Tiny Iron Fists

Toddlers & Tiaras with Tom Hanks

I didn't think that I could like Tom Hanks more. I was wrong. For all the recent drama-work, dude's still funny.

[Big ups to Gen for the link!]

A Creature From The Kitchen

Lulu loves digging through our kitchen drawer for potential alien ware. Here she is adorning a mesh strainer as a mask. She enjoyed her new filter and happily ran around our home for a good half hour with the stainless steel gear on her head.

I cannot wait to sew her another alien costume someday!

Outfit: The Children's Place long sleeve tee and Tokidoki bambino boy's Rocco N Roll tee.

Italian Minature Pony

It didn't take long for Lulu's half-Italian genes to discover and love "Gonna Fly Now" the theme from Rocky. As you can probably tell by this upper body warm up video, the kid is a natural born champion. All I have to say is, watch out ninjas!

Toasting Toddler

Lulu's French daycare says she's the only kid to touch the microphone at "school". So the last time I visited Target, Tatie Bem bought Lulu this mic. It's cordless. It magnifies and records her voice. And it plays classic nursery rhymes, loud as hell. The kid loves it. She walks around toasting like a rap star.

Watch out Lady Gaga. Here comes, Lady Gaga Googoo! B. Okideoke™ Toy Microphone $17.00

Outfit: Old Navy Baby Girl sleepware and DPAM underwear.

Lulu Loves Pasta

My half Italian-blooded kid loves pasta so much it makes her crazy. At least Lulu is cute, crazy. I love her nom, nom, noms. Yo, she really loves pasta and could eat it every day for every meal.

Outfit: Old Navy Baby Girl sleepware and bib (gift from France).

Merci Mama. Merci Papa.

We taught Lulu the words please and thank you as soon as words started sticking. For a long time, in lieu of actually saying thank you, Lulu would kiss us if we asked her for one (which was okay by me). However, she nailed please quickly knowing it would pretty much get her whatever she wanted.

Thank you is a harder word for Lulu to say in English and please (s'il te plaît) is harder for her to say in French. So she says merci and please. Now that Lulu's been saying both for a little while, she'll say them unprompted.

The video clip shows Lulu eating and thanking Silvio and me for her strawberries (Silvio was at work but she decided to thank him anyway)! It kind of kicks ass!

Outfit: Old Navy Baby Girl sleepware and bib (gift from France).

Sesame Street: The Alphabet With Elmo and India Arie

Crazy! India Arie and I sound exactly the same when we sing the ABC song! Who knew?!

Fob Moms = Funny Emails

A real email from my aunt to my cousin. My cousins' names have been removed so they don't die of utter embarrassment. I totally think my cousin who received this email should send it to My Mom is a Fob, stat!

XXXXXX,

Mom sent to you an envelope with 2 red lucky 2 dollars bill for you and your boy friend

Love and good luck !

Mail will come may be for 3 days, please tell your brother XXXXX clean his hair and bear please! everybody said he look like a homeless and so sick !

try to close your brothers and talk to them ...

love and thanks !

mom

Helmet Head

Our family is constantly commenting on the state of Lulu's hair. Some want us to cut it claiming it will grow back thicker and stronger. Most want it brushed more as she's been on the brink of having dreadlocks a few times. I like it just the way it is -- a Japanese anime helmet head. When Lulu's running she looks like a little action hero. Now why would I want to ruin that look?!

I Love the "I Lovely Love My Family" Print!

I adore the I Lovely, Love My Family giclée print by fine artist and illustrator Merrilee of Tuesday Mourning. And for $20 it's a steal for the home and for friends. Best of all, the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Schultz family (co-creators of the loveable childrens' show Yo Gabba Gabba) to help offset their daughter's medical bills.

If you're curious about the phrase, "I Lovely Love My Family", check out the Yo Gabba Gabba song (of the same name) written by Amos Watene and performed by the Roots below:

[Big ups to Ohdeedoh for the link]

Hi Henry!

Meet Henry, one of the friendliest cats in Dogtown. If you go up to his gate and shake it real hard, it will sound the chimes and he will come running out from wherever he's hiding and meow crazy at you until you pet him. What a great guard cat. He's so sweet and Lulu loves him!

Outfit: The Children's Place sweater, Steven Harrington for Arkitip scarf, Polarn O. Pyret top, American Apparel kids shiny leggings, and Matoki girl's shoes.

Cousin Liza's Cute Cupcakes!

I am always in awe by parents who are this talented. (No pressure, hah)! Bem's cousin Liza whipped up these incredibly cute cupcakes for her baby shower/housewarming party in less than half a day. How sweet! No seriously. They were so moist, tasty and sweet.

LA - "Nomad Two Worlds" Family Days (02.24.11 - 02.27.11)

The time is finally upon us. Nomad Two Worlds (2415 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA.) is in Los Angeles! Come see the exhibit this weekend.

