The Brady Family

A Day at the Zoo--in December!

2011-12-31T18:33:00.001-06:00

We enjoyed the 65 degree weather today by going to the zoo!

Summer in December!

2011-12-30T20:33:00.002-06:00

My Little Fireman!

2011-12-28T20:11:00.000-06:00

Winter Wonderland in Fayetteville, Arkansas

2011-12-28T12:40:00.002-06:00

With Santa

2011-12-28T09:08:00.002-06:00

Alex was not afraid of Santa like many of the other kids. He hopped right up on his lap and talked his ear off, telling him that he wanted: a dark blue sheet, an umbrella, a rake, and a wheelbarrow. I doubt Santa had heard such a strange list!!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T08:50:00.001-06:00

Hotwheels Obession

2011-12-28T08:35:00.001-06:00

I am not sure if Alex or Alan is more obsessed with Hotwheels! Santa brought over 60 Hotwheels to Alex and an 8 foot race track. Luckily, mommy and daddy only had to buy one track (the one in the second picture)!

Five Little Finger Song from Alex's Christmas Program

2011-12-27T19:51:00.000-06:00

My Christmas Angel

2011-12-27T19:48:00.001-06:00

Alex's Wild Dance

2011-11-13T19:51:00.001-06:00

Alex has always had a lot of energy--even in the womb! This video helps you to see just how wild this child is!

Autumn Walk

2011-11-01T20:05:00.000-05:00

Halloweeeeeeeeen!!

2011-11-01T19:54:00.000-05:00

Our Pizza Creation in 7 Acts!

2011-10-28T19:51:00.000-05:00

Our trip to the KC Zoo

2011-10-23T10:49:00.000-05:00

Will you be my best friend?

2011-10-22T22:00:00.000-05:00

After spending the morning together, Alex asked Kelie if she would be his best friend.

Of course, she said yes.

Kelly Miller Circus, Carthage

2011-10-16T21:24:00.000-05:00

We took Alex to the Kelly Miller Circus in Carthage. It is a small, family circus and we were very impressed. The animals seemed well cared for and the whole atmosphere was very family-oriented. We had a great time except when and elephant nearly pooped right on us!! That is what you get for setting ring-side!

Wildcat Glades Audubon Center--Amazing October Evening

2011-10-10T20:20:00.000-05:00

Happiness

2011-10-09T20:43:00.000-05:00

Proud mama

2011-10-04T17:41:00.000-05:00

I am a very proud mama today. Last week when I dropped Alex off at school, there was a little boy (actually a boy about a year older than Alex) who was screaming and crying, wanting to leave. He was so upset that he was nearly hyperventilating. The teachers said it was only the boy's second day at the school and he was not happy. Later, I asked Alex how the little boy was and he just said that he was ok.

When I took Alex to school today, we were met at the door by one of the teachers. She said they were happy to see Alex and that he had a friend waiting for him. The little boy was sitting by himself with tears drying on his little cheeks. The teacher said he was waiting for Alex, his "best friend". Turns out, Alex saw the little boy upset and wanted to make him feel better. He started playing with him and now, the little boy can't wait for Alex to get there. He was in another preschool before and the kids were mean to him. That is why he is at Alex's school now. When I picked Alex up today, they said the little boy's mother has been very thankful for Alex befriending her son. I have a good kid!

Soccer--GOAL!!!!!

2011-09-24T08:59:00.000-05:00

Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo--Washington DC

2011-09-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

Mt. Vernon, Virginia--Revolutionary War Reenactment

2011-09-17T09:41:00.000-05:00

Dogwood Canyon

2011-08-28T11:35:00.000-05:00

If you get a chance to checkout Dogwood Canyon in Lampe Missouri, you will not be disappointed! It is an amazing place full of wonderful things to do. Check it out at www.dogwoodcanyon.com.

Weekend Getaway!

2011-08-28T11:12:00.000-05:00

Thank you to Kathy and Mark for helping us have an amazing weekend with three toddlers!! We swam, had ice cream in Eureka Springs, explored Dogwood Canyon and had a fantastic time!!

Candy House--Joplin

2011-08-03T17:36:00.000-05:00

Alex's class went to the Candy House today. His favorite thing was getting to wear the hairnet, or as he called it, the "kitchen hat". His least favorite thing . . . not getting to eat all the candy. He did get to bring some samples home, though!

