Author: Melissa

picasso exhibit at the philadelphia museum of art **GIVEAWAY**

Melissa 20 Comments

This giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to Juice! Enjoy!

 DSC_1147-1 Friday evening, our family went to a place that holds a special place in my heart, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (You may recall that a certain blog author *AHEM. ME!* was proposed to on these very steps!)

We went to see the special exhibit Picasso and the Avant Garde in Paris. It was just fabulous. The exhibit includes over two hundred works of art, including Picasso’s Three Musicians!  We took our girls – ages 5 and 7 – and, yes, even our two-year-old! They really enjoyed it.  This is their third trip to the art museum and they always enjoy it. The colors, the energy, the whole atmosphere of the Picasso exhibit was perfect for them. Ellie even recognized some of the paintings from art classes and Gracie claimed she saw one of Sesame Street before. They seemed drawn to the sculptures – looks like another visit to the Rodin Museum is in order – and really enjoyed the dramatic presentation of the larger paintings. Its such a gorgeous exhibit – even children can appreciate it!

DSC_1133-1I know that when it comes to activities to do with children, the art
museum probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. After all, it
is very quiet and full of things you’re not supposed to touch. But I
really encourage you to give it a try. Its probably too much for your
average toddler, but older preschoolers and elementary age kids really
can enjoy it. There is so much to see. My kids love rooms like the ceremonial teahouse and temple hall.
And they recognize lots paintings now from art class or books or tv.
You need to tailor your visit to your kids – go when they are well
rested and have full bellies – and don’t plan on seeing the entire
museum. Be flexible and just enjoy sharing the world of art with your kids. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll inspire them and how much they’ll learn about art!
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Philadelphia Museum of Art is offering a lucky Girlymama reader a copy of Oooh! Picasso – a fabulous book showing children how to see art in different ways!! Here’s how to enter: 

1. Contest ends Friday, April 16th.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment sharing an art memory: when you saw a famous painting or when you first learned about art or another experience with art that has stuck with you.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me you followed @Philamuseum on Twitter or joined their Facebook Fan Page.
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, Tweeting about it, emailing friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: Philadelphia Museum of Art provided us with admission to the Picasso exhibit as well as providing this book to give to one of my readers. I was not compensated financially
for this post.


transitioning into summer weather

Melissa 1 Comment

As the temperatures positively SOARED here in the Northeast this week (90 degrees? WHAT?!) spring is in the air! Between that and our rapidly approaching trip to Hawaii (HOLLA!) I am SO excited for warm weather!!! Of course – because this is New England – you know this 90 degree weather is totally going to transition back into snow or something.

So this week, we're going to tackle that annoying in-between weather. When its not really warm enough to wear your summer clothes, but you are so sick of bulky sweaters you could just scream.

1. Lightweight cardigans are prefect for any season. In summer you can layer them over a sleeveless top or strapless dress. In winter, layer over a ruffled blouse or even another light sweater. For an instant spring look, just punch it up with pastels! Corals, pinks, yellow or this gorgeous sky blue cardigan from Anthropologie:
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This Flower Applique Cardigan from Old Navy with three-quarter length sleeves and a lightweight weave is perfect for spring. Express has a Dreamweight Flyaway Cardigan in some adorable summer colors. The Chiffon Petal V-Neck Cardigan from LOFT just shouts spring.

2. I was NOT a fan of the whole lumberjack look that was creeping up over the winter, but there are some really adorable plaid shirts out there that would will look so cute tucked into jeans or open over a tank top instead of a cardigan. I just picked up this one from Old Navy:
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Its very lightweight, so it could even be a cute swimsuit cover up later this summer. OhmyWORD, I love this one from Gap. And this one. or a higher end shirt, look at these fabulous ones from Anthropologie and Free People. For another twist on this look, try a tunic!

3.Oh. My. Fluttering. Heart. Oh my. Look at this striped strapless dress. I can't get the picture, but click. You will NOT be sorry. I'm not sure how that fits into this post, but I had to share because its so stinkin' cute.

4. A twill blazer would quickly become one of the most versatile items in your closet – its light enough for spring or summer, but you could wear it all year.

What are your tricks from handling 'in-between' weather?

we do things different

Melissa 16 Comments

Junie B. Jones is not allowed in our house. We read one of this popular children's series last summer and I was appalled. The heroine, Junie, was rude, obnoxious, manipulative, disrespectful and mean.  No thank you.

