That's Doctoral Candidate Ridge to you...

Excellent News!!

Claron is officially a doctoral candidate. He passed his PhD Candidacy exam (also known as orals). He did a great job. We are very proud of him. Here is a picture of him in action (well practicing anyway).

Being the wife of a pre-doctoral candidate can be difficult and stressful. To diffuse this stress, I baked, and I contributed the goods to the PhD Candidacy Exam Committee. Here is the evidence:

Water, Lemons, Limes, Grapes, Strawberries, Blueberries, Carrots, Ranch, Cheese, Crackers, Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Cookies, Brownie Buttons with Toffee Pieces, Nutella Cupcakes

I am so proud of my husband. The only down side is that we are closer to leaving Santa Barbara.

Sweet Vi-o-let

Clark, Lilly & Violet visited this weekend. They were life savers. I am sick, and Claron is industriously working on his orals (for TOMORROW!!!). It was great to see them, and Violet is SO big (and absolutely adorable)!

Vision News

Today Eliza had her eye exam. I was SOOOOO nervous. As you all know, I am as blind as a bat. Lately, Eliza has been doing things very finely causing me to worry that her vision is flawed.

The doctor was great. She used a picture chart for Eliza. I was SO impressed. Eliza could read all of the bottom rows. It was AWESOME!!!!

Eliza's vision is better than normal. Most toddlers see around 20/30. Eliza was 20/15!!! I can not say how relieved I am. I'll stress again in two years when it is time for another vision exam.

At least she won't look like this for the next two years!

Note: I'm definitely not saying that 2 yr old with glasses aren't cute, because some definitely are.

Saving Dough

My sis in law, Chrissee, started a new money saving web site. She saves lots of money. She also has great links to money saving sites. She did a great job. Check it out:

Let's Save Together

Speaking of saving money... I bought this today:

at a 92% savings. I love craigslist! Eliza loves it. It goes up to 65lbs and 49"!

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.