The exhibit will feature amazing new art by our Australian Indigenous artists along with many new collaborations, including work by some incredibly talented Native American and Haitian artists.

There will also be a broad variety of events throughout the week including an 2 Family Days this weekend.

For complete information, see the schedule below:

February 24th - March 2nd 2011 

NOMAD TWO WORLDS EXHIBITION

Pier 59 Studios West
2415 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica (Park at Bergamot Station)

OPEN TO PUBLIC 10am - 5pm DAILY

"A stunning collection of collaborative Art, Music, and Film" - Forbes Magazine
"A Hybrid of Hope" - Associated Press 

Splish! Splash! Splosh!

With an average rainfall of 35 days annually and after reading so much about playing in the rain (Shirely Hughes' Alfie's Feet), Lulu finally had an opportunity to make a splash at our friend Umar's art opening! And boy did we have fun!

Firstly, I showed Lulu how to stomp on the ground and make the rain splatter. Then I showed her how she could run through puddles and make lots of noise and a big wet mess for everyone passing by. Most passerbys, by the way, were charmed by her playfulness although a few scurried past quickly. And sadly, a couple of kids wanted to join her but their parents wouldn't let them.

For a solid hour we stood in the rain while she made several attempts to drink the water from the sidewalk, watch debris float by at the curb, swim in mini puddles, render her earlier shower moot, and play, play, play and play in the rain.

We had so much fun tonight, I'm certain Lulu can't wait for the next rains!

Outfit: Peruvian sweater, Tea Collection top, The Children's Place knit denim leggings, and adidas superstar 2 CMF shoes.

Taco Loving Toddler

Starting at about 9:30 am today Lulu asked me for tacos for lunch. I said yes and an hour later we stopped to visit my pal Juli at Big Red Sun garden shop. Lulu hung out with the resident bunny Fern, and climbed on a lot of outdoor furniture but it didn't take long for her to remind me about lunch. We said our goodbyes to Juli and headed to La Isla Bonita in Venice.

Ten minutes later, I placed an order for three carnitas tacos. While the truck grilled our lunch, Lulu paced around impatiently. She ran up and down the sidewalk as much as she could before she finally sat down. When the tacos were ready, I handed her the bag which she seriously inspected. She couldn't see anything because our food was wrapped up neatly. But she had her head square inside the bag. I leaned in and realized my kid was huffing the taco smell! Hilarious!

On the way home, when Lulu wandered up to strangers' homes, all I had to do was wave the brown paper bag in the air to get her back on track (these tacos are better than stickers)! At home, she gobbled her lunch in record time and politely asked for more. I had to inform her that the tacos were all gone. I told her we could get tacos again sometime next week. And that made her happy. How many days will pass until she asks for tacos again?

Outfit: Brooklyn Handknit hat, The Children's Place sweater, babyGap pants, and adidas superstar 2 CMF shoes.

Fairy Chimney

Although I'm not quite sold on Santa Claus for Lulu (by the way, everyone with a white beard is Papa Noel to her), I'm down with Lulu believing in fairies, trolls, elves, Totoro, hobbits, gnomes, and other wood nymphs. So when I stumbled upon this hand-crafted Fairy Chimney, I got super excited. If I'm going to lie to her about non-existent beings (truth be told, I grew up with a forest as a backyard and I do believe in wood spirits), this is exactly the kind of stuff I'd like for her to believe in.

This cute chimney decoration is pretty magical in my opinion. And since its weather-treated for the outdoors, it can be enjoyed all year round. A Fairy Chimney from Green Planet Parties costs $22.95, an Outdoor Fairy Door costs $26.95 and a Fairy Window with Flower Box costs $22.95.

Johannes Nyholm's "Las Palmas" Trailer

I love how new toddlers walk around all drunken master style (this stage passes so quickly). The reality is, this babe's acting normal, but in this context, her actions make her look like a drunken fool! I can't decide if the martini/wine glass sequence is my favorite or if her eating off the stranger's plate is funnier (corn spitting included)! 

The trailer above is from Johannes Nyholm's short film, "Las Palmas". The movie will be shown in its entirety (running time: 14 minutes) at the Market Art fair starting tomorrow in Stockholm for a couple of days. Catch it while you can; otherwise the film will be released sometime later this year.

[Big ups to Team Subvert for the find!]

Tamra Davis Cooking Show: Red Velvet Cupcakes

A long time ago, when I was much younger, I read an interview with a then, young model named Rebecca Romijn (pre-Stamos) and she mentioned growing up in Berkeley and only being allowed to eat sugarless cakes. I distinctly remember being bummed for her, thinking about all those Baskin-Robbins or Carvel's ice cream cakes she totally missed out on (that I love, love, love)! Then and there, I swore to myself that I'd never deny my future spawn of such sweet delights.

