Happy Birthday Brady

Brady is 3 years old today. He's officially taking it easy on his special day. All he has asked for is to be waited on hand and foot (not too different from any other day). To his disappointment he's been required to cover his birthday suit this year.

He started his day by devouring a cookie tower and will probably end it the same way.

Brady would also like to announce that he will be accepting gifts all year round. He would like to emphasize that a force such as himself should surely be celebrated 365 days a year.

Outstanding in the Field

Last weekend, Jeff and I had a unique dining experience. We took part in a dinner event called "Outstanding in the Field." As opposed to laying out all the details check out their website here

This was a fantastic evening and goes above and beyond the typical night out. The food was amazing. Jeff and I ate things like goose egg noodles topped with duck. We nibbled on rabbit and fresh produce picked hours before the dinner bell rang.

The table was set for 150 guests. Everywhere the bus travels, the long signature table is set up in the most scenic way. Everyone brings their own plate to add color and variety to the setting. Every item on the menu is sourced from local farmers, even down to the honeysuckle accents in our drinks. The meal is served on the farm and the farmers give a brief tour of the land and an explanation of their "biological" farming practices. (this farmer doesn't have the official organic label so they prefer biological instead). It is truly a celebration of the farmer and highlights the hard work it takes to put food on our table.

If you have a chance attend a dinner. They are sold out for this season, but get on their email list and book it the day they announce their 2012 schedule.

Happy Birthday Mallory

Our sweet little girl turns one today. I truly can't believe how fast 365 days can go. In honor of her big day Brady has offered some advice:

1. Wear sunblock with the birthday suit.

2. Don't get a big head, everyone has a birthday (reminder that his is in 3 days and that HIS is in fact a huge deal).

3. Always send a nice hand written thank you note for good gifts and send a copy of your birthday registry for the bad ones.

4. Make a wish- though it obvious that her greatest wish came true the day Brady was born. :)

Happy Birthday Mallory!!

Butt out

A beautiful thing has happened....my children play together. They obviously didn't want me within 20 yds and communicated their distaste for my impeding lens. Brady often takes the roll of teacher. Of course his lessons aren't free and his fees are quite steep. Apparently he declined Mallory's scholarship application. What is the going rate for "race car derby" or "tower of terror?" Well, Brady states that due to his in depth knowledge of all things circular and on wheels his services are invaluable and tipping is HIGHLY encouraged. Mallory is currently working on a payment plan. Since she is not able to earn a wage yet, Brady has worked out an alternative payment system. Mallory will now be polishing his shoes, making his bed, ironing his polos, checking his emails and filing his nails...indefinitely. Brilliance doesn't come cheap!

Hats off to ya!

Brady is an attention seeker. He will do anything to entertain others. He will often do things that he knows will get a chuckle. For instance, He won't simply put a hat on his head. That's tooo blahh. He steps it up a notch by shaking his stank leg, pulling the brim over his eyes and spinning in a circle until the earth has turned on its side. After he has fallen in dizziness and ran out of breath he passes the hat onto Mallory. Of course he is disappointed in her failure to spin, but pleasantly surprised by her shoulder shrug (her signature dance move, combined with the stank leg and you've got two "So you think you can dance" final contestants).

His latest "are you watching me?" move is the good ol' fashion pants dropper. He drops'em like their hot. The minute I get them on him it's like they are magnetized to the floor. Watch out because Brady's moon is bright! I can just see him as a teenage boy with his buns plastered to the car window as he and his friends pass a car full of girls. Like father, like son.

A case of the Mondays

If you didn't start your day off making this face at the breakfast table, I'd say your off to a great week. Happy Monday to ya!

Crop Dust

Warning: The original intent of this video was to show Mallory walking. Apparently, the new task takes such focus and strength that she also let a toot go! It is loud like a man fart. Nice Mallory, nice! She does end up walking, which instead of capturing some of her first steps, I filmed her first crop dust. That's my girl!

Mallory now spends about 70% of her time walking and Brady spends about 73% of his time knocking her over.

Roommate

I was putting away groceries this morning and Jeff came running into the kitchen "Jen, you have to come downstairs and check this out!" He first grabbed an empty carton of blueberries from the recycler and the broom. Two signs that something large was in need of disposal. Since he bypassed the Kleenex and paper towel I knew we were up against a sizable creature. Apparently, Brady isn't the only one taking advantage of the in home gym...so are the spiders. This eight legged monster has been hitt'n the pull up bar and bench'n with the big boys. He was HUGE! Sun's out, guns out baby!! After some negotiation on containment strategies we nailed the beast and let him free....15 blocks away. We don't want Mr. beady eyes making a return visit. All are welcome at our gym, but we prefer two legged patrons only.

Siblings

It was about this time last year that I blogged about my last moments with just Brady. I remember feeling anxious and nervous about adding another little being to our family. I snapped a few pictures of Brady on the stairs and thought about the day when he would have to scoot over for his sister. Well the day arrived this week and it was sweeter than I could have ever imagined. It actually started as a solo shoot of Mallory and then instinctively Brady squeezed into the frame. He wasn't prompted. He just knew that this is the way things are meant to be now. Brady and Mallory are sweet together....most of the time. I am so thankful we decided to give him a sibling, a decision that wasn't automatic or obvious to us in the beginning. It's been almost a year that our threesome transformed into a quad-some (it's a real word) and I couldn't be happier.

Off Balance

Things are off balance at the old homestead. Poor Mallory picked up a nasty virus and her throat is on fire. Brady has been less than sympathetic and has been acting out in fits of jealousy. Mallory won't let me put her down without a vocal protest that I'm sure the neighbors can hear. (her throat can't be that sore!). Brady's response??.... transform into the Hulk. For example; Mallory was making her way up the stairs so Brady decided to stage an obstacle course to challenge her vertical skills. First obstacle- picture frame toss. Mallory was not match for an 8x10 photo. Before I could deflect and defend, it crashed into her chest leaving a scratch. Her second and third battle wounds were mostly self inflicted. Brady did feel some remorse for the picture frame ordeal and waved the white flag. Hulkman receded!

I'm hoping that a good nights rest heals her little body. She is so pathetic and it breaks my heart to see her hurting. Brady offered her a nice shot of whisky and a cookie, but we are sticking with modern science and going with what the Doctor prescribed.

1st on the 4th

Our neighborhood has a rock'n parade and we actually participated in it. A couple neighbors and I rigged up a prize winning float complete with 13 kids and matching tye dye shirts. Our theme was "The Love Train" and The O'Jays were booming our theme song from our rigged up sound system. Oh yeah, we had a playlist and it is still streaming through my head today. The judges loved the Love Train enough to award us first prize in the "non motorized" division. A 2012 repeat performance is already in the works.

Post parade we cooled off at the Field Club pool. It was a mad crazy house and people littered the swimming hole like ants on a gooey piece of candy. Brady flirted with the life guards and Mallory perfected her freestyle. Our baby can swim!

Once the sun fell the fireworks were a blaze'n and our side of town felt more like a war zone. I'm pretty certain a few of our neighbors lost some fingers last night. They skipped the Black Cats and went straight for the house shake'n, ground rattling, annoying kind. I'm thinking they weren't in favor of simply air drawing their name with sparklers or living on the edge by squishing snaps between their fingers. Brady is going to write them a letter of grievance today and suggest a simple, quiet flag waving ceremony for next year.