Five Brown Kids

 Tyrone flew out to check in on Derick.  Bored but getting by and needs surgery on his hands. 

 The kids did their annual Father's Day Cook Off. Jaxon won this year and he will be teasing Scotia about it until the next one.  She is not happy. ( 2024 , 2023 ) Jaxon made Blueberry Wonderland - a fancy take on Bo'Berry Biscuits. In the video he is telling Dad that he worked on the recipe for months perfecting it.  Actually just found it on TikTok the morning of. Blythe made a Zesty Lemon Cake. I helped her find a vanilla cake recipe (and then left) and she did everything else - including modifying it to make it lemon flavored, setting up her own pans, and taking it out when it was done, making icing, adding lemon zest (I recommended the mint).  Blythe has entered the grown-up world of cooking! Scotia made her own version of Whole Foods Brown Butter Cookie Caramel Crunch Cake .  She still can't believe she didn't win.  I helped Blythe get started on her cake and then ducked out to hang with Mark while the kids spent time with grandparents and dad. ...

Matt, Andrew and Riley drove home and then Courtney hopped in the car and drove back for a Brown Family Birthday Weekend. She spoiled us all.  So lucky to have her in our lives.  My girls love her.  Second mom for sure. Walk to the dam with Carleen. Plus a hike through the woods with Blythe. We were moving the whole week.  Sara, Courtney, Tyrone and the girls went out for dinner when I had a date/concert at DPAC. Courtney hung up some molding in my bedroom. I helped with the caulking, she did everything else.  We ate dinner down at the dam. Paddled with the dog. Rosie did great sitting in the boat.  Out for dinner with friends and then went to a new to us winery with live music.  Comedian met us there and my friends questioned him relentlessly.  Their interest and engagement felt absolutely magical - not just vetting a boyfriend but sharing information to help him love me better.  Comedian handled it all with grace and humor.  Such a sup...

We hosted our third annual Father's Day Cooking Competition  on Saturday evening when Tyrone was free.  Blythe made sorbet enhanced with extra fruit and hibachi noodles (learned at a cooking camp). Jaxon made French toast with berries and powdered sugar on top.  It was delicious and for a minute he thought he was winning.  Then Scotia laid down.  (She'd been up since 4:45 am, drove to VA for a swim meet, came home and then cooked) A chocolate crepe stack with Oreo cream cheese mascarpone filling with whipped cream and a berry compote on top.  It was fantastic.  She won!  Tyrone takes good care of his kids. 

I'd rather wash toilets all day than go to the State Fair.  But Tyrone and Blythe happily go every year and have a great time!   Blythe came home with an absolute treasure this year. Dear god, it does not fit in with my house aesthetics, but she is very much in love with it. 

For Father's day the kids did a cooking competition.  Each planned and presented their own plate. Video at the bottom of the kids presenting and Tyrone's responses! They were so serious, and cooked amazing food! Blythe - not bad for a nine year old  Taye - these "reverse seared" pork tacos with tomatillo sauce and fresh pico were restaurant worthy. So good!  Scotia - this banana fosters inspired waffle concoction blew Tyrone’s mind. Watch the video!  Jaxon - simple and basic but expertly cooked… the texture of his scrambled eggs is perfect.  Video Here