Her Daddy's Fashion Sense

Given that she wears this dress as soon as it's made it through the wash, we have the same conversation multiple times a week.

"Mommy, could you unbutton my button?"

"Liv, I think you mean 'button my button', and are you sure you want it buttoned all the way up? Mommy and Daddy leave the top button open."

"No, I want it closed and I can't get it! Unbutton it PLEASE!"


Sigh. Someday she'll be telling me that I dress uncool, so I guess that'll be my payback.

Malia's "happy place"

Malia knows a good thing when she sees it...so when she saw the Ergo (backpack) sitting in the family room during her pre-dinner fussy period, she knew exactly what to do. She picked it up and carried it into the kitchen where I was prepping dinner and talking with Livy, and proceeded to hand it to me. Once she had handed it over, she thrust her arms up at me and whined until I put the pack on my front and put her inside. And then? She snuggled up, all became blissfully quiet and I think we both sighed contentedly. Honestly, I think a cozy baby pressed against you must lower one's blood pressure...or maybe my blood pressure drops because there's one less person whining and fussing at me...

I adore the Ergo: I love wearing my babies, it has made life with two kids undeniably easier, and obviously Malia takes comfort in being close to me. Think I can wrap her up close to me when she's thirteen and mad because I won't let her attend a boy-girl party? I need to find the Moby/Ergo for teenagers I think...

Can It Be Summer All Year Long?

There is nothing like having a kid to remind you how fun it is to be a kid. This summer has been insanely fun; we've been outside for hours each day spending lots of time in the yard, at the beach, walking downtown, eating Sunday dinners down at Surfer's Point...I'm not sure who enjoyed summer more, me or my kids. And yes, my husband is incredibly jealous and I am incredibly lucky to be able to do all this fun stuff with my kids any day of the week. It's not fair, and I totally agree.

Boogie board time...even more fun at the beach than on the grass at home...

Anyone else see trouble in the making with four girl cousins within four years of each other?

The chalk 'stache...all the rage this summer.

Also the rage: the exfoliating sand scrub featured at only the most chic salons. Please note: requires one long, cold rinse in the ocean which might result in one very angry, screaming preschooler. Results may vary and include such side effects as multiple hair washings, knots in hair and sand spread throughout home, carseat and bed.

Rowdy pool days at the Seay's. Watch out for the one in the purple shoulder pads.

Indoctrinating the girls into our annual fair ritual (which began with both girls in utero).

Destructor (a.k.a. Malia) taking apart my beach set-up as swiftly as she destroys the Tubberware cabinet at home, albeit with a lot less clean up on my part.