tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87051060924369915302024-03-14T03:28:17.056-04:00Lush LifeMusings on family, friends, love, and home......a beautiful, full life.Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-65661847294116329662013-03-21T08:42:00.000-04:002013-03-21T08:44:59.814-04:00Weaving In and OutLosing a loved one is never easy, and we all have a different story to tell. One thing that seems consistent is wanting to gather memories of that person to help you remember their life. Pulling together photos of weddings, mother and child, silly times goofing around, some photos in black and white others on paper that have become orange with age suddenly become so important to find and celebrate. <br />
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Recently, a family that I care about very much lost their mother. She was their rock. She was their beacon. She was the glue that kept them together geographically, and emotionally. One of the sisters, Jill Elliott, is a photographer. Jill took those beautiful photos of my children this Fall, amazingly a few of them have my husband or me in them, which was very special since I realized their have been very few since they were babies, as my husband or I am always the one taking the photos.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill wants to help others by preserving their memories. A portion of her fees will be donated to helping those struggling with cancer. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Check out her website</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.jelliottphotos.com/" style="color: #cc0033; text-decoration: none;">http://www.jelliottphotos.com/</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">. She also has a public facebook page showcasing more of her photos...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jillian-Elliott-photography/155311427832800" style="color: #cc0033; text-decoration: none;">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jillian-Elliott-photography/155311427832800</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Check out another blog post about Jill and her beautiful initiative: <a href="http://weavinginandout.blogspot.com/">Weaving In and Out</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-27901457164000872622013-03-20T19:52:00.000-04:002013-03-21T08:44:26.187-04:00Good Bye to the Boston Phoenix<br />
Last week I learned that the alternative weekly newspaper I'd worked for in the early 2000s was closing. I've been feeling very nostalgic about the paper itself and ultimately the job that simultaneously nearly ruined my life <i>and </i>was the most fun a 20-something could have...<b> ever</b>. There's a lot that's been written lately about the special place<b> The Phoenix</b> held in Boston media. It was a significant source of alternative news, the premier resource for arts and music coverage, and at one time, prior to Craigslist, the best place to find an escort. As a reader, it was all those things (minus the escort-stuff ) to me, and more.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIWBv4hdVi4/UUi5YRPkOyI/AAAAAAAAA-s/X30bOhTWujI/s1600/BOOKCOVER_Whitey-Bulger_mai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIWBv4hdVi4/UUi5YRPkOyI/AAAAAAAAA-s/X30bOhTWujI/s320/BOOKCOVER_Whitey-Bulger_mai.jpg" width="242" /></a>In 2000 I was hired after applying for a job posting in the paper. I had spent my years right after college making pennies at an advertising agency, so it came as quite a shock that I might be able to make some decent money selling ads for a paper I truly enjoyed reading. I moved from a cubicle near the famed smoking room on up to a job I coveted at their nightlife bi-weekly STUFF@night, a brief stint in National Ad Sales working for <i>the</i> Everett Finkelstein, fantastic micro-manager, and over-all conflicting personality to me. During my stint at the Phoenix, I was trained to be a very decent advertising sales rep (get the contract!), met everyone in Boston nightlife, and got to go to work at the kooky-iest place on the planet. <br />
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While other workplaces had sexual harassment training, I learned to accept sexual harassment as an essential part of the workplace. It was filled with characters. The storied Publisher Stephen Mindich was small in stature but large in personality. Always sweet to me, he was known to throw punches at staffers at the annual Holiday party, but welcomed me back to the Phoenix after a failed job attempt elsewhere, and truly cared about the quality of his paper (and almost as much about the radio station and the fluff nightlife pub I worked) and its legacy. <br />
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The place nearly destroyed my personal life: it may have given me (and many others) a drinking problem, and inspired numerous breakups with my now-husband. It was like college, only better. Many parties, many open bars, and never having to stand outside of a club or bar in a line, were just a few of the perks.<br />
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As with any quality media outlet, there was a division of church & state between the editorial staff and the sales staff and the two sides only met in the smoking room. While other workplaces banned smoking in the early 2000s, we embraced our smokers and their rights. I loved that smoking room, and I loved the eccentric personalities in that room.<br />
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<b>The Phoenix</b> was a revolving door for talent. Great writers, creatives, and sales people got their start here and moved on to bigger and better things. It gave <i>me</i> the confidence and entrepreneurial fearlessness to start my own business before I was thirty. Thank you <b>Boston Phoenix</b> for all your life-changing experience. I'll not soon forget, and Boston will never be the same.<br />
<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-49343741993606089022013-02-17T09:39:00.000-05:002013-02-17T09:45:20.597-05:00The Old-Fashioned Cocktail<br />
On a recent trip to NYC with a my husband and a group of thirteen friends, and friends of friends, the most ordered cocktail was hands-down the <i>Old-Fashioned. </i>Loved equally by sleazy men in dark bars and grandmothers, this drink is possibly the original cocktail, and it's made a comeback.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgMdGpUtgD4/USDqvKhWsSI/AAAAAAAAA-M/op6Mk8Acybw/s1600/old-fashioned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgMdGpUtgD4/USDqvKhWsSI/AAAAAAAAA-M/op6Mk8Acybw/s320/old-fashioned.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
There are a couple of versions: the Dixie Old-Fashioned, Rum Old-Fashioned, Brandy Old-Fashioned, but I'll share the tried and true recipe for a typical Old-Fashioned from my trusty <b>The Complete Book of Mixed Drinks</b> by Anthony Dias Blue.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Old-Fashioned</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 maraschino cherries</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 orange slices</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5 dished of bitters</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 teaspoon sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1-1/2 ounces bourbon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Splash of soda</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">In a rocks glass, place 1 cherry, 1/2 slice of orange, bitters, and sugar. Muddle until the mixture is well ground. Add the bourbon and a splash of soda while still mixing. Fill the glass with ice. Garnish with the remaining cherry and orange slices</span>.</span><br />
