Our friends at MomsRising (are you a member yet?) have created an e-card every mother can love.

Check it out!

Cigarette-smoking baby dolls. Slapstick tango. A woman whose leg unravels like a wool sweater. And red velvet curtains that buck and roll like waves in a storm.

I’m trying to describe Aurélia’s Oratorio without giving too much away here, because one of the show’s chief pleasures lies in its visual surprise. My strongest impulse is to say “Great stuff! Yay! Must attend!” — which is true, although you probably want more than that.

The show, onstage at the Seattle Rep through Sunday, is performed by Aurélia Thierrée, granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin and a compelling stage presence in her own right. It’s a mix of surrealist imagery, acrobatics and contortions, multi-layered visual puns, and uber-cool illusions. It’s all kinds of interesting and funny, and breathtakingly beautiful in places.

It’s recommended for kids 10 and up, and I kind of see why. The ideas presented are sophisticated, and the show’s pace is leisurely. There are cigarettes, and male-female tension, and a puppet suicide. However. I’d take a younger elementary-age child to see this. The show is only an hour and a bit, with no intermission, and the visuals are so arresting that any child old enough to sit through the show without wiggling would be drawn in right away.

Two thumbs, as they say, up.

(There’s a Mother’s Day brunch at the Rep this weekend before the 2 p.m. show on Sunday. Crêpes, bubbly…nice! You can get your tix to the Mother’s Dejeuner online.)

I’ve been told umpteen times that I possess the BEST homemade Playdoh recipe this side of the Cascades.

Whipping up a batch of the squishy stuff is a great way to pass twenty minutes a drizzly May afternoon that’s supposed to be springish but, because you live in Seattle, is not.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 cup of white flour
• ¼ cup of salt
• 1 cup of water
• 3 teaspoons of Cream of Tartar
• 1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil

Cook above ingredients on a medium flame until it forms a soft ball.

Mix in color (if desired).

Turn out on a dry surface to cool.

Store in airtight container or plastic bag.

One caveat: Your three-year-old will probably find this concoction to be delicious. Even with all the salt. Yick.

A few weeks ago Dan Zanes brought his friends, (read Band) back to Seattle which is known to be one of his favorite cities to play.

I’m not sure who was more excited, my 8 and 3 year olds or me. In all honesty it was a close call. This is why Zanes is SO huge with his fans. Zanes does not play down to an audience just because they are largely populated by the under 21 set. His music lifts up, inspires, and brings a community together. Zanes has a community of fans, not just a fan base. Imagine The Moore Theatre filled with 30-40’something families, jeans, Converse, political t’s, and a mosh pit of kids all singing along to “Pay me you owe me, pay me my money down.”

Zanes’ unique brand of folk-rock-workers unite music is just what this audience grooved to and after one encore kids and parents left ready for a much needed nap.

BUT before Zanes took the stage ParentMap threw a special meet and greet party for some very special fans. Some of his biggest littlest fans got the chance to see Dan up-close in person and have their pic snapped with him. But don’t fret! If you missed the show and didn’t hear about our contest to meet him, a great big happy announcement was recently made. Dan Zanes and Friends will be returning to The Moore this December for a 2-day celebration called Dan Zanes and Friends Holiday House Party! Click here for all the details. I know my family will be there (most likely both days) ready to ring in the holiday season all Zanes style!

Spotted over on the Stranger’s Slog - this, ah, interesting take on dad/kid photography - ManBabies. An entire site devoted to family pictures with the heads of dad and baby swapped and sized to fit. OH, how I love the Internets. Enjoy!

Many, many more here.

Brilliant! A press release just crossed my “desk:”

Angie Wynne, Atlanta native and author of the popular frugal parenting blog, Baby Cheapskate, recently announced the expansion of Freepeats.org, an online forum which allows parents to pick up gently-used baby, kid, and maternity items for free from nearby parents who have finished with them.

“Preparing for a baby’s arrival is expensive,” says Wynne, “and so is raising one. Common estimates put the cost at $10,000 in the first year alone. And this is at a time when many families are trying to get by on one parent’s income.

“…If parents can find good-condition second-hand clothing, toys, and gear, they’ll shave hundreds of dollars or more off that $10,000 total. Besides that, we’ll keep usable items out of the landfills.”

