Weekend with the Z's and P's

This weekend, my dear sister Rebecca, her wonderful husband Thomas, and their friend Juergen, arrived in NYC! The kids and I drove to NY early on Friday so we could have fun with MarMar and PopPop. The kids had a blast playing in the freezing pool, chasing bubbles from the bubble machine, and eating. With all that action, they fell fast asleep- just in time for Dad and I to leave to go and get them from the airport. Even though their flight was delayed an hour (and the airport said they had landed on time- don't believe everything you see in writing....), it was a joyful reunion. We had a great, NY, breakfast Saturday morning- bagels!! We played at the park- Addie's new Austrian doll, "Jess" needed to go swing- Wii was a big hit with the guys, and the pool was a hit with the kids and girls. Dinner was a great NY pizza with dessert, Jones Beach Ice Cream- yum! Sunday, Alden and I headed home and Addie stayed to spend a week with MarMar and PopPop.

Fun in the pool- the Z's were over the Atlantic at this point....

Addie is a PopPop Girl

Alden is a MarMar boy

BUBBLES!!

Here they come!!


Reading German books- it didn't take long for them to warm-up to Aunty Becca


"Jess" swinging at Daddy's Park (where Al played baseball as a kid)

The boys playing Wii

More time with PopPop

Jones Beach Board Walk Ice Cream- yummy!

Riding back in style

More pics to come with the Z's when we meet back up with at Ians' wedding!!

9 Glorious Years

It's hard to imagine, but Al and I have been married for 9 years- together for 11! Man, that makes me feel old!! It's been an amazing 9 years and I look forward to many more!

Thanks to kind friends, we were able to actually celebrate our anniversary not once but twice, with one of the occasions, being ALONE!!

On Monday night, our good friends April and James, offered to watch the kids so Al and I could go out to eat. It was wonderful- no need to get a high chair, no need to decide if what you really wanted to eat, would be eaten by one of the kids, no need to cut-up food, no need to clean-up our area before we left. And the BEST part- we had ADULT conversations that were uninterrupted!! Our dinner, at Dogfish (yes, the restaurant associated with the famous beer) was yummy, and in true Delaware fashion, we got rained on- thank goodness they have big umbrellas for the outside tables! Once it cleared, we decided to stroll the boardwalk in Rehoboth. No sooner where we on the boardwalk, then the heaven's opened again- so we tucked into a cute little coffee shop we had noticed before, but never had an excuse to try. We had coffee and an amazing piece of chocolate cake.

It was fantastic to spend time together. Thanks James and April for not just watching our kids, but feeding and putting them to bed- we are so blessed to have such great friends!

On Wednesday, the actual DAY of our anniversary, Al had to work all day. A good friend of mine from college happened to be in town, so we met up at Dewey Beach and had fun watching the kids play in the sand and catching-up. Al arrived home from work with 20 long-stem, red roses and an amazing card. He continues to show his love for me not just on "big" days, but every day- which I LOVE. We had a yummy dinner- his favorite- and special times with the kids. Addie was very curious about "Ama-ver-ser-rees"- and is adamant that she was in my tummy when we got married AND that she was our flower girl. We don't argue with her- she's only 3 and to argue with her is to open a WHOLE can of worms that I don't want to touch right now....

So, it's been a glorious 9 years. I love Al more and differently then when I married him. Still, he's kind, compassionate, patient, thoughtful, and has the best sense of humor! Together we have weathered some serious ups and downs- but with God as our Captain, we will always be safe. I love you Al and look forward to many, many, more anniversaries with you. Yes, I STILL want to go on a cruise for our 10 year....

Us- taken by Addie- not bad since she's only 3!

On our strolling through Rehoboth, we found this store- and they sell the CUTEST bows!!

Me and my gang with my college friend, Erin

The yummy dinner I made Al

The BEAUTIFUL roses Al gave me- what I gave him, well, I won't share with you....

Guys Camping Trip/ Girls Fun in Richmond

Over Father's Day Weekend, our family had some great fun with old friends. Al went camping with a great group of guys he went to college with. It is a fantastic tradition that we are excited to be a part of every year! While he is spending quality time with quality guys, the kids and I get to have fun in Richmond! Every time we go, it is more fun to see Addie and Alden interact and play with Hannah, play at our old stomping grounds, and just know your way around without having to get directions.

There are no pictures of the guys camping- no one took a camera.... BUT to make up for it, I took a ton!

