So, I've never been as excited about staring down a jug of dirty water as I was this morning! To help spread the word about the P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program -- an effort that has turned billions (yes, billions) of liters of dirty water into safe drinking water for kids around the world -- I shot the below demo video about their water purification technique, which is something I could actually do at home with said jug of dirty water! Check it out and learn more about how YOU can help (in, like, 2 seconds!):

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BCZTtIOXzk?rel=0&w=574&h=323]

Isn't that incredible? Now, here's where you come in. Each time you use the hashtag #7BillionLiters on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram between now and April 22, P&G will donate a liter of clean drinking water (up to 1 million liters) to people in need around the world. Awesome, right? It’s so easy for you to help! Go on and use the #7BillionLiters hashtag!

Disclosure: P&G compensated me to shoot this demo video; my opinions on the awesomeness of this initiative are, of course, my own.

Beloved informed me this past week that he will only be gone three of the four weeks in May. 

He is home for one week and two weekdays in April. He was home for two weeks in March, one of which was our vacation and the other of which his father died. He was home for no weeks in February. I wrote about it on BlogHer when I was really in the abyss, then the sun came out, and the time changed, and the days got longer, and the little angel started to play with the neighbor kids after school again and it seemed a little better. 

It is better, but it's not. Yes, he's home on weekends, but when half the family unit is gone five out of seven days, the two days he's home becomes crammed with yard work and housecleaning and laundry and errands and thinking gosh, I really like this person and everything is better when he's home and oh, shit, he's leaving again tomorrow. It's nice to see him, but it doesn't make it all better to have him home on the weekends. And the worst part is that I don't really know when this will end. The little angel doesn't have childcare the week of BlogHer, and he doesn't know if he will be home or not. I throw my hands in the air like I don't care because I am so tired of thinking through all the scenarios and how I will address them on my own. (He would say it's not on my own, and he would sometimes be right, but sometimes he would be wrong, because only the person in the situation knows the myriad things that come up and must be dealt with over the course of the week, most of which I don't even tell him about because pfffft.)

My friends ask if this is normal for his job, but he's only had it for a little over a year. The first project only had him gone for one month, not this never-ending cycle of early Monday flights and late Thursday or Friday flights, of trying to squeeze in Facetime twenty minutes after I wished the little angel had already gone to bed, of trying to explain why he's gone again and remembering to do everything that needs to be done to keep the house running after a full day of my own job and sitting down with my novel at 10 pm and crying because I don't have the mental energy to do anything I want to do by 10 pm and there is no other time in my day because all the things take twice as long when there is one person doing them and that person doing them is also the person explaining to the ten-year-old why she can't have four desserts and how to convert things to the metric system.

I try to do little things to make up for him being gone on these weeks alone with my daughter. It sucks most for her. She adores her father and by the third night is always in tears over why he can't be there to put her to bed instead of me. So I try.

Yesterday, for instance, she asked me to make her pancakes. Wednesdays are late-start days at her school, so the bus comes an hour later than usual. I didn't know where the pancake mix was, so she showed it to me. I added the water. I found the skillet. I greased the skillet. I tried to remember what temperature the skillet should be at. Super hot sounded good to me. (queue ominous music)

The first pancake ended up in the sink after I couldn't flip it at all. I remembered you are supposed to flip them when they bubble, but my pancakes bubbled instantly. I ended up scorching a spatula trying to flip my bubbling masses of chocolate-chipped destruction. 

On the third pancake, I turned down the temperature, but it was too late. I started using the scorched flipper plus a second flipper to try to get the burning even on both sides of the pancakes, adding extra chocolate chips because, you know, as long as there is enough chocolate involved, my kid will eat anything. I flung the unsalvagable pancakes in the sink or really just anywhere on the stove that was not white-hot because time was of essence. I could melt polar icecaps with these pancakes, but at least they weren't burning. At last I had a plate of four kind of normal-looking pancakes, which I served my daughter.

"Um, Mama? These aren't cooked in the middle."

"Well, yeah. Maybe I should microwave them."

"Maybe."

*ding*

"Better?"

"Yeah."

(chewing)

"I'm not very good at pancakes, am I?"

"Maybe we should leave that to Daddy."

Oh, well. I'm trying.