Freepeats opened in our area last week; if you join before June 1, you’ll get a free lifetime membership. After that, there’s a $4.95 one-time membership fee.

I love this idea - so eco-cool, so smart, so friendly. Wonder if it’s all that. Someone try it and let us know!

Recently, in an interview with Momlogic.com, Hillary Clinton offered insights on how she forged through difficult familial issues with the help of good girlfriends.

The problems surrounding MY family (food allergies, a high chaos level, our cat’s incontinence) are, obviously, vastly different than those Clinton deals with (a cheating husband, Whitewater, presidential candidacy), but I count on my grrrls just the same.

When my five-year-old was first born, I joined a PEPS (Program for Early Parenting Support) Group. I was terrified (and still in pain) that first day as I entered the living room of our facilitator’s Wallingford home. I set down my son’s infant car seat and requested a (big, puffy) pillow on which to sit. Then twelve women, including me, proceeded to divulge deeply personal details involving birth stories parenting, marriage and everything in between.

Seven of us are still together, meeting weekly, relying on each other for sanity fixes in the form of company and commiseration. I can’t convey emphatically enough how much these women have meant to me these last several years–the most intense of my life.

So, here’s to girlfriends and all the richness they add to our lives. Girlfriends who certainly make more time for us than Hillary could. What have girlfriends meant to you during your early, mid, or late parenting years?

A quick sampling of the wonderful people who came out to celebrate our 5th birthday with us! Cheers to everyone who came!

Special guest stars Recess Monkey!

Given the shaky state of the economy, you may not want to buy any more stuff. You may need nothing more. However, kiddos occasionally need clothes, toys and diaper services. This weekend, you’ll get two chances to buy green and locally made.

On Saturday, the Green Power Baby Shower shows off organic and earth-friendly goods, gear and services from local companies such toymakers Nico and Zoe and green publisher Kedzie Press (first 300 folks in the door get a bag of swag). It’s sponsored by Green for Good, a nifty new site you can visit to get tips on living more lightly on the earth (and find out who’s not — love the “Green Penalty Box”!).

Sunday, the Enterprising Moms Spring Show brings together 50 local women and their non-mass-produced products for families. They’re giving away BabyLegs to the first 150 through the door.

Maybe you’ve heard of the recently-released movie Baby Mama with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Well, I’d like to write my own screenplay called Baby Tummy. Because, my friends, I have one.

I am currently in Maui with my husband, two kids (5 and 3) and my parents, who are graciously taking turns watching the littles so my husband and I can head out on the occasional adventure.

But inevitably, those adventures entail wearing a swimsuit. And never is a woman more aware of her post-pregnancy pooch than while prancing around the tropics in a few strips of Lycra.

Here are some tips I’ve gathered to help successfully camouflage the Baby Tummy this summer or while on vacation:

1. Embrace the sarong. Nothing covers a bulging midsection while suggesting that you are flirty, fun and up for good beach times like a gently rippling slip of semi-transparent rayon.
2. Stand up straight in photos. Do not be afraid to suck it in. The misery only lasts for a few seconds, but the tighter, slimmer you will shimmer in the picture for decades.
3. Four words: Lands’ End swim skirts. Okay, seven words: And Miracle Suits.
4. If all else fails, or if you’re above all else, unlike me, wear a bikini and revel in your altered body.

Today, at a small, gentle beach on the Islands’ Northwest side, I watched a woman, close to 70-years-old, in a revealing two-piece, letting it all hang out. I was envious of her confidence, sure I could learn something from it.

I turned my gaze to my kids, whooping it up in the water and on the sand, and thought: the Baby Tummy is a bummer. But it’s worth every strategically placed gather and grumpy then vs. now comparisons.

And then I had another thought: perhaps, some actual crunches wouldn’t hurt.

Even better: FREE ice cream. (Or practically free.)

Getcher 31-cent scoop at a Baskin-Robbins tonight from 5-10 p.m.

On Thursday, scoot down to Seattle’s Gelatiamo for a free dish of gelato to celebrate the store’s remodel.

Gazing at the mix of moms milling around the swanky Tom Douglas appies last night, I wondered about their stories. Some had that fresh-from-the-boardroom look (sleek hair, correctly-buttoned blouses, beeper at hip, etc); others were rocking that “I’m a mom - deal with it!” look that I so often favor (comfy shoes, rumpled layers). Which ones work full time? Who’s just planning that first baby? Who’s terrified to let go of a good job? Around me drifted a sea of moms (and a handful of dads), each presumably contemplating a major life change.

