The Brookston Family Blog
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I’d like to be able to say that as usual I’m above the fray and not susceptible to marketing ploys safely esconced in my ivory tower. But not so fast. This time I’m a complete sucker — or rather watching Porter has made me a complete sucker — for the new Pixar movie coming out next week: Cars.

So far we’ve watched the trailer on on-demand about 100 times. Porter already knows the story backwards and forwards because we already own four different books based on the movie. We also have Cars pajamas, underwear, swimming trunks, a remote control Sally, a key chain with a police car flashlight, matchbox-type toy cars of Lightning McQueen, Mater, Chick Hicks, Ramone, Flo, Luigi and Mack. We’re still missing Doc Hudson, Sally, King, Fillmore and Sherrif, along with a few other minor ones. But we do have a Shake’n'Go Lightning, too. Oh, and the mini Lightning toy that came as a promotional item with a 12-pack of Everyready batteries. It’s a sickness I tell you.

As you can see the movie starts next Friday, June 9. I’m pretty sure Porter and I will be there for the first showing after school lets out at 11:30 on Friday. Anyone out there who wants to is welcome to join us for the most eagerly anticipated movie in Porter’s life.

Click here to learn more about the movie.

Click here for all manner of trailers.

When the kids get up way freaking early it’s not uncommon for them to crawl onto the sofa with me quietly watch television until it’s light out. Occasionally both of them will snuggle up with me, one on either side. The other morning this happened and Porter starting peseterming me for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which meant I’d have to get up. When I returned with the sandwich, I found the two of them snuggled up together.

This is the scene I happened upon when I returned to the living room with Porter’s breakfast PB&J.

Alice, Porter and his sandwich continue watching television snuggled up together whereas I had to find another place to sit.

Today is my good friend Melissa’s birthday. She’s a brewer at Drake’s Brewing in San Leandro, California. She’s also brewed at Pyramid and Magnolia, too. I’ve known Melissa for a few years now and we’ve become very good friends. Happy birthday, Melissa.

Arne Johnson, of Marin Brewing, and Melissa at this year’s Boonville Beer Festival.

Roommates Jen and Melissa at the Anchor Christmas Party.

Melissa and fellow Drake’s brewer Rodger Davis at GABF last year.

Melissa and me at GABF.

Melissa at the Toronado Barleywine Festival.

Melissa in high school, believe it or not. At a Super Bowl party she threw, Melissa made the mistake of showing me this photo while I had my camera in my hand. I snapped a quick picture of it in the photo album, which is why is looks out of proportion and a little fuzzy. I had to seriously crop it and straighten it out and generally fix it up. But I think the effort was worth it, don’t you?

This is yet another early tailgating trip to the stick, or perhaps sometime in the early 1990s or even earlier. I say that based on Keith’s Datsun 280z and Christi’s lime green VW bus in the right-hand edge of the photo.

I won’t even try to identify everybody in this one.

Here’s another tailgating bonus picture which was taken at a game that featured just enough rain to make it unpleasant but not enough to have a raintout. Top row, from left: John C., Karen, Michelle and me. Bottom row, from left: Shmare, Andy, Mark L. and Nikki.

The other day while Sarah was out, it was hot and the kids wanted to go swimming. It was the first time we’d been over to the pool this year. Porter was a little tentative about it at first, but then he got into it although he still wasn’t ready to put his head under the water.

Alice checks out the pool from a safe distance.

While Porter wades in.

The pool water was a bit nippy so Alice decided the hot tub would be more to her liking.

And Porter agreed.

Alice padding around the pool.

Lately Porter has been much more protective and affectionate toward his baby sister, Alice. When I was at his school yesterday picking him up, he introduced Alice as “my baby, Alice.” He readily gives her a kiss at bedtime. And when we’re out he holds her hand both when we ask and sometimes just to keep her safe. The other day we were at the bookstore and Alice wandered close to the curb. Porter swooped in and grabbed her hand, pulling her back and away from the curb. It’s so nice to see him being a protective big brother.

Porter keeping Alice from walking into the street.

And walking her back to the store entrance.