Macaroo Gym with Ayden

2011-07-31T19:23:00.000-05:00

Slaying a dragon!

Ayden is growing up so much!

Boys hiding in the tunnels

Extreme Slide

Cowboy

2011-07-31T19:10:00.000-05:00

War Eagle Cavern--Rogers, Arkansas

2011-07-17T14:17:00.001-05:00

Backyard Water Fun

2011-07-15T17:29:00.001-05:00

Addicted to the Zoo

2011-06-23T07:10:00.000-05:00

Mischievous Cousins

2011-06-11T20:11:00.000-05:00

Captain Alex--All Business

2011-06-04T22:18:00.000-05:00

The Spaniards Visit

2011-06-04T22:15:00.000-05:00

Escape from Reality--Alex, Mommy, Daddy and Juan go to the Zoo

2011-05-30T20:30:00.000-05:00

What a difference a week makes--the clear sky on Sunday, May 30th

2011-05-30T08:42:00.000-05:00

Abo and Alex

2011-05-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

Alex's First Experience with Pop Rocks

2011-04-30T21:23:00.002-05:00

No autographs, please!

2011-04-24T18:49:00.000-05:00

Concentration

2011-04-24T18:22:00.000-05:00

Easter with Family

2011-04-24T18:10:00.001-05:00

Easter--Alex and Mommy

2011-04-24T17:57:00.000-05:00

My new doctor (who moonlights as a fireman)

2011-04-20T19:39:00.000-05:00

Donuts in bed!

2011-04-20T19:37:00.000-05:00

It's How I Roll!

2011-04-20T19:32:00.001-05:00

Neosho Fish Hatchery

2011-04-20T19:29:00.002-05:00

Daddy's Tie

2011-04-14T19:46:00.000-05:00

new life . . . in the garden

2011-04-09T17:18:00.003-05:00

It happens to me every year--I am amazed by how much pure joy I get out of plants shooting through the ground. This year is especially exciting because I have a garden that I am not overly familiar with that is full of new possibilities. When we moved in last June, the garden had been untended for over two years. It was overgrown. And being June, it was past the time of the season when I could do much more than maintenance.

When we moved, I brought starts of some of my favorite plants--tall phlox, echinecea, violas. I had attempted to transplant my Nanny's beloved peony (the peony she planted nearly 45 years before that I took with me when I moved from her house to my first house with Alan) only to have it die on me in the pot it came in. I even brought a start of the blackberry bush that had kept me in luscious berries for four years.

And since I couldn't do much last year, this year, I was ready. I enlisted Alan and Juan and even Alex to help pull away debris, get rid of leaves (even though we still have a ton more) and tear out fledgling saplings. I waited through the long, cold winter in hopes of things to come.

I knew that the man and woman who loved our house before (not the short-term interlopers who used this house as a stop-over of sorts) had taken extremely good care of the garden. They had tended it with a mix of an old-lady air and an educated gardener's eye. I knew if I was patient, I would reap the rewards.

Over the past few weeks, my patience have been rewarded. A carpet of violas covers the majority of my old lady garden with thriving hostas, lily of the valley, and tiger lilies protruding through. I have two beautiful Japanese maples, purple and white clematis, creeping phlox, vinca, peonies, teacup roses, a whole wall of foxglove and delphinium, not to mention the daylilies and the strawberries! To this amazing garden, I will add hibiscus, tall phlox, gerber daisies, hydrangea, and lilac. I have started seeds for my herb garden that will have parsley, mint, basil, oregano, chives, lavendar, thyme, and cilantro. For Alan's grandmother, I will add geraniums in the planter we brought from Spain.

But perhaps the center of my garden will be my Nanny's peony that somehow weathered its transplant and pushed up from its pot, healthier than it has been in five years! I think Nanny would approve.

organization

2011-04-09T12:27:00.000-05:00

It is something I have never been able to avoid . . . I like to organize and count things. I organized and counted my mother's thimble collection when I was a child. I organize books. I count stairs. When I lived in NYC, I knew the number of stairs in every subway station I frequented. Alex likes to organize. He likes to count. Hopefully, it is just one of the benefits of his developmental age. But if not, he is my child. :)

Skater Dude

2011-03-27T20:18:00.000-05:00

Alex Says

2011-03-21T21:33:00.004-05:00

To Nanny as Alex was settling down for a nap: "Nanny, my body is resting but my piggies are dancing!"

