LV and the Mets

Last weekend it was a road trip to Long Island. We had a couple of agendas and we managed to do everything:
1- See and spend time with Aunt Daph
2- Visit with new baby RJ
3- Visit with Olivia and Ava
4- Take Daddy to a Mets game for Father's Day
Can you believe we made it all happen? It was a very hectic weekend but it was lots of fun.

Grandma and I always told Connor that Grandma and Papa live near a beach. The only beach Connor recalls is the one at Aruba so it was shock and awe when we rounded the corner and the Long Island Sound was in our sights. Connor and Garrett were ecstatic to play in the sand.
Since it was such a beautiful day, we had lunch by the playgrounds at the beach. I think we all enjoyed the sunshine.

At night the boys discovered a toy truck which played music so the kitchen became a dance party. Garrett ran up to Connor, grabbed his hands and they danced together.

Of course, Connor became the dance instructor. He instructed me to dance with Garrett and then...that's right can you see it in the picture. Connor told Brian and Papa to dance together so they did it and it was hysterical. Their coordination was an issue but they tried - Grandma and I ended up laughing on the kitchen floor.

Saturday it was off to see Jen, Tom, Olivia and Ava - it was the first time the boys were able to meet Ava. Olivia was very welcoming, showing and sharing all of her toys. They all drew on the easel together and played nicely together. For kids that don't see each other very often, they were all extremely comfortable.

It was great to see all their personalities come out while playing a game of tag before we left. They are getting big so fast and to see how fast they can all run around was fantastic.

I think Garrett was thrilled to see a little one younger than himself...

Brian and I then raced off to see the Mets game in the rain. It was our first time to Citifield and Brian came through with some phenomenal tickets. We sat three rows behind home plate and I never wanted to leave. It was a little rainy but the free hats we got and our rain gear came in handy. The Mets lost but we had a blast checking out the Delta club and we even got to see Uncle Kevin, Andro and Jon. Overall a great day! Of course, we missed the boys so we raced home to find them being so well behaved for Grandma and Papa...They were having a blast in the tub and didn't really mind we were gone.

Over the course of the long weekend, we spent lots of time with Aunt Daph. It was great to see the boys with her. Connor showered her with kisses and told her lots of stories. Garrett told her all about the cat in the place and raced cars on her feet and arms. It was a hectic weekend but I wouldn't change anything.

Memorial Day and the Mets

Long overdue is a posting about Memorial Day weekend and then hopefully I can get this blog back on track.

Memorial Day weekend was entirely planned by Brian and he did a phenomenal job. For those of you who don't know, it was the Mets vs. Red Sox series at Fenway during the long weekend and there was no way Brian was going to miss that.

On Friday, Andro, Jenn and the boys made the extremely long trip and they made it on time. Meredith and Uncle Kevin came the Fung Wah route (bus) and believe it or not made it as well. Friday night, Andro, Brian, Meredith and Uncle Kevin went to the Mets game and were treated to a Mets win. This is actually the first time Brian and I got to meet Meredith. Apparently, law school keeps people really busy but it was so nice to finally meet her. As you can expect, Meredith was a little quiet and shy but what do you expect coming into a house which was mainly chaos (10 people in a house...enough said). I could see her holding back some sarcasm...so it looks like it is a perfect match. Meredith, Uncle Kevin & Garrett - Garrett decided that Uncle Kevin was way to boring of a name. He called Uncle Kevin - "Pepe." It proved to be extremely entertaining to myself and others.
Andro and Garrett hanging out at the playground

So Saturday morning, I thought Connor had a soccer game - I hadn't been told otherwise and I did check the schedule...unfortunately he didn't. So I dragged everyone out of the house and the game wasn't even going on. We ended up playing at the playground and having our own little soccer game instead. At least we made the best of it.
The Cheering Section In usual post soccer action, we stopped at the local ice cream place. I didn't hear any objections from the kids or the adults. Hanging out eating our ice cream in town.

Saturday night we had a little birthday celebration for Luka who was turning 3 on May 26th. Apparently we are all really bad singers but I think he enjoyed the cake and presents. I know Connor and Garrett definitely did.

Saturday - Dino and Jen also came to visit. Saturday night we kept it low key with a BBQ and Brian couldn't believe when he walked into the family room and we had set up trivial pursuit...we decided to make it a battle of the sexes and as usual the Girls prevailed. It was a true team effort but the female logic/strategy did infuriate the boys - so we successfully won and irritated them. Great night for us!

