Natalie's Granny and Peepah got her a water table for her birthday. The morning after her party, we set it up on the back deck and took it for a test drive. My famous last words: "Nah, I don't think we need to put her swimsuit and swim diaper on." Ha.
Already soaked by the time I got the camera.
Hey, Daddy needs a bath! By the way, the water out of the hose was COLD!
And there goes the shirt.
After telling her that she isn't allowed to stand in the water table, we compromised and let her splash her feet instead. (By the way, I love the monkey hanging out in the Croc "boat.")
A little bubble-blowing was definitely in order.
Ahhh, that was fun. Now it's time to snuggle with Daddy and get warm.
I thank my lucky stars that Natalie is not one of those unfortunate kids with a peanut allergy. The kid LOVES her peanut butter. And that is totally fine with me because she even likes the unsweetened and unsalted stuff! Ingredients: Peanuts. She likes it on her sandwiches, in her smoothies, on her bananas, and on a spoon by itself. (Gah! Have I been reading too much Dr. Suess?) Well, we've recently come up with another use for peanut butter - - vegetable dip. It seemed strange to us at first, but who doesn't love a good Thai peanut sauce!? If you ask me, I think she has a mature, complex palate!
These veggies are boring. They need a little sumthin' sumthin'.
This poor little roly poly was the subject of Natalie's curiosity the other day. She is fascinated by nature, large and small, but she will rarely touch anything herself. Usually when we point out a frog, ant, spider, etc., she responds with "Mama (or Dada) pick it up!" Depending on the critter, sometimes we will, but she is quick to pull her hand away when we try to hand it off. But when Allen picked up this roly poly he was able to drop it into her hand before she could pull it away. Once she realized that it wouldn't hurt her, she had fun rolling it around in her hands and examining it. That is, until she dropped it on the ground. And then we decided to release Mr. Roly Poly back into the wild.
Natalie and I took a nice, long walk with Meega and Poppop on the Suwanee Greenway on Saturday morning. Afterwards, we changed Natalie into her swimsuit and let her splash around in the sprayground at Suwanee's Town Center. Thanks, Meega and Poppop, for a fun morning! Let's do it again soon!
Tuckered out from the walk.
Looking more and more like a "big kid" every day. Sniff.
The three of us packed up a picnic dinner and headed to downtown Norcross for their 4th of July festival, which was actually held on Sunday the 3rd. We weren't really sure what to expect since I had just read a brief blurb about it online that mentioned pony rides and fireworks at dark. Well, it turned out to be a toddler's paradise. Natalie had a ball playing on the playground, riding a pony, a "train," and a swing, getting an airbrushed butterfly tattoo, and watching the fireworks. I was a little apprehensive about keeping her up for the fireworks after such a long day, but I'm really glad we stayed. Not only was she not scared, but she was shouting, "More,""Again,"and "Bang, bang!"
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story...
First pony ride ever! She obviously hates it.
A regular cowgirl.
Getting an airbrush tattoo. Now when you ask her about the tattoo, she says, "The boy sprayed it!"
Smiles of approval.
It came with glitter, no less.
Getting ready for the "choo choo train" ride!
Wheeee! There were a few tears when we had to get her off the train. Good thing somebody had a dog nearby. Distraction: A parent's best tool.
Picnic time! We all enjoyed some corn from my dad's garden. Yummy!
Did I mention that this kid loves to eat corn on the cob?
Time to dance!
More dancing with Mommy.
One last swing ride before the fireworks. She was not happy about getting off this ride either. Luckily the fireworks started shortly afterwards.
Hello? Is anybody still reading out there? Yes, it has really been 8 months since my last blog post. So, what has the Bray family been up to? Well, I'm glad you asked! I'm finally done with my contract position (more to come on that) and have some time to blog again. Hooray! Let's see if I can get you all caught up!
Congratulations to Allen for completing the Spinx Marathon (marathon #6) last weekend in Greenville, SC, finishing the race in a personal best of 3:19:59. He was on pace to run around a 3:10, but was slowed by leg cramps the last several miles. However, it was a cool and beautiful day, a great race, and Allen was glad to finish in under 3:20, so you won't hear any complaining out of him!
I decided to dress Natalie in her piggy costume since the race was on the day before Halloween. It was also a very cold morning, so her costume helped to keep her warm too! We cheered Allen on at the 1 and 3-mile markers and then had two hours to kill before we would see him again around mile 26. There was a 5k going on as well, so I enjoyed being able to run it with Natalie in the jogging stroller. After finishing the 5k, we still had time to go get coffee and play on a playground before cheering Allen on to the finish.
A very cranky-looking Natalie. She did NOT sleep well in the hotel the night before and then I woke her up early, dressed her up like a pig, stuck her in the stroller, and pushed her out into the freezing cold. I guess I she had every right to be a cranky little piggy.
Blurry Allen at mile 1.
Allen's backside at mile 3. My photography skills were lacking that morning apparently.
Natalie looking cute and entertaining herself (and onlookers) with coupons as we wait for Daddy around mile 26.
A smiling Allen at mile 26. You'd never know he was struggling!
Finished!
Allen and Natalie posing in front of Fluor Field, where the races all finished by running around the outfield.
I hope all of you had a fun Halloween! We participated in our neighborhood's annual Halloween Parade and enjoyed seeing all of Natalie's friends in costume. It's fun to compare pictures from year to year and see how all the kids have grown!
Natalie was especially excited about all the dogs!
We ended up being the very last people in the parade because Natalie had to stop and give kisses to all the dogs among the spectators.
