3.39 Soccer mom .....

By Cyndi
September 15, 2014

Soccer mom status is delayed until next weekend.

It was not a good day Saturday morning for the fellas or myself.  For weeks, we have talked about soccer and what to expect during practice.  They were super excited when they woke up and were easy to get dressed.  They happily got out of the car and by the time the short walk to the field ended, everything changed.  They refused to to leave my side and were scared to participate at all.  I helped them to walk out onto the field, stood with all the other kids and nothing would get them to put their ball down and listen to the coach.

Nothing worked and it tore me up.  Matt left work & came to practice and tried to help and still no luck.  After 25 minutes of trying (of a 45 minute practice), I left in tears and brought them home while Matt went back to work.  We'll try again next week and I really hope they aren't so scared and participate this time.

The rest of the weekend was calm and it took me quite a while to recover from the morning and the next few weeks are pretty jammed packed with plans.

Here's the weekend review from my phone:

2nd Dentist appointment where they did great!

Happy kids before soccer ...

 Don't look too hard in the field, they were right at my side ...

 Dinner al fresca ....

3.38 Perfect way to end the summer ... Bethany Beach

By Cyndi
September 8, 2014

Well, summer has officially ended for the Alderson Family!  After a short work week, we headed to the Delaware shore with our friends the Carmeans for a long weekend at Bethany Beach.  We've been talking to the fellas about this trip for months and how we would play in the sand, enjoy the water and do lots of special things.

Matt and I packed the car, which resembled a game of tetris as we had SO MUCH stuff!  Once we arrived, we unpacked into the condo and got everyone changed and walked out to the beach.  We picked a first floor condo, where we could walk to the ocean within 2 minutes.  It was perfect!

We spent an hour or two playing and then headed back for dinner and bed.  I started feeling worse as the cold that started the day before was worsening. 

The next morning everyone was up early (ugh!) and we were setting up camp at the beach by 830a!!  We were also joined by a DC friend and her twins.  Tyler and Zach mostly played in the sand and the little pool we had near our chairs.  Zach did go down to the water's edge with Matt which was great!

Don't you love my wine glass??!!  Ahhhh..... add a few frozen grapes in it and I was enjoying life.  Not pictured:  The box of kleenex I went through along with the Afrin nose spray -- I was almost over dosing to be able to breathe!


We had lunch and then nap time.  After nap, we drove 20 minutes north to Rehoboth for dinner and playtime for the kids. They had a FABULOUS time at Funland.  The rides and games were the perfect size.  The only downfall was it was 90+ degrees outside and hotter near all the rides and we were all dripping in sweat by the end.

We stopped in a candy store for a late night snack where they each picked out a bag of chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles.  On the ride home, we offered them a few and Tyler only ate one and Zach only took one little bite and said he was done.  I think they were just exhausted!

On Saturday, once again, we were up early and at the beach before 9am.  We lasted until close to 1130, again in 90+ degree heat!  They had a blast between the sand and the swing set. 

After nap, we headed up to the Bethany boardwalk, took a quick family picture and enjoyed ice cream.  The Carmeans finally witnessed T&Z's craziness with food when they refused to eat their ice cream (which was melting quickly) because they didn't get a cone.  So finally we got them a cone, of which they each took one small bite and then said they didn't want it!!

We headed back to the condo for dinner & the adults enjoyed the quiet time after the kids went to bed.

For our first real family vacation, I think it was a WIN!!  Raising kids is tough, twins are very tough as they feed off each other all.the.time.  To see them enjoy all of the new things was a parenting win!  My favorite memory of the trip was asking them what their top two favorite things were:

Tyler
1.  Riding the trucks at Funland
2.  Riding the boats at Funland

Zachary
1.  Standing in the water and the waves
2.  Riding the boats at Funland

Until next time ...... hopefully we will continue to be on the uphill from age 3.5 (half ages are the worst) and ride the vacation train of happiness a little longer!

3.37 Is it really almost fall??

August 31, 2014
By Cyndi

Look at me, ahead for the week!  Thanks to the long weekend, I've actually had time to do laundry, grocery shop and feel mostly caught up around the house.

