DC Weekend

We had a fun DC weekend- we started at Ryan's Uncle Tim's 60th (surprise) birthday party.  It was fun to see cousins and Parker-people of all kinds. Anderson has lots of (second?) cousins that are great playmates, and Brady is starting to notice and join in on the fun.

My parents, Ryan, the boys, and I all stuck around to see Lauren and Kyle for dinner Saturday night.  Then, Mom, Lauren and I took the little boys to the zoo on Sunday. :)

{The Zoo}
My favorite part...

it's you, Sister!

Okay, there was a tie...

Baby panda!!
(6 months old; ~20 lbs. )

Anderson's favorite part...

Meerkats!  Anderson loved running back and forth with them.

Brady's favorite part...
(If I had to guess)

Feeding time for this little lion (veggie straws pictured- pizza on the way- yum!)

Artwork

Anderson loves to draw, and he's starting to draw a variety of his favorite things- he's been into letters for a while now but recently he's branched out to music notes and trains.  He asks us to draw something (specific) a lot, and then sure enough a few days or weeks later, he's ready to go for it.  I think we are all glad he'll draw at restaurants now instead of always insisting that we draw for him.  Here is some of his latest work ;-)

{Music notes above a train}

{the artist at work on his next picture, also a train}

Today Anderson was still napping, so I set Brady up with some paper and we tried out markers and crayons.  I think the only things with more red than his drawing were his hands...

He really seemed to like it, and I had to keep him busy rolling a ball after so he wouldn't cry when it was time to clean up.  

Fast-Forward February

A little free time, cute pictures, and my motivation to blog never did align in February.  I took a lot of pictures with great intentions, but alas, it's March and not a single post last month.  So, without further ado, here is a fast forward through February...

It has snowed a lot!

We've had more freezing temperatures and more snow than usual in VA.  I've lost track of all of the snow days schools have had this year, but it's at least 10.  One of the bigger snows was the week of Ryan's birthday, which was great because Ryan took the whole week off to be home  with us.  It was really fun getting to play outside together, and Ryan loves snow more than anyone I know. :)

The view from our upstairs window.  Snow had turned to ice over night, so it didn't accumulate nearly like they'd predicted.

Anderson really into his brother not touching him lately.  Brady hasn't noticed. ;)

Checking out their sled (Grandpa and Shirley had given this to me as a baby).

That hat was made for those cheeks!

Happy boys!

Happy Mommy!

Snowmen

                                  

In between snowdays, we've had a few warmish, sunny days.  Just enough to make sure we remember how wonderful spring is before more snow.  Typically, the boys and I play outside at the park or in the backyard.  But our backyard stays pretty muddy after rain or snow, and the closest park is closed for maintenance.  So we have been brave trying out some new toys in the cul-de-sac.  Anderson's pretty good about staying in the cul-de-sac the whole time, and we're working on heading to the driveway as soon as you see a car, but with Brady mobile these days, too, I cannot relax (or really enjoy) taking them both into the cul-de-sac by myself.  

I am impressed by little Brady's balance.  He holds on to these toys so well.  Won't be long before he's riding all over the place.

One weekend Ryan helped me and we all had a little more fun...

Anderson loves his helmet and asked to wear it inside, too.

Here are a few more of my favorite photos and videos from the past month:

Brady's favorite thing in the world to do these days!

Anderson is really getting into being a "big helper."  He was really proud to help me carry in the groceries- I think he made three trips back and forth with me.

Cute, weird Brady has this little "trick" he likes- he puts a bite of food on his cup and then acts like he's taking a drink but instead gets the bite of food.  He'll do it maybe once a meal and doesn't make a big deal about it, but I think it's so funny.

Because we're not always smiling.  After pretty much insisting that the boys play out in the backyard last week, and acting miserable 90% of the time we were out there, these are the faces of two boys who were just put back inside.  Just one of those days.

I love this one.  They're watching the trash trucks that come on Friday mornings.

And here is Brady chatting and loving watching himself as I tape him on my phone...

And last, the boys giving Ryan a proper sendoff before work. :)

Jump? E for effort.  Dancing? A+

"Brady's Clubhouse" birthday party

We love Mickey around here, and we had so much fun celebrating Brady's first birthday with a Mickey Mouse theme.  I know all four of us really enjoyed the party, which is always good.  Our house was filled with family and friends and it felt like Christmas to me.  We sure wish we could have added several more faces to the crowd (Grandma!!), but I know Brady felt lots of love yesterday, near and far.

The decor (I had way too much fun with this, and I tried my hardest not to stress about the details)~

Mom and Lauren helped me frost and decorate the cupcakes.  The boys and I had baked and taste-tested some a few weeks ago, just to be sure.  Also, I wanted a little memento book for Brady, since he doesn't have all of the "baby shower" mementos that first-born Anderson does. 

Giant Mickey balloon!  This guy was so fun and very tempting for a certain toddler to consider a punching bag.  He's only lost his head once since yesterday...so far.

I had grand plans for the front door, but with the freezing cold temps, tape wouldn't stick, and my idea just wasn't coming together.  Enter Ryan Ives with adorable Plan B (entryway mirror)!

Party hats, along with my favorite recent find- Washington Nationals Mickey!  For $5 at Target!  

This was my favorite project, and I had it hanging up all week.  Monthly photos of  Brady bear from 1-12 months.

Treat bags for the kiddos

"Brady's Clubhouse" sign on the mantle.  

The Guests!

One regret, not getting more pictures of the guests.  But it was because we were all visiting and enjoying and forgetting about the camera most of the time.  Next birthday party, we'll do better!

Okay, this is just us.

Amanda, Michael, and Grandpa

(Katye), Jackson, Anderson, and Parker at the cupcake table 

Pretty McKenzie in her party hat and Baby Ashley!  Getting chubby and as cute as ever! :)

Anderson and McKenzie playing

Brady and Jackson 

Tim and Colleen

Kelly with Ashley, and cameo by Lauren.  And Mickey creepin...

Michael inserting batteries, with his "thinking cap" on ;-)

Our second Parker at the party (plus Brady Parker and 3 out of 4 of the Tim Parker family) :)

Brady opened lots of fun gifts!

Helicopter- love the propeller!

Beautiful train handcrafted by Grandpa.  Both boys are crazy about it!

A turtle!  With lights and music!

Soft, singing lamb 

What's in here?

Cheesing for the crowd.  We ate it up ;)

Checking out the train.

And after and ice cream debacle the night of his actual birthday (Friday)...

we were anxious for Brady to try some cake.  I think it's love....

Big brother loving him some cake, too...

YUM!

So thankful for a fun day celebrating Brady; a wonderful, healthy one-year old; and a house full of family and friends!  Here's to many, many more Brady birthday parties.  And cake!