FIVE

Brady and Brody are five! They are so amazing. Well, to be fair, they were absolutely amazing from about 4yrs and 280 days - 5yrs and 15 days. This was the sweet spot of amazingness. They were incredibly interested in everything, so kind and sweet all the time, totally enamored with learning about anything and everything that they encounter. Pretty much after 5 years and 15 days old they learned how to wrestle, pout, and whine. While I am happy we made it to this point, it has tainted my outlook a little bit. If it is possible to be amazing but slightly less amazing than they were a few weeks ago, then that's where we are!

This year for their birthday they wanted a party and I am so glad they loved it as much as they seemed to think they would. We went totally commercial and did their party at an inflatable jumpy place. While not quaint or kitschy in any way, it was pretty darn low maintenance from our end which is what we needed for a December birthday party. We had all kind of friends join us to celebrate: friends from our multiples group, friends who we have become close with over the last several years and school friends whose company we really enjoy. It was so great to see all these kids that we really like and love playing together. Also, Nana and Aunt Kathy were there so it was extra fun!

On their actual birthday the kids woke up to presents, had lunch with Aunt Kathy and Cousin Jordan, I read to their classroom (last year's classroom tradition followed them into this year's classroom), had a small celebration at Taekwando and ended it with pizza for dinner (their request) and homade birthday cake. All in all it was a very busy and wonderful day.

Brody:
Brody is sweetness and kindness wrapped in silliness and stength. He continies to amaze us with this althetic abilities. He is a social butterfly at school. When we get into his classroom in the morning he flits to and fro saying hi to friends and teachers almost to a point of distraction where he forgets to take care of his morning tasks. He is still very sensitve and will choose not to watch tense scenes in movies and hates when he sees meaness or when someone treats him meanly for no reason. Brody goes out of his way to say things to people that make them feel special and the boy can dance! He can break out some serious dance moves at a moments notice! I love his sweetness and his kindess and his chosen role as the protector of all. Brody has just started to get embarrassed more easily and it makes me so sad to see him start to decided what kinds of behaviors he is going to do in public and which he is not. He gets put off if he says something that makes everything laugh which is troublesome because he is so funny! Here are Brody's answers to his biyearly quiz and this year I added my commentary in parenthesizes.

1. What is your name? Brody McLean (said shyly, almost unsure)

2. What is your favorite color? All of them (he really does like all colors equally)

3. What is your favorite toy? Jack n the box (I have zero clue how a Jack n the Box came to be his "favoirte toy" or even a toy he asked for for Christmas but somehow it is and was)

4. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes (yes)

5. What is your favorite TV show?  Busytown mysteries (has not seen this show in at least a year if not more)

6. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Hot dogs (though he never has them for lunch, he does love a hot dog)

7. What is your favorite outfit? Track suit (our family has a great love of the track suit and Brody was lucky enough to get one for Christmas. He loves it and wears it all the time.)

8. What is your favorite game? Chutes and ladders (probably true, he and Brady and Chris play all the time and the boys play by themseles)

9. What is your favorite snack? You know, hot dogs (i had no idea he loved hot dogs this much, but I love how he said "you know" like he was surprised I would even ask.)

10. What is your favorite animal? Cheetah

11. What is your favorite book? Star wars

12. Who is your best friend? Avi, Mom and Brady (Avi is a school friend that they boys are both very fond of)

13. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play with my brother

14. What is your favorite holiday?  Easter and Christmas

15. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  stuffies-Ellie, wolverine, and huskey (Brody still uses Ellie as a pillow and sleeps with several stuffies)

16. What do you want to be when you grow up? Grownup (Hilarious)

17. Where do you want to go on vacation? Disneyland, but not driving! (also hilarious)

18. Who do you want to come over for a play date? Avi (duh)

19. Who do you love? You and Dad and Brady and Hank, Adrianne, Oliver, Dodge and me! (so inclusive my sweet boy)

20. What’s your favorite drink? Milk ( He is mostly made of milk)

Brady-
Brady is cerebral and thoughtful. When you look into his eyes you can practically see the wheels turning and him trying to connect one piece of information to another. He loves projects and GAMES. He could play 15-20 games in a row and is a master at cajoling someone else into playing with him. Brady will first ask if you want to play something with him and if you say no he will get the game out, set it up, start talking about it, call you over and show you something about the game and before you know it, you are playing with him just as he intended. This happens to Brody and I all the time. He is a strategizer and can determine the consequences of actions both on the game board and off. Brady still does things that he did when he was much younger like make a cute clicking sound with this tongue when he is about to eat something delicious and he will randomly yell out "I love you, Mom" when he is feeling lovey! I love seeing these shadows of my baby in the body of such a big boy. Brady is funny! He loves puns and other kinds of nerd humor. He gets a big kick out of things when he gets a random joke that I am telling that is play on words. Here are Brady's answers to our quiz.