The post-parade party down at the Swim & Tennis Club.
Natalie and Micah last year.
Natalie and Micah this year.
Natalie and Declan last year.
Natalie and Declan this year. Note the pouty face. She thought she was in trouble for some reason.
Natalie and her buddy Molly. Molly was fascinated by Natalie's costume!
On a recent trip to visit Allen's grandmother, Grandgirl, I noticed a bird feeder attached to her window. It was a clear acrylic one that attached to the window with suction cups. While we were visiting, several birds flew into the feeder and some of them hung around long enough for Natalie to catch a glimpse of them. She seemed pretty interested in them, so I though to myself that I should get a bird feeder for our house. I found the same bird feeder on Amazon for only $7, ordered it, and picked up a bag of bird food. We attached it to one of our kitchen windows shortly before we left town for a week and the birds didn't really seem to notice it. I saw a male Cardinal once or twice, but that was it. When we got back from our cruise it was empty! I immediately filled it up and the birds have been going crazy over it ever since. Natalie enjoys watching them, but I think I'm the one who is obsessed!! I have identified the four species that regularly visit the feeder: Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, and White-Breasted Nuthatch. The other day I saw a different bird (Downy Woodpecker) in the feeder and almost fell out of my chair because I was so excited! Of course it quickly flew away before I could grab the camera and I haven't seen him since.
It has been interesting to see the different personalities of these birds. The Chickadees are very acrobatic and like to hang on the wind chimes behind the feeder. And although they are smaller than the other birds, they have more of a tendency to guard the feeder. The Nuthatch seems to be the dumber of the birds. It will land outside of the feeder and try to peck at the seeds through the plastic. It also has the annoying habit of using its beak to fling seeds everywhere in an effort to dig down to the sunflower seeds. The Cardinal is the most elusive of the four species. I typically only see him every few days. I don't really have anything interesting to add about the Titmouse except that I can't say its name with a straight face.
I highly recommend getting something like this if you have small children. It's a great way to bring nature *almost* indoors!
Allen participated in Atlanta Track Club's Ekiden Relay once again this year. Never one to pass up on an opportunity to take Natalie to the park, we tagged along to cheer on the runners. It's amazing how much Natalie has changed since last year. This year Natalie entertained herself by throwing Cheerios to the ducks in the pond, climbing onto the jogging stroller, and generally running around and getting into mischief. Last year she entertained herself by blowing spit bubbles and falling asleep in the Baby Bjorn. I wonder what she'll be doing next year...running in the relay?
Allen bringing it home for his relay team.
I partially collapsed the stroller to keep her from climbing on it and she still found a way to sit in it.
Allen's relay team accepting their mugs for placing in the open coed division.
A blast from the past. It's hard to believe how much little Natzilla has grown!
Already soaked by the time I got the camera.
Hey, Daddy needs a bath! By the way, the water out of the hose was COLD!
And there goes the shirt.
After telling her that she isn't allowed to stand in the water table, we compromised and let her splash her feet instead. (By the way, I love the monkey hanging out in the Croc "boat.")
A little bubble-blowing was definitely in order.
Ahhh, that was fun. Now it's time to snuggle with Daddy and get warm.
These veggies are boring. They need a little sumthin' sumthin'.
Ahhh, yes! Peanut butter to the rescue!
Hey, this isn't so scary after all! 
Poke. Poke. Are you in there?
Come on out and play, Mr. Roly Poly!
Whee! Mr. Roly Poly rolls just like a ball!
Tuckered out from the walk.
Looking more and more like a "big kid" every day. Sniff.
First pony ride ever! She obviously hates it.
A regular cowgirl.
Getting an airbrush tattoo. Now when you ask her about the tattoo, she says, "The boy sprayed it!"
Smiles of approval.
It came with glitter, no less.
Getting ready for the "choo choo train" ride!
Wheeee! There were a few tears when we had to get her off the train. Good thing somebody had a dog nearby. Distraction: A parent's best tool.
Picnic time! We all enjoyed some corn from my dad's garden. Yummy!
Did I mention that this kid loves to eat corn on the cob?
Time to dance!
More dancing with Mommy.
One last swing ride before the fireworks. She was not happy about getting off this ride either. Luckily the fireworks started shortly afterwards.
A very cranky-looking Natalie. She did NOT sleep well in the hotel the night before and then I woke her up early, dressed her up like a pig, stuck her in the stroller, and pushed her out into the freezing cold. I guess I she had every right to be a cranky little piggy.
Blurry Allen at mile 1.
Allen's backside at mile 3. My photography skills were lacking that morning apparently.
Natalie looking cute and entertaining herself (and onlookers) with coupons as we wait for Daddy around mile 26.
A smiling Allen at mile 26. You'd never know he was struggling!
Finished! 
Allen and Natalie posing in front of Fluor Field, where the races all finished by running around the outfield.
Natalie was especially excited about all the dogs!
We ended up being the very last people in the parade because Natalie had to stop and give kisses to all the dogs among the spectators.
The post-parade party down at the Swim & Tennis Club.
Natalie and Micah last year.
Natalie and Micah this year.
Natalie and Declan last year.
Natalie and Declan this year. Note the pouty face. She thought she was in trouble for some reason.
Natalie and her buddy Molly. Molly was fascinated by Natalie's costume!
Boo! Happy Halloween!!
Allen bringing it home for his relay team.
I partially collapsed the stroller to keep her from climbing on it and she still found a way to sit in it.
Allen's relay team accepting their mugs for placing in the open coed division.
A blast from the past. It's hard to believe how much little Natzilla has grown!