Friday night, I was able to go to the hospital and see a dear friend who had just had a sweet baby that night- what a sweet time that was- but no pictures.... Saturday morning, Karen, Hannah, the kids and I all went to Stony Point to play in the fountains (the kids played, Karen and I supervised). Brittany and baby Ava stopped by and we enjoyed that very much! After loooooong naps, we headed to Mike's Mom's pool and ate and swam there- that's was a blast, thanks for having us Gramma Wasch! Sunday morning, we had Dunkin Donuts- which wasn't there when we lived there..... And then played at Hugeunot Park. Once home, the guys arrived back and we had a yummy Father's Day cookout, allowing Mike to try out his new grill. To try and avoid "Beach Traffic" we hit the road by noon. We had a fantastic time- the kids and I, with Karen and Baby Hannah-thanks for all the fun! Al had a great time with all his old buddies.

Side Note: On the way home, I had a kidney infection flare-up. I've had one once before and it is NOT fun. Thankfully we were able to drop the kids off at a friend's house and then spent 4 hours in the ER all to be sent home with a prescription.

WARNING- Strange "Prize"- UPDATED!!!

Recently, Al helped a rather eccentric artistic lady out with some free, damaged tile- she wanted to make mosaics. To show her appreciation, she offered to make him "something." What did he like? He said surfing- and this is what he was given a few weeks later....

It's not bad and will fit in nicely with our beach themed bathroom, with a few modifications.....
I'm not sure what about Al made the lady feel that his Surf Shack would fly the National Pot Day flag, or why she thought he needed a topless lady meandering by. Needless to say, I plan on making a few "changes"- making the flag say 624 (our anniversary) and giving the woman a top.

It's interesting and has been the "talk" of Lowes for the few weeks it took Admin to decide that he could actually take it home. It just goes to show that you NEVER know what kind of people shop at Lowes....

UPDATED!!! Here are the pics of what is now hanging in our 1/2 bathroom... It just took a few minutes of using fabric "puff" paint (sorry you true artists out there, but it looks cool and gives it "texture") and I think it looks pretty spiffy!

Fun at the Kings Creek Pool

Good friends of ours have connections to a great kiddie pool- and we used it for the first time on Monday. Last year we tried to use it- but both Addie and Anna kept falling over in the 12" deep water- causing a very pregnant Allison to jump in, or for me to leave a very curious and crawling Alden alone. Needless to say, today's adventure was MUCH calmer and all the kids had SO much fun! It's amazing the difference a year makes!

Addie and Anna "water" the bugs in the bug trap....


Alden "water" himself....


All the kids working together


Having fun together!

Feeding time!

A Proud Moment

This may not look like much- but it's one of the pictures I'm the proudest of.

The plate in backwards and the fork not quite in the rack- Alden put in. All by himself. No prompting. It's not perfect but it's pretty darn impressive for a 22 month old boy!! He is going to make an amazing husband some day!!

OC Air Show

On Saturday was the Ocean City Air Show. Since both my kids liked airplanes (or so I thought....) I decided to take them sans Al, since he had to work. We left the house early, so I could 1)get a good/free parking spot and 2)the kids could play in the sand before it got too hot.

Getting there went as perfectly as it could have! I got a free parking space at Town Hall which put me on 4th Street- and all festivities were centered on 16th Street. I loaded up the stroller- fyi- a jump rope works really well to tie a chair to a stroller handle!- and we walked up a few blocks to 9th Street. This way we were close enough to see all the planes, but not too close for all the noise- or so I thought....

From 10am-noon the kids happily played in the sand, ate snacks, and enjoyed the pre-show of an old WWI plane doing loop-de-loops. They even enjoyed the 1st 4 or 5 "acts"- various planes flying by, several parachutes. Addie did question WHY anyone would jump out of a plane- she deemed that very unsafe and questioned if they had asked their Mommy's if they could....

By 1pm, I was thinking about packing-up as both kids were past their normal nap time. It's a good thing I was thinking about packing-up, because at that time, the Fighter Plane made his first pass. (Que Scary Music)

The kids were enthralled by the plane because it was much closer then any of the other planes and it just looked cool. The 2 or 3 split seconds after the plane passed, and that LOUD sonic boom hit, both kids literally jumped from their sitting positions in the sand, tossed their shovels, screamed at the top of their lungs, and clung to me, making me look like I had suddenly grown 8 extra limbs.

Unfortunately for me, since I was "so far away" from the "center"- I was right where the planes were turning around. Read this- I had only a few split seconds to recuperate from the first sonic boom, before another one occurred.

Around me were loads of college kids since I was near the volleyball courts. They were all laughing hysterically at my kids- and I have to say, I was laughing right along with them, Addie and Alden were putting on SUCH a show. Screaming as the boom happened, calm when they saw the plane pass, and then realizing it was going to be loud again, and starting back up with the screaming.....

