More Juju cuteness

Our Sugar Plum Fairy in the annual Nutcracker Production at E. Rivers.

A note from J

Complete with two $1 bills stapled to it.

What we are Reading #2

Me- 'Tis by Frank McCourt, the sequel to Angela's Ashes. I saw there is a third book too, called Teacher Man. These are autobiographical memoirs of an Irish man who grew up very poor in Limerick and returns to the US (where he was born) as a young man to make his way in the world.

cje- World War Z- an oral history of the Zombie War by Max Brooks. Speaks for itself.

M- The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman. Yes, I know the author is an atheist or agnostic or whatever- please don't forward me any warning emails. I haven't read it yet but I like the idea that he is railing against all the yucky parts of organized religion.

J- Cam Jansen and the Mystery at the Haunted House by David Adler. She did her book report last week on this gripping mystery.

K- Where Does Maisy Live? by Lucy Cousins. K continues to be fascinated by Lift the Flap.

Tagged!

In lieu of the traditional 6 things you might not know about me, I am posting this fun list of Christmas Questions I got from my friend Kristina. Post answers of your own in the comments!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Hot Chocolate all the way!

2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa brings stocking presents in our family, usually not wrapped. If they don't fit in the stocking, they sit underneath or next to it.

3. Colored or white lights?

White , although I have fond memories of big colored lights as a kid.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Yes- beware.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

No set date, but often around my birthday on the 12th.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?

Pie- most kinds except not pecan. Pumpkin with a lot of whipped cream, or warm apple with ice cream- YUM.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

Getting the tree on my birthday. One year I was really crabby and didn't like the one we ended up with and threatened to push it out of the station wagon (I was riding with it in the back).

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I don't remember exactly, but I do remember waiting up to 'catch' Santa Claus by hiding behind a chair the year I turned 9.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We always got to choose one to open on Christmas Eve. If we were with my dad's family, Santa always came on Christmas Eve, along with Black Pete the chimney sweep who brought coal, if we were at my cousin's house. cje is adamantly opposed to opening anything on Christmas Eve so we don't do that if we are at home or with his family.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Full of homemade ornaments from my childhood or by my kids.

11. Snow-love it or hate it? I love snow, but we hardly ever get any here in GA. My girls love it when we have been in Wisconsin for Christmas so they can play in the snow.

12. Can you ice skate? Compared to other people in the South, I can skate pretty well. J got a concussion last year at the rink so she'll be wearing a helmet when we go this year.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I got the whole set of Little House books one year from my grandparents and I loved that present until they fell apart.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Doing secret service projects. We also have a tradition of going caroling that we really enjoy.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? See # 6, but I also love any combination of peppermint and chocolate.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? We have a mail box that is painted with a winter scene that we get out each year and put anonymous notes in about kind things people did.

17. What is on top of your tree? I am in search of the perfect angel. She needs to be a little homemade looking in off-white with hints of old gold, cranberry, pine green. Any ideas?

18. Which do you like best -giving or receiving?

I like giving when I have good ideas of something the person will love but doesn't even know he/she wants. That doesn't happen often enough though!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?

Joy to the World- I love to sing the harmony part. We also love "Sleigh Bells" around here.

20. Do you like candy canes?

Only when they are crushed on top of chocolate bark or sprinkled over ice cream or mixed into hot chocolate.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Should I Go For It?

For several years now we've been talking about not 'buying' into the capitalistic view of Christmas shopping. Two years ago my dad's family decided we would only exchange handmade or second hand gifts and it went pretty well. There is also the idea of the $100 Christmas. We've even considered The Compact.

So, I came upon this option. Making a public pledge would make it more real. I haven't done much, if any, Christmas shopping yet so this is the time to take the plunge if I'm going to.

Caution: Bass Player at work!

Here is M on her new bass! She studied Suzuki violin for 6 years and this year decided to switch to bass and loves it. She had her first orchestra performance last week and really shone. A lot of her musical skills and talents are transferring very well to this huge instrument- and this is only a 1/4 size bass! The orchestra program and facilities at her public middle school are really impressive. The great thing for me is that she can take private lessons DURING SCHOOL--- no more afternoons dragging around to lessons! And she's more independent in her practice since I've not heard the instruction and therefore can't nag about what she should be doing. I do have to still pay for the lesson and instrument rental though.