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The jury's still out on whether all that muddling is necessary. Some argue that the fruit should only be used as a garnish (Dixie Old-Fashioned), but if you're feeling adventurous mix a few versions, and see for yourself, or better yet, invite the neighbors over on this snowy Sunday night and have an Old-Fashioned taste test.Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-26176980569069247972013-02-09T10:54:00.000-05:002013-02-09T15:40:57.861-05:00Go Tell Aunt RhodyMy twins play a version of dress-up that they call "Mama & Honey" a version of playing "house" where one of them is the mom and the other one the little girl. They put on high heels, lip gloss, lots of jewelry, throw a purse over an arm, grab a doll stroller, pile it with books and play food, and walk around the house barking orders at each other and soothing each other. They do this for hours on end, often setting up house in the downstairs bathroom. I believe this is pretty typical, possibly with the exception of the barking orders and extreme amounts of jewelry.<br />
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Recently, I've noticed a new twist to their Mama & Honey dialogue. It's called "my mom and dad died, can I live with you?" Sometimes it's "my brother's dead, what should I do?" <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45nwDxYMkz0/URZv99ECRnI/AAAAAAAAA9o/GYhpTu8GbZs/s1600/MotherGoose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45nwDxYMkz0/URZv99ECRnI/AAAAAAAAA9o/GYhpTu8GbZs/s320/MotherGoose.jpg" width="298" /></a><br />
Hmmmm.....<br />
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At the advice of a friend, I tried to insert myself into the play to get to the bottom of this, but it didn't work. They didn't want me to play. They're probably re-enacting one of the countless versions of Cinderella they've seen on TV or been read.<br />
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For about a year they've randomly asked their dad and me if daddy's going to die? At about 3.5-years they began trying to figure out how getting older and dying are related. My twins know that their paternal grandpa is buried in the cemetery two streets away, but thankfully haven't had a loved one pass away in their lifetime. Yet. <br />
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Death is a reality that all children will eventually be faced with. <br />
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My mom pointed out that historically children's songs and nursery rhymes prepared youngsters for death. With higher mortality rates in the old days, it was perfectly healthy to sing about death. Songs like Go Tell Aunt Rhody describing the death of a goose, and her children and husband mourning, clearly deals with the death of a mother. One might argue that in our efforts to protect our children from death by virtually eliminating it from their songs and literature, we might be making this inevitable part of life even more mysterious. Death is enough of a mystery without robbing children of a little foreshadowing and an opportunity to "play it out."<br />
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<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Go Tell Aunt Rhody</span></u></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Go tell Aunt Rhody<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Go tell Aunt Rhody<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Go tell Aunt Rhody<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The old gray goose is dead</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">verses:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The one she's been saving (x 3)<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />To make her feather bed</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She died in the mill pond (x 3)<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Standing on her head</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She left nine little goslings (x 3)<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />To scratch for their own bread</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The goslings are crying (x 3)<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Because their mother's dead</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The gander is weeping (x 3)<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Because his wife is dead</span></div>
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Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-7362755979452345062012-10-25T22:26:00.000-04:002013-02-09T15:42:46.087-05:00Jill Elliott PhotographyMy friend Jon's sister, Jill Texera Elliott, is a photographer and she sent me some great pictures of my girls. I'm sure it wasn't the easiest task, but she managed to capture their personalities by simply hanging out with them for a little while....and promising them gum. She's clearly a genius. <br />
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I love the laid-back style of these photos. They're timeless images that I know I'll still love years from now. Check out Jill's site: <a href="http://www.jelliottphotos.com/">http://www.jelliottphotos.com/</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JO9465ipi6w/UInxYitxuRI/AAAAAAAAA8k/iuLG9EEoelw/s1600/408662_504246959588354_751837174_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JO9465ipi6w/UInxYitxuRI/AAAAAAAAA8k/iuLG9EEoelw/s320/408662_504246959588354_751837174_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry & Girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5f3N9gxskM/UInxZokvKpI/AAAAAAAAA8s/Jm2se4ql1zQ/s1600/409175_504246749588375_1072142461_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5f3N9gxskM/UInxZokvKpI/AAAAAAAAA8s/Jm2se4ql1zQ/s320/409175_504246749588375_1072142461_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5FdIwhuj3Bg/UInxaLZQ-VI/AAAAAAAAA80/sFeM3I4g3ZM/s1600/409242_504246912921692_1589351481_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5FdIwhuj3Bg/UInxaLZQ-VI/AAAAAAAAA80/sFeM3I4g3ZM/s320/409242_504246912921692_1589351481_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sienna & our friend Jon</td></tr>
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<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-40661710105745190982012-10-20T08:23:00.001-04:002012-10-20T08:37:28.938-04:00Halloween Decorating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is it possible that anyone loves a holiday more than me? I saw these Martha Stewart Mouse Silhouettes at Michael's and was initially grossed out by them, but the more I thought about it, the more fun they seemed! Our front door opens to my "mice stairs" so I hope to surprise trick-or-treaters and gross out their parents on Halloween.<br />
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I also love Martha's window and mirror clings! See the mice climbing up the mirror?<br />
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The ghosts are actually my least favorite of all the clings but are the biggest hit of all our decorations with young children.<br />
