Fruits of our Labor

I have never been known to be particularly crafty and I most certainly do not have a green thumb.  However, last year we embarked on a project to grow some of our own fruits and veggies in an effort to teach the kids about healthy eating.  We bought deck boxes since we live in the woods and can't imagine a garden surviving in our yard.  Last summer brought us lots of tomatoes that pretty much nobody ate.  And we managed to kill all of our cucumbers by turning them yellow.  This summer we got smart and decided to try for foods that our kids eat by the barrel. 

Our strawberry plant did survive the winter despite our neglect.

And miraculously it has bloomed!

Kids are thrilled and last night we had our ceremonial first pick!

Tada!  Sliced it in two and it was gone before it hit the plate.  Success!!!

Let's hope we can get them all before the critters do...

Grand Slam ala Mansfield

Seriously not sure I've ever experienced anything quite as adorable as the twinkies taking tennis lessons!  The first lesson was cancelled due to rain and the instructor (Chris) called to let us know.  From that day forward Aidan kept talking about when he would get to meet 'Coach Chris' (because "Coach Chris is just like me I think" - I assume he meant that he was a boy??)

The lesson had a mish mosh of adults and children, but M&A were definitely the youngest out there.  They started the lesson with some stretches and M&A were trying so hard to do them just like the cool college aged instructors.  Then a jog a round the courts and right into action.  Mostly just drills, but a few really fun games mixed in. 

Whenever Aidan would actually hit one of the balls, he'd look back at us and call out "Hey, I'm really excellent at tennis"!  All the other parents got a giggle out of that.

Anyone who knows Maddie knows that she LOVES to be the best at things.  She took this very seriously and tried very hard.  The other 2 kids on the court with them were older and had taken lessons before - so it was a no-go on being the best.  But she kept right at it and eventually found that if she ran after the balls super fast, she could be the best ball collector.  And she was!

I could tell that one of the instructors was getting a real kick out of Aidan and they way he beats to his own drummer.  During one of the games, the goal was to run fast and steal balls from your opponents tennis racquets that were laying on the ground.  Aidan decided it was more sportsmanly to actually add balls to the other kids' racquets.  I know it's because he doesn't like to see anyone else get upset and would rather have none for himself - but the instructors just thought he was a zany, silly kid!

Practicing his stance...

Not gonna give that ball a chance to even get over the net!

Capturing the 10 second period their backs weren't to us...

The Dodge ball/run to the net game...

the only time it's "OK" for instructors to huck balls at the children!

The ONE photo I didn't have to take by shoving my camera lens through the holes in the chain link fence and Aidan decides to be a jokester!


They are definitely looking forward to their next lesson and Kurt & I are looking forward to maybe being able to get back to playing tennis ourselves someday!

Mother's Day Weekend

It was a lovely Mother's Day Weekend.  Maddie, Grandma and I spent it at the spa getting our nails done.  This was Maddie's first time and the nail tech was so impressed with how still and non-squirmy she managed to be.  Grandma could have done without the 8am start time; but this is wedding/prom season after all (next year I'll plan a little more in advance)!

Enjoying the Spa!

 

 

Meanwhile, the boys (Aidan, Grandpa & Kurt) made an appearance at the Mansfield town fishing derby.  Aidan was one of the youngest there and Grandpa & Daddy were impressed with how he stuck with it for more than an hour before he got a bit restless.  Lots of nibbles, but unfortunately no official catches.  Aidan suggested that perhaps the fish would like a food tastier than worms!

 



 

Our handsome fisherman!

 

 

Better luck next year!!!!

 

With his Pa!

Post soccer game in the pouring rain, we capped off the day with our first family "bonfire" (as the twins like to call it).  They were quite enamored with the fire and thoroughly enjoyed the marshmallow part (M enjoys roasting and A enjoys eating - so yet another activity where they are a perfect match)!

Marshmallow time!

 

So far this spring/summer is shaping up to be a good one.  Finally, finally we are reaping the benefits of all of our hard work and Maddie & Aidan are more independent.  We actually get to sit down for a few blissful minutes and enjoy the outdoors (until someone needs a snack that is)!

 

No photos to share, but we did finish off the weekend with a visit to Mimi & Buppy.  The kids love to scoot around their neighborhood.  The fresh pavement is a huge plus when it comes to scooting.

 

Now we have to start planning for Father's Day...(though Maddie did ask the other day when it will be Kids' Day...um...pretty much always)!

Spring Updates

So far spring has been great!  Lots of time playing with neighbors and lots of dirt (Aidan's favorite part).  Just yesterday at swim lessons Ms. Katherine asked the kids to tell one good thing about their day.  Aidan said, "Laurel & Lyla" and Maddie said "the neighbors".  I can't imagine that they are going to take it very well when they find out that L&L's family is moving to Virginia sometime this summer.  *sigh*

Soccer is still going well.  Maddie is very aggressive this year and scored 2 goals in her last game.  Aidan is where Maddie was last year during her first season.  He excels during the 30 minute practice period, but is quite hesitant during the actual game.  I was trying to encourage him the other day and suggested he try harder to steal the ball and he reminded me that stealing is wrong.  He's adorably literal.

My two favorite players.  Front &...

Back!

April vacation was a blast (though Mommy did miss her "free" time).  We saw our twin friends Audrey & Henry for a playdate and also meet up with TJ who is the grandson of Kurt's co-worker and also happens to be going to Kindergarten here in Mansfield next year. 

I think one of the kids favorite activities was going to Drumlin Farm with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Deb and cousins Morgan & Vivie.  They were THRILLED when they saw the Solar Sculptures that they recognized from the snippets at the end of Curious George episodes.  I couldn't figure out how the heck they knew one of the sculptures was called Sisyphus.  Turns out it was the same way they know all the other random, but interesting, tidbits they come out with!

Oh, and a big, sarcastic 'Thank you' to our cousins who informed Maddie that it actually is an option to have a real, live pig as a pet.

Cousins!

A little rock climbing...

Our future pet....

Spring is off to a great start and the kids are really looking forward to the summer and lots of beach time!  Just today we turned the calendar to reveal May 1st and Aidan asked - "so when is it July?"!

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...