Erin M, from Tadpole to Pollywog

Erin and Robin took two weeks of swim lessons a few weeks ago.  Erin is so close to being able to swim, it felt like the right time to get her some professional instruction.  She started just being able to bounce in the water, and ended up being able to swim several feet, jump in and out, bob, kick, flip, and, well swim.
She has so much confidence in the water and she eagerly practices every time we go to the pool.

Such a water baby!

Fashion Friday: Star Clips

Because why stop at just one? 

I heart Captain Von Trapp

The girls wanted to watch a movie to wait for Brian to come home last night - he wagon his way back from his tri-weekly trip to PDX.  We indoctrinated Robin to the Sound of Music last night.  She loved it, and asked question after question about Maria.... why is she wearing that on her head?  Where does she live?  What are they singing about her?

I think she fell asleep right after the Leisl and Rolf "I am 16" number.

Erin made it a little further, and conked out right after the kids fell off the boat into the river.

Seriously, Christopher Plumber had it going on!

Whirly Wednesday: 2 silly stories

Zero picture, two stories. 

1. 

In the car: we're singing along to 'Hokey Pokey' from a CD.  When it's over, Erin adds her own verse: 

"You put your testicles in, you put your testicles out....."

2. 

Last night when we were playing with our houseguest, Scout the Dog, Robin decided it was the perfect time to do a #2 on the cement.  I ask the girls to hang tight while I get something to clean it up before Scout eats it .... then Scout promptly zooms in.  And she eats it. 

I'm mortified. Erin is devastated and goes into full melt-down mode, fearing for the dog's safety.  Robin laughs. 

ASPCA says not to worry, and as of this morning Scout seems OK.  So we'll just chalk this up as an embarrassing moment for Robin. 

Am I going to regret sharing these stories 12 years from now? Probably.  But it's so worth it. 

Murder on Moraga Way

OK, this is already old news to most of the people who read this blog, but holy bananas, this happened a few doors down from us!!!!

More here
and here

This was today!

Here is my picture:

 We heard the sirens just about 12:30.  We passed by at 12:50 on our way to pick up Robin.  There were 9 cops, some unmarked police cars, and 2 motorcycle cops.  On the way back, 20 min later, there was one ambulance and 1 fire truck.

Both the house involved and the neighbor's house were cordoned off.  Holy bubble breath!

What to do with 6# of apricots

Belonging to an all-fruit CSA has meant the kids gorge themselves for the first day and a half, then the fruit just sits there.  I've gotten some great suggestions for how to preserve/enjoy the bounty.  Here's the latest venture: 

Pit and halve the apricots. Place them face-up on a cooling-rack lined cookie sheet. Put in oven, with oven at 170F. (or the warm function. I actually used 170 on convection) 

A few hours to a day, depending on your oven, will yield you lovely, dried apricots.  This is a fine stopping point.  They are sweet, chewy, easily packable, awesome. 

But then... you could do this.

Take the dried apricots... 

... melt some dark chocolate .... 

... dip .... 

.... let set.  Yum!!!!

Congratulations for making it to the end of the post.  As a reward, the first 3 people who comment on the blog will receive 6 of these treats in the mail by the end of the week!

Dog Sitting

We have a house guest for the next week: Scout!