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My husband conceived a Fall scene complete with homemade scarecrow from the hay bales leftover from the girls birthday party. "Gus" the scarecrow's getting a little tired from 4-year-olds climbing on him, but overall I was really impressed with my husband's vision.<br />
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Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-41339624351068925672012-10-07T09:43:00.000-04:002012-10-07T09:43:01.030-04:00Mario Testino at the MFAMario Testino's fashion photography and portraits of the British royal family are coming to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston this October. It's not every day that high style and celebrity meet and can be considered cultural, and this looks like one show I wouldn't want to miss. <br />
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There's so much that I don't do because 1) I'm a mom and I forget things or 2) because its not kid-friendly, but this is one show I wouldn't dream of letting pass without seeing.<br />
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Mario Testino: In Your Face and Mario Testino: British Royals - October 21. 2012 to February 3, 2013Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-67171862394128752722012-09-05T23:07:00.001-04:002012-09-05T23:07:25.837-04:00Cowgirl Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't know how anyone planned a social event before Pinterest! Cocktail parties, birthday parties, and weddings must have taken true creativity before the time-sucking, highly addictive electronic pin board phenomena was introduced. Planning a cowgirl 4th birthday party for Sophie & Sienna was a piece of cake thanks to all the terrific ideas I found on the site. So thank you creative moms and their event planners for sharing all your terrific ideas.</div>
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Feeding 30 kids, their parents, and other friends was left to my fabulous husband, who happens to be a superb cook, and coolly informed me that barbecue for nearly 60 wouldn't be a problem.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowboy Up! In lieu of regular goody bags, I tied bandanas to brown craft paper bags, and stuffed them in a bureau I'd found and has been awaiting refinishing. The kids all took home a pink or straw cowboy hat and sheriff badge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pan-4- Gold game was a big hit, and entertained some kids for much of the party! I spray painted small rocks with gold paint, poked holes in aluminum pans and filled a pool with sand and water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two 8-ft long tables and hay bales provided low seating for the children, I saved tin cans, and filled them with flowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abuelito waiting to get the party started.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowgirl Sophie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowgirl Sienna</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After we handed out the craft bags for piñata candy, I let the kids pick a little candy in case they hadn't scavenged enough, I'm sure to the horror of the other parents, but I didn't want anyone to feel left out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzbD4X1z7tg/UEgL5zbTgHI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/-RmUkFKUSGY/s1600/B-day+2012+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzbD4X1z7tg/UEgL5zbTgHI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/-RmUkFKUSGY/s320/B-day+2012+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday girls and their best bud Maya (center) having drinks on the bounce house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mum made the cake and cleverly used Barbie cowboy boots and hat to decorate!</td></tr>
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<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-13639266066077570672012-09-03T21:26:00.000-04:002012-09-03T21:26:05.790-04:00Cowgirls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today my little girls turned four-years-old. I've had people tell me to enjoy these little pumpkins every minute, because although the days seem long, the years are short. Those people were right. Time is quickly flying.<br />
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Here are some photos I took of them before their cowgirl-themed birthday. Sophie came up with the idea based on a love of cowgirl boots and hats, and I ran with it. Enjoy....I did.<br />
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<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-41830356847429108742012-07-29T20:11:00.000-04:002012-08-01T13:47:28.536-04:00House Renovation Part II - Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The kitchen was the first renovation we took on in our now new-old, house. Pictures speak louder than words, so I've included some photos from one of our first visits to the house. We knew we needed to capture the kitchen from every angle so that we could start our planning. <br />
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The kitchen was clean, functional, and on the small side, but my husband and I agree that if something doesn't bring you joy, than it should change. We cook a lot and spend a great deal of time in the kitchen so it's essential that we not dread looking at it. We weren't prepared to make it bigger but it needed a facelift.<br />
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BEFORE</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the square bump out next to the window...it was an old chimney!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very shiny factory finished Cherry floors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha Stewart Living cabinets with Dunemere door style.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe1AKk4Zub8/UBWWygALyXI/AAAAAAAAAq4/ezy3g0Rl6d0/s1600/DSC03722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe1AKk4Zub8/UBWWygALyXI/AAAAAAAAAq4/ezy3g0Rl6d0/s320/DSC03722.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marais Chair, Design Within Reach; Pedestal Table, Crate & Barrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We painted the wood beams on the ceiling.</td></tr>
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The first thing to go were the cabinets, appliances, and paneling. After revealing the ancient original walls, my husband and some friends tore out the old chimney, a useless square box on our East-facing wall, with a diamond blade saw because the mortar was too hard for a chipping gun!<br />
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We replaced the cabinets with Martha Stewart Living's very affordable cabinets in Sharkey Gray. My nephew painted the walls in Martha Stewart's Gull, and my husband later tiled the backsplash with inexpensive white subway tile with dark gray grout called "Platinum." <br />
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I love Carrara marble countertop, and we deliberated whether to do it again, but I think the look and feel is incomparable, and a little patina adds charm. Luckily I'm not OCD and a water mark here and there doesn't bother me.<br />
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We chose an oil rubbed bronze light fixture from Restoration Hardware to place over the island.<br />
