Joint Celebration

 

I managed to put together a small birthday celebration for the little ones. I'm not one of those moms who can pull together a pinterest worthy birthday party. Since Brady and Mallory don't have many parties to compare I'm in the clear (for now) with a simple family gathering. In the future I am positive requests will be made and standards will be established.



I took Mallory shopping so she could pick out a birthday outfit. I figured since she spends most days naked or in a "swimmy soup" that if she had executive control over  the celebratory outfit, she might remain clothed for the duration of the party.

She did in fact keep her clothes on, and on, and on and on. Their party was Sunday and she has worn it since.

Of all the pictures I took, I think this one forecasts what the year of THREE will entail.

Wheatfields made a delicious GLUTEN free cake. I was so pumped to find such a delicious cake that Brady could enjoy, but all he did was swipe the frosting off the side. I think he was trying to wipe Mallory's name off the cake.

G-ma and G-pa got Mallory a beautiful doll house. Her and Brady have been playing with it non stop. The way they play is by sitting on opposite sides and pass the furniture through the windows. I'm thinking the move really had an influence on them.

Brady has continued to pose with random objects. It cracks me up. He is such a joke-ster. I wish you could hear him laugh when he picks up the chosen item of the day.

It's Christmas in July!!! And yes, we may have served fruit punch with lots  and lots of red dye.

Mallory's face is priceless!

The three amigos!

 

 

3 and 5

 Tomorrow Mallory turns 3 and on Wednesday Brady turns 5.

 To capture these annual events I thought I would snap a few pictures. Through the years I have learned to spread out the "photo shoot" over a couple of days. One thing I have learned about photographing toddlers is that things can go from this......

 to.....

 this in a matter of 3 seconds.

It's been three years, but I don't think Brady has forgiven Mallory for her early arrival. Our sweet girl arrived a month early and stole Mr. B's birthday thunder. He will now have to share his day of birth with a joint celebration for the foreseeable future. One cake, one party!

I think this is his attempt at a solo birthday proclamation. He quickly broke from his sisterly hug/kiss, stomped over to the tricycle and bucket of side walk chalk. Both seeming to be higher on his list than is birthday spotlight stealer of a sister.

Love and Sun

 Brady has been fine tuning his summer figure and has finally reached his vision of bronzed perfection. He of course wanted his lady to see his Mario Lopez like physique so we headed to Lincoln.

 It has been awhile since the future newlyweds have seen each other. Brady was in awe of Claire's beauty. Our little girl has grown up.

It started off with a quick hello, hug and of course a flex off. Brady cruised through his most manly poses. We call this one "biceps with a side of knobby knees."

Being the oldest of the group, Bennett just smiled and endured Brady's shenanigans. He is used to this kind of show boating.

"Seriously, look at my calf muscles."

The girls were chat'n it up like a couple of old hens. Brady was less than impressed with their lack of focus on his mad sliding skills.

"Hello????? sliding here!!!"

It was a wonderful day spent with wonderful people. We are so grateful to have them in our lives.

The Death of a Nap

Dr. B reporting for duty. I was hoping he could resuscitate the nap, but he failed miserable. As a matter of fact he prescribed extreme activity to counteract all nap like symptoms. I'm questioning his credentials.

I knew this day was coming, and it has arrived. Mallory and Brady have decided they are much to busy for a nap. I blame Jeff for this because my side of the family CHERISHES nap time. It is sacred and shouldn't be bypassed for anything. They may not need a nap anymore, but I do.

Mallory thinks nap time should be replaced by butt poses and sprinkler time.

Brady agrees, minus the butt pose. He claims they are so last season!

 

Two Peas in a Pod

I could take the following photo sequence a million times and the outcome would be exactly the same. It goes a little something like this:

Mama: "Hey turkeys, smile and say cheese."

Babies:"CHEESE"

 The non verbal part is what is interesting. Brady sees a camera and immediately turns into a monster. Mallory isn't phased by such Monster nonsense because it  happens 45 times a day.

As you can see, ice cream triumphs monster noises.

 Monster becomes larger and louder, soliciting a small amount of attention.

 Monster retreats and settles for a face smashing hug.

 Mallory and her monster.

These two were meant to be siblings.

Slip and Slide- for Andrea

As opposed to recap the last 6 months, I'll start fresh with some sum-sum summer time fun. When the temps reach 90 plus, B and Mals demand water activities. They refuse to be outside without an aquified refuge. I met their such demands with a classic slip and slide.  At first they weren't sure what to do with the large piece of plastic, but after a professional style demonstration, they were off and running...and sliding. Too bad our new house has a flat lot because at our old house this baby would have launched my babies to the moon.

Other summer time notes: Mallory will be joining a nudist colony or moving to Alaska. She refuses to wear clothes because they are "too weatty" (that's sweaty to the rest of us). We have had a couple of naked moments while shopping. Sister has no modesty. When she feels her core temp rise above that sweet spot of 98.6, the clothes come off. So my almost birthday girl has about worn her birthday suit out!

The real problem?? We have a strict "Monkey see, Monkey do" policy between Brady and Mallory. When our little lady drops her drawers so does B man. It's amazing how fast they can undress. New Olympic sport? Two Gold medals coming our way.

 



All Aboard the Potty Train

I never thought this day would come, but my two littles have traded in their diapers for some class A super hero under pants. It took 2 weeks, 1 bottle of carpet cleaner and a couple hundred sani wipes, but our little people are putt'n it in the potty.

Brady is quite thrilled with his "hose" power. Nothing makes him happier than turning on the ol'pee tap and giving the toilet radius a good spray down. The look on his face is priceless. Because he cherishes versatility he gives #1 a go either standing or sitting. When sitting, he likes to dip his buns in the bowl, followed by a giggle only ice cold toilet water on the bits can produce.

Potty training has provided Mallory an alternative fashion statement in the form of hot pink sparkle boots and Superman briefs....nothing else. A bold choice in the middle of winter.  Of course she was offered girly undergarments, but the Malligator likes her roos to be a bit more masculine.

I thought I was going to lose my mind potty training both kids at the same time, but it went surprisingly well. They motivated each other and somehow turned toilet time into pee Olympics. Both kids podiumed and we couldn't be more proud.