"Mommy, I love you all the way to the moon and back to the corn field!"

"Papa isn't seven years old anymore, mommy, he turned eight!"

"When I turn five, I get to use markers!"

"Mommy, go to pbs.org! Right there! Type pbs.org right there on your computer!"

"I want to go to Africa. Once, I flew by Africa in an airplane, but I landed on the beach in Spain!"

"Mommy, I don't have a swing set, I have a park in my yard!"

"Juan used to live in Spain with Abuelita but now he belongs to us!"

Birthday Party Mayhem!

2011-03-18T20:06:00.000-05:00

Wildcat Glades Bunny Hop

2011-03-18T19:46:00.000-05:00

We are very fortunate to live less than a mile from Wildcat Glades Audubon Center. This center has wonderful programs for kids, like their Bunny Hop that Alex enjoyed with his buddy Taylor!

Sorry, dad, I couldn't resist!!

2011-03-15T08:29:00.000-05:00

Alex's Park--Thank you Nanny, Papa, Abuelita and Aboo!

2011-03-13T18:43:00.000-05:00

Super Robot--Thanks Aunt Stacey and Uncle Chris (and Guthrie)!

2011-03-12T19:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Sweet Potato, Super Alex!

2011-03-10T19:46:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Alexander!!

2011-03-06T11:22:00.000-06:00

On March 9th, 2008, Nicolas Alexander Brady was born, weighing in at a mere 5 pounds 12 ounces. Now, three years later, we do not know what we ever did before he was here. He brings so much joy to our lives and we are proud that we have been given the gift of being his parents.

Cousins: Ayden Spends the Night

2011-02-27T10:46:00.000-06:00

Early Birthday Present

2011-02-27T10:40:00.000-06:00

A Sunny Day for Sidewalk Chalk!!

2011-02-19T13:47:00.000-06:00

Birthday Party Wildness

2011-02-13T18:54:00.001-06:00

Trio--Elsie, Guthrie and Sea Horse

2011-02-13T18:39:00.000-06:00

Snow Day--Watching Peter Pan

2011-02-13T18:33:00.000-06:00

Reconnecting with an old favorite

2011-02-09T11:21:00.000-06:00

Supervising

2011-02-02T10:24:00.001-06:00

Crab Man

2011-02-01T08:12:00.000-06:00

Alex found his crab swim floaty from when he was a baby. He wore it around, carrying his cars in the front for an entire afternoon. Love finding new uses for old favorites!!

Crazy New York City

2011-01-28T20:56:00.002-06:00

My Spanish Audience

2011-01-28T20:11:00.002-06:00

For Alex, it is completely normal to dance, sing, and "hangout" with computer screens. They are an extension of his family. He gets to see his Abuelita, Aboo, K-Nina and Alvaro almost every day on webcams. Recently, we had both computers set up and he was talking with K-Nina in Madrid and Abuelita, Alvaro, Laura, and Aboo in Puerto at the same time. He loved it! So much attention!!

Daddy and his boy

2011-01-03T19:42:00.000-06:00

New Do!

2011-01-03T19:14:00.000-06:00

At the Park in January!

2011-01-03T19:06:00.000-06:00

New Big Boy Bed!

2011-01-02T15:07:00.000-06:00

The Need for Speed! Gracias Tio Alvaro y Tia Laura!

2011-01-02T14:59:00.000-06:00

Alex, Guthrie and his other Dogs

2011-01-02T14:55:00.001-06:00

Alex got a new puppy from Aunt Stacey and Uncle Chris for Christmas--he is named Guthrie, just like their Guthrie. Since Guthrie arrived, he has gone everywhere with Alex. Alex read to him, sleeps with him, and even served him and his girlfriend, Elsie, when they went on a date. Alex informed me that Guthrie and Elsie were eating at his restaurant for their date and they ordered pasta and apples, because that is what dogs like--obviously!

Alex is a Chef, Just like Daddy!

2010-12-21T07:09:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Grandma Rita and Papa Larry for Alex's cooker! He loves it!

