A Biologist's Mother's Day Song

This may be the nerdiest, most awesome Mother's Day tribute I have ever seen. A couple of days late, but too hilarious not to post ;)

Rage Over The Lost Penny

The kiddos and I just watched this 1997 performance of Beethoven's Rondo e capriccio (also known as Rage Over The Lost Penny) and were captivated by the energy and brilliance of Evgeny Kissin's performance. I had to share. And anyway, it seemed like the perfect thing to post on April 15! So, to my American readers, Happy Tax Day (which is technically April 18th this year but traditionally falls on the 15th)!

Downton Abbey

I'm a sucker for a good PBS costume drama, and I have to say I LOVE the looks of this new series, Downton Abbey. How fab is the promo underscored by that amazing rendition of Every Breath You Take? I think I'm going to have to check out a full episode -- they're available for free, online at the Masterpiece website.

P.S.: I heart Dame Maggie Smith!

Home

We're back in NYC, and I have to be honest: I don't think I've ever been in less of a mood to blog. Other things are seeming way more important right now. Expect less of me here for the next little while, mkay?

All the same, I found this amazing video on Anne's blog and it seemed a fitting post for my mood, as well as something you would enjoy. I hope you do, and I hope 2011 is treating you well so far! XOXO.

Weekend Wonderful & My Favorite Links of the Week

We're looking forward to an exciting weekend -- the Our Time one-act shows open tonight, there are two performances tomorrow, and then on Sunday we're going to the family matinee of Holidelic, (a hip alternative to the Rockettes, Holidelic blends the musical influences of Parliament Funkadelic and other 1970’s and ‘80’s funk and soul bands in songs that celebrate diversity, mild familial seasonal dysfunction, individuality, and holiday booty shaking, and of course it stars our dear friend Everett Bradley). Both events are always major highlights of our holidays.

What are you up to this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope you have a fun and festive weekend :)

Here are some links I've enjoyed recently...

The Human Incubator

Julia Margaret Cameron

A (Really) Big HBAC

Holiday House Tour

And, if you're reading, Santa, a couple of stocking stuffers this amateur photographer would swoon for:

The Pocket Square Digital Camera + Camera Ready

Love and cheer to you all! XOXO, Leigh

Our Time One-Acts

I'm posting this video for a few reasons:

1) Cool fact: the cute guy that Beyonce's canoodling with? The one with the halo? That's Michael Ealy, a friend of ours and one of the stars of the upcoming Our Time One-Act plays! He's every bit as handsome, sweet, and charming in person. And he's a damn good actor.

2) Tickets to the shows are still available, so click here to get more info and reserve a seat! We hope to see you there ;)

3) The kiddos and I have always liked this song (once, right before latching on to nurse, J sang "I can see your mammo" to the tune, LOL).

Stop Motion Toast Miracle

OK Go has a new music video out, and this one is another masterpiece of painstaking yet elegant lo-fi brilliance. Amazing. Via d.Sharp Journal.

PS: All 215 loaves of bread were past their sell-by date & rescued from certain disposal for the shoot ;)

Alice Dancing Under the Gallows

Watch this incredible clip of an upcoming film about the oldest living Holocaust survivor in the world, Alice Herz-Sommer, who will turn 107 this month. Her wisdom, attitude, optimistic spirit, beautiful music and open heart will move you to tears. I can't wait to see the entire film when it comes out early next year. What an uplifting story. Via Tralalère.

Tree Jam

Yesterday we met up with friends on Summit Rock in Central Park. There, J and his buddy, M, rocked out with their "drumsticks" in a groovy tree while we mamas danced with baby brother on our hips. It was all kinds of fun. What are you doing to pass these hot Summer days?

They had me at "Oh the Bouncy Bouncy"

Just a little breastfeeding rap to kick off your week, performed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Via Mama Knows Breast.

Stormy Weather

I've been walking around, heavy-hearted and sad ever since I heard the news. Rest in Peace, Lena.

$35 Rush Tickets

How amazing is this 1972 performance in Central Park? Miss Carly is so fab, and I cannot wait to see her Monday night!

For those of you in the NYC area: I just thought you should know that a limited number of Rush Tickets will be available for Our Time's Benefit Gala Honoring Carly Simon. Here are the details:

$35 each

Time to Purchase: Monday, 4/19, from 5pm-7pm

Location to Purchase: Skirball Center for the Performing Arts' Box Office (566 Laguardia Place, New York, NY 10012)

*** NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE HELD FOR RUSH TICKETS. Please do not call or email to purchase rush tickets. At-door sales only. ***

Is that you, Spring? It's me, Leigh.

