skdavids's Profile

The two listed for DC are very small = limited selection, but they do have the benefit of being reachable by public transport. That is, if you consider Georgetown public transport accessible which by design is a bit of a stretch.

The best flea I've seen in DC area is at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA, about 30 min due west of the city. They have several large buildings filled with vendors selling all manner of curiosities, such as Russian lacquer boxes, vintage and antique chocolate molds, furniture, and textiles. Seems like it will be held May 4-5 this year, but I'd call to confirm that since I've seen delays in the updating of this company's website before:

http://www.damorepromotions.com/

Round Top in Texas (halfway between Austin and Houston) is supposed to be a national attraction, as well.

I love the countertops- so glad you sourced them because I was ready to ask! Thanks!

I agree, it looks amazing. But is anyone else a little nervous about the mechanical engineering of this sort of project? It seems like anchoring a new floor like that to the walls would introduce lateral stress on the existing structure. Plus I'd always worry about sufficient support underneath the floor-- thought I do see you haven't placed a piano in the loft.

I'm a pediatrician, and I think you've developed intuitively what we often counsel parents to do-- mealtime shouldn't be a battle, try as you are able to make it wholesome and nutritious, and don't stress about not being perfect. Parenthood is hard enough without killing yourself over whole/organic/gluten free/sugar free/trans fat free/fair trade/no dyes etc etc everything. All things in moderation! These are all good things, but having parents who aren't fraying at the edges has a greater overall benefit, I think. Also, your children can still grow up to be healthy, happy, intelligent and productive even if your budget can't accommodate these sorts of foods.

That said, there are a few tips for working with toddlers who are challenging to feed (search for "picky eater" at places like Mayo Clinic's Children's Health website or the American Academy of Pediatrics' Healthy Children site. It might be helpful.

I second you, gingerish. I wanted Lincoln Logs, a Construx set of my own (brothers don't always like to share), and a circuit board toy. But I got a Cabbage Patch Kid instead. It was a good lesson in gracefully accepting something I really didn't want, but 25 years later I still feel bad they wasted their money.

My grandmother taught me to make raspberry jam when I was a little girl, and I still get a little warm fuzzy when I see Sure Jell and Mason jars.