Try This

I think I have just discovered a breakthrough diet plan.

Maybe even revolutionary.

It's low cost, convenient and it really works.

(I can prove its effectiveness. I am not a paid actor. This is a true story.)

First, you need a cup of something ridiculously hot.

Steaming, in fact.

Boiling couldn't even hurt.

(Something like, say, your own invention of a vanilla steamer made in your microwave.)

The next step is the most important step.

Place the cup in your hand. Do not blow on the cup's contents. Do not!

Raise the cup to your mouth

And drink a full sip.

(The bigger the gulp, the better.)

There.

Now you have severely burned your tongue.

This should alter your taste buds and subdue your desire to eat for at least a full day.

Perhaps even longer if you are lucky.

Nothing will taste great and everything will be semi-painful to chew, thus causing you to avoid meals you would otherwise rush to devour.

Diet plan enacted!

From a Song to Art

Inspired by Ben Harper's song on the Curious George soundtrack, the kids and I made a little art last week.

(Yes, the Curious George soundtrack. Get it. It isn't just for kids.)

We had so much fun painting and cutting and pasting. Even Little Wilder left his mark - a mostly smeared orange hand print.

The art was fun. But the song is even better. I think it's a great anthem for our family and all of our little hands.

I can change the world
with my own two hands.
I can make it a better place.
I can make it a kinder place.
I could make peace on earth
with my own two hands.
I can reach out to you.
I can clean up the earth
with my own two hands.
I'm gonna make it a brighter place.
I'm gonna make it safer place.
I can help the human race
with my own two hands.
I can hold you.
I can comfort you
with my own two hands.
You can make peace on earth,
but you've got to use
your own two hands.

Bang Up Job

Guess who cut her own hair?

And did a remarkably decent job.

(With only a few minor adjustments by our in-house hair stylist Kevin.)

This is the same five year old who recently approached her nickname-loving father and respectfully inquired, "Daddy, I don't care for being called Mo-Town any longer. Will you please only call me Mosely?"

Do It Yourself

Look at these cute bags.

We made them ourselves.

We took the idea from our favorite magazine - FamilyFun - so I cannot claim original creativity here.

It was so easy. (And it has to be for an amateur at the sewing machine such as myself.)

The kids all picked a favorite too-little t-shirt. I cut the bottom off and turned it inside out before stitching it together. (With purple thread because I have no idea how to change the bobbin thread. I need help with that. Soon. Yes, this is me begging. Don't teach me. Just do it for me.) I also trimmed down the neck and the sleeves for a more bag-like look and even stitched those for reinforcement, although you wouldn't have to actually do that step.

That's it.

From a t-shirt to a bag in under ten minutes.

Very cool.

And Bergen has one too - with a print covered in trucks and bulldozers. But he wasn't exactly feeling photogenic when this photo shoot was arranged so we let him step away from the scene.