Impromptu Soccer Star

Today was the start of spring soccer season.  We got Maddie outfitted in her soccer gear and headed for the fields.  A bit chilly, but sunny and overall a nice day for a game.  Just like last season, we brought all of Maddie's gear and an extra soccer ball on the off chance Aidan wanted to kick it around.  Who knew that would be an understatment! 

The second we got there he jumped right in with his soccer ball -  running, dribbling, shooting.  Then he announces, "I think I'd like to be on a soccer team."  (Keep in mind that I have asked him time and time again if he'd want to be signed up for any team sport AND this is the boy that we can't get to throw, kick or even look at a ball to save his life).

Luckily the league coordinator was there and was kind enough to let Aidan play with Maddie's team "The Doodlebops" today and said he could be signed up for the rest of the season. 

Maddie was her usual athletic self and was so proud when she heard one of the other Mom's commenting on how good she was.  And let's not forget her fabulous white and green hair braids courtesy of our visit to Stylin' Kids.  She oozed team spirit!

Aidan was utterly impressive with how quickly he jumped in, paid attention and kept up with everyone.  One slight moment of distress when another boy was hurt and crying - but he hid in the goal for maybe 5 seconds and then was right back at it.  And it turns out that 4 out of the 10 kids on their team are from his classroom(s). 

Quick trip to Sports Authority to get gear for Aidan and add in a celebratory trip to the 99 (it is mildly embarassing how well they know us there, but also quite adorable that M&A have bonded with the staff and couldn't wait to tell Patrice and their other favorite servers about the game) and we had an excellent day!

The Team

Apparently he took notes last season, because he was g-o-o-d.

One of the many fun drills coaches Daddy & John had for them.



'Snake' attack!!!



Looks like he couldn't outrun the snake!

My two favorite players!

Letterbox

We had our first ever letterboxing adventure this weekend!  We printed off the clues from letterboxing.org and went over to Borderland State Park to start our search...

We climbed to the top of very large rock formations.

Maddie participated in a little log rolling.

Aidan kept it cool with some sunglasses, a specimen bag & a pointer (all very necessary hiking items).



Our trusty guide Daddy!

SUCCESS!!

This was a total blast and we'll definitely be doing more of it in the future.  Turns out there's even one hidden in the conservation land right behind our house!

By far the most impressive part was how well behaved the kids were and their endurance.  A year ago Aidan would have been begging for a shoulder ride 10 minutes in.  This year he literally jogged the last 1.5 miles.  Kurt & I got an amazing workout just trying to keep the kids in our sight! 

Up Next:  perhaps a little F. Gilbert State Forrest anyone???

Bye Bye Baby

Baby TOOTH that is!  Our girl lost her first tooth (technically not her first because of the great hamper incident of 2008 - but we're not counting that)!  We put it in the cute little tooth box I ordered for them from amazon.com and she put it under her pillow.  She was adorably excited about the tooth fairy.  In fact, I have never seen this child fall asleep so fast in her life after I told her she had to be asleep for the tooth fairy to come.  'She' came and left $2 in exhange for the tooth. 

We weren't quite sure what to tell Aidan when he asked what she does with all those teeth...

Valentine's 2013

Our little Valentine's Chefs!  Initially Aidan was a little disappointed that it wasn't a playmobil, but eventually he warmed up to it :-)  He does love "cooking" after all (definition of cooking being making random weird experimental mixtures all over the house)...

 

Blizzard NEMO hits Mansfield!

I think this is definitely the most snow the kids have seen in their five years and so far they've had a blast in it.  I guess we can call it a mini-vacation since we are one of the lucky towns who never lost power.  No school Friday - Tuesday though because of the road & sidewalks.  

The news said Mansfield received 31.5 inches, but our deck seems to have only reached about 18 inches

Regardless, it was about thigh deep on the twins

Hi Maddie!

The snow pile at the end of our driveway (just to the right of it thankfully)!

It was no joke and took quite an effort to climb it!