1. What is your name? Bradyn Oscar M-c-L-e-a-n and Brady (so specific, so Brady)

2. What is your favorite color?  blue and golden (this has remained his favorite for some time)

3. What is your favorite toy? Batman Castle (he does seem to like this but not as much as some of the other game he plays)

4. What is your favorite fruit?  Grapes (so true)

5. What is your favorite TV show? Justin Olive Kitty

6. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pancakes (I don't think he has ever had pancakes for lunch)

7. What is your favorite outfit? Batman shirt, I can't find it, you remember right (he grew out of it but is not going to let me forget it)

8. What is your favorite game? Sorry (I'm surprised he could pick one, he loves all games)

9. What is your favorite snack? Popcorn (an infrequent treat but defiantly his favorite)

10. What is your favorite animal? Zebra

11. What is your favorite book? This is a hard one.  Jack and Annie chapter book (The Magic Treehouse series)

12. Who is your best friend?  Avi Brady is so fond of Avi)

13. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play

14. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

15. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  my doggie

16. What do you want to be when you grow up? magician- that do magic tricks (not to be confused with a musician that sounds oh so similar!)

17. Where do you want to go on vacation? Nana's house (actually he wants to buy the house next door, but then it could be like vacation everyday).

18. Who do you want to come over for a play date? Avi (duh)

19. Who do you love? Nana, Brody, Avi, mom, Hank, Oliver, Dad

20. What’s your favorite drink? Milk (still milk all day everyday)

Cheers to five my wonderful boys!

The Nutcracker

Brady and Brody's preschool class spend about two months practicing and getting ready for an epic performance of the Nutcracker.  They were candy hugs and their part consisted of a high speed dance that had pretty sophisticated choreography.  The kids danced their Nutcracker dance many many times at home practicing for the main event.  Brady took his role very seriously and would look for any opportunity to be able to do his dance out in public or at home or even once at a wedding we went to.  The week before the performance Brady got sick and we were unsure if he was going to be better before the big night.  Luckily he made a speedy recovery and the boys were able to attend the dress rehearsal and the big performance.  The first time they put their costumes on I could not help but laugh. I immediately knew that was a mistake because Brody clammed up and said in a disgruntled voice "I look like a giant potato".  I tried to back-peddle and explain that costumes are meant to be bright and eye catching so people in the audience can see you.  This seemed to placate him and they both went into the performance in high spirits.  It was a great show and I am so proud at the boys for putting so much work and effort into being great performers and participants.

Christmas Tree Hunt

One of our favorite California "traditions" is to go Christmas tree hunting with the Santa Cruz crew.  Because we were in town this year for Thanksgiving we were able to get back to this fun event and include Kathy.  We love everything about the day.  The drive is beautiful, the weather feels crisp and festive and because Baby M is at such a great age, it was extra fun seeing the kids interact and watching the boys be overly protective of her.  Trees, hot cider, pictures. it was a great day!

We waited about a week to decorate.  How do the kids know to fight over the ornaments just like I did with my sister?  They were so helpful getting the ornaments up on the tree.  In keeping with tradition, both boys got a chance to put the star on top.  I wounder how much longer we can keep that up?!

Thanksgiving

Unlike previous years where we traveled Thanksgiving day to a scenic part of the state, this year we decided to stay local and enjoy Thanksgiving at home.  Between changing jobs and moving, we have been going strong for several months and both Chris and I felt like it was time to enjoy a few days at home and relax as a family. The day started quietly with Chris putting the Turkey on the smoker and us playing games and hanging out as a family.  I cooked and we all spend time outside enjoying the beautiful weather.  As  dinner hour grew closer we got dressed and took some pictures.  We even had a special guest stop by to eat with us.  It was a quiet nice Holiday filled with good food and love (and very very dry turkey; luckily that's just how I like it!)!

