TWO!

B turned two a little over a week ago. She's still not sure what the whole fuss is about but she does enjoy singing "happy birthday to binna" to herself over and over. For the record, B continues to say she's only one, I guess lying about your age is a trait all women are born with.

Below are a few feeble pics from various sources. If one of the pics is yours, then of course it's the best of the bunch. Otherwise, they are all pretty stinky.

Michael "the heff" with two of his ladies.

Sandbox toys. A definite hit.

Earnin her keep.

It may have cost me $5 to get B to do this but it was well worth it.

Labor day

Looking to capitalize on the remaining nice days this summer, the DAMNclan headed out for a 3 hour kayak trip on labor day. We launched from Hodgdon Island in Boothbay and made our way to Specticle Island where we were planning to have our picnic lunch. Specticle ended up being too far away to make it to with the ticking, goldfish weilding timebomb sitting in the middle jumpseat so we opted instead to put ashore on Ram Island. Here, from a nice sandy beach we ate our lunch while Brynna worked tirelessly to ride the planet of all Periwinkles shouting "Death to all sea snails who dare to oppose me!" By the time we dragged her off the beach we had enough to make a fine stew.

The trip over.

Ram Island

In search of periwinkles

"holy shit, I found one!"

Back on the water we attempted to find an alternate route back to the launch but unfortunately for us, all land looks about the same from the water so we got hopelessly confused and were forced to go back the way we came hanging our heads in shame. Thankfully, after this year's race season, I'm used to that by now.

Beyond California

Brynna has made the jump from California roll style sushi (cooked crab rolled with nori, rice, avacado and cucumber) to full-on raw fish style sushi; salmon to be exact.

Best money ever spent?

As a parent, the hardest time of day is often the hour after getting home trying to get dinner going while a whining toddler dangles from your leg. Well, those days are gone, for now at least. With the daylight hours and nice weather dwindling quickly we decided to give B her birthday present a little early. Its a new sandbox with a clever lowering cover to keep animals (grace) at bay when it's not being used. Upon seeing it for the first time on Sunday, Brynna promptly spent two straight hours in it while essentially ignoring our existance. Oh the bliss! Don't get me wrong, we love spending time with the big headed midget but sometimes the hundredth "whatcha doin" starts to get on your nerves and we've been needing some place to stick B on such occasions. At least until the padded room is finished.

Let the play begin. Notice Grace waiting patiently for her turn.

T-Bone!

Brynna is a vegetarian no more. For the first 18 months of her life about all she would eat was cheese, fruit and vegetables. We could usually get her to eat fish but that was it as far as meat went. How things have changed. Apparently she had a recessive carnivorous gene that has been awakened and we now sometimes have a hard time getting her to eat anything but meat. Case in point, the other night we had a very nice 2" thick porterhouse steak with dinner and B loved it so much she ate right from the bone.

mmm, steak

more steak!

kindly sharing with daddy.

Picture in picture

I love pictures you can look at and find something new in it each time. Take this picture below for example. It's of Calia opening presents at her 2yr birthday party (I actually stole the pic from Tina's blog). At first glance it looks like your birthday party.

Look a bit closer though and you'll see a very upset Brynna in the background. Why is B upset? Well, just before this pic was taken B was standing and watching happily while Calia opened away. Calia, sensing Brynna was feeling left out walked over and handed her a pair of orange candy corn pants. B immediately fell into my lap and starting crying. Why she cried about this we'll never know, I can only assume it's because she's deathly affraid of candy corns. Again, I'm not sure why but it may have something to do with when, as an infant, I'd set her across the room and shoot candy corns at her to pass the time. Who knows.

the sophisticated palate

How many toddlers do you know who eat nothing but hot dogs or peanut butter or just plain refuse to eat anything. Brynna isn't one of those toddlers. As a matter of fact, she constantly amazes us with what she's willing to eat. She is regularly spotted eating things most toddlers, and some adults wouldn't be caught dead eating such as herbed brie (Marcy) and sushi (she started out with california rolls but has progressed to some actual raw fish rolls like tuna and salmon). A couple of weeks ago she upped the ante by eating an entire portabello mushroom cap stuffed with spinach, onion, feta, garlic and parmesan cheese. In case you've never had portabellos before, they have an extremely strong flavor and thats before you factor in the onion, garlic and feta. Joe, do you think Michael and Enzo might want me to make some for them? Come to think of it, I don't think Joe and Sally would eat them either.

Looks yummy.


down the hatch

more!

Just in case B's five babies weren't enough, Mimi Jo thought it wise to buy her 2 more! Thanks a pant load Mimi Jo cause, ya know, B isn't neurotic enough about her babies.


The twins.

dance, dance, dance

Brynna shows off the latest in cloth diapers. Super comfy and stylish too!

more photos...

"Whatcha mean, farts aren't funny? Daddy says they are."

"Dude, I rock!"

Naked grass sittin'.

"Lemme see, I don't think I've pissed in this room."

more photos...

"Whatcha mean, farts aren't funny? Daddy says they are."

"Dude, I rock!"

Naked grass sittin'.

"Lemme see, I don't think I've pissed in this room."