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The last thing we did was sand and paint the cherry floors. Their factory finish finally drove us crazy! The floors simply were out of sync with the rest of the house. We chose Benjamin Moore's Floor and Patio paint in Kendall Charcoal.<br />
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About the appliances:<br />
We've put the same stainless steel apron sink in our last three homes that we purchased from an online dealer. This time we went with a dual-fuel, six burner KitchenAid stove which we're very pleased with. <br />
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Overall, the kitchen works for our little family. It's the opposite of the current trend towards open floor plans, but it stays true to this village colonial's original layout, and the facelift made us happy. The colors are soothing, and allow the color of serving dishes, flowers, food, and people to take center stage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkI-HEx-NQ8/UBXR5JEVDvI/AAAAAAAAAus/oPBPemASS9g/s1600/DSC03700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkI-HEx-NQ8/UBXR5JEVDvI/AAAAAAAAAus/oPBPemASS9g/s320/DSC03700.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha Stewart Living Cabinets are available at Home Depot.</td></tr>
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<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-52565924299627765832012-07-09T15:00:00.000-04:002012-07-12T07:29:23.280-04:00Found: Eames Lounge ChairThere's nothing better than free stuff, and I thought we'd made a big score each time my husband spotted one of the two Eames lounge chairs by the side of the road. They didn't come to us at the same time and lucky for us we found two, because from the two we were able to piece together one very decent looking chair and ottoman.<br />
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Introduced in 1956, the set by Charles and Ray Eames was an instant hit and is considered an icon of modern design. Knock-offs range anywhere from $500 and Design Within Reach sells them for around $5,000. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1KB8S5no_o/T_XOJgljxZI/AAAAAAAAAns/hOSFyETycMk/s1600/photo-66.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1KB8S5no_o/T_XOJgljxZI/AAAAAAAAAns/hOSFyETycMk/s320/photo-66.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of Minwax stain refreshed the scratched wooden back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The set fits perfectly in the master bedroom.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7OA4q8FIMQ/T_XOKQlJoLI/AAAAAAAAAn8/p85apnQSfXo/s1600/photo-68.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7OA4q8FIMQ/T_XOKQlJoLI/AAAAAAAAAn8/p85apnQSfXo/s320/photo-68.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Our find is a fugazy, and an old one at that (the arms are the giveaway), but there's something very gratifying at salvaging something. There's a thrill in hunting for stuff that I simply don't get when I just walk into a store or order from a catalog, which is why I'm currently stockpiling two dressers and three tables for rehab.<br />
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<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-11595468026883205212012-07-05T08:38:00.001-04:002012-07-12T07:31:47.143-04:00Falmouth fun<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEKBoX6UZG0/T_WELl4T09I/AAAAAAAAAnI/HXSs7wBdLKs/s1600/photo-62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XEKBoX6UZG0/T_WELl4T09I/AAAAAAAAAnI/HXSs7wBdLKs/s320/photo-62.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie, riding to Cape Cod and the future looked bright</td></tr>
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We recently took a short trip to Cape Cod with plans of leisurely days spent collecting shells, dipping feet in the surf, and building sandcastles. Sadly, it was all just a dream when we realized that one of our children had a new aversion to the sand and wouldn't tolerate more than five minutes of wet feet in sand on her little feet. <br />
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For some reason this didn't really surprise me, however it was quite a rude awakening to my husband. Clearly he'd never encountered a youngster's textural issue with sand.<br />
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It seemed from the beginning of this trip that nothing about July in Cape Cod was going to please this child. We did some quick re-planning and found other options besides beach-ing it. We took the Island Queen ferry to Martha's Vineyard, walked around Oak Bluffs, visited the Carousel, and had a fab lunch dockside with minimal incident. I say "minimal" because Sophie, was brought to tears from her desperation to be big enough to grab carousel rings. Sometimes it's hard being small.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhXhQgybD24/T_WEMQfvfEI/AAAAAAAAAnY/cq_O5OKlocY/s1600/photo-64.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhXhQgybD24/T_WEMQfvfEI/AAAAAAAAAnY/cq_O5OKlocY/s320/photo-64.JPG" width="239" /></a>We rented bikes and a buggy to tow the girls around Falmouth which was fun for everyone. Obviously this wasn't my idea, but it worked beautifully. The twins loved it and their parents got some exercise. I only <i>almost </i>fell into a ravine once. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BH-41y5z1U/T_WEL4MGBpI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/thIRUuOKthc/s1600/photo-63.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0BH-41y5z1U/T_WEL4MGBpI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/thIRUuOKthc/s320/photo-63.JPG" width="239" /></a>We took Grandma shopping to all her favorite spots: Christmas Tree Shop, Ocean State Job Lot, and (ugh) Wal-Mart. It was an interesting trip only because one of the twins decided to shove a Goldfish cracker in her little nose. Luckily Metro-West Medical Center had mailed us the most useful little first-aid kit complete with plastic tweezers. They'd obviously anticipated Goldfish lodged in a nostril, as did I which must be why I amazingly had it in my glove compartment. I thought it was perfect timing for a lesson on what parts of our bodies NOT to put food or other small objects.<br />
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By our final day Sienna (who's identity I'm no longer protecting) was ready for the beach. An 8 o'clock beach time at an uncrowded, sandy beach, with bathrooms and showers was the key. Surf Drive Beach was a success! Often a little (or a lot) of patience goes a long way.<br />