Alex's Debut

2010-12-17T15:09:00.000-06:00

As a shepherd at his school Christmas program, Alex was wild but entertaining!

Papa, Alex and Aboo

2010-12-16T20:02:00.000-06:00

The things Alex says . . .

2010-12-11T16:53:00.000-06:00

To his father after Alan very dramatically killed a spider: "What's your problem, Dad?!" (now it is cute, in 5 years, not so much)

To me after I tried nibbling on his legs: "I am not a sandwich, mommy!"

Me: "What did you do at school today, Alex?" Alex: "I got to snuggle with my two favorite ladies!"

To me when I cooked dinner one night: "Mommy, you don't know how to cook, only daddy cooks!"

To Alan when he drove the car one afternoon: "Daddy's gonna drive?!" (totally surprised)

Thanksgiving in Arkville

2010-12-05T10:49:00.000-06:00

Herald Square--NYC

2010-12-02T20:31:00.001-06:00

Cowboy Joy

2010-12-02T20:15:00.001-06:00

Bay Ridge Subway--New York for Thanksgiving

2010-12-02T20:11:00.001-06:00

Abuelita's New Car

2010-11-15T19:52:00.000-06:00

Alex hears everything we say--even things we think are minor and in passing. Alan talked to his mother last week (in Spanish) about her need for a new car. Yesterday, Alex constructed this new car for Abuelita out of pillows.

Duet

2010-11-15T19:37:00.000-06:00

Much to her daddy's chagrin, Alex has a bit of a crush on Maya. He has attempted hugs, kisses, holding hands, all to no avail. However, he recently found her weak spot--music! He capitalized on this by sharing his microphones and inviting her to do a duet. I think she was hooked! (Sorry Danny!)

Pumpkin Patch

2010-11-01T19:41:00.000-05:00

Alex + Mimi + ZZ = Crazy Wild Fun!!

2010-11-01T19:25:00.001-05:00

Halloween--Spiderman

2010-11-01T19:06:00.005-05:00

Alex wanted to be a dragon for Halloween. I found a really cool dragon costume, but when I went back to buy it, the woman in front of me snagged the last one in Alex's size. I truthfully considered swiping it from her cart, but thought better of it. Luckily, Alex decided he liked his Spiderman costume that his daddy bought him. He didn't want to scare anyone, so he only wore his mask for short periods of time. He also called our (nearly 400) trick-or-treaters our customers. "Mama, we have customers at the door!"

Installment One of Mimi and ZZ visit!!

2010-10-31T10:22:00.000-05:00

Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-15T16:07:00.000-05:00

Alex and Annabelle

2010-10-15T15:54:00.002-05:00

Alex loves Annabelle--one of the girls in his class. The other day when I picked him up from school, he told me that he got to snuggle with Annabelle at nap time. He said she is one of his "favorite ladies"! She does not seem to enjoy his hug quite as much as he does!! :)

Cousins

2010-10-14T09:50:00.001-05:00

School Picture Day--My Handsome Boy!

2010-10-06T12:59:00.003-05:00

Luckily, Alex loves his pre-school. When I drop him off in the morning, he regularly says--"It's time for you to go, Mama. There is the door!" I took this photo the morning of his first "school" picture day. He was very excited!

Guitar Backpacker--He looks so big!

2010-09-26T21:05:00.001-05:00

Alex's Abracadabra Dance

2010-09-26T14:24:00.002-05:00

Wild Boys in Kansas City

2010-09-12T19:36:00.000-05:00

Tulsa Zoo

2010-09-06T09:23:00.001-05:00

Neosho Summer Festival

2010-08-29T11:53:00.000-05:00

More Amusements!

2010-08-21T20:40:00.000-05:00

Table Rock Lake

2010-08-15T09:46:00.000-05:00

Kiddieland, Pittsburg, Kansas

2010-08-07T11:26:00.000-05:00

We took Alex to Kiddieland at Lincoln Park in Pittsburg last night. Kiddieland was developed in 1953 and in the last few years, a family has worked to restore the rides to their former glory. They have an amazing train, a Ferris wheel, a roller-coaster, airplanes, boats, teacups, and vintage vehicles, including British buses. The vintage vehicle ride just reopened this year with all original parts. It is amazing and Alex loves it! If you live anywhere near this area, it is a must!