The Brookston Family Blog
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A couple of days ago Porter earned a prize at school, a green whistle. They gave it to him for some bathroom successes and we were thrilled to hear about them, as well. But he lost the whistle almost immediately. We think he left it on the bus. It appears that they must have given him another one because he got home from school yesterday with it and has been blowing it ever since.

A boy and his whistle.

“Toot, toot!”

“I love my whistle.“

I just got a call from Porter’s teacher, Liz, that Porter had some exciting news he wanted to tell me. So I waited while he came to the phone. As soon as I said hello to him, he blurted out “I went poo-poo in the potty!” He seemed very excited about his accomplishment and, needless to say, so was I. That’s his second success this week and his teacher suggested sending him to school in cloth underwear rather than the pull-ups. It looks like we may finally be entering a very messy, but ultimately rewarding, phase. This is also great news for another reason. He used the phone to initiate a conversation. According to Liz, he wanted to call me and tell me. I suspect he wanted to tell me, and Liz suggested using the phone. But no matter, it was still a milestone.

While Porter was eating his spaghetti, Sarah got a headstart washing Alice in the bathtub. By the time I joined them, Sarah had Alice laughing on command, by just ducking her head this way and that unpredictably. It was a great source of amusement to her.

Bathing beauty.

“Stop, Mommy. I can’t stop laughing. Please stop. Ha ha ha ha ha ha.“

After dinner, after Sarah got home from work, and after we’d gone up to give the kids their bath, Porter insisted that he wanted spaghetti. Nothing would deter him from his noodly quest. Luckily, there was some cold spaghetti (cue Wiggles music) in the refrigerator so I was able to put together a small bowl in short order. Porter was very, very happy when I walked in his room with the spaghetti and he quickly wolfed it down.

“Mmm, spaghetti. You have no idea how much this hits the spot.”

“But I do seem to be missing my mouth. Why are you asking me if I’ve been to the circus?“

Ralph Olson is the main man at HopUnion, one of the largest hop companies in the country, if not the world. He can be seen at practically all the important brewing industry functions, which is where I’ve gotten to know Ralph over the years, and over a pint … makes that pints. Happy birthday Ralph.

Ralph Olson (at left) with frequent partner in crime Ralph Woodall and Rob Widmer, the younger half of Widmer Brothers Brewing. This was taken at the 15th Anniversary Party for the Celebrator Beer News.

A contestant in the Celebrator Swimsuit Contest, held at the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego.

Sandwiched between Jessica, the former event coordinator for the AOB and Christian Ettinger, head brewer at Laurelwood Public House & Brewery in Portland, Oregon.

With Natalie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing, who’s accepting an award at the Alpha King Hop Challenge at last year’s GABF. If you look closely, you can find the award money.