By the way, in the background you will see our new fireplace and bookshelves. cje did all the tiling and woodwork himself. I did the shopping (no small feat) for the tile, stone, etc. Also, you'll see my red recliner in it's natural habitat.

Next installment: J on piano!

Long Lost Blogger Resurfaces!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth... I spent a week in the hospital with M and am just now getting back to the blog. Which will be a brief respite because next week we are hosting my grandmother, aunt, cousin, and her 4 year old son along with my dad and stepmother for Thanksgiving.

M is completely recovered from the asthma attack that put her in ICU. We are considering a procedure for the heart arrhythmia that was exacerbated by all the bronchodilators- will keep you updated. For now it's all under control and we are just trying to get out from under the mountain of make-up work from two weeks of missed school.

Here are my sweeties in their Halloween Finery. M was "the Spirit of Halloween" (note the bats on the headband), Juliet a Vampire Bat, and Kensington none other than a Duck. Sorry they are sideways-I forgot to reorient them first. Also, please meet out Pumpkin-Head Dopplegangers, who have taken up seemingly permanent residence on our front porch.

Party a Success- K has her cake and eats it, too!

K's duck party was lots of fun for her, which was my main concern. My friend J took this great picture of K retreating from the present overload at the end of the party with a few of her favorites. At first she was only too happy to open "pez," (when someone handed her the second one, she said in surprise, "MO(re) pez??), but after about 4 or 5 she needed a little 'alone time" behind the chair. Thanks for emailing me the picture, J, too bad I didn't ask you to be the official photographer! By the way, she is holding 'tiny Elmo' and a chatty telephone.

I'm bummed that I forgot about the best game I had planned, Hot Potato, in which we would pass one of the rubber duckies around and who ever was holding it when the music stopped had to act like a duck. Bummer! The Toss the Duck game seemed to go over well- except the kids got a bit wetter than I anticipated. All in all, we had some good Ducky Fun and if you didn't get your goody bag, let me know.

Kid's Cold Medicines

Interesting article from the NYTimes:

Panel Says Child Cold Medicines Are Ineffective

SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 19 — A Food and Drug Administration panel of experts voted overwhelmingly today that there was no evidence that popular pediatric over-the-counter cough and cold medicines have any effect.

More studies are needed to determine whether any of the ingredients commonly found in popular cold remedies are actually effective in children. Even in adults, the evidence is “modest at best” that the drugs actually work, said Dr. Mary E. Tinetti, the chairwoman of the panel who is a professor at Yale University School of Medicine.

The panel cited a growing number of studies that have found that popular cough and cold drugs work no better than placebos in ameliorating the effects of the common cold in children. And they said that it was time to throw out the assumption that drugs that help adults will always work just as well in children.

“Children are not just small adults,” said Dr. Jesse Joad, a panel member who is a pediatrician from the University of California Davis Medical Center.

Children’s cough and cold medicines were approved in the early 1970s when regulators generally assumed that adult drugs were always helpful in children. Since then dozens of adult drugs have been found to be entirely ineffective, and sometimes even dangerous, in children.

Whether drug makers will follow through on these recommendations to undertake large studies is far from clear. Nearly all the medicines commonly used in over-the-counter remedies long ago lost patent protection, so any money that manufacturers spent on studying these drugs would also benefit competitors who spent nothing.

The panel’s vote is a reminder that many of the drugs Americans commonly use have never been examined closely and may not work. Standards for clinical trials have changed dramatically over the last 30 years, but thousands of drugs presently sold were approved under older, less stringent standards.

There are about 800 different pediatric cough and cold products sold in the United States that use one or more of 39 different drugs. Parents spend around $500 million every year buying nearly 95 million boxes containing 3.8 billion doses of medicine.

Studies have not only failed to prove that the drugs are effective, but a growing number of reports show that they have dangers.

Daniel A. Mannello of Largo, Fla., told the committee that the pediatrician for his son, Dennis, suggested that he be given Dimetapp as an infant, and the medicine caused scarring in the boy’s brain that has led to chronic seizures. Dennis, now 9, is facing brain surgery to relieve the debilitating condition.

