Because if it came to a throw down with Santa and George Washington, my money's on the guy in the red suit.

The Case of the Missing Waffle Fry

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I took the day off today. I was going to workout, clean my office, create, hang out with my mom on her last day in San Diego, drink coffee and surprise my children with an early pick up after their big field trip to SeaWorld. Today was going to be a glorious day. I did get to hang with my mom and I drank coffee. However, at pick up, I learned that B was {again} not well behaved at school. Uggh. Gone were my dreams of special treats and Superfriends. I spent the afternoon saying no, giving time outs, and being whacked and popped by {one of} my 5 year olds. More Uggh. That was my LOW.

My HIGH follows:

Scene: Our Dining Room
Menu: Pulled pork sandwiches/tacos, apples & clementines, waffle fries, red cabbage & carrot slaw.

6:33 PM
Max: I'm going to take 3 waffle fries. That's enough for me. Papa, you can have more because you're the biggest.

6:45 PM
Jarrod: Max--What is that outside? [Jarrod reaches over and nabs one of three untouched waffle fries.]

Max: I don't see anything. What is it?

Jarrod: Hmm, I don't know, must have been my own reflection.

7:00 PM
Max: I have to go potty. I mean, excuse me, I'll be right back. [Max leaves the table.]

7:15 PM [Max returns to the table, all are STILL seated]
Max: Hey! Where is my waffle fry that I haven't even eaten yet? I had three. There are only two here!

[Silence from all at table, while Max frantically looks on the floor, under his plate...]
Max: Have you seen it? It looks like a pick axe.

[At this point in time, I completely lose it and bust out laughing, shaking with tears. "It looks like a pick axe?" This only angers Max further, and inspires me to say...]

Me: Well what was it wearing?

7:20 PM
[After 5 minutes of speculation on real magic, invisible dogs, and potato eating tulips, Beck comes clean...]

Beck: I think Papa sneaked it, ate it and is really just lying. He's lying and he ate it.

Max believes that The Case of the Missing Waffle Fry remains unsolved...

I C U ! DO U C ME?

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These super rad sunglasses came courtesy of the eye doctor, in their first visit, which lasted a record 2 h. 20 min. in an afternoon without a nap. Oh yeah, and they had their eyes dilated. I have bruises on my shins from Beck's massive physical resistance to the drops. The visit was a referrel from their physical last spring. Yes, I put it off that long...sorry? I didn't really want to deal with the possibility of glasses during summer and new school. I know that's lame, but whatev. So finally we went. And. They have crazy awesome perfect little healthy eyeballs. Pray it keeps, because my vision sucks!

Final Gem: When the Dr. asked Beck if he goes by any other name or would like to be called something else, he took a great pause, and said "Bumblebee".

Being Nice is Lots of Fun

So I received an e-mail from my gal pal mom Michelle Obama the other day {she and I are tight!}. Essentially, it was a call to service (on behalf of P.E.B.O.), encouraging me|us|citizens to volunteer for our community. Embedded in the e-mail was a link to USA Service, a website for inspiring us all to change our world, starting in our community. In response to this, Starbucks launched the "Take Five" initiative, asking java heads to pledge 5 volunteer hours to create more than 1.000.000 hours of community service. Free Tall brewed coffee!

I've been pretty passive on my own volunteerism since moving to San Diego, and it's not something I'm proud of. Since I work at a non-profit, I sometimes feel like I AM volunteering {I realize this is selfish}. In SD I've been on the twins club board and served for the PTA, but before we moved I volunteered at the Parental Stress Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Their mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect. I worked with children of families in transition and stress and I miss that experience. It taught me a great deal and was personally rewarding. I obviously have less free time now, but would like to give back again, and this time include the boys or the whole family. For now, we are going to drop off toys and books at the Children for Change event in Scripps Ranch on Monday. I found this event via USA Service and it seems a good first step.

To support this personal initiative I've found THE ACME SHARING COMPANY. In their words, Acme "is a place where parents can find activities for spending family time with meaning. Exposing our children to cause-based adventures is a wonderful way to make giving a part of their lives now and for the future." I love this. There are blog tags for finding activities for certain age groups {4+}, ideas on teaching gratitude, and book recommendations. Hurrah!

Last but not least, I discovered Operation Nice. The founder is a graphic designer and crafter. Of course! She created a blog about 7 months ago dedicated to acts of kindness. I've always said, it's about the little things--being thoughtful and courteous is not reserved for special occasions. From founder, Melissa Morris Ivone, "If everyone was a little bit nicer to the folks they encountered each day, perhaps the world would be a more pleasant place. Operation NICE was initiated to remind you that a little NICE goes a long way." Yes, indeed it does.

Proud Papa

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So, at dinner last night, Beck announced that he is going to name his {future} baby, Lulu. Remember, this is the young man who asked Santa for a watermelon. After the announcement he emphatically expressed that I record this information..."Write this down mum-MEE. Write it down." The boys sometimes refer to me as mummy, as opposed to mommy. They also both say: bee-nok-lee-ers instead of binoculers; bak-set instead of basket; am-blee-ens vs. ambulence; and hocks-pi-tal instead of hospital. Back to Lulu. The reason this is such a kick, is that if we had a girl, she was going to be named Lulu. Well, Luella Blue to be exact. And Sophie Parker was baby girl #2. Pretty interesting.