She's on HOLD! ... and that means???

Photo by Jay Dixon

I got one of the fun calls today.  A go-see that Vivienne went to two weeks ago has resulted in a "hold" about two weeks from now.  This is almost like getting a job, but not really.  

When a child get puts on hold, it means that at that moment, the company wants to use your child for a shot on a particular day.  It doesn't mean that they have the job.  It means, don't make other plans for that day because they may be working.  Confusing?  Yes, a little.

A hold also means that the client may change their mind for what ever reason (only they know).  Maybe they found another kid that fits better.  Maybe that shot got canceled.  Maybe ... really, who knows?

So, two things could result.  Vivienne can either book the job (she is confirmed, working).  Or she gets released (not working).  I'm crossing my fingers she is working.  It's a fun company and I would love to see what they will be doing, especially since it isn't a clothing company.

I'll keep you posted!

My little secret (one of them!)

Back in my single days, a good friend got me the book The_Fabulous Girl's Guide to Grace Under Pressure  It is a fun book with hundreds of examples of "sticky" situations and how to remain calm.  Most of the topics have to do with the life of a single social woman.  I loved it.  It made me laugh and also helped me out a few times.

Little did I know while reading it all those years ago (like 8 or 9) that I would use one of the tips for my youngest daughter's first birthday party.

You see, if you read this blog you know I love to be crafty.  I love to cook.  In my mind I can pull of a dinner party that would impress even Martha Stewart.  Unfortunatly, I don't have a staff or the money to hire a staff.  Instead, I have three kids ages (now) 4, 2, and 1.  So, when it comes to pulling off the ultimate "Martha would be proud" 1st birthday ... somthings get put off.  For me, it was the birthday cake.  It wasn't until the day before the party that I decided what kind of cake I was going to make.  I decided on chocolate w/ cream cheese frosting.  Of course from scratch.  Growing up, a cake mix cake was NEVER served at a birthday party.

For some reason, I had in my head that a three layer, 8 inch cake, would feed 20 adults and 20 kids.  As I made the cake the morning of the party my husband made a comment, something like .. that's not enough cake.  I looked at the cake & it hit me.  I don't have enough BIRTHDAY CAKE.

So, referncing my book ... I drove to the best baker in town, bought a second cake.  It was carrott cake (my brother's favorite.).  I pulled off the funky hard carrots that decorated the top & re-frosted it with my cream cheese frosting, then threw on some sprinkles.  Voila!

The key is, according to my book is you just go on like nothing happened.  It was suppose to be this way.  For example, if you accidently, burn your main course: get the burn smell out while calling the local Chinese restaurant that delivers.  Your guests are dining on Chinese tonight!  They'll never know that wasn't the plan!

I think they they figued it out too ... but these girls know where their bread is buttered.  They didn't tell either!

Networking!

The other day I was talking to another mom about her business decisions.  She started telling me about people she had connected with through different moms groups.  This conversation started me thinking.

I never joined a moms group.  In San Francisco, I almost did but for some reason, didn't.  Then I moved out to the East Bay.  I really didn't think moms groups existed.  (Quite a silly thought I guess.)  I have my friends and enjoy spending time with them ... so why even join a moms group?  Then the other day I was talking to a friend who mentioned that she lives in an area "way out there" and is looking for friends.

I googled moms groups & her city and came across a whole list of groups.  It was through Meet Up.  Now, maybe I am just a little behind in things, but this site is amazing!  You can find people with all kinds of interests, backgrounds, and challenges looking for like minded people to meet.  Your kid likes trains?  There is probably a group that fits that.  Have you started a small business (like me!) and are looking for networking opportunities?  (like me!)  There is a group!  I found a local group and then found a larger group Networking for Moms.  There is even an event scheduled this week.

Needless to say, I am quite excited.  Meeting new people outside of my circle is really fun and interesting.  You never know what kind of people you are going to meet, or the opportunities that will materialize.  I'll let you know how it goes!

The broken tooth

When I was 7 years old, I fell at school and broke off half of my front left tooth.  That was the beginning of my fear and loathing of the dentist.  I won't go into details about all I went through, but I was traumatized.  Let's just say, my dentist rarely used Novocaine & never used the gas.

