en garde

Ever since he was 4 years old Zach has been begging, and I mean BEGGING to take fencing class. He finally got to start this year and he loves it. I mean LOVES it! There's only one problem... nobody to practice with! Ever the resourceful lad he decided to take matters into his own hands. Of course first I caught this moment and explained that this scenario was NOT going to work, you can't fence with an unarmed opponent.

Well, Naia is now in training. She gets a front row seat to all of the action at fencing class.

And even when she was too little to sit up he was prepping her.

(She is exactly 2 months old in this photo, and yet she knows how to give him "the look".)

So the other day I was brushing my teeth (don't worry, this is going to get somewhere I promise) and Naia was begging for a toothbrush as always. Usually I hand her a second toothbrush and she coos happily and chews on it while watching me brush my teeth. This time I handed her the toothbrush and she smiled mischievously (can an 8 month old smile mischievously, oh yes!) and started fencing my toothbrush. Oh yes, young grasshopper, you  have learned well. The master fancer of the boat was thrilled! I quite frankly was stunned and decided to brush my teeth over the sink. :)

So here she is ladies and gentlemen... the world's youngest fencer.

Oh yes, I am going to have my hands full.

p.s. The fabulous wooden swords in the clip and the shot below come from Friendly Fairies. I can not say enough good things about these folks, they are the best! Search their past items to see all of the varieties they make.