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If you're planning a visit to Falmouth and don't already have a favorite beach, or your young children have just made you reconsider your favorite beach, I recommend using this site: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #009933; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;">www.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #009933; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;"><b>falmouthcapecod</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #009933; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;">.com/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #009933; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;"><b>beaches</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #009933; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;">.htm.</span>Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-59603531812683564632012-06-02T07:43:00.000-04:002012-06-03T07:21:09.113-04:00Roll & Tumble Press<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pAuZ51wBFwU/T0jfc6PUw9I/AAAAAAAAAlY/LkpkhRGrZaE/s1600/sin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pAuZ51wBFwU/T0jfc6PUw9I/AAAAAAAAAlY/LkpkhRGrZaE/s320/sin2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Perfect in any modern couple's home, a take on an old fashioned sampler; <i>Sin $20</i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's no secret that I'm a fan of letterpress posters for the home, and I'm loving these prints from Roll & Tumble Press. With a selection of rock'n roll feeling prints that would be great in any fun-loving home. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The prints are "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">hand illustrated, hand carved wood blocks, paired with antique wood type( most of it 100 years old), using a hand cranked vintage letterpress…….it’s traditional, a labor of love," and it shows.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hz9HLRTYxRo/T8n4l1FPJDI/AAAAAAAAAmU/yPDgms_0_sk/s1600/drink_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hz9HLRTYxRo/T8n4l1FPJDI/AAAAAAAAAmU/yPDgms_0_sk/s320/drink_11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drink, inspired by So Cal tattoos, $20</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inAdiXwhiVM/T8n4n1PPFcI/AAAAAAAAAmc/LHtJVNOIMfY/s1600/love_gig1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inAdiXwhiVM/T8n4n1PPFcI/AAAAAAAAAmc/LHtJVNOIMfY/s1600/love_gig1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gig, $25</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These prints, and endless others, are for sale through Felt & Wire Shop which has great ideas for your home and entertaining needs mainly in the form of customized paper goods. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.feltandwireshop.com/">www.feltandwireshop.com</a>Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-88061895273368211892012-04-18T16:31:00.003-04:002012-04-18T18:05:49.770-04:00This is 3.5 years-old<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTzlKqf0w4o/T46mLabt1xI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ou8kEK0j5QQ/s1600/photo-46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTzlKqf0w4o/T46mLabt1xI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ou8kEK0j5QQ/s320/photo-46.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie (left) and Sienna</td></tr>
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I haven't been posting to this blog lately because my girls are 3.5 years old and we're always on the go, I've taken on some responsibility outside of the home, and so my free time is at a minimum. Over the last few months the girls have changed, but yet so much still remains the same.<br />
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The girls are becoming more independent and rather feisty. They count to fifteen, love to play hide and seek, jump on their beds, being read to and "reading" to themselves, and telling stories. <br />
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They'll interview you about your nail polish, shoes, and jewelry, and are utterly enthralled if you mention a boyfriend, girlfriend, or wedding. They appear to love me more when I'm dressed up in high heels and makeup. <br />
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They tell their dad he's their prince and "I was missin' you when you were at work." They tell me they were "missin' me when I was in your belly."<br />
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They understand when they're snubbed by another child, but don't quite understand empathy not to do the exact same thing to another kid. It's all very sad, and mom still has to be constantly alert to diffuse and educate. I guess that's a lifelong commitment.<br />
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When given the opportunity they dress themselves, but their choices have to be negotiated, and most times the actual act of dressing sped up so that we can actually leave the house. You'll most often still find them in tutus (or sundresses) and inappropriate footwear with sparkles. They'll only wear jeans and vests for their dad, even though I ask them to every day.<br />
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You may or may not be surprised to learn that my children rarely sleep through the night. Whether it's waking to pee, or just waking and realizing I'm not there, they wake up anywhere from one to three times each per night. We clearly haven't progressed in this area. Luckily, I've never been one to need a ton of sleep.<br />
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According to their teacher they don't yet recognize their own names by site, Sophie doesn't pedal a tricycle, but Sienna can but prefers not to, they both aren't particularly handy with scissors, however what they lack in these gross and fine motor skills they make up for in their dramatic play and social skills.<br />
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They've been asking a lot about death, and regularly telling me they don't want their dad to die. They know their paternal grandpa is in the cemetery in town, and that our neighbor died recently. They're concerned that Larry and I will get old too and eventually die which is totally valid.<br />
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That last point sounds a little morbid, but overall 3.5 is good. There's more explaining to do (they ask a lot of questions), but they're a bit easier to reason with. Tantrums have become minimal and usually only occur when they're tired, hungry, or generally just messing with mom for kicks (but those instances are pretty obvious).<br />
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Wish me continued patience.<br />
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<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-60839241872180973982012-04-07T16:28:00.003-04:002012-04-07T17:06:58.356-04:00The word of the day is mombat....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I recently heard the term<i> mombat,</i> a very close cousin to the word <i>combat</i>, which by definition is a purposeful <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Violence">violent</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="War">conflict</a></span> meant to establish <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominance_(ethology)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Dominance (ethology)">dominance</a> over the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opposition" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Opposition">opposition</a></span>, or to kill the opposition, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed. Mombat refers to mothers engaged in such conflict, in all likelihood without causing physical harm.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">I experienced mombat first hand when my children's preschool was nominated in a local Patch poll to determine the best preschool or daycare in town. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was a heated race that had parents all over town voting, commenting, and cheerleading for their preschools and daycares. Actually, mainly just the preschool parents got carried away, the daycare parents were clearly too busy with other things like WORK to comment. The online commenting got a little ugly even necessitating the local editor and publisher to moderate at times! One commenter advised everyone to stop getting their "panties in a bunch!" It was mombat. It was pretty entertaining. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Clearly something like preschool is a sensitive topic for mothers. It's one of the first major choices you make for your child, and to imagine that you may not have chosen "the best" could make some suburban moms resort to mombat. I've heard that k</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">indergarden lotteries and sports tryouts evoke similar instances of mombat<i>,</i> but I'd bet you've already seen that for yourself.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-20285538050230146872012-02-07T14:00:00.001-05:002012-02-07T14:30:56.422-05:00Sexy, Cool Art<div style="text-align: left;">