The week of bridges

Somehow even after 5 years of living here the wonder of the Golden Gate bridge has not lost its power over me. Every time I catch sight of it it brings me joy and happiness.  For quite some time now I have wanted to run over the Golden Gate bridge but doing it when there were tons of tourists and traffic did not sound appealing.  As an alternative, I found a road race that looked very scenic and included an out and back route over the bridge.  Since it was 10 miles, it required me to train a bit and to make sure I got in some consistent runs to get ready for the distance (you know, because I'm old now).  In between signing up and the designated race date we moved so I was able to get in some great training run in our new neighborhood which includes some huge hills and great views.

The weekend before the race Chris's cousins came into town and we headed to the city for an afternoon of sight seeing and fun.  We decided to do the bridge to bridge boat tour and planned on meeting Paul and Christine around two o'clock.  Due to traffic and *ahem* toddlers we missed the first boat departure and opted to hang around the Embarcadero and wait for the 4:00 boat.  Somehow we decided it would be a good idea to walk all the way down to the Ferry Building and get margaritas.  The walk down was fun and the boys enjoyed riding on Paul and Chris's shoulders and trying to get them to race.  After drinking some margaritas it was time to leave and head back to the boat. We did not leave ourselves enough time and it was clear we were going to late unless we ran.  Chris and Paul ran to the boat with the boys on their shoulders while Christine and I zig-zagged through tourists following behind.  We were breathless and sweaty but we made it to the boat before it departed!  I could not figure out why it took so long for us to grab drinks and get back to the boat until the next day when I looked at the distance on google maps.  Turns out the ferry building was 1.5 miles away from the boat dock!  No wonder it took us forever to get there and back and the guys had to run with the kids! Everyone got an extra workout in, especially Chris and Paul! Once on the boat, the weather was amazing and the sun was just starting to set making it ideal for fun photo opportunities.

The next week our great friends were descending into the Bay Area for a big trail race and some fun friend time together.  We had so much fun meeting the Kearns at the discovery center in Sausalito and playing for the afternoon.  We had even more fun when the Hagobians arrived and all 8 kids played crazy games of tag on the tiniest patch of grass you can imagine!  The next day the four of us headed over the Golden Gate again to Stinson beach and spent the afternoon playing on the beach enjoying the glorious scenery and the company of amazing friends.

The next morning I got up early to run my 10 mile race that took me over back across the Golden Gate.  The experience was wonderful.  Kathy drove with me into the city and hung out with me until the start of the race. The course was kind of hilly and very beautiful.  I got to see the bridge looming in the distance with the morning sun making it perfectly red for quite a while.  Running over the bridge was amazing although I swear it felt like it was uphill both directions.  There was not much wind, the temperature was ideal, and it was early in the morning so the traffic was light.  The sun was not in my eyes in either direction so it was really as perfect as it could be.  At mile 7 Kathy was cheering and ready to take some pictures and then at mile 9 I saw two of the cuties sign holders I could ever imagine.  Chris had the boys make signs and cheer for me and it made me oddly emotional (crying and running do not mix).  The boys were so excited to see me that they insisted on running with me for a few hundred feet.  When I left them to run toward the finish line I heard Brady yell after me 'Don't worry mom, everyone gets a medal!!!"  It was a really great race and I am so happy with myself for training and committing to it so far in advance.  Maybe I am learning more about follow through and consistency in my ripe old age. I am also happy that we had so many great bridge adventures in such a short window of time.  I can't see how crossing the Golden Gate on foot or by car will ever get old.

Brody's sign says 'i love you mommy run faster than everyone else, win' and

Brady's says 'i love mom'

Soccer 2016

The boys played soccer this fall and it was so fun to see them play a team sport.  We moved to a new town in September and in an effort to try out some local community based programs we signed up for Kids Love Soccer.  When the kids were three, we participated in a mommy and me Kids Love Soccer program and had a great time but the boys have not played on a rec team by themselves.  The major selling point for this program was that it took place within walking distance of our house and it was a Saturday morning event so Chris could watch them play.  The kids had a great time and really enjoyed playing.  I have no idea if soccer is in their future but I can say that they improved over the course of the three months and were able to get a feel for what it is like to play a real game.

One memorable moment happened when the boys were doing face offs with an opponent.  The coaches lined up the kids on opposite sides of the field and when the whistle blew, they were supposed to run into the center, get the ball and score a goal.  Brady ran out and fought with his opponent for over two minutes until he was eventually victorious!  It was a very slow and somewhat hilarious battle but he was eventually the winner.   Brody on the other hand, ran out, was the first to the ball, turned, and kicked it into the goal from mid field.  Both scenarios were very exciting and fun to watch!