Fast forward 20+ years. Now that I'm 38 with a 20 month old daughter, we attend a lot of birthday parties. And after ever birthday song, I eat my sugar-coated words from my youth. When the candles are blown, I quickly whisk Lulu away from the cake table. Within minutes, other kids' are inhaling finger licking icing and mine is on the side, distracted by some tasty, organic, naturally sweetened something-or-other.

The older Lulu gets, the harder it is to keep her away from the dessert table. It's not unusual to hear her say "Cake. Cake. Cake. Cake," when she sees it. And I know offering her rice cakes isn't going to cut it for much longer, no matter how darling the Japanese anime character is on the wrapping!

Sometimes I can hear my younger self screaming at my older self to let it go and let Lulu eat some junk food. Don't get me wrong. I'm going to let her eat cake... someday. But I'm not so sure I want her stuffing her face with that junk now (I do feel better about homemade baked goods, however, of all the parties I've ever attended, very few offer homemade desserts).

So when I saw Tamra Davis' "Red Velvet Cupcake" episode, it reminded me that there are easy to make, healthier alternatives to the processed stuff available at the local grocer. These cupcakes look incredibly moist and delicious and I think I might give them a try. If you get around to making them before me, make sure to let me know how they turn out and taste. Cheers to letting them eat cake!

LA - L'Heure du Conte / Story-Time for Children (02.19.11)

L'Heure du Conte / Story-Time for Children (2 to 8 y.o.)

Saturday, February 19, at 10.30 am

Feed your children's imagination with humor, mystery and magic while exposing them to French language. This is an excellent opportunity to interact with French speakers and learn French culture. Children in attendance should have enough French to understand simple children's books. One caregiver must accompany each child. 

At CHILDREN'S BOOK WORLD, 10580 1/2 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 

Free Entrance. RSVP mandatory: Please call (310) 652-0306 or email us: admin@afdela.org.

Lulu Loves Zelda. We Love You.

Happy Valentine's Day to Tiny Iron Fist readers! Thank you for all your support and love!

Garage Groupie

Lulu is totally fascinated by our subterranean garage door. She loves the way the gate opens and she especially loves being underground. She'll yelp out a few sounds to hear her voice bounce off the walls. It's awesome that a garage can get a kid so excited.

Drawing From Life

"The highest praise we can attribute to any writer, painter, sculptor, builder, is, that he actually possessed the thought or feeling with which he has inspired us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Society and Solitude (1870)

Scooter Over!

I've been eyeballing rocking horses for Lulu for a short while. And aside from a few great vintage rockers found on eBay, I haven't found one to love... until now! Check out this adorable Vespa-inspired rocking scooter designed by Dutch company, Present Time (no working website at this time).

The J.I.P. Wooden Rocking Scooter Chair is made from solid wood, easy to assemble and measures 25 x 9.5 x 16 inches. It complies to European regulations for children's safety and costs $47 - $61 on Amazon.com and $100+ elsewhere.

It's the perfect present for stylish cruisers; I'm a fan and I'm hoping one will be living with us soon.

Water World

I am grateful that we live in a city where summer happens nearly all year round.

Outfit: Polarn O. Pyret hat and t-shirt.

Elephant In The Room

We're absolutely enamored by elephants in our household. Their majestic shape, big ears, soulful eyes, and fun trunk are too hard to resist. Following are a few of my favorite elephant items Lulu received and a few items I've bookmarked for future purchases for friends and family.

Apple & Bee Elephant Nappy Mat

The unique nappy mat has two layers for the baby's comfort and is made of an outer layer of organic cotton and an inner layer of denim coated with a recycled PET waterproofed finish. The functional sanitary mat can be hand washed or wiped clean. 180 x 210 mm folded. $30

DwellStudio Bookshelf Elephant

For those with money to burn, this stylish lemon-colored bookshelf is a great way to brighten up any room. 12.75" x 7.5" x 7". $124

Eames Plastic Elephant

Charles and Ray Eames designed a plywood elephant in 1945 that never went into production. This plastic version was eventually created for those it was originally intended for: children. Available in white, classic red, ice gray, light pink, and dark lime. GS and CE certified, dyed polypropylene, and matt surface finish. 31" x 13.75" x 16.5".  $290

Flensted Mobile Olephant

The theory that babies only see black and white early in their lives makes this graceful elephant mobile a wonderful choice for either his or her rooms. Made of circles, the 3-dimensional mobile can be seen from below. Another Flensted classic, the elephants are made of serigraphical foil. 45 x 35 cm. $42

Plan Toys Walking Elephant

The adorable mechanical elephant moves forward with a rocking motion mimicking the movements of a real elephant. The 2009 Good Toy Award (by the Thai Toy Industry Association) winning elephant is made from non toxic, natural materials. 7.9" x 19.7" x 20.5". $200

Tea Collection Elefante Romper

Elephants often adorn childrens' clothing, but I've never seen one with a steampunk aesthetic. I'm totally loving this 100% cotton, asparagus-colored romper. $25

These gentle giants are wonderful gifts to receive or give and would make a great addition to any child's life.