I discovered Polaroid transfer prints<strong> </strong>by She Hit Pause Studio on a fall trip to Brooklyn's flea market.<b> </b>Photographer Matt Schwartz's large scale polaroid transfers feature surf images and his version of pin-up girls. I love the soft, hazy light in his images, they seem nostalgic yet still contemporary.</div>
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<i>8x10 prints</i> <em>$75 or $150 framed and 11x17 prints $95 or $200 framed; shehitpausestudio.com</em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOo0RZqTw0Y/TyVIw7njm1I/AAAAAAAAAjo/wOX7Ouw9TPs/s1600/girl+surfing+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOo0RZqTw0Y/TyVIw7njm1I/AAAAAAAAAjo/wOX7Ouw9TPs/s320/girl+surfing+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl Surfing </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0c97DHmjCs/Tsj-BiGpNyI/AAAAAAAAAfM/X-iK7WgHSZo/s1600/girl+on+the+ground.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0c97DHmjCs/Tsj-BiGpNyI/AAAAAAAAAfM/X-iK7WgHSZo/s320/girl+on+the+ground.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the pinups.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7YbZwlaE0c/Tsj-EaCEHZI/AAAAAAAAAfU/1bo6OG_RdkU/s1600/ecuador.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7YbZwlaE0c/Tsj-EaCEHZI/AAAAAAAAAfU/1bo6OG_RdkU/s320/ecuador.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy + Girl Surfing</td></tr>
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<em><br /></em></div>Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-63324893120454974272012-01-31T14:15:00.004-05:002012-04-18T18:11:52.714-04:00Home Renovation Part 1- Parlor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When we bought this old house in April, we had some quick fix plans. All it needed was some new paint, cabinets, and floor refinishing. Impressed by magazine articles featuring interior designers own tiny, once ramshackle homes, that are transformed via a coat of paint and nice throw pillows, I thought we could make it charming. </div>
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Everything original to the house, which could have been redeemable, had been stripped over the years, and details like wood paneling, ceiling beams, wall-to-wall carpeting, and factory finished cherry floors were added in the 80s. Instead of trying to recreate its colonial roots, we decided to embrace our love of contemporary.</div>
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BEFORE</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-MEKNzpg1s/Tww5YMFrvYI/AAAAAAAAAi4/LvIpcIQXp6I/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s-MEKNzpg1s/Tww5YMFrvYI/AAAAAAAAAi4/LvIpcIQXp6I/s320/IMG_1124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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AFTER</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Befz5km_M0A/Tyg6jYHdbsI/AAAAAAAAAj4/Um1Np7rK_uw/s1600/photo-45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Befz5km_M0A/Tyg6jYHdbsI/AAAAAAAAAj4/Um1Np7rK_uw/s320/photo-45.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still haven't decided whether to add window treatments.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRNEOIR58gs/Tww3pXl-3CI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Y64uhIdSxnk/s1600/photo-32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zRNEOIR58gs/Tww3pXl-3CI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Y64uhIdSxnk/s320/photo-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The home lacks a proper foyer and the parlor acts as entrance and pass through to all of the other rooms on the main floor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light fixture from Shades of Light</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An antique store purchase gives a nod to Red Riding Hood.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea Gray - I'm addicted!</td></tr>
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We repaired, sanded, and stained the original Douglas Fir floors and painted the walls Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray and paneling Wisp White (white with a hint of gray). <br />
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Unsure how to treat the wood ceiling beams, we eventually decided to paint them white. Purists would likely disagree with some of our choices, but I think it made our mid-century furniture feel more at home.<br />
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<br /></div>Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-51854878657624584452012-01-14T08:00:00.001-05:002012-01-14T08:00:06.134-05:00Looking like Laura IngallsKids today look a lot different than we did. Did tutus and princess costumes even exist in the 70s and 80s. If they were available, then why I didn't I know? All I know is that I wanted to look like Laura Ingalls from <i>Little House on the Prairie</i>. In fact, I had my mom and aunt sew me numerous prairie dresses and bonnets to achieve said look. See below. That's me looking like I'm an extra on the set of<i> Big Love</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EmfRh_I7ATA/TrnNELupb7I/AAAAAAAAAek/ni-9Ygtf-Pg/s1600/maria+1981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EmfRh_I7ATA/TrnNELupb7I/AAAAAAAAAek/ni-9Ygtf-Pg/s320/maria+1981.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
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This is me at my fifth birthday party. I cropped my little friends out of the image, but none of them were wearing bonnets, which is kind of hilarious, so I may have been the only kid reading the <i>Little House</i> books and watching the series in reruns. I can't be sure. I stuck to this look for quite a while. Actually, I think I was still dressing like this until we moved to the only 'urban' neighborhood in a quite suburban town in 1985, and this look was no longer going to be tolerated.</div>Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-1847873444065040022012-01-09T09:13:00.007-05:002012-01-09T15:52:40.232-05:00Reproduction Junction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vgnpDcEfSo/TsppABZyTqI/AAAAAAAAAgc/fNkh-nDNpj4/s1600/DSC00823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vgnpDcEfSo/TsppABZyTqI/AAAAAAAAAgc/fNkh-nDNpj4/s320/DSC00823.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry, Sienna, and Sophie - Beth Israel Hospital, Boston</td></tr>
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Now that our girls are three-years-old it seems we have a major life decision to make: will we try for another child? No. 3? Numero tres? <br />