I told Ellie that she was not allowed to read any of these books again. But several of her friends read them. Then the teacher read one to the class. And then guess what book someone brought home from the school library this week? 

We talked about how other kids sometimes are allowed to do things that she wasn't. We talked about how she wasn't the only one not allowed to read them – I know several other moms who don't allow those books either. We talked about why I said she wasn't allowed to read them and what kind of characters we want to read about.

She was very upset that she was caught disobeying. But my husband managed to get out of her that she was feeling left out. Lots of kids read these and talk about them and she wishes she could too. She said she knows that Junie isn't someone she should act like, but she thought the books were funny and wanted to be able to read them like her friends. So we decided that we would read one together and decide together about reading more.

And then we talked about how for the rest of her life, other people are going to do things that she can't. There will be books, movies, tv shows, concerts, music and activities that we will not permit her to experience, but other parents would. We talked about being different, being set apart, guarding our minds and spirits, and honoring God in our choices.

Because this is just the beginning.

try this: amazing burgers

Melissa 4 Comments

In honor of spring, we broke out the grill the other day and made these babies. Oh, YUM!!!!

Amazing Burgers
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good burgers (we love the 'pub burgers' sold at Acme, but this is a great recipe to make your own)
cheese (provolone or blue cheese)
lettuce
tomato
pickles (these are the best!)
carmelized onions
mushrooms sauteed in olive oil and a splash of wine
avacados
thick cut bacon (thick cut is worth it. oh, yes.)
good hamburger buns, toasted
whatever else floats your boat

Eat at your own risk.
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livin’ the glam life of a mom of youngsters

Melissa 4 Comments

Yesterday, Colin walked up to me and said "Hee-yah, Mama!" and handed me a booger.
Sadly, this is not unusual. And this tops the list of

Things I Will Not Miss When My Kids Are Older

  1. Wiping other people's noses.
  2. Clipping other people's toe nails.
  3. All TV programs geared towards children. And their theme songs.
  4. Diapers in general.
  5. Having to keep tabs on other people's bathroom habits including, but not limited to, reminding people to flush, wiping people's bottoms, and reminding people that if they want privacy, they need to shut the door.
  6. Planning all activities around naptime and/or crankiness levels.
  7. Wrestling kids into car seats, shopping carts, strollers who clearly don't want to be there.
  8. Happy Meals.
  9. Being used as a human trash can.
  10. Little people sneaking into my bed at night.

Things I Will Miss When My Kids Are Older

  1. Cuddling while reading books or watching tv
  2. Excitement over simple things.
  3. My kids being sad when I leave and ecstatically happy when I come home.
  4. Teeny-tiny Crocs.
  5. Little hands holding mine, little arms hugging my neck, sloppy kisses.
  6. Songs sung with the wrong lyrics, but that are actually a lot funnier.
  7. The sweetness. Oh, the sweetness.
  8. Cute little outfits. Like sweater vests and Easter dresses.
  9. Disney movies.
  10. Little people sneaking into my bed at night.


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try this: roasted leg of lamb

Melissa 1 Comment

I know I've posted this one before, but this is such a great dish for Easter dinner! You will not be sorry!

Herb-Roasted Leg of Lamb

12 large unpeeled garlic cloves, divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 (6-pound) boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and tied
4 to 5 pounds small unpeeled potatoes (16 to 20 potatoes)
2 tablespoons good olive oil

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the
oven rack in the lower third of the oven so the lamb will sit in the
middle of the oven.

Peel 6 of the cloves
of garlic and place them in the bowl of a food processor fitted with
the steel blade. Add the rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon
pepper, and butter. Process until the garlic and rosemary are finely
minced. Thoroughly coat the top and sides of the lamb with the rosemary
mixture. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Toss
the potatoes and remaining unpeeled garlic in a bowl with the olive oil
and sprinkle with salt. Place in the bottom of a large roasting pan.
Place the lamb on top of the potatoes and roast for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2
hours, or until the internal temperature of the lamb is 135 degrees
(rare) or 145 degrees (medium). Remove from the oven and put the lamb
on a platter; cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow the lamb to rest
for about 20 minutes. Slice and serve with the potatoes.

recipe origin: Barefoot Contessa Family Style