Erin the Meteorologist

"Mom, guess what I heard on the radio??!!?  Tomorrow there's going to be SHOUTING and THUNDERSTORMS on EASTER!!!"

(Note, the before and after drawing.)

Play invitation: Fuzz Balls and Chopsticks

Super easy set-up, super fun results.  A pack of 80 colored pompoms, a few implements (tiny spoons, kid chopsticks....), and 6-cup muffin tins.  One instruction: sort. 

They had a lot of fun with it, using different tools and different sorting methods.  The only sticking point is (a) Erin only ended up with 1 purple pompom and (b) I could only find one of the "kid" chopsticks.  I pulled out some regular chopsticks and told the kids that the young 2 class in Robin's preschool did this activity with regular chopsticks, hoping to inspire them to at least try. To no avail.  Nonetheless they had fun. And easy setup/cleanup means it was an all-around win.

St. Paddy's Day: Two Views

Adults:


Kids:

WW: Robin's Dinosaur Collage

"Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures"

I got a surprise in the mail today. Surprises are always wonderful, this one totally made my day!!!!

That's right, a pre-ordered copy of "Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures." by Amber Dusick.  You're totally jealous, I know.

Oh wait, you've never heard of Crappy Pictures?  

Truly? 

Check it out. 

Some of my faves: 

The Worst Park Ever (I think I've been there with the kids)

Public Toilets

Coffee and Wine

Showering

Reaction to Pregnancy Announcements

Really, there is so much good stuff, so many times when she makes me laugh out loud, or nearly pee my pants.  Go. Read. Her. Stuff. And then, come ask me to borrow the book. Or better yet, buy a copy yourself. And one for a friend.*

Thank you, Kathy!!!  Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!  

Now I'm off to read it. I'll probably have to lock myself in the bathroom and tell the kids I need some "privacy" to actually read it.  But I know that's probably how Crappy Mamma gets her reading done too. 

*No, I'm not getting any royalties or kickback from endorsing you to buy her book.  She's just really funny. I have no doubt even non-parents will enjoy it.

Oakland Half and Kids Run, 2013 style

Brian and the girls did a race this morning, the Oakland Running Festival. Brian did the half marathon. (!) The kids did the "fun run" - a quick 150 yard dash past roaring crowds and the big finish line. The Oakland Raiders cheerleaders were there, the kids got a space blanket, t-shirt, snacks, and a medal. And total bragging rights.

Brian ran really well.  He kept a super even pace, looked easy and comfortable the whole time, and got to draft behind this guy for the last 3 miles.

All in all a fun, well-organized race.  Nice work, Oakland!

Of course there were pictures:

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WW: Medal Ceremony

Fun with Clay

I picked up some modeling clay at the dollar store (LOVE that place).  The kids went to town!  Over one hour of free form play.  Robin started by using each stick as its own thing, then resorted to making teeny pieces and constructing the longest archipelago known to Casa de McMiller.

Erin busied herself with making "Mini-Me's".  Note similar pose. 

That was a fine $2. 

Children's Fairyland

Last Saturday the kids and I went to Children's Fairyland in Oakland. We had a blast.

The place is built for small kids, thirty or forty different scenes that kids can explore, interact with, and/or climb on.

I think the best part was sneaking Robin onto the carousel. She wasn't quite tall enough but we convinced the ride person that puffy hair should count in the overall total. Thanks, you! Robin thought it was the coolest thing in the world. The girls went on it six times in a row.

One weird thing is that I figured out that three separate recurring dream locations I have are from this place. Neat.

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Roughest Preschool in Town

Today was a hard day for Robin.

This was in her cubby when I picked her up:

That's right.  A friend nearly poked her in the eye with scissors.  

At least she got a hug. 

Horse walk

A few weekends ago Dawn and I took the kids on a walk to go see the horses that are pastured near us.

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Photos from Portland trip

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More photos from Robin's 3rd birthday

You'll see pictures from both Robin's birth*day* and her kid birthday party.

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Princess Cody