This week was Vivienne's 4 year old check up & Audrey's 1 year old check up at the pediatrician.  The girls' doctor is a wonderful woman who for me, is almost like going to see a friend.  Sadly for us, she is leaving the practice & pursuing her passion.   She reminded me that Vivienne needed to start going to the dentist and gave me a list of a few in the area.  One thing for sure, I will NOT take my child to a non-pediatric dentist.  No, adult dentist that sees children.  Nope, my kids are getting all of the bells and whistles that I didn't get!

Little did I know that the next day I would discover that AUDREY needed to see the dentist!

This is her at dinner on Thursday.  She smiled at me and WHAT????  You can't really tell here but her top right tooth is chipped too.  I knew when it happened.  The day before!  She had fallen, I saw her fall, heard a loud hit & a lot of screaming but didn't see any bruising or swelling on her face.  I was confused, but didn't think to look at her teeth.   I felt like mom of the year.

I have heard stories of parents who had kids with broken bones who discovered it 1 - 2 days later.  Man, what an awful feeling.  Have you had something like this happen?

By the way ... found a very kind & gentle dentist.  Audrey didn't even fuss at the exam.  She is fine "best" chip scenario.   Oh, one more thing ... get dental insurance as soon as your kid is born.  I didn't for Audrey.  Thank goodness it wasn't worse!

We are family!

Over the weekend (for 4 days actually), we had my brother and his family as house guests.  He has two little boys, ages 5 and 8.  Wonderful boys.  They live in Los Angeles.  Unfortunately, we don't get to see each other but 2 - 4  times a year.

One would think that the kids would have to take a little time to get to know each other since they are so young.  Not so.  Our kids are in love with one another.  They play well, hug, laugh and only argue a little.  We had a day at Muir Woods.  A fun adventure and a must see for anyone in the San Francisco area!

My favorite part, however was bedtime.  Their oldest is a great reader & read the bedtime stories.  It was so adorable.

Fortunately, the next visit is just two weeks away.  Hopefully, I can put my house back together by then.  I don't know about you, but having house guests is a perfect excuse not to do laundry and other deep cleaning ... I'm too busy visiting!!   What about your extended families?  Is there a bond there that you see with cousins that you don't see with friends?

DIY paper banner

We celebrated Audrey's first birthday this weekend.  I love having parties!  I wish I had a staff of 10 to help me do all of the ideas that are floating around in my head.  I wanted to do banner type decoration, but was trying to cut my budget so three rolls of crepe paper were out as well as any store bought sign.  I also wanted to use up things that I had stashed away in my craft closet.

About a month ago I attended a baby shower and saw a paper garland made from circles.  The hostess had used a jumbo hole punch and sewn the circles together.  It looked so cute and fun.

I didn't have the circle hole punch but I had a large 12x12 packet of scrapbook paper (from Joann's, with the coupon about $10.).  I also wanted something larger, since we had a lot of space to cover.  I cut about 100 of the 250 pieces in half.  I then folded them over so the banner would be printed on both sides.  I sewed across the top about 1" down with my sewing machine.  It took about an hour & I ended up with over 50 feet of paper banner!  Very easy & looked great.  You could take it a step further & buy themed paper for you baby shower or wedding ...

Gift Fair Time!

Small Batch Studio (me) is headed to the San Francisco International Gift Fair.  I have been told I HAVE to go, especially since it is in my old stomping grounds!  I am looking foward to see all of the creative items there are, as well as possibly find some things for the PUSH PACK.  Who knows ... five years from now I could be one of the sellers there??

Here's to happy shoping! ... and remember, when you're in need of a baby shower gift that will WOW everyone, think of the PUSH PACK!

I'm busy ... and what? my kids are auditioning tomorrow?

When it rains it pours.  So the saying goes.   I lived it this week, am still living it now.  It is not just a crazy busy week ... it is a really crazy busy week.

My baby is turning one next week & Vivienne is four today.   There is a party for Audrey for a few (40 - 50) friends / family at our house.  For those of you who know my family you know that this is a small, I didn't invite a lot of people, party.  Paul is working very long days until the party.  We also have house guests arriving in about an hour to stay four days.  I also am attending the San Francisco International Gift Fair Monday & Tuesday to get ideas for my business.