On Saturday, we had a block party in our cul-de-sac which had at least 6 families and tons of kids!  It took about 15 minutes for T&Z to warm up, but as soon as we brought out their cozy coupes, they started to play and interact with all the kids, even some in high school!  It was also a great opportunity to chat with some of our neighbors and hopefully we'll do it again this fall.

On Sunday, Matt took the day off and we spent the morning at a local apple farm.  When we told the fellas we were going apple picking, they remembered who we went with last year.  I was amazed that they remembered accurately!!!

It was a small hike to get to the apples that were ready for picking and we only picked about 4lbs.  I didn't want too many since last year we wasted some.

They were fairly cooperative to try to get a few decent pictures!!

The rest of the weekend was spent preparing for our beach trip at the end of the week and next weekend.  It is our first REAL vacation and after how crazy work has been for the past 4 weeks, I really need some time away.

When we were about to turn and walk back, Tyler decided to announce he needed to pee, then Zachary.  What else could we do besides pee among the trees?  They both had a little stage freight, ended up not going, and held it through breakfast until we made it home.

3.36 Uncles and Parks .... a fun week!

By Cyndi
August 25, 2014

Another busy week at work for me which probably won't change for at least another month, but at least we had a little fun at home!

My uncle & cousin stopped by to see all of us, while dropping off Jessie for her sophomore year. It was nice to have dinner and the fellas have been enjoying their new ninja turtles sticker book.

Over the weekend, the fellas were using their imagination and pretending a bear was chasing them. Then they asked Matt to be the bear.  It was hilarious to watch them "hide from the bear" and run away as Matt growled at them.

Matt worked an overnight shift so we actually had Sunday together as a family!  We spent the morning at a park with twin friends, I ran errands at nap, & bouncy house for the afternoon.  By the end of the day, they walked right upstairs for bed and practically put themselves to sleep!!

3.35 Like Father like Son .....

By Cyndi
August 18, 2014

Work has been crazy for me ... the last two weeks have been at least 60 hours between the time at the office and working from home in the evenings after the fellas are in bed.  I was exhausted by the end of the week, but we had a sitter scheduled to go into DC to see one of my bridesmaids, Emily,  and her boyfriend!  It was fabulous to finally meet Brad and enjoy a nice dinner out.  Sadly we didn't take a single picture, but I promise it was a yummy dinner and a nice night away from the fellas.



The rest of the weekend was spent around the house doing the normal things ....

Except, I did decide to spice it up and try baking cookies, a favorite of Matt!  The fellas did okay -- they wanted to go quickly through mixing the batter, didn't want to taste the dough and were underwhelmed with the finished product.  They do look cute in their Batman aprons!!!

3.34 Matt's 18th birthday!

By Cyndi
August 12, 2014

After a very very busy week for me at work, we celebrated Matt's birthday!  The fellas asked each day if it was his birthday, though we kept reminding them it was Sunday. Up until now, they kept saying Matt was 17 years old, so I guess now he is 18!

Matt and I enjoyed a nice dinner from our local butcher on Friday night with a fabulous bottle of wine.  Saturday morning, Matt worked his normal 7a-3p and then went back in at midnight until 8a, at which time he could come home to spend the rest of the day with us!

We went out for donuts for bfast and the best laid plans always seem to have a kink.  The fellas picked out 2 donuts each for themselves and Matt & I each picked one.  Of course, the one I picked the fellas wanted, so I just enjoyed my coffee.  We tested out their new soccer shoes and Matt opened his cards.  Their writing is getting better each time they practice!!

We enjoyed dinner at the Isaacs' house and dessert of fresh apple pie.  Yummy!

As far as play goes, they are so fun and creative at times!  The top left shows a movie theatre they built with magnet blocks, with the screen and airplanes behind it showing Disney's Planes movie! They found all of their batmans and ninja turtles and had each of them sitting on a triangle chair. Bottom right is superhero chefs in the kitchen :)

3.33 A "normal" week

By Cyndi
August 4, 2014

It has actually been somewhat of a quiet week, mostly spent recovering from the craziness of the last few weekends.  We only had one playdate for the weekend that ended up bring canceled due to another kid being sick, so we stayed home all weekend, played and played some more!

And for your viewing pleasure, here is the latest fad in our house .... (yes this is a birthday card from their 3rd birthday!)  **Video fixed!!  Enjoy!!**