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Well-meaning people have been asking whether we would try for a third child pretty much since my twins were born. I thought I'd hit the jackpot popping out two healthy babies at once, but others seem to think a masculine child would make my family complete. I believe women are equal to men, so having only girls seems completely acceptable, which is shocking to some.<br />
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Luckily my husband feels the same way. He doesn't seem to need to recreate his childhood with a boy. In fact, he realizes that we probably have our hands full with the two children we already have.<br />
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I don't want to say that there are definitely no more babies in our future (I've had to eat my words too many times to be that decisive about anything). In fact I wonder what it would be like to have just one baby. Would pregnancy be less uncomfortable? What would it be like to cuddle one infant at a time, or to read with one baby?<br />
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For a little added pressure, my girls regularly ask for a baby sister. They also ask for a big sister, which would be a little more complicated. Surely we can't have another baby just to please them. They already make too many decisions for us, and besides, I already gave away all of the baby stuff when they turned one, quite confident that there would definitely be no more babies in our future.<br />
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We're headed into good territory: the girls are in preschool, one's potty-trained, they're becoming more independent, and travel (with them) seems possible. I'm also looking forward to working again in the near future, and another baby would put that on hold.<br />
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I haven't come to any conclusions yet. We still have time since my Implanon contraceptive implant (yes, I'm over sharing again) is good for a few more months.<br />
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<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-66781330817950693382011-11-25T10:00:00.005-05:002011-11-29T16:56:33.194-05:00Candy-striped ChristmasThese 2010 Martha Stewart Living images struck a cord with me so I've been saving them to share for almost an entire year! Already a fan of a turquoise-Christmas (don't turn up your nose unless you've actually seen it), I love the easy mix of a turquoise and candy-stripes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2Gz_t_gk1E/Tp8g6beNXnI/AAAAAAAAAdM/XQ4NH6eg9ks/s1600/stockings-over-fireplace-christmas-scene-1210-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2Gz_t_gk1E/Tp8g6beNXnI/AAAAAAAAAdM/XQ4NH6eg9ks/s320/stockings-over-fireplace-christmas-scene-1210-lg.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mis-matched stockings + simple hearth = too cute</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wreath with some fabric instead of a bow and a hook.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8FYgBsWp2o/Tp8g5Drn5wI/AAAAAAAAAdE/gs_dJp5ltec/s1600/peppermint-candy-dish-with-candles-1210-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8FYgBsWp2o/Tp8g5Drn5wI/AAAAAAAAAdE/gs_dJp5ltec/s320/peppermint-candy-dish-with-candles-1210-lg.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How easy is this centerpiece?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Blm_0MVtso/Tp8g0irgpJI/AAAAAAAAAck/60DDT_oU8bg/s1600/decorated-christmas-tree-in-living-room-1210-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Blm_0MVtso/Tp8g0irgpJI/AAAAAAAAAck/60DDT_oU8bg/s320/decorated-christmas-tree-in-living-room-1210-lg.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This combo manages to still look warm. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VVfmJuRhxg/Tp8g1Vyew2I/AAAAAAAAAcs/_NCakc9A1tw/s1600/festive-red-and-white-table-setting-1210-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VVfmJuRhxg/Tp8g1Vyew2I/AAAAAAAAAcs/_NCakc9A1tw/s320/festive-red-and-white-table-setting-1210-lg.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple red & white ticking looks seasonal and classic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-5400883495434866342011-11-21T10:00:00.030-05:002011-11-21T10:31:21.092-05:00How cool was your dad?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was just reading Tina Fey's <em>Bossypants</em> because a book club I belong to, but have yet to attend, read it last month (I never finished it). In it she refers to her dad as "bad ass" which I got a big kick from. She also described his cool style sense (so stylish even black guys thought he looked cool). While I wouldn't call my own dad a "bad ass", I do think he was, and still is, pretty cool. <br />
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Certainly very few folks can rock a moustache for decades and still look suave.<br />
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Eleazar "Chiqui" Romero's always had a keen sense of style, and pretty much always dresses to impress, and I love seeing 1970s photos of dad with friends, me, my mom, and his dogs.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5MsDErBb20/TrnFvHmbxDI/AAAAAAAAAec/qHM6XbzINRs/s1600/chiqui+and+lindy+70s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5MsDErBb20/TrnFvHmbxDI/AAAAAAAAAec/qHM6XbzINRs/s320/chiqui+and+lindy+70s.jpg" width="189px" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and his dogs Poco & Che in Honduras, early 70s.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qYABV8ixDM/Tq78M6fXqgI/AAAAAAAAAdk/TkbIN3ksmbg/s1600/Chiqui+at+Exchange+Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qYABV8ixDM/Tq78M6fXqgI/AAAAAAAAAdk/TkbIN3ksmbg/s320/Chiqui+at+Exchange+Center.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Present day, Dad at Boston's Exchange Center sitting in front of a MassPort photo of himself.</td></tr>
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Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-78529940686269782382011-11-03T21:09:00.001-04:002011-11-03T21:10:54.258-04:00Mamma Mia! & Red Riding Hood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sure I've mentioned that my twins have a little obsession with the musical <em>Mamma Mia!</em> I think it started in utero: the movie was released when I was on bed rest while pregnant and my doctor vetoed my plan for an outing to see it in the theatre. I really like ABBA.<br />
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Anyway, the girls watch the DVD and listen to real ABBA tirelessly. They also do reenactments of the main character, Sophie (played by the lovely Amanda Seyfried) and her friends reuniting and singing "Honey, Honey" (this is very amusing). <br />
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The girls also adore fairy tales particularly Little Red Riding Hood. We've read at least a dozen versions (their favorite is my mom's from the 40s which has adorable illustrations, a particularly cute <em>Red</em>, and best of all shows the dead wolf at the end because three-year-olds are a little morbid). <br />
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Somehow they saw a trailer of their favorite actress in a red riding hood, and now all they want is for me to let them watch the movie. This simply can't happen since the film <em>Red Riding Hood</em> looks too scary even for me, but they still ask regularly thanks to Verizon Fios on demand ads that play on a loop while I'm looking for episodes of Caillou.Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-45246583732712259242011-10-24T19:35:00.016-04:002011-11-03T20:40:37.690-04:00This is 3-years-oldOld lady to my mom: "Are they coming from dance class?"<br />
