1) Mid-cent home at El Rancho Vista Estates (drool), 2) Cabazon Dinosaurs, 3) Air Museum, 4) Children’s Discovery Museum.

I really love photographing my little boys, but I also love photographing Ryan. Isn’t he such a sport?

Ever since some friends of ours invited us on their vacay to Palm Springs, I’ve been counting down the days. Now the time is finally here and I am so, SO excited. Looking forward to lazing next to the pool, putting in some much-needed family time (Ryan has been working very hard) and hopefully testing out the $1.50 Poloroid camera I found in a thrift store. If it even works at all, and my film arrives in the mail on time.

Happy weekending wishes to all!

{Photo by Jen Gotch}

My skirt got a mention on the blog Sensibly Styled. Much thanks to Natalie and Emily. Those ladies are doing a fab job at finding the best modest clothing, and putting it all in one place. Make sure to check it out.

However did I get by not knowing about the amazingness that is Lykee Li? Thanks for the tip, Ryan. I kiss you!

Above is a video of Lykee Li performing with Bon Iver. It is so good. And real. The perfect antidote to that inorganic thing Katie Holmes did on last night’s So You Think You Can Dance. I think they were calling it singing and dancing?

(Just realized one of the guys mutters an F-bomb at the very end of the song. Mentioning it in case kids are around.)

Love all the big floral patterns I’m seeing all over the place. Maybe because it reminds me of the dresses I wore when I was little. Helloo 80’s and early 90’s.

Reformed Floral Margaret Blouse :: Urban Outfitters
Silence and Noise Floral Tunic :: Urban Outfitters
Floral Cardi :: ASOS
Silk Flowers Dress :: Candy Store Collective

Last week we went on a day trip to Monterey. We:
- Left home around 6am.
- Met up with my mom and niece who we haven’t seen for a whole year.
- Stopped by our old college town of San Luis Obispo where there is a ridiculous number of great eateries. And also the boys’ Auntie Lindy and Uncle Jay.
- Listened to Santigold on repeat during the drive –  per Kai’s request.
- Heard Kai receive many compliments on his new rainboots.
- Driving, driving, traffic, and more driving. Six hours up. Six hours back.
- Finally pulled into home at 10:30 pm.

A friend of mine recently shared a tip from Dr. Sear’s The Discipline Book that uses a ticket reward system for young children, as an alternative to a star chart. Our method differs a little from Dr. Sears’ in that we use the tickets in conjunction with 1-2-3 Magic, and Kai’s ultimate goal is to have three tickets at dinnertime, but I think it’s working. Score 1 for mom! (Or -1 for that awful run-on sentence.)

I designed these with our objective of three in mind, but if you’re interested in downloading what Kai dubbed ‘Happy Tickets’ click here for the PDF file.

After spending most of church struggling to keep the boys in their Sunday School classes, I was feeling a little blue by the time we got home. A nice nap — thank you Ryan! — took the edge off some, but I was still in need of a boost. I finally realized I needed to create something with my hands. The end result was a chocolate cake and some cheery bunting for my workspace.

(Wish I could take credit for this mini bunting idea and also give credit to whoever came up with the concept. But I want to say I saw it here, or perhaps here.)

If you recognize those dots in that pink-lined box, you understand how a certain addiction can be almost debilitating. Six cupcakes is indulgent, yes. But turning a year older is a good GREAT excuse. Oink.

I’m just the pixel-pusher that puts the two together.

We visited the LA Renegade Craft Fair, and went through as *slowly* as the boys allowed. In other words, Dax’s mini tantrums and signature back-arching move kept us from staying at one booth longer than two minutes. Kai did just fine. Which is great, since he better get used to being dragged around places that involve the words ‘handmade,’ ‘arts,’ and ‘crafts.’ Many more years of that to come, kids. (But I will buy you ice cream, promise.)

Artists that I liked:

Illustrator Caitlin Kuhwald

Wood block prints by Tugboat Printshop
(Saw the three individual, hand-carved wood blocks used
for the three-color crab print above. It was really amazing.)

Berkeley Illustration

In anticipation of lots of beach time over July 4th weekend, I went ahead and purchased a Holga (early b-day present, tee hee!). Huge difference between film and my altered, wannabe digital files below. In fact, these shots just make my fake ones look downright cheesy, and now I feel as if I had food stuck in my teeth but no one said anything. The old-fashioned way is much better, don’t you think?