Claron, Eliza & A Fountain

Reasons Why I LOVE This Picture:

1. The sheer joy on Eliza's face

2. The cool effect on the colors from the twilight

3. The look on Claron's face. He looks like he has his hand in the cookie jar. Why you ASK?

Well, this picture is taken at the LA Temple.

Tsk. Tsk.

And the award goes to...

My friend, Linny, wrote an excellent rant on toddler pageants. My mom has asked a few times to enter Eliza into beautiful baby contests and my answer was always a firm NO! So, why do I hate pageants... Besides the obvious, pageants don't teach kids anything useful, nor do they really judge any merit worthy aspect of the child. Everyone thinks that their baby is the most beautiful, and they are all right! Who is so stupid pageant judge to tell them their kid isn't the most gorgeous child ever?

So, I got to thinking... what kind of contest should parents have. Well, it should definitely measurable and entertaining. Each kid I know has some awesome talent. Here are the awards:

• Most messy blueberry eater: Stellan
• Greatest knowledge of sporting equipment: Levi
• Most numerous blowouts: Violet
• Most "blue steel" looks: Asher
• Best stereo stuffer: Taryn
• Most daring in the pool/biggest splash: Renny
• Most trips to the ER: McKay

Here is an award for you to post on your blog:

If I forgot you, let me know and I'll make you an award.

And the award for Eliza... Well, I don't think it is fair for a mother to decide. I lose on lack of impartiality. So, leave me a comment. What is Eliza's award?

A little math

Party+Pool+(Eliza-Bathing Suit)=

Polaroid made at: Rollip

Petit Fours

I made Petit Fours with Bryanna and Erin (who are both chemists). It was so much fun, but definitely a lot of work.

Here is what I learned:

• It is best to use a very FIRM cake. Your cake should not have any crumbs.
• Gum paste is FUN! I loved making gum paste flowers. In fact, I made the two big flowers in the picture. Bryanna made the hearts. Gum paste does dry fast though.
• Heat the glaze. Glaze is already difficult to spread but if not heated, it is impossible.
• Many hands make light work. Petit fours take a lot of effort; so, invite a lot of friends.

Thanks to Erin for hosting and being so gracious and Bryanna for piping and the good laughs.

My (Non-)Mortal Enemies

Many of you know that I tried sooooo... hard to avoid them. Yes, them.

"Why?," you may ask. Well, here is a list:

1) You are FORCED into them. Disney's marketing is guerrilla. It almost impossible to buy anything for a toddler without them.

2) They always wear makeup. C'mon! Unrealistic!

3) They are all waiting to be "saved" by their prince.

4) No woman looks like that.

5) They are just so girly. Ugh!

I've lost.

It is what I deserve though. I let one in (Ariel), and the rest just muscled their way through. Granted, she has never seen the movies of Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, but she has the books AND she can identify them all.

*Sigh*

My Cousins

My mom comes from a large family. There were 6 of them. My mom is #3. It goes:

1. George (passed away), married Carol, 3 kids (Teresa, George, Tom) all way older than me


2. Dennis (Pennsylvania), married Diane, 3 kids (Jen, Melissa (my "hockey puck" sister), Denny), Grandkids-Jen has Emma and Evan, Melissa is prego, Denny has Isabelle


3. Mom (Maryland), married Tony, 3 kids (Tony, me, Uncle D), Grandkids-I have Eliza


4. Evelyn (Maryland), married Terry, 4 kids (Victoria, Evelyn, Christopher, Angela), Grandkids-Vicky is prego, Evelyn has Keiana, Christopher has Tori


5. Lou (Maryland), married Karen, 3 kids (Joseph, Louis, Ashley), Grandkids-Ashley has Jessica


6. Big Al (Maryland), married Paula, 1 kid (AJ)

When I was home I got to see almost all of my cousins. Ashley's girl, Jessica (yes, I have two nieces named Jessica Lynn AND they are the same age), had a birthday. Many of my cousins and ALL their babies were in attendance. It was so great to see them. I tried to get them together to take a picture. Here was the best result:

No one is looking at the camera but Jess. Here are the rest of the pics.

Balloons

Then:
Now:

Susie Sarlo

So, I read A LOT of design blogs. Bad habit. Anyway. Today Susie Sarlo came up on my reader and WOW! I am in love.

Going Shopping

This is how my daughter attired herself to go to the grocery store:

You know all of the fashionable 2 year-olds wear

-A sparkly, purple hair barrette

-A white bead necklace

-A pink princess purse

-Matching purple high heels with feathers

to go shopping.

Potty Power!

Little did I know when I picked this up at the library what a gold mine it is! Potty Power is an instructional video for kids on using the potty. Eliza loves it and now uses the potty regularly. So far though, she is amazing when she is bare bottom, but not as reliable when wearing her "pantalettes."

Today is the day. We are going to panties full time. Hopefully, these guys can help.

Eliza is very excited about these. I hope they will work!!