We had another rocky weekend, health-wise, as W came down with what J and I had, and then he was quickly followed by Taro. It has been a rough 48 hours, and I am exhausted, but thank goodness both my littlest and my biggest guy now seem to be out of the woods. The sad irony of all this malaise is that the weather here in NYC has been spectacular -- an early and exuberant display of Spring -- but we have been apartmentbound, either sick or taking care of the sick. Yesterday, as the temperature reached 60 degrees and the birds sang joyfully, J spent almost the entire day in bed with his dad, watching cartoons :( Thank goodness it looks like another gorgeous day today, because I am determined to get outside with J and W and go to the playground. We need some fresh air and exercise, like woah.

J had my laptop monopolized yesterday, watching movies, so I spent more time than usual catching up on reading the good-old-fashioned printed word while I breastfed W. I ran across two articles that I can't stop thinking about, and I wanted to share them, here:

1) The New York Times ran an amazing, in-depth report about an Arizona hospital run by the Navaho Nation that has lessons to teach others about obstetrical care.

2) This week's issue of The New Yorker introduced me to the 25-year-old musical phenom, Esperanza Spalding (pictured above). I was riveted by her story, and I cannot believe I'd never heard of her! I'm downloading her album now. Also, she was homeschooled.

We're off to get some fresh air...

What are you up to today?

This Too Shall Pass

Today we are feeling much better. Thanks for all the sweet well-wishes. We wanted to share this amazing video from OK Go, which lifted our spirits mightily while we were laying in bed feeling gross...we can't stop watching it, and we think it will make your day!

What We're Dancing To

My mom bought this for Taro for Christmas, and it's been on heavy rotation at our house ever since. We all start dancing every time we hit "play". It is seriously hot.

Weekend Wonderful

I've always loved this vintage clip of Stevie, and just thought it would be fun to share :)

J and T and I have been taking turns being under the weather for the last couple of weeks and we're finally all feeling better at the same time -- just in time for the weekend (Taro is off from work on Sundays and Mondays because he works with the Our Time kids every Saturday). Anyway, were looking forward to hanging out together and relaxing -- maybe catching a movie.

What are you doing this weekend? Whatever your plans, I hope you have a lovely time. XOXO.

Pure, Undiluted Awesome for your Sunday

Thanks to my brother for posting this on his Facebook page. It made my Sunday morning sparkle, and I hope it will brighten yours too!

We're going to a tree-trimming party today at my friend Abbey's house and I'm soooo excited to get into the Christmas spirit! What are you doing to feel festive this weekend?

Behind the Scenes of "Baby Mamas"

My friend, Stephanie Marshall, recording the vocals for the "Baby Mamas" video while her son Makai snoozes in their Ergo.

Wow, I am just incredibly amazed, thrilled, and humbled by the response to my Round Three entry to the Sakura Bloom Triathlon! Thank you for all the enthusiastic and lovely comments, and for spreading this video around by sharing it with your friends. I am so excited that it is resonating so much with baby mamas (and daddies!) everywhere. And of course a huge thank you to the Triathlon judges for selecting Baby Mamas for the round three win :)

I also want to publicly thank the incredibly talented and creative people who helped me to put the video together at the eleventh hour (we shot the whole thing on my Flip camera on this past Saturday and Sunday, and edited in the wee hours of Monday morning!): Stephanie Marshall, Shirley Rumierk, Naudia Jones, Taro Alexander, Everett Bradley, and Liz Rubincam.

Several people have asked for the lyrics, so I wanted to share those here. They were written by my amazing husband, with a tiny little bit of input and tweaking from me ;) Here they are, for your singing (and slinging) pleasure:

All the baby mamas (all the baby mamas)

All the baby mamas (all the baby mamas)

All the baby mamas (all the baby mamas)

All the baby mamas

Now get your slings out

Up in the house

We just woke up

I'm lookin' at your pretty face

Figurin' out

Which nice sling

To put you in today

You're up on me

Get you comfy

I know this will make you happy

No more tears

When you're in here

A sling’s good for you and me

‘Cause if you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

The Kangaroo carry

Or a baby on my hip

We're ready to rock the playground

We laugh and play

Have fun every day

So safe and cozy you’ll stay

I need no stroller

To take him or her

Anywhere we want to go

Just pop ‘em in the sling

A ring a ding-ding

Let me hear all the baby mamas sing

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

If you love 'em then you should put a sling on 'em

Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Wha-oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

Superstition for Your Friday the 13th

All Is Love: A Maxstravaganza

This is the last Max post, I promise!

All Is Love: Max Costume 2009 from Marvelous Kiddo on Vimeo.