I'm thrilled to share another Local Gems post today (be sure to check out the Back Bay, Medford, Beacon Hill, and Lexington features)! Today's Watertown recommendations come from my friend Sharon, mom of two adorable boys (one who knows how to rock a runway) and writer of the parenting/food blog umommy + co-founder of KidNosh, an online restaurant review site for parents. Thanks for sharing these gems, Sharon!

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There's a lot more to Watertown besides the giant Target and the scene of the Boston Marathon bombing manhunt. In the town’s mere 4.17 square miles you will find a diverse population, beautiful riverside paths, and lots of hidden gems. Here are eight of my favorites:

1. A. Russo & Sons. Tucked away on an industrial road, you’ll find Russo’s, the family-owned produce and gourmet market beloved by foodies and chefs alike. Stroll the cramped aisles and you’ll find every imaginable produce, fresh baked bread and pastries, imported deli meats and cheeses, plus prepared foods and flowers. Plus, their prices can’t be beat. Russo’s has grown in popularity, so avoid the crowds and go during the week!

2. Fastachi. Walk into this small and bright store and the aromas from the hand-roasted gourmet nuts will confirm you’ve come to a special place. From gorgeous gift baskets to handmade chocolates, it's easy to see why Fastachi is one of the country’s top purveyors of roasted nuts.

3. Watertown’s Little Armenia & Sevan Bakery. Watertown’s large Armenian community gives way to a bustling concentration of Armenian shops and markets. You’ll feel as if you entered an Old World European market filled with spices, olives, oils, and prepared foods. Once you try the stuffed grape leaves, baklava, and beautiful mezze in any of the markets including Sevan, you will be coming back for more.

4. Central Rock Gym. In a nondescript industrial building you will find one of the largest and most advanced climbing gyms in New England. From youth climbing camps, introductory belay class, to spinning, yoga, and Pilates classes, Central Rock Gym will get you fit and scaling boulders before you know it.

5. Strip Ts. This lunch spot turned hotspot put Watertown on the map for foodies. Tim Maslow, former chef de cuisine of Momofuku Ssam Bar in NYC, took the helm of his dad’s sandwich shop and hasn’t looked back. Warning: you’ll be dreaming about the Eggplant Banh Mi once you try it.

6. Watertown Children's Theatre. Does your kid give nightly performances of scenes from Frozen in front of the mirror at home? Channel your budding performer to the range of award-winning classes and workshops at the Watertown Children’s Theatre. WCT, now in its 30th year, is guaranteed to give kids of all ages an appreciation of the performing arts.

7. Arsenal Center for the Arts. The Arsenal Center for the Arts is a community arts center that houses two theatres (including the New Rep Theatre and Watertown Children’s Theater), art classes, artists’ studios, galleries, and workshop spaces. School vacation and summer programs are especially popular with kids and parents.

8. Deluxe Town Diner. Looking for a true diner experience, minus the greasy spoon fare? Built in 1947 and listed in The National Registry of Historic Places, Deluxe Town Diner's retro vibe is as irresistible as its menu. This kid-friendly dining destination is especially popular on the weekends.

Do you have other Watertown gems you love? Feel free to share in the comments below! And if you want to pen a Local Gems guest post, contact Christine at editor@bostonmamas.com to check on availability.

Image credits: all images sourced from linked business websites and Facebook pages.

As someone who identifies as a Boston lifer, April 15, 2013 changed how I feel about and experience this city; I'm sure that's the case for many. In the immediate days following the Boston Marathon bombings, I experienced many moments of clarity and dissonance. And every day since, I have experienced small touch points (e.g., errands on Boylston, communication with family in Watertown, runner friends training for April 21, my own modest runs) that make me think about the tragedy and its intense, penetrating ripple effect.

And what stands out most to me -- what stirs at the core of all of my touch points -- is the positivity and how it has shined bright through acts of bravery, generosity, love, and strength. Last Friday when I was on Boylston Street, I walked over to check on the progress of the Boston Marathon finish line. I stood and lingered at the former site of the makeshift Copley memorial. I felt immensely proud to call Boston my home.

Today is the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, and as we remember and honor the lives of Krystle Campbell, Lu Lingzi, Martin Richard, Sean Collier, and the many injured, I wanted to share three simple ways you can show solidarity. To continue to spread the love and strength that has become a symbol of this city.