“Please do the right thing and remove these drugs from the shelves immediately,” Mr. Mannello said.

Dr. Geoffrey L. Rosenthal, a panel member who works at the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center at Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, said that pediatric cough and cold medicines can be particularly dangerous for children with unrecognized congenital heart problems.

“In my pediatric cardiology practice, we uniformly suggest that patients avoid these medications,” Dr. Rosenthal said.

Dr. David I. Bromberg, a district vice president for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said that his organization believed that the product labels should warn parents that they are ineffective and, in rare instances, dangerous in children younger than 6.

“The current labeling of these products is therefore inaccurate, inadequate and dangerous,” Dr. Bromberg said.

Happy Homemaker Tip #1

Today I tried a new cake recipe when making Kensington's birthday cake and it turned out pretty good. I know people wonder why try cake recipes when there is Duncan Hines five for $5? Well, part of me just prefers a homemade cake to Industrial Food. It's adventurous to try something new with real ingredients. Not that cakes in general are very healthy, but at least you can make a cake with real butter and vanilla, and without food coloring.
FYI here is a site that tells how to make your own cake mixes you can store for several months (note: contains vegetable shortening).

So this is a yellow cake that rivals my standard, Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake. I love making the Perfectly Chocolate cake, but I needed a yellow cake for the Duck Theme, so I found this one on JoyofBaking.com and gave it a try. It turned out pretty yummy (but not very yellow, despite all the egg yolks).

Yellow Cake Recipe:

6 large egg yolks

1 cup (240 ml) milk

2 teaspoons (8 grams) pure vanilla extract

3 cups (300 grams) sifted cake flour

1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated white sugar

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon (20 grams) baking powder

3/4 teaspoon (5 grams) salt

12 tablespoons (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Spray two 9-inch x 1 1/2 inch (23 x 3.75 cm) cake pans with Bakers Joy, line bottoms with parchment paper, then spray again with Bakers Joy. Set aside.

In a medium bowl lightly combine the egg yolks, 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk, and vanilla extract.

In the bowl of your electric mixer combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder and salt) and mix on low speed for about 30 seconds or until blended. Add the butter and remaining 3/4 cup (180 ml) milk. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for about 2 minutes to aerate and develop the cake's structure. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Gradually add the egg mixture, in 3 additions, beating about 30 seconds after each addition to incorporate the egg.

Divide the batter and pour into the prepared pans, smoothing the surface with an offset spatula. (Pans will be about half full.) Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in center.

Place the cakes on a wire rack to cool, in their pans, for about 10 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto a greased rack. To prevent splitting, reinvert cakes so that tops are right side up. Cool completely before frosting.

Assemble: Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread with about 3/4 cup of frosting. Place the other cake layer on top of the frosting and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Cover and refrigerate the cake until serving time.

Makes one - 9 inch (23 cm) layer cake or 12 cupcakes.

Why??

Why does Elmo appeal so much to two year olds??

K is obessesed. I know the reason she is obessessed is because I introduced them (via turning on Sesame Street aka 'Electronic Babysitter" while I blog/check email) but I'm not sure I understand the appeal. I'm pleased she's found someone who makes her happy, but I'm not completely convinced it's a healthy attraction. Will I feel this way about her teenage boyfriends? Undoubtedly.

Poll!- UPDATED

Recliner A or Recliner B? I've been wanting a recliner ever since I was pregnant with Kensington.... and it's carpe diem time!

Well, the winner is.... Recliner A! (Even though B had more votes... my rear end and back each got their own votes so the 'AYES' have it). Since B was taken down from Craig's List, my picture link went bad as well so what it looked like will have to be lost in the mists of cyber-time.

It looks great in my new living room. I will post some pictures of both the upstairs and down stairs later this week when I get out from under my to-do list.

Exploring different identities

MY ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Danny Volvo

MY GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Moosetracks Milano

MY DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Red Hedgehog

MY SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Ada Wausau (that one turned out pretty funny!)

MY STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first (forward or backward),

Er- Ned

SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Seafoam Lemonade (that one is just not really working for me)

STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),

Vanilla Twizzler

TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
Soxman Sacramento

SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower),
Autumn Hydrangea

CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Raspberry Shortsie

HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
Life Maple

M's Quote of the Week

"Every situation, properly perceived,
becomes an opportunity."
-Helen Schuchman

Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Argh swabbies, today be International Talk Like A Pirate Day! If ye Gentlemen o' Fortune need some help translatin', go here. I`ve made a few wee changes on th' blog in celebration o' this important holiday.

