Weekend Wrap-Up: Family Gluttony Edition

Because the family that drinks wine and eats oysters together stays together. Or something like that.

We started the weekend with Chris's parents, taking them to the Comus Inn and Sugarloaf Mountain Winery. Comus Inn was okay. It has a fantastic view of Sugarloaf Mountain but it sounds like their Sunday brunch menu is where the real action is. And we always love an afternoon at the Winery. This time of year they offer a really tasty mulled wine.

The Peanut isn't so much interested in Butternut Squash and Ginger soup or Cabernet Franc as he is quality time with doting grandparents:



And orange lollipops:



But we enjoyed the scenery:



On Sunday we enjoyed a mountain of a very different kind. A mountain of food.



My dad and Tessa had us over for a full-blown oyster feast, featuring local Chesapeake Bay oysters and Tessa's signature drink for the day -- Orange Crush:



No lollipops here. Just oysters.



Including the Peanut's very first raw oyster. Promptly followed by his second and third. I kid you not.



If I accomplish nothing else in my life, I raised a toddler that will eat a raw oyster. There are probably a million reasons why small children should not ingest raw seafood. Please don't tell me. For now let's bask in my glory.

Anyway, that was our weekend. So much fun with family, wine and food that I literally popped a filling out of my tooth when flossing last night. Wild times!

Just beachy

What was that? I'm sorry? Oh, it's been how long since I posted a photo of my adorable child in his ridiculously cute hat on the beach? My apologies.



Whoo! I feel so much better now! In case you hadn't guessed, we spent another weekend soaking up sun and getting sand in strange places on the shore. It was a pretty low key weekend, we ate in a lot and dodged many thunder showers.



And when it rained, we practiced walking the dog, undeterred by obstacles like chairs or kibble.

(And WOW, what a difference a few feet in ceiling height can make when you're bouncing a flash!)

When it wasn't raining, the beach was absolutely perfect. We have a secret little spot (no, I'm not going to tell you) that is rather unpopulated anyway, but the tricky weather scared away more folks than usual. The sun skipped in and out of clouds, a nice breeze was blowing, and the Peanut splashed and splashed and splashed.


(This could explain the filthy state of my lens for the rest of the trip).



We are doing our best to embrace what little of summer remains.



Also, cupcakes. We are also embracing cupcakes. But that's more of a general philosophy and not season specific.

In all Fairness

Every year we hit the fair for some good old fashioned family fun, or a "super happy fun family adventure" as Chris prefers to call it. And it was his birthday afterall, so despite the 90 someGodawful degrees and scattered showers, we headed out for some sweaty farm animal fun. Chris got to watch pig races and I enjoyed my annual corn dog and cherry-dipped soft serve cone (Separately, of course. I'm not really in to mutant fried abominations. I'm a fair food purist).



The Peanut had a grand old time, of course. He had fun last year taking in the sights, but this year was even better, thanks in part to his unique vantage point:



Also, he is really in to tractors right now. So, all those lame displays of expensive yard equipment? SUPER FUN.





For the big kids too, I guess:



In addition to the food, I go for the goats. I love goats. There is not a single thing in this world cuter than a baby Pygmy goat. Please don't send me your baby pictures. I will just break your heart right now and tell you that your kid is not as cute as these kids (particularly the one on the right):



Plus, with a little slight of hand, you can make them talk to passers by:



We happened to visit on some sort of driving/draft horse day. I could have watched these big lovable lumps jingle around the ring for hours.



But there was still more to do! Like cheer for the Ravens marching band:





And then, there's this. I have no idea what this is. Both awesome and inappropriate at the same time. And supposedly edible.



We even managed to pause long enough for a sweaty family photo (though not long enough to stop cramming Cheerios into our mouth):



Brave the heat and visit your county fair! And bring me back a corndog while you're at it.

Living beyond our means

Well, not really. Just hob-nobbing with folks above our tax bracket. Once or twice each summer, we like to take advantage of Twilight Polo at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. It's a great opportunity to get the polo experience. Especially because it's arena polo, which means the matches are shorter and in a smaller, closer space than regular field polo (you know, from Pretty Woman). Plus, there's tailgating. And really, all we need is the tailgating part. The general rules of polo are fairly simple, but the fouls are mind-boggling, so wine is helpful.

We skipped last summer, probably something to do with raising an infant blah blah blah, so the last time we were at Great Meadow was literally the day before the Peanut was born. Lucky for me, he waited a good 24 hours and let Mommy have one more day to waddle the streets of nearby Middleburg, eat at The Red Fox and at the end of the day enjoy a fancy fizzy soda on the arena sidelines.


Getting ready to hog all Mommy's duck breast at Forlano's Market

Needless to say, toddler Peanut had a blast. I figured as much.  I mean, there's fast horses and whacking mallets and balls and cute little blonde girls in Lily Pulitzer dresses. Plus, all the crackers your grandmother can feed you (although his favorite picnic basket treat was one only my mom would bring - sardines with dijon mustard. And my kid had four.)




The excitement of the match was almost too much to handle.


Proudly representing the MD in VA.



He was not thrilled that posing for this picture interrupted his pony watching.


Mel the Fox hitched along for the piggy back rides.

Actiony!

Ringside seat.

(Photo credit to Chris for at least half these. But I would get them in the divorce, so let's just call them mine.)

4th, follow up

Because I've been lax about uploading photos. Nothing fancy here like long exposure shots of awesome fireworks displays, just good old fashioned grilling and hanging out with the folks.

Oh, and the BEST. APRON. EVER. You're welcome, Internet.



And perhaps the best ribeyes ever (more on that tomorrow).



And some of the best grandparents ever.


(Whisks are the most patriotic of kitchen utensils, don't you know).

My Grandma and Dad



Rockabye toddler



Goofs



Happy belated birthday, America!

Sandcastles in the sand

(In case you aren't familiar with the work of Robin Sparkles, click here)

This past weekend featured a different cast of characters - Pop Pop and my cousin Kelly and her family. Chris finally got to live his year-long dream of playing the slots at Ocean Downs. No pictures of that unfortunately, but I can tell you that we were the youngest people, aside from those wearing camouflage.


Sand crab.


She is a pistol.


And sometimes a good sport.


The Peanut pointing out a plane to Laney and a helpful iced coffee banner for Mommy.





The newest member of the mamarazzi!

Daddy dearest

Surprise, surprise. We spent most of Father's Day weekend at the beach.



Got to play in the waves with Grandpa Bob.

And then we topped it off with a visit to a winery on the way home. We are predictable folk.



And since I didn't snap a pic with Grandpa Don today, here is the Peanut (when he really was a little peanut) with Daddy and Pop Pop last year:



Happy Father's Day! Especially to these big three in our lives.

More beach pics to come, including PONIES! I didn't get to name any of them though. Hurumph.