Sunday was the big day. We all went to Fenway park for the big game. So far the Mets had won the first two games so we really didn't have high hopes for a sweep but it would have been nice. Unfortunately, the Mets lost but I think we all had a good time despite the score.

We ate lunch in the State Street Pavilion and while we were eating the game went into a rain delay because it was absolutely pouring. We had fantastic timing because once the boys got anxious it was time to go to our seats and the game resumed. The rain delay also allowed for Connor to see the tarp and grounds crew in action. He stood mesmerized for thirty minutes and refused to move until he watched them roll the tarp up and put it away. He couldn't stop talking about it all game. Brian's comment was that he truly is a little Papa Winston. It is amazing how intrigued Connor is with how everything works. I love watching his mind work and the number of questions is staggering. Brian couldn't keep up with the questions all game.

Dino, Jen and Aidan

Connor and Garrett in their Mets gear

The Bunetas

It was sad to see Monday roll around because we all loved having everyone visit. Dino and Jen brought presents for the boys. Garrett took a liking to this Mets ball and wouldn't let it out of his sight...he also loved playing with Dino. Connor even pretended to be Dino when playing baseball on Saturday night.

The boys at play. They also got water guns from Dino and Jen and let's say we were all soaked on Saturday night.

All the boys before Luka and Aidan had to leave. How cute are they!!!

To all those who came, Uncle Kevin has now sent us Cranium so watch out for your next visit. Game Night is on!

A Winning End to our First Soccer Season

Last week in soccer, Connor was a superstar. He was out on that field playing offense all by himself. He unfortunately took a spill but got back on the field a few minutes later to play goalie. After a little cohersion, he went back charging up the field and scored the tie-breaking goal to win the teams first game. Go Green Team!

After the game, the coaches presented the kids with trophies for a job well done. The Coach gave Connor the title of "MVP Goalie." They were all so happy and I can tell you that Connor's parents are extremely proud of his accomplishments.

Mission Accomplished!

It has been a while but I am going to make an effort this week to catch up. I think I might start backwards though...starting with this past weekend.

Well, actually I need to rewind to three weekends ago. Brian was away in Vegas enjoying some gambling and who knows what else while the boys and I enjoyed Needham. I took them to soccer practice myself and hoped for the best. They both participated in the practice running all over the field which I attribute to the bagel from Dunkin Donuts they ate before hand. During the game, Garrett was so understanding and let me hold him during the game. You are probably wondering why I would want to hold him for the game. Right next door to the field is a playground which he loves to play on and the only way to ensure he didn't run off on me was to hold him. Connor has taken big strides at soccer going from being so shy and timid to actually getting on the field without Brian and I near by. This week he decided he was going to play goalie...he basically saved the game for the Green team. The game started off well for the green team with Jake being aggressive on offensive and Connor being a stone wall in the goal. About 15 minutes into the game, Jake got tired and had to sit out so it was 7 red team members and Connor for the green team on the field. He held his ground in the goal and didn't allow a goal for 25 minutes of the game. With one minute left, Connor blocked a goal and kicked it back into the field. It hit a green team's mother shoe and went flying into our goal. Connor handled it well and he knew that he was the MVP of the day. He was so happy and to say I was a complete soccer mom on the sideline is an understatement. To see him so happy and proud, really made me so excited. The coaches were high-fiving Connor the whole game and he was loving the attention.

We thought it was Connor's last soccer game of the season this past weekend(it actually ends next week) so we brought him to the game and decided to video tape it. Once again he decided to play goalie and he did very well. He even had a buddy named Will who decided to hang out in goal with Connor. At one point, Connor, Will and Jake were all hanging out in the goal and their conversation was classic. They were talking strategy and Jake was trying to get Connor out of the goal. We were getting close to the end of the game and I told Connor to try taking the ball for the green team. He was hesitant but I told him I would run with him. Well, after just a few seconds he was running after the ball, knocking over some other kids and before you knew it he had scored his first GOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!! He even continued playing offense and Brian jokingly told him to run and get a ball that was on the other side of the field. Connor ran was the first one there and went on the offense again.

To see him interacting with the other kids and having fun was our only goal of soccer. It was a long time getting to this point but it has been totally worth it: Mission Accomplished!

So you are probably wondering why I brought up the fact that we decided to video tape the game. After taping about 20 minutes of the game, the screen said battery low. Brian thought it was enough and just stopped taping. Approximately one minute later, Connor scored his goal. Classic moment as a parent.