By Sunday afternoon, most of our neighbors (those with young kids anyhow) made their way down to our cul-de-sac and there was a sledding party (off our snow pile if you can believe it).  Perhaps it was the alcohol they brought with them, but I had fun :-)

Kurt is quite sore and we're not sure if it is the fact that he snowblowed pretty much every driveway on our street or the effort it took to help about 15 kids sled off a precarious snow pile for hours on end.  Either way, he's a pretty nice guy...

Is there a Rehab for snow addiction?

 

 

At least it was a fresh snowfall!

 

 



 

 

 

This one takes the cake...

 

A couple of our girl cuz she's just darn cute!

Storyland or Bust!

We are back from our New Hampshire vacation and settled into our typical routine.  But we had a fabulous trip!  It was one heck of a drive, but the kids couldn't have been better behaved.

Here's Maddie during our pit stop at, OF COURSE, the 99.

Once we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to find a lovely 3 bedroom condo waiting for us - and Grandma & Peepa too!  We checked in, relaxed a bit, ordered some pizza and then headed to the resorts evening bonfire.  Since the occassion that initally prompted this trip was cousin Julie's wedding, Mimi & Buppy were in town and joined us too.  Maddie & Aidan don't realize it now, but they will someday look back and see just how lucky they are to spend so much time with all 4 of the grandparents. 

We roasted marshmallows, I chased Aidan around trying to keeping him from either falling into the nearby stream or the fire, and Maddie had some 1-on-1 time with Cinderella herself! 

Peepa lending a hand in the quest to keep Aidan out of the fire pit.

To Grandma's chagrin, we woke up bright and early on Saturday and headed out for some nature lovin'.  We hiked down (and it was a treacherous hike) to a 84 ft waterfall. 

Group shot at the smaller of the 2 waterfalls.  Love that Kurt is scurrying to get out of the picture.

Larger waterfall - well worth the risking of life and limb.

Princess Peach & Piggy hanging out on the rocks in their "raincoat".

Next it was on to Wildcat Mountain to take a tram to the top.  Well, not quite next as it took a few drives up and down the road to actually find the mountain (darn GPS).  But once we got there, the kids LOVED the ride up.  It was windy and cold at the top, so we didn't linger.  Got some great photos though.

Aidan loving the ride up.

Mom & Maddie enjoying the views.



Our view.

Grandma not loving the wind at the top of the mtn.

Our view as we headed back down.  Pretty cool to be above the clouds!

While all of the Willners gathered for cousin Julie's absolutely beautiful wedding, Grandma & Grandpa took Maddie & Aidan swimming, to dinner (shockingly at the 99) and to another bonfire.  M&A wouldn't go near the clown, but no one fell into the fire - so a win!  Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera to the wedding, but there was lots of fun to be had with daddy and his dance moves :-)  Congrats to the bride & groom, who are enjoying Costa Rica as I type.

Another good night's sleep for the kids and another early morning for all.  Then it was on to STORYLAND!  I had some concerns that the crowds, noise level and excitement would be too much for Aidan (and me frankly) - but I couldn't have been more wrong.  The both loved it and were so well behaved.  They went on way more rides than I expected them to and went all day long with neery a complaint. 

Pretending to be Little Miss Muffet.

She couldn't possibly have been more exited!

Swan boats (that Grandma didn't realize you had to drive yourself).

Captain Aidan Redbeard.

In his glory in the ball pit play area.

Taking full advantage of the Safari ride.

My sweet little princess. 

I think the face painting may have been Maddie's favorite part.  She kept asking the guy running the flume if her makeup washed off each time she went on the ride.  Of course a few hours later it did wash off in the outdoor heated pool at the resort (despite claims that it was 'waterproof'). 

Aidan wanted to know why Prince Charming wasn't around at Cinderella's castle and didn't love Mom, Maddie & Grandma going on the ferris wheel (it was too high).  But he loved driving the antique cars, riding the train and the pirate boat trip.  And of course the ice cream!!  It's always about the ice cream.

Despite being a die hard Cape Cod fan and a bit anti-New Hampshire, Daddy seemed to really enjoy himself.  Perhaps there is a repeat visit in our future next fall.  If we can find a way to teleport ourselves and avoid the almost 4 hour drive that is :-)