My mom: "Oh no, they always dress like this."<br />
Old lady to her friends: "Those twins always dress like that, can you believe it?!"<br />
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If you have a preschool-age girl, than I'm sure this has happened to you too. What a difference a generation makes. I know that I never had a store-bought costume (the horror!). Were there even such things as <em>Disney</em> <em>Princess</em> costumes? <em>Disney</em> quite possibly owns my children, since I recently witnessed Sophie and Sienna mesmerized by a classmate in a Little Mermaid costume, who they now refer to as <em>Ariel</em>. They seem to love all things feminine, which made me a little worried until another mom explained that she was going to let her daughter dress as girly as she wanted since she's probably only a few years away from a <em>goth </em>phase.<br />
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So here's what three-years-old looks like for us: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhXqR5P-eoc/Tpy8_2AfvJI/AAAAAAAAAbk/YR6qLhjGd9c/s1600/dressed+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhXqR5P-eoc/Tpy8_2AfvJI/AAAAAAAAAbk/YR6qLhjGd9c/s320/dressed+up.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sienna(l) and Sophie dressed up on a typical afternoon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6-FPzwTeFE/Tpy9H9Ho7nI/AAAAAAAAAb8/AlAojopy2XA/s1600/soph+brave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6-FPzwTeFE/Tpy9H9Ho7nI/AAAAAAAAAb8/AlAojopy2XA/s320/soph+brave.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie on a pony, with a stranger, and being very brave.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2iGZpy-wuc/Tpy9LfjCZcI/AAAAAAAAAcE/Uw1T2B5E-TU/s1600/sienna+temper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2iGZpy-wuc/Tpy9LfjCZcI/AAAAAAAAAcE/Uw1T2B5E-TU/s320/sienna+temper.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temper, temper.......</td></tr>
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Yes, certain people seem to be getting even more bothered about <em>NOTHING,</em> while other little people are losing their fears and becoming quite brave.<br />
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The costumes haven't stopped, and wearing summer clothes and inappropriate footwear seems to be an obsession. <br />
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Since my twins are in preschool, I've gotten to see them separate from each other a bit. They play with different children, at different things in school. However, Sienna is still Sophie's defender, and when Sienna does something to get in trouble, her sister seems to try and smooth it over. They still seem to switch personalities with each other almost instantaneously, which is clearly a twin-thing.<br />
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They're learning to do real puzzles and will sit for nearly an hour doing crafts with me. They love books, especially fairy tales, and want to hear us tell stories for hours on end. They finally enjoy taking baths, and had their first real sleepover at their grandparents without a bit of crying. I believe the key to a successful overnight is <em>Disney</em> <em>Princess </em>suitcases on wheels. They practiced for weeks prior to the actual overnight.<br />
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Despite the warnings that<em> </em>age three is worse than<em> </em>two, I've seen some improvement.Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-90740477882538932162011-10-20T13:02:00.002-04:002011-10-20T13:02:00.386-04:00Sanity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How do you stay sane? Is it going to the gym? Yoga? Music? Maybe it's having a nanny, or having a real job? Therapy? Since I don't work (or shall I say, I don't work outside the home), and I don't really have hobbies, I blog. It's a little creative, and makes me feel like I'm producing something besides babies and meals. Of course, I'm mostly posting about babies or meals, but that's what I'm living, and putting it into perspective might be keeping me sane. <br />
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I'm a stay at home mom, which has its ups and down as I'm sure being a working mom does. In either case I'm sure you never truly feel like you're doing the right thing for your children, career, and marriage, but I don't believe in over analyzing such things.<br />
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Sometimes I feel like my head is spinning so fast that it actually might come whizzing right off my neck. That's when I feel like I'm getting nutty. Being a mother is sometimes a monotonous series of preparing meals and snacks, cleaning up those meals and snacks, laundry, housekeeping, and refereeing. Frankly it's the refereeing and whining that really gets to me, I rather enjoy the cooking and cleaning. If you think about it too much it could drive you nuts. Fortunately, it's also filled with endearing baby kisses and cuddles, otherwise I'm certain no one would do it. <br />
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Some may think my posts are trivial or silly, but then it's not really for them is it? It's for my sanity. How is everyone else not losing it?Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705106092436991530.post-89602570152362565942011-10-19T14:41:00.002-04:002011-10-19T15:00:52.327-04:00Try this: Chicken Souvlaki with Cilantro<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(image from foodies-magazine.com)</td></tr>
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This is a hit in my house, and seems to get better each time I make it. We love cilantro and just received a few bunches from my Aunt Susie, so I think it's time again for this dish. I found the recipe in a spring edition of <em>House Beautiful</em>.<br />
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<strong>Sarah Raven's Chicken Souvlaki with Cilantro</strong></div>
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Serves 8</div>
<strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />
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6 chicken breasts - cut into cubes<br />
8 warmed pita breads <br />
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<strong>Marinade:</strong><br />
Small bunch of mint chopped<br />
3 garlic cloves finely chopped<br />
1 red chili finely chopped <br />
Juice + zest of 1 lemon<br />
1 TBS crushed coriander<br />
1 tsp turmeric<br />
1 cup plain yogurt<br />
1/4 cup olive oil<br />
salt + pepper<br />
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Combine and toss with chicken, cover, refrigerate overnight<br />
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<strong>Dressing</strong><br />
In food processor combine the following:<br />
Large bunch cilantro, chopped<br />
1 cup plain yogurt<br />
Juice and zest of 1 lemon<br />
2 TBS olive oil<br />
Salt<br />
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Skewer chicken and grill until cooked<br />
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Serve with extra cilantro + dressing in warm Pita<br /></div>
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<br />Twin Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15478060637245939907noreply@blogger.com0