FREE Night of Theatre

This is awesome!!!

For the 5th year in a row, the Theater Communications Group is offering it's Free Night of Theater program in theaters in 120 different cities across the country on October 15, 2009.

Find out if a location near you is participating on the production listings page and check out the Free Night of Theater 2009 homepage for more information.

This sounds like a great date night!!

Outfit of the Day: Sept 23

Who is this fashionista living in my house? Lately, I feel like the Sartorialist following her around.

She must have been feeling tropical today. She insisted on:

• -A pink flower lei
• -A woven pink flower purse
• -Brown and pink Dora sneakers
• -Pink bows with pink, yellow and green butterflies

P.S. Mom Ridge: This is "the look" that Eliza inherited from you.

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.