The least we could do was give them a cupcake.

Oh, and wine (from my new fave “O” winery) and a “resource fair” (which included shopping and swag) - pretty much a wonderful “moms’ night out” before the program even started. I resisted the jewelry and shoes, caved on the wine, and headed up to the auditorium at Broadway Performance Hall to hear a few fascinating women discuss the weirdness that is a woman’s life

There was not one dull moment as Mona Locke rolled out the topics: confusion, planning for a change, negotiating with your partner, your boss, dealing with emotional issues and the various excruciating conflicts many women who want more from life grapple with. Do we feel guilt when we choose to have a career? Do we fear diminished status if we stay home? What happens to our identity?

To a woman, the panelists - each on a different journey, with a different story to tell - offered insights and ideas that had many of the 200+ in the audience taking notes. The place was rocking! The night was so packed with humor, female support and comraderie, and useful ideas that I felt empowered to change - and I already have the best mom-job in the world! Heck, I could be wearing Santa pants right now, and you’d never know. I often edit ParentMap in my Superman cape and tiara, but I digress.

Anyway, at the risk of being cornered and severely beaten with ParentMap tote bags, I’ll say it: We should have one of these every quarter. Keep the dialog rolling. The more women talk about options, the more women will demand options. I loved being in that room full of smart, motivated moms. Also, I will miss those amazing Amazons on the panel. I miss them already. They are the coolest bunch of women you’ll ever want to meet, and, like the rest of us, they are finding their way. They have things to teach other women; we all do.

I believe panelist and uber-pediatrician Dr. Michelle Terry said it best: “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t noboby happy!”

There’s a wonderful new show right now for kids - Seattle Children’s Theater has outdone itself with its wildly original, hugely entertaining, and whimsically chaotic production of Richard Scarry’s beloved book, “What Do People Do All Day?”

How much do I love Busytown?

Read my full review here.

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If you figure out how to alter the nature of space and time so you can be at all of these events at the same time, let us know. (But let us know if you make it to even one, and tell us what you thought.)

1. Go forth and celebrate Earth Day one more time at Seattle festival Green My Ride (Saturday until 3:30 p.m.) or Olympia’s Procession of the Species (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.).

2. Bring your drum and your deep desire to groove to the free! free! free! World Rhythm Festival at Seattle Center (Saturday, Sunday and late into the night).

3. Kids from Youth Theatre Northwest on Mercer Island have been hard at work for months, learning such things as Chinese opera and Kabuki-inspired fight techniques for their production of The Monkey King.

4. Moonpaper Tent’s blacklight The Jungle Book opens in the Roosevelt District this weekend.

5. Northwest Puppet Center really works its puppetry chops with marionette opera Don Giovanni. Despite the presence of puppets, it’s not for little kids, though — maybe for ages 10 or 12 and up.

6. Finally, here’s something I’ve always wanted to do and never have. Make your way through the University District, armed with only a map and your unflagging drive to find all the clues, at the U-District Street Scramble on Sunday. Map-reading, kids, exercise. I like it.

It was the first time we’d spent quality grammy-grandson time alone. At nearly six weeks old, he could now, it was decided, be left at my house. He was ready.

But was I?

I realized we would have four hours together - during which I needed to do everything just right.

That meant feeding him when he was hungry, changing him when he was wet, entertaining him when he was bored and letting him sleep when he was tired.

Sounds simple, right? Not anymore. Times have changed since we grabbed a copy of Brazelton and went along our merry way. Take the feeding part. I was worried about the bottle. Was it plastic? Glass? Recycled? Recycled glass? Microwavable? Environmentally correct? Bisphenol A negative?

Diaper changing was easy, if not messy, but the entertaining part of the babysitting package? Whew! Now that we know infants learn from birth, can imitate facial expressions, recognize family members and have a very limited window of opportunity to master Mandarin, there’s just no relaxing and humming “Twinkle, Twinkle.”

By the time I finished reading Hop On Pop (it’s all about the rhyme); playing Chopin’s Walz in E Minor (Mozart is so yesterday) and challenging him to follow the red and black smiley face patterns I’d bought (Why red and black? No one knows), I was exhausted.