1. This Dear World (@dearworld) Boston Marathon project left me in tears. Absorb the stories and images of survivors and responders who returned to the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Share their stories. Emulate their strength, determination, and bravery.

2. Pay tribute at Dear Boston: Messages from the Marathon Memorial at the Boston Public Library. This exhibit is open until May 11 and includes objects saved from the Copley Square makeshift memorial, which was a true outpouring of love and compassion.

3. Today, WCVB is hosting a telethon to raise money for One Fund Boston, the organization former by Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino the day after the bombings. Last year, OFB collected and distributed nearly $61 million to over 230 individuals most affected by the tragedy and they are planning a second distribution this summer. To donate, call 844-617-FUND or text BOSTON to 80108 to donate $10.

Image credits: Christine Koh

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQYrLR1aauk] 

Thanks to my friend Nordette for making me aware of the existance of these two awesome ladies. BAM!

When it comes to holidays, I'm all about pretty and simple. I do admire the aesthetics of fancy egg decorating projects, but they're just not practical when you're trying to execute (and also have fun with!) craft projects with kids. As I was prowling for ideas to work on with the girls this coming weekend, I decided to share 10 easy Easter egg ideas where the steps are few and the results are beautiful. The hard part will be narrowing down which options to try!

1. Making melted crayon eggs is super easy: simply cook and scribble!

2. You can use shaving cream as a decorating tool -- who knew??

3. Mess-free washi tape eggs = major win.

4. Paper towels + food coloring = tie dye eggs.

5. Simply adding a rubber band makes traditional dying look super cool.

6. Multitask your Sharpies for this egg project.

7. Marbleized eggs, thanks to nail polish! Amazing.

8. Gorgeous leaf print eggs. I'm going to reserve some of my cilantro for this!

9. These painterly pastel eggs are so simple and pretty!

10. Remember how I mentioned Laurel is obsessed with ombre? We're probably going to end up making these ridiculously easy ombre eggs.

Image credits: all images via linked sources above.

YOU GUYS, I DID IT! I can hardly believe it. Click here if you want to read about it. This isn't really a running blog and I don't do timed splits or personal records or tempo run reviews. I mostly just try not to pee myself too bad while running. 

Happy Monday, I hope you had a great weekend! One of our weekend events was participating in our school's garden/grounds cleanup, and I have to say it was one of the best things we've done as a family in recent memory! If your school or community has a cleanup coming up, participate! It was so fun to be part of a community/nature effort and have the kids helping out and running around outside for several hours! Meanwhile, I hope you have a great week on tap; here's a roundup of events to enjoy via the Weekly Blueprint:

April 15: Mini-astronomers learn all about Jupiter. (Acton)

April 15: Full moon and folklore hike. (Ipswich)

April 15: Milk magic. Who knew milk could be so fun. (Lincoln)

April 16: Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. (Boston)

April 16: A little practice for kindergarten. (Easton)

April 16: New children’s improv program. (Easton)

April 17: Paint on the walls of a “cave” just like the Aborigines. (Acton)

April 17: It’s the perfect week for discovering the egg-cellent world of eggs. (Sharon)

April 17 - 19: Wonder how hard it is to be The Carrot Salesman? (Brookline)

April 18: Morningstar access to Boston Children’s Museum for children with special needs. (Boston)

April 18: The insanely popular Great Banana Hunt. (Cambridge)

April 18: Your curious cubs can learn all about birds, eggs and nests. (Stoneham)

April 18 - 27: The Cambridge Science Festival begins. (Cambridge)

Image credit: Museum of Science

Have an event you'd like to submit for editorial consideration? Please e-mail the event description + URL to Christine at editor{@}bostonmamas.com. For guaranteed event exposure, place an advertisement.

It has felt amazing to get back out running these last couple of weeks; it’s pretty much the only time when I'm alone with my thoughts! A couple of years ago, after reading reviews and trying them on in-store, I bought my first pair of Mizuno Wave Prophecy runners and they are awesome. I have cranky feet (bunions, etc.) and these shoes are wonderfully lightweight and supportive (and colorful!). I bought my second pair last fall and am eyeing these colorful new models when it's time to replace my current pair!

Want more Friday Finds? Check out: Jordana lip balm stains, LA Fresh eco-wipes, ridiculously awesome pants, parachute cord crafts, Where Is The Cake?, and Travelpro luggage

Image credits: via Amazon product pages

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