Deliciousness: Eat, drink, and be mommy!

My husband is a chef. I, on the other hand, have very few skills in the kitchen. When Jude is working and I need to feed myself and Ruby, I struggle to find things that don't come in boxes that are healthful and fun for us to eat...Then, along came The Petit Appetit. Amazingly simple and joyful foods and meals in here that even I can make for Ruby! GREAT resource for domestically-disabled mommyfolk like me.

Here is a post (with recipes!) I wrote about this book over a year ago on an old blog I quit writing.

The second book is about party foods for entertaining kids, but I have found it useful for everyday food as well.

Just Because: First time in a barn

Ruby is still talking about this! When we were in Minnesota a few weeks ago, she got the thrill of going inside her first barn. She was impressed. She even got to see three sleeping bats. 

DIY Toddler Fun: Pick a stick, any stick...

Jude told me recently that he sometimes feels bad just going to the park all the time with Ruby because he can't think of anything else to do. First of all, considering you're an incredible, hands-on, super fun, loving dad, you should never feel "bad" about taking Ruby to do something she loves.

That being said, I got this idea from Ohdeedoh and made Jude a gift: ideas for things to do with Rubes!

Just Because: Ruby loves Buddha

This is at Jude's parents' house. Ruby used to call this statue: "Baby Boo-Doo," but now refers to it correctly as "Buddha." She gives it hugs and kisses. Actually, one of her favorite places to go for an outing is the neighborhood garden store, where she gives hugs and kisses to all of the Buddha statues they are selling.

Just Because: Awesome vintage potty

Look what my mom still has lurking around...That's right, she saved our childhood potty for her someday (and that day has arrived) grandchildren to use! I have to say: there aren't any potties on the market today as adorable as this one!

Baby-Talk: Sorry if talking about poop offends you

Me: "Wow, Ruby! Is that YOUR big poo poo in the toilet?"
Ruby (proudly): "Yes, it IS my poop. And I do NOT want to eat that poop. Poop is NOT somethin' to eat."
It troubles me to think she may have somehow thought that I was asking her to do so...But I applaud her recognition that such foolishness would be wrong.

Family Outing: Afternoon at the beach

You know...living in California and all, you might assume beach days would be a regular occurrence. Hardly! To plan a whole day of it often seems like a production. We are more of the last-minute (semi-accidental) beach-goers. This was a Sunday afternoon in which we happened to be on the West side and were headed home when we had the sudden urge to stop at the beach. And by "sudden urge," I mean we literally made a split-second decision and pulled into a parking lot off the PCH and headed out to the sand. Ocean and beach=always lovely. 

We keep our kite in our trunk, exactly because of days like this! Daddy has gotten so good at flying the kite that he doesn't even need to hold it with his hands anymore!

 Ruby LOVES to throw rocks into water.

 Ruby's first self-portrait! Little bugger grabbed my camera.

Wake up, Daddy! Time to go! Note the kite is still flying from his belt loop during his nap!