Embracing the POSIG-updated

Well, I`ve been wafflin' an' obsessin' about decorating/makin' more useful our upstairs common area, an' on a whim last high tide' I decided t' embrace th' idee o' them hideous, huge, red, furry inflatable things th' kids love (they be from IKEA an' called, in IKEA-like manner, posigs). I canna find a picture o' them on th' web since IKEA dasn't sell them anymore, but I`ll post pictures when th' room be set up. Here be pictures o' everythin' else I be goin' t' get t' go wi' th' theme: th' big bookcase be pretty huge an' will go on th' main wall. I will get some o' th' smaller ones t' match, an' put them horizontal wi' a flat screen TV on one an' th' other under th' port half o' th' windows. I got two each o' th' red chairs an' stools off Craigslist last high tide' fer $100- they looked like new, an' o' course K already wrote on one wi' a pencil. I be thinkin' o' gettin' one or two o' th' miniature chairs fer th' lass' an' th' lass' buddies. What do ye think?

Book Group Selection

I'll be leading a discussion of the book How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk on September 29th for our Relief Society Book Group (date may be changed). Here is the author's website.

Books We Are Reading:

claire: Rough Stone Rolling (Richard Bushman)
cje: The World Without Us (Alan Weisman)
M: Gregor and the Code of Claw (Suzanne Collins)
J: The Famous Five Adventure Collection (Enid Blyton)
K: Where is Baby's Belly Button? (Karen Katz)

Water, Water, Everywhere....

Here is J and one of her best buddies, A, at our pool this summer. I think M took this with J's underwater disposable camera.

M's Quote of the Week

This feature will be brought to you weekly by none-other than the eleven year old wonderchild, M! (she took this picture of herself)



"Failing to plan is like planning to fail." -Allen Lakein

'The Business of Being Born' is coming to Atlanta!- UPDATED

Movie Description:

Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business.

Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies.

Epstein gains access to several pregnant New York City women as they weigh their options. Some of these women are or will become clients of Cara Muhlhahn, a charismatic midwife who, between birth events, shares both memories and footage of her own birth experience.

Footage of women having babies punctuates THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN. Each experience is unique; all are equally beautiful and equally surprising. Giving birth is clearly the most physically challenging event these women have ever gone through, but it is also the most emotionally rewarding.

Along the way, Epstein conducts interviews with a number of obstetricians, experts and advocates about the history, culture and economics of childbirth. The film’s fundamental question: should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potential medical emergency?

As Epstein uncovers some surprising answers, her own pregnancy adds a very personal dimension to THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN, a must-see movie for anyone even thinking about having a baby.

Parking: FREE!

Location:
Georgia Tech Student Center Theater
350 Ferst Drive, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0458

Ticket Info:

Tickets may be purchased in advance, or at the time of the showing.

Tickets are $12 for GBN members (www.gabirthnetwork.com) , $6 for expecting moms and $15 for all others.

Advanced tickets may be purchased by mailing a check to:
GBN
303 Gainesway Trail
Woodstock, GA 30189

Info on attached flyer OR on http://www.gabirthnetwork.com/news.html

Everybody wants a HERO....

So, all you TV addicts out there, tell me why I should invest 18 more hours of my life in catching up on HEROES episodes on DVD. We are 6 episodes in I think, and it's getting better. No spoilers please!

A few more pictures

Here are some of my favorites of the kids from the Wales part of our trip;
K-this is waiting in line for our train tickets to go up Mount Snowden. That is her grandma E on the left. M took this with her new camera she got for her birthday from her Grandma A.
J-this is at Carnaefon Castle. M took this one as well.
M- this is at the Druid Circle we hiked to in North Wales- what an adventure!

Blog Virgin No More-- here is my first post!

I thought I'd put up one of my favorite pictures from our trip this summer. It's in the south of England near Plymouth at a rock-pooling beach called Wembley. We had a lovely day with cje's parents, sister and brother in law, assorted nieces and nephews on the beach.