I packed up in less then 1 min, and in 5 min was quickly strolling down the Board Walk, back to the car. Thankfully the noise wasn't as loud on the Board Walk, and the bouncing of the Walk was lulling my already exhausted kids to sleep.

Now when we pack-up to go to the beach, Addie makes a simple request- "I want to go to a regular beach, no hairplanes (airplanes), please. They are toooooo loud and make me cry."

Even though this ended a bit more dramatically then I had anticipated, it was still fun. Next year I think I'll just come when the show starts, bring earplugs, and sit on the Wall instead of the beach. Live and learn.....

Our Little Diva

Our Little Architect


Happily eating lunch while watching the WWI "Hairplane" that Addie was SURE was her Poppy Duane who had flown all the way from "Hidiho" just to wave at her and then go back home....


The cool skills shown by the Coast Guard- this was the last "act" that we saw in peace....


Here is where you would hear the "Jaws" music- they were playing so happily....

And no, I do not have any pictures of them screaming. I would have loved to have captured it, but in my hasty packing-up, the camera got put at the bottom of my stroller.... Just use your imaginations- they can't be too far off!!

Thanks

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together, they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."

This portion of scripture really resonated with me when it was read in church this morning. Right now, I really see this playing out in my life as a mother. I appreciate all my diverse friends- softies to hard-nosed, structured to free-spirited, homeschooling to public schoolers, 1 kid to a whole passel- who have joined alongside of me and have helped mould me.

Thank you, friends for all you have taught me, and will continue to teach me through your blogs, conversations, emails, and time spent hanging out. Sometimes I agree wholeheartedly with you, and sometimes I don't. The bottom line- we are in this journey that God has placed us in, together. I appreciate those of you who have shared your journey with me- the ups, the downs, the twists, the turns. I learn so much from you- and for that, thank you!

Al's Birthday

Al's birthday was fantastic! We celebrated several different times- whew!! He is an amazing father and husband, he deserved every minute of it!

Celebration #1 I actually didn't any pictures of.... I made him his favorite meal- lamb, roasted potatoes, broccoli, and rolls. It was yummy but sadly, I have no proof of it....

Celebration #2- We had a cake that the kids and I made for him! He opened his gift of a hat that says "A #1 Dad"- and oh, yeah, he got a motorcycle....

The kids thought singing Happy Birthday was hysterical...


Alden can NOT wait to eat some cake!


Addie being very thoughtful eating her cake- not wanting to waste any crumbs!


Alden is such a savage...

Celebration #3- at Jen and Frank's house!

Addie wanted to help Daddy with his candles

And the candles are out!

Motorcycle Tour

For Al's birthday, we headed to upstate NY- actually, it just happened to be his birthday, but due to Inventory at Lowes, he had an unexpected weekend off, so we headed upstate. The Grandparents came up and offered to watch all 3 grandkids so Jen, Frank, Al and I could go for a motorcycle tour all day Saturday and then have a peaceful-child-free evening at the Lake House (about 3 miles from Jen and Frank's house). It was magnificent- the riding (even though the back part of Al's motorcycle seat isn't the most comfortable....), the scenery and the sheer fact that the kids were having fun with their cousin and grandparents!!

Us as "bikers"


Ready to go!



1st Stop- Buddhist Monastery- how random is that in the middle of upstate NY?


Stop #2- Millbrook Winery- interesting tour and tasty wine-tasting

Inside the tasting area- it used to be a dairy farm

A castle near the winery that is made of 100% recyclable "stuff"- they wanted $10 a person to tour it- when it was free a few years ago- so this is all you see....

The Happy Couples- gotta love timers on cameras!

Jen and Frank

Stop #3- Cold Spring- we got ice cream and checked in with the Grandparents

Happy Couple by the Hudson River

How many motorcycles can you cram into 1 parking space?

After this, we headed home- see next post!

Lake House Fun

After spending all day on the motorcycle, we ended up at Jen and Frank's lake house. The grandparents had graciously agreed to keep all 3 kids at the regular house for the night and then to come and "play" with us later.

The adult snack-time- yummy cheese, crackers, and wine from the winery.


One tired but happy couple!


The kids arrived around 11am on Sunday- yes, we got to sleep in- yay!!!
Mommy and Son


Addie and her Daddy

Modeling the 1 piece suit so she wouldn't freeze....

Playing with Nate in his inflatable pool, complete with slide!

Al braved the cold water and wakeboarded

Addie and Alden were totally fascinated with Jack- and he tolerated them, too!

Alden chowing down on corn-on-the-cob- his 2nd one....