He seemed happy enough, so I switched on the TV to catch Judge Judy when I remembered that the American Academy of Pediatrics says - quite sternly - No TV Till Two. So what if he couldn’t yet focus on a real object let alone on moving electronic signals?

I sighed and took a good look at him. It was clearly nap time. Luckily, he was sleepy, too. A successful afternoon.

The countdown to summer is ON. If you’re sweating it out already wondering what in the world you are gonna do with all that TIME, fret no more. We’ve compiled 6 pages of camps and classes for your viewing pleasure. Grab some lemonade and click here. No SPF required.

I might live under a rock. I dunno. I mean, it’s possible. I do seem to understand earthworms in a way most people don’t and I enjoy the look and feel of moss, but I digress. You see, apparently there is another uber-popular mom blogger in the world named Pioneer Woman. I did not know this. Here’s where the rock part really comes in - she has more readers than … dun dun duuuun … Dooce!

I know! I couldn’t believe it either. But a quick check of the ad network that sells ‘em both confirms it - Pioneer Woman is in the lead. WHERE HAVE I BEEN? Oh yes. The rock.

I spent some time yesterday learning about this Pioneer Woman named Ree who traded in her big-city life for a home, home on the range. She’s pretty funny, cooks with A LOT of butter and goes to church.

That’s very different from my blogging heroine Dooce, now isn’t? If butter is mentioned it’s for use as a marital aid. And church? Well, that’s just poked fun of.

I’m gonna assume that I’m the only one coming late to the Pioneer Woman party and that you’re already there, on your fourth glass of wine with a belly full of stuffed mushrooms. So with that said… these two lovely bloggers may be best of friends, but let’s just pretend they aren’t, shall we? And let’s further pretend they are wrestling it out in a vat of chocolate pudding. Who’s your money on - Dooce or Pioneer Woman?

P.S. A big shout out to the ever-with-it gals from Seattle Mom Blogs for tag team lifting the boulder!

Woo-boy!

We’re giving away a family 4-pack of tickets - plus an invitation to our exclusive pre-party with Dan Zanes! The winner will receive four tickets to the 4pm show this Saturday, April 26, and a pass to join the party beforehand.

To enter, just send us an email (contests at parentmap dot com) and tell us why your family must join us for this event! Please include your name, your children’s names and ages, and your phone number. Good luck!

I took my 13-year-old son to see Sherman Alexie talk about his new book for young readers, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, at All for Kids last Saturday. The room was packed all the way to the back, and I was glad to see lots of tweens and teens paying close attention to Alexie as he told engaging (and sometimes PG-13) stories about the weirdnesses of being a guy from the Reservation who also happens to have this rather glamorous life as a National Book Award-winning author.

I had an ulterior motive in bringing my son, of course. He asked a question during the Q&A, and 100 people listened to him respectfully (good stuff for a kid who likes to hide behind his long hair). (Mama was so proud!) We bought the book, which my kid inhaled that very afternoon. Best of all, he chatted briefly with Alexie while getting his copy signed. I could see the light go on in his head: Some people do this for a living! Write books! And talk about it! And lots and lots of people are interested in it!

I’m telling you — if you have a reluctant reader, take ‘em to an author reading. There’s a face behind that name on the book jacket, and listening to that person’s stories, why he writes, how she writes, is a fascinating thing for kids. Books don’t just appear out of nowhere. A person sits down with nothing but imagination and skills and makes them happen. Compelling stuff.

You have a couple of chances this week to hear another National Book Award winner talk about her work. Jeanne Birdsall, author of the charmingly retro The Penderwicks, reads from her just-released sequel at All for Kids tonight and at Borders Redmond tomorrow night.

A couple weeks ago I wrote a post touting Crocs for kids. I swooned and sighed over how easy they are for my own two littles to put on by themselves.

Well, I still love them. Only now, the small, niggling voice in my head that hissed, “But where do Crocs go to die? How many pairs of these plastic shoes are piled up in landfills?” has been silenced.

SolesUnited is an organization that accepts used Crocs, sorts them, grinds them up and makes them into new shoes. These new shoes are then donated to people in need around the world.

Sadly, the only place to recycle them within 50 miles of Seattle is Port Townsend. If you’re motivated to make a difference, however, you can collect your friends’ and families’ old Crocs and send them to a Crocs recycling center. Consider the postage a donation to this worthwhile endeavor.

Find out more here.