So, of course I get a call that Vivienne is requested for a go-see (audition) on Wednesday at 1:38 near South San Francisco.  We got the call last week, so I had made babysitting arrangements for the other two kids.  No other kids are allowed, and only one adult per child.  On Monday, I got a call that another company was interested in Audrey.  I called on Tuesday afternoon to see if anything had come of it.  Yes!  Audrey had a go-see on Wednesday ... at 12:10 in San Francisco.  Two kids, two auditions, 90 minutes apart.  I can do this.  Neither one can be at the other's audition.  So, my task ... find someone to go to San Francisco with me, sit in the car & hang out with my kids for three hours.

I don't know about you, but there is a very short list of people who are not busy on a Wednesday afternoon, have no kids, and don't mind hanging out for three hours in a car!  Fortunately, I have a wonderful family & a soon to be Aunt said she would do it!

Audition #1 Baby food company.  Audrey & I got there, filled out the paperwork.  We went into the audition room.  They were quite nice.  They wanted her to have a still picture taken, then would do a little video.  For the video, she was to:  'crawl and then grab a piece of food out of my hand and eat it while looking at the camera'  She did good, even threw in a few giggles.  Out the door at 12:45

Audition #2 Arrived at 1:00,  audition is at 1:38 - don't show up that early.  We also hadn't eaten lunch yet!  So, got out of the car (in a business park) found a little grass & ate our sandwiches.  Back to the audition at 1:33.  Went in & how fun is this??? The woman in the waiting area recognized us form this blog!  What an ADORABLE little girl she has!  Vivienne went in by herself to get her picture taken.  I walked over to try & hear.  I was asked by the photographer to come in.  Seems Vivienne was giving her "generic" smile.  I pretended to tickle her and BAM!  Big smile!

I got home & had an email ... possible work for Vivienne on Tuesday!

When it rains ... it pours.

We found out Audrey didn't get the job, which is fine.  It was for tomorrow (Friday) and I have plans already to do some sightseeing with family.  But again, such is the life ... be ready at a moments notice.

Homemade play dough

My kids love play dough.  When Vivienne was little, I was hesitant to have her play with it, as she thought it was some sort of food and the thought of her eating it grossed me out.   Fortunately, I got over it & gave her some Play Dough to play with.  I bought all of our play dough at the store ... you know, the play dough in the yellow container with color tops.

Recently, I discovered play dough recipes.  I had heard it was easy to make and was better than the store bought stuff.   We gave it a try and found, yes, these things are true!

We made a few colors in about an hour.  Once you get started, it is a bit addicting.  The orange and purple were made with Kool-Aide and the others were made with liquid food coloring.  According to my oldest, the Kool-Aide play dough smells good & the other is stinky.  It is true, there is a pleasant scent   from the Kool-Aide.  The other just smells like play dough.

We used recipes that require boiling water.  I understand there are "no cook" recipes.  We just haven't tried them.  The first one I used is from MOCHA The Museum of Children's Art in Oakland.

Play-dough

2c all purpose flour

1c salt

3t cream of tartar

2 1/4 c water

4T vegetable oil

food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl.  Combine oil & food coloring in a small bowl.  Put water in a pot & boil (2qt or larger size) after it is boiling, put in oil / food coloring.  Turn off heat & mix in dry ingredients.  After it is mixed put on a flat surface & knead.  

Here is our red before kneading.  It doesn't look too smooth, don't worry.  It will look great after you kneed it ... but be careful!  It is HOT.  I took it out of the pot & then let it sit for about 10 minutes before kneading it.  This recipe makes almost 4 c of dough.

Kool-Aide dough

1c flour

1/2 c salt

1 1/2 t cream of tartar 

1 package Kool Aide - the color of the play dough will be the color of the punch.

(The orange & purple in the picture above were make w/ Kool-Aide, orange & grape.)

1 c water

2T oil

Follow the directions above except:

Add Kool-aide to dry ingredients

Makes almost 2 c dough

Do you have a favorite recipe or tips?  Please share!  $$ saving tip:  If you think you will be making more than one or two batches, buy your